Going for afternoon tea on it’s own or as part of another activity is one of those things you can do at any time of year, and often gets overlooked in favour of brunch, happy hour cocktails or evening dinner. For me and my friends it’s great for when we just can’t be arsed with a night out basically, but I’ve also been with my mum and sister for something different to do, or as an extra addition to a spa day. Here’s my favourites from Newcastle, with one or two from North Yorkshire thrown in too.

The Great British Cupcakery, Newcastle

Really popular at weekends you can sometimes struggle to get booked in last minute so plan to go in advance, but for £19.95 you get a whole food stand EACH. Not to share between two – each! There was so much food but really delicious and they’re happy for you to box up the cakes (that you think you’ll be able to manage but you won’t).

Great value for money in a very cute – aka Instagramable – family run cafe. They don’t do a champagne version like some places, but they are happy for you to take your own if you want. To be honest I don’t think it’s that type of place, you’re more likely to want one of their Great British Cupcakery  ‘geet big’ milkshakes once you see them! They’re in a great location too, just left at the bottom of Dean Street, and the vintage china and old fashioned teapots are a lovely touch.

Great British Cupcakery teapot

Afternoon tea cakes

Afternoon tea sandwiches at Great British Cupcakery

Great British Cupcakery afternoon tea cream scones

Afternoon tea at Great British Cupcakery

The Vermont, Newcastle

I would describe afternoon tea at The Vermont in Newcastle as pretty posh. I took my mum on a Tuesday afternoon, so it was quiet and pleasant to sit in the lounge with waiter service and the cocktail bar nearby. Traditional afternoon tea is £19.95 and with champagne is £26.95. We just went for traditional as we wanted to try some of the cocktails instead. By the Castle Keep in the centre of Newcastle, and both my mum and I had a slightly tipsy but more luxurious experience here.

Afternoon tea at The Vermont, Newcastle

Cocktail afternoon tea at The Vermont, Newcastle

Afternoon tea at The Vermont, Newcastle

Afternoon tea at The Vermont, Newcastle

Macaroons with afternoon tea

Margaritas and Cosmos

Browns, Newcastle

This one wasn’t my first choice at the time, but my sister had heard good things and it was a good deal at £25 for two, with the option to add champagne or a G&T! We went for the champagne option and then had cocktails after, being a Saturday afternoon and all. They adapt the experience depending on the season, so their summer offer at £16.95 with Pimms was a good shout. They advertise it as being ‘truly British’ and I would agree, proper little teapots and different varieties of scones, as well as a piano accompaniment.

Afternoon tea at Brown’s, Newcastle

Champagne afternoon tea at Browns

Cocktails at Browns, Newcastle

Six at The Baltic, Newcastle

My friends and I went to Six at the top of The Baltic for our Christmas get together a couple of years ago, and the included cocktail did add to the occasion, as did the view down the river Tyne from above. It wasn’t the most typical ‘tea’, in fact I can’t even remember the tea only the cocktails but it matched the setting and the occasion.

Afternoon tea at SIX, Baltic

Afternoon tea at SIX, Baltic

Betty’s, York

Definitely one of the most famous, up there with The Ritz you can’t talk about afternoon tea without thinking about Betty’s and their traditional Yorkshire tea. As a walk in off the street you can order it in the normal cafe, but for an occasion we booked the Lady Betty’s in the Belmont Room. You reserve a slot for this and the cost was £32 per person, adding champagne was a bit more.

The extra value came in the form of a prawn cocktail appetiser, a piano playing and a sample of their tea to take away. The extra cost is noticeable, but totally worth it and based on my experience of going with a non tea drinker and an American, both who said it was the best tea they’ve ever had it justified the cost.

Afternoon tea at Betty’s

Piano player at Betty’s

Afternoon tea at Betty’s

Prawn cocktail appetiser at Betty’s

Scones with cream and jam at Betty’s

Betty’s Yorkshire tea

Headlam Hall, Darlington

We had afternoon tea as part of a spa package at Headlam Hall to round off the day of relaxation. Served in the main hall by the fire on low level coffee tables it did feel like we were right at home. I would definitely recommend this as an add on to a spa day especially if you aren’t staying over, as it was fairly casual after a day in the spa but kept you away from reality a little bit longer.

Afternoon tea spa package at Headlam Hall

Afternoon tea spa package at Headlam Hall

Afternoon tea spa package at Headlam Hall

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Afternoon Tea in Newcastle