When it comes to afternoon tea in Bath, you are genuinely spoilt for choice. You can tuck into a fantastic spread – finger sandwiches, scones, dainty cakes and pastries – in comfort and style in a number of the city's high-end hotels. Or you can opt for a cuppa and a distinctive bun or slice of cake in one of Bath's many tea rooms.

For more Bath inspiration, see our guide to the city and its best hotels, restaurants, bars and nightlife, pubs, things to do and places for afternoon tea.

The Roseate Villa

Occupying a pair of imposing Victorian mansions overlooking tranquil Henrietta Park, the refined Roseate Villa is one of Bath’s best small-scale hotels. One of its strongest suits is its afternoon teas. Pretty much everything is home-baked or home-made, including the bread for the finger sandwiches, the warm and light scones and accompanying jams, and the dainty and elaborate patisserie – I particularly liked the mascarpone cream dome with raspberry jelly on shortbread. There’s a selection of loose-leaf teas to choose from. You can enjoy the spread on the lawn overlooking the park or in the dining room, made elegant by its American-style shutters. The service is impeccable. 

Contact: 
Price: ££
Reservations: Recommended

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

Expensive but very much worth it. If you can, come on a warm summer's day when you can have tea out on the lawns of the hotel's gorgeous garden, which is hidden away behind the crescent. Otherwise, you dine, with some formality, in the refined Dower House Restaurant. The substantial and sophisticated tea includes finger sandwiches, scones, Bath buns (with sugar cube inside) and elaborate pastries. There’s a vegetarian option. Brownie points for being offered complimentary seconds of food and drinks refills.

Contact: royalcrescent.co.uk
Price: £££
Reservations: Essential

The Ivy Bath Brasserie

Part of the upmarket Ivy chain, the Ivy Bath Brasserie looks wonderful – a glitzy combination of Georgian features (ornate stuccoed ceiling, fluted pillars) and Art Deco-inspired styling, in the form of mirror- and art-covered walls. The full afternoon tea is reasonable value by Bath's pricey standards. The warm and light fruit scones, served with ample clotted cream and jam, were a highlight, as was the truffled chicken brioche roll. Fancy desserts included doughnuts infused with crème brûlée, and chocolate and salted caramel mousse topped with edible flowers and presented in miniature flowerpots. Service was tip-top.

Contact: theivybathbrasserie.com
Prices: ££
Reservations: Recommended – ask for a table at the front

The Bath Priory

Set in a residential area of Bath, The Bath Priory feels like a country-house hotel. Weather permitting, you can (and should) have tea out on the terrace overlooking the gorgeous gardens; otherwise, it is served in the art-filled drawing room, or in the more intimate bar/dining area The Pantry. The full afternoon tea is mostly a very traditional experience, with the finger sandwiches and light and fluffy plain and fruit scones – the best I sampled for this article – presented on very elegant cake stands. The only real departure from tradition is the rich and creamy French-style patisserie instead of cakes. Various loose-leaf teas are offered.

Contact: thebathpriory.co.uk
Price: £££
Reservations: Recommended

Sally Lunn's

Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House attracts tourists in droves, but don't let that put you off. Its appeal partly rests with the fact that it's (probably) the oldest house in Bath: it dates from 1482, there's a tiny museum of sorts in the basement, and its three dining rooms are beamy, cosy and pretty spaces. But the main reason to come is to have a unique Sally Lunn bun. The giant but light brioche-type delicacy is served in a half, toasted, with a savoury or sweet topping – with melted cinnamon butter it's delicious. The bun is a meal in itself, but the homemade cakes such as the unusual Marlborough custard pie are good too. 

Contact: sallylunns.co.uk
Price: £
Reservations: Not possible

Comins Tea

Michelle and Rob Comins are passionate about tea – as in what you can drink. They have even written a book on the subject. At their calm, minimalist tea house (bare wood tables and floorboards, maps of tea estates on white walls) they serve a large and fascinating range of single-estate teas; water is heated to a specific, optimum temperature, and instructions are given for how long to let your order brew for. In terms of food, among the homemade cakes and biscuits are Assam-infused tea bread, white chocolate cookies and blueberry scones. There’s also matcha ice cream and gyoza dumplings. A set menu lets you choose a selection of items. 

Contact: cominstea.com
Price: £
Reservations: Not necessary

No15 Great Pulteney

This funky boutique hotel is a great choice if you want an upmarket but unstuffy afternoon tea. It's usually served in the lounge/bar, with the cake stand hung from a wrought-iron tree over your table, under whose glass top will be an array of vintage jewellery. Highlights include large and warm house-baked scones, a glass of pink champagne and strawberry jelly, and a gloriously colourful set of home-made mini pastries and cakes such as a lemon and raspberry Battenberg. With 24 hours’ notice, you can have an afternoon tea picnic (blanket provided) in neighbouring Henrietta Park.

Contact: 
Price: £££
Reservations: Recommended

The Pump Room

This magnificent Georgian building next to the Roman Baths is the most atmospheric place in Bath for afternoon tea. Fluted columns line the grand salon, a giant crystal chandelier hangs from a lofty ceiling and a classical string trio plays in the afternoons. The afternoon tea includes savoury items such as an ale and Cheddar rarebit, as well as scones and pastries, and is served at noon, 2pm and 4pm. Bookings very much advised, though depending on availability walk-ins are possible. Though the food is good, in my opinion it doesn't quite match what's on offer at the city's top hotels. In the morning you can have tea and a slice of cake at a fraction of the cost of the full afternoon tea. 

Contact: 
Price: £££
Reservations: Strongly recommended, but walk-ins sometimes possible

The Regency Tea Room

This cosy tea room is tucked away on the top floor of the Jane Austen Centre. Waitresses in Regency-style dresses attend to diners caringly, and a portrait of Colin Firth as Mr Darcy surveys the scene. The full afternoon tea – Tea with Mr Darcy – covers all the necessary bases: finger sandwiches, a warm, big and light scone, and a selection of mini cakes/pastries that might include a Bakewell tart and chocolate sponge. Miss Dashwood’s Afternoon Tea is a cheaper, reduced version. Everything is locally made or sourced.

Contact: janeausten.co.uk
Price: ££
Reservations: Possible but not essential