Afternoon Tea Week: 3 unique afternoon tea experiences in Derbyshire including a luxury orangery

Who would have thought the act of munching sandwiches and downing tea would become known as a worldwide treat?

In addition to afternoon tea being one of the world’s most popular pastimes - on Instagram alone there are over 7.3million posts with the hashtag #AfternoonTea - a whole week is now dedicated to it.

Afternoon Tea Week runs from August 12 - 18, 2024 and we at DerbyWorld are all in for it.

There is something so very special about taking afternoon tea (pinkie raised) which feels almost celebratory.

There is much to love about afternoon teas, from crustless dainty finger sandwiches to delicate patisserie that can often feel too pretty to eat. 

Not that you need an excuse to enjoy afternoon tea, but the sun is out and some places even have an al fresco area where you can take tea in the sunshine.

Here is our round-up of places in Derbyshire (in no particular order) serving afternoon tea. The only thing you need to worry about is… jam first or cream?

Afternoon tea in the sun at Orangery Restaurant, St Elphin’s Park, Derbyshire

Afternoon tea here consists of a range of scrumptious sandwiches including tea-smoked salmon with horseradish, and truffle egg mayonnaise.

Oven-warm scones are served with Cornish clotted cream and jam.

Set on the edge of the Peak District National Park, The Orangery is a beautiful restaurant with a view. 

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Enjoy al fresco afternoon tea by sitting on the terrace overlooking 14 acres of Audley St Elphin's Park landscaped grounds.

Dining outside has its advantages, apart from soaking up the rays, you can even bring along your dog so you can chill out on the terrace together.

Afternoon tea costs from £21.95 per person and is served Monday to Saturday, 2pm - 5pm.

Location: The Orangery Restaurant, St Elphin's Park, Dale Rd South, Darley Dale DE4 2RH

For more information click here. 

Al fresco afternoon tea at The Little Shed, Ashbourne, Derbyshire

The coffee shop’s website says it offers sandwiches, homemade fruit scones and cakes as part of its afternoon tea offering.

Looking at The Little Shed’s lunchtime menu can give you a flavour of what to expect on the sandwich front. Combinations include goats cheese, thyme with pear, and Wiltshire ham, roasted mushrooms with onion chutney. 

Cost is from £19.95 per person and there is a minimum of two people per booking.  

There are two locations of this independent coffee shop that doubles up as a gift shop. 

Its King Edward Street location offers the best of pavement dining in the sun. The other location is in Allestree which could be good if you want something closer to Derby.

Location: The Little Shed Ashbourne, 1 King Edward Street, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE61BW

For more information click here.

Afternoon tea in luxury country home The Maynard, Derbyshire

You’ll no doubt be in for a grand time when you take afternoon tea at The Maynard. 

Served in a quaint birdcage style tray, you can expect to tuck into a selection of dainty sandwiches such as smoked salmon with cucumber, and honey-glazed ham with wholegrain mustard.

Freshly baked scones arrive with a flourish, along with delectable desserts, making a visit to this boutique hotel a real treat. 

A point of note is that managing director at the hotel, Rob Hattersley, is coeliac, leading the restaurant to adapt many dishes to be naturally gluten-free without impacting flavour profiles of food.

Cost of afternoon tea per person starts from £19.95.

Location: The Maynard, Main Road, Grindleford, Hope Valley, S32 2HE

For more information click here.