It wouldn’t be Christmas if cafes and restaurants weren’t revamping their afternoon tea offerings for the festive season. It’s a typically British tradition, and a fun thing to do if you’re after an indulgent or more luxurious take on coffee/tea and cake – so why not make a Christmas version. There are so many places across the North East bringing their version, so here’s just some of the places offering festive afternoon tea in Newcastle and the North East for this year.

Each of these venues offers a unique location to enjoy the simple pleasures of afternoon tea. I’ve been to many of them myself but would also happily go to the ones I haven’t. While you might imagine many of the menus are very similar, it’s the setting you’re in that really makes an afternoon tea experience what it is. And they all deliver something different on that front for the festive season.

Rather than go through each menu I’ll add links to them and just summarise the basics you need to know.

This post was first shared in 2021 and has was updated in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Just to mention, prices have increased at some from last year but not by as much as I was expecting, some just by 5p or £1. Costs have obviously really gone up so I totally understand why, but I don’t mind paying for things like this if they’re genuinely good and the service and quality matches.

I share this post early as places book up so quickly, so if there’s one you fancy don’t want or you will be disappointed. There’s also some new additions on the list which makes the total 18 places to enjoy festive afternoon tea across the North East for Christmas 2024.

The Tempus 

The Tempus is the beautiful hotel part of and by Charlton Hall, and I’ve had the pleasure of dining in their restaurant on a couple of occasions and it’s beautiful. I have been a few times and I can promise you it will be an absolutely beautiful setting for festive afternoon tea.

Last year their dessert layer was one of the best I’ve seen, including a Rudolph Red Noses macaron, a Christmas Battenberg and a present treat. Looks like they’re back again for 2024, and they also have a children’s version too.

• When: Monday – Saturday through December until 23rd
• Price: From £19.95
• Find more details on The Tempus website here 

Matfen Hall

I had the pleasure of visiting Matfen Hall for the first time only last year when I was invited to a showcase evening after their extensive refurbishment. I was blown away by it and can’t believe I hadn’t been. This year Matfen are hosting their festive afternoon tea in the Drawing Room by the fire, and the menu is another one with some mouthwatering seasonal treats, five things on the savoury layer, and gingerbread scones!

You can also choose to add a bottle of Laurent-Perrier champagne to your experience too for an extra cost.

• When: Tuesday – Saturdays from 3rd December – 4th January
• Price: £39.50 per person

More details and how to book on the Matfen Hall website here.

Biscuit Factory Kitchen

Festive afternoon tea from the Biscuit Factory Kitchen is served on their heated roof terrace, and the menu is all about the winter warmers.

• When: from 16th November – 12th January
• Cost: £29pp or £34 if you’d like a prosecco or craft beer with it

Menu and booking details can be found here.

Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle

At Tyneside cinema you can enjoy afternoon tea before a Christmas showing of Its a Wonderful Life, on certain Sundays in December. It includes prosecco and is served in the Tyneside Coffee Rooms before the film.

• When: 8th and 15th December
• Cost: £45per person, £37.50 without prosecco

Book your cinema and afternoon tea package with Tyneside Cinema here.

Meet Me On The Corner, Whitley Bay

Meet Me On the Corner are a very popular licensed cafe and bistro on Ilfracombe Gardens in Whitley Bay. They serve home made food and drinks, complete with a festive afternoon tea for Christmas. I really enjoyed it last year, and it came with savoury options, traditional scones and a whole layer of sweet choices including the best Bailey’s cheesecake you’ll ever have.

Details: So far they haven’t shared the full details for 2024 but keep an eye on their Instagram account for when they do as they book up fast.

Read my full review of the Meet Me On The Corner festive afternoon tea here.

Spanish City, Whitley Bay

The iconic spot on Whitley Bay sea front has recently had a full repaint glow up, and it’s always one of my favourite venues for festive happenings. Enjoy their Festive afternoon tea under the dome or in 1910 with the glass front overlooking the sea and St Mary’s Lighthouse. While I’d normally say go for 1910, the giant Christmas tree under the dome is probably where I’d choose for the festive afternoon tea.

• When: Every day they are open from 20th November to 31st December, so not Mondays or Tuesdays.
• Cost: £31 per adult, children’s version for £15.50 per child. £10pp deposit required

Menu and how to book here. – they are also doing an afternoon tea with Santa, details on site.

South Causey Inn, County Durham 

South Causey Inn, County Durham is an independent hotel known for its rustic style, good food and luxurious rooms. They do all sorts of unique packages, events and dining options in various settings including their private dining pods. This year they are hosting festive afternoon tea in the 150 year old stone Farmhouse and Orangery Suite, and it includes a welcome drink, afternoon tea and unlimited tea/coffee.

They have a children’s menu too which includes mocktails and hot chocolate, as well as a gift from Santa which is canny.

• When: Sat 30th Nov, 8th, 14th, 22nd and 23rd December. Times include 12pm, 12:15pm, 3pm and 3:15pm.
• Cost: £40 per adult and £30 per child under 11.

Menu and how to book: https://www.southcausey.co.uk/festive-afternoon-tea/

Pleased To Meet You, Newcastle

Pleased To Meet You on High Bridge Street is offering afternoon tea this year, and unlike some others who can’t cater to dietary requirements they are offering a standard, a vegetarian, and a vegan option. It includes prosecco, a mulled wine or tea and coffee.

I always enjoy the winter atmosphere in here and food is great quality – it’s where we had our girls Christmas night out last year, and if the winter cocktail menu is as good this year as it was then you could end up there all day. There were some fab ones!

• When: 25th November – 29th December
• Cost: £25pp

Rockliffe Hall, Darlington

Venue: Rockliffe Hall 5 star hotel is fabulous, both to stay for a luxurious spa break or just to visit. Festive afternoon tea here this year is served in the Old Hall lounges and the menu is as you’d expect but I really like the sound of the cranberry scones. It comes with a festive mulled wine too.

• When: 1st – 31st December from 12:30-3:30pm
• Cost: £49.59 per person, £24.50 for kids.

You can find the full menu online and can book by calling 01325 729999

Vermont, Newcastle

Right in the centre of Newcastle the Vermont is a lovely hotel and it does a cracking afternoon tea. They also do a gentleman’s afternoon tea too with pork pie and a pint. They’re doing a Festive afternoon tea with a brass band playing Christmas classics.

• When: 18th and 19th December with table availability between 2-4:30pm
• Cost: £29.95 per person

Menu and how to book: the Vermont menu is here and call 0191 233 1010 or email christmas@vermothotel.co.uk to book

Hotel Du Vin, Newcastle 

On the quayside in a lovely old building Hotel Du Vin are offering a festive twist on their classic afternoon tea. A nice treat before or after a walk along the river, it’s a classic menu with seasonal sandwiches and mince pies.

• When: Available between 20th November to 24th December.
• Cost: £39.95 including a glass of champagne.

Menu and how to book: all information is on their website here.

Malmaison, Newcastle 

I love the Mal in Newcastle it’s just in the best spot on the quayside with unbelievable views of the river. Their festive afternoon tea includes a glass of champagne or a festive cocktail.

• When: from 21st November – 27th December so you could do this one between Christmas and New Year. 
• Cost: £39.50pp

Menu and how to book: details online and you can book online too or call up.

Alnwick Garden, Alnwick Northumberland

The Alnwick Garden have their usual fabulous light trail again this year, and all sorts of other festive events, they have a festive afternoon tea available from November right through to the start of January. Afternoon tea will be served in the Potting Shed which is on the deck of the Treehouse. I spent a fab couple of days in Alnwick during the festive season last year, take a look here at everything else you could get up to during your visit.

Cost: £23.95 for adults or £11.95 for kids.
When: 21st Nov – 5th January

Menu and how to book: Details on the Alnwick Garden website here.

Slaley Hall, Northumberland

I love Slaley Hall at Christmas, for such a big mansion it always feels really cosy with the fires on. I really enjoyed their festive afternoon tea last Christmas, food and service was fabulous. The website at the moment is so difficult to navigate and I couldn’t see details on it, but I did see they’ve announced festive afternoon tea on their Facebook page from £30 per person.

• When: I can’t find details online but last year it was daily through December except Christmas Day, between 12:30-3:30pm.
• Cost: £30pp

I think it would be best to book by giving them a call on 01434 673350

Leila Lily’s, Newcastle

One of Newcastle’s prettiest bars on Grey Street, Leila Lily’s is always very festive. They have a big range of Christmas dining options available throughout December, including a festive afternoon tea, also with dietary variations if you’re vegetarian or vegan.

• Cost: The standard option is £27per person.
• When: It doesn’t specify so I would assume it’s available to book all afternoons in December. 

Details and booking online here.

Raby Castle, Teesdale

Afternoon tea at Raby Castle sounds fab as it’s served in the castles grand entrance hall, which is all decked out with huge real Christmas trees and a roaring fire. All the festive vibes. It’s on banquet tables in true castle style so you will be sharing with others, and it’s already down to some of it’s last few tickets so be quick!

• When: 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th December, from 1-3pm
• Cost: Standard £32, £38 with glass of fizz

See full details of Christmas Afternoon tea at Raby Castle here.

High Force Hotel, Teesdale

High Force Hotel isn’t far from Raby Castle, and they are also offering a festive afternoon tea. Enjoy in the cosy hotel Garden Room or Snug by the fire. With this one you also get admission to the High Force Waterfall so you can enjoy a winter walk before your afternoon tea too.

• When: 8th, 15th and 22nd December at 4:30pm
• Cost: Adult £25, Kids £15.50

Full details and how to book on the website here.

Jesmond Dene House, Jesmond

I’ve had afternoon tea takeaway from Jesmond Dene House, and I’ve ate at the restaurant multiple times, but I’ve never had afternoon tea at Jesmond Dene House before. This year they’re hosting one dedicated festive afternoon teas on 15th December, ‘and a special NYE afternoon tea – ’Taittinger Afternoon Tea’. There will be music, champagne and refillable tea and coffee.

• When: Sunday 15th December
• Cost: £44 per adult and £16.50 per child

To book call 0191 212 6060

There are a few others I’ll be keeping my eye on, that either haven’t yet released details but always offer a really unique experience. These include the Running Fox at all their locations, Mother Mercy in Fenwicks and Dreamworld Cakes in Ouseburn. They all do afternoon tea year round so even if they don’t do a dedicated Christmas one you could still book to enjoy over the festive season. Like I mentioned previously the menus are all very similar and most have options to upgrade with alcohol of some sort included, everything from mulled wine to gingerbread lattes, prosecco and champagne. If you try any this year let me know!

Other posts you might like:

Key Newcastle Christmas Dates for your diary

Wreath Making Workshop events in Newcastle and the North East

Festive Day out to Alnwick with Visit Northumberland