Afternoon Tea In Sussex: The Best Places To Visit

Originally published 6 August 2021. Updated 18 August 2026.

Sussex is one of the best places in England for afternoon tea. You can take it inside a medieval castle, in a country-house hotel with South Downs views, at a vintage seaside tearoom, or looking out over a working vineyard. Most places serve the same classic spread: finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and a few small cakes, with a pot of tea or a glass of sparkling wine.

Here are the Sussex afternoon teas in this guide, at a glance:

• Bolney Wine Estate, Bolney (West Sussex): Sparkling afternoon tea by the vineyard
• Ockenden Manor, Cuckfield (West Sussex): Country-house tea near the South Downs
• Amberley Castle, near Arundel (West Sussex): Tea inside a 900-year-old castle
• South Lodge, near Horsham (West Sussex): Five-star estate tea with terrace views
• Ashdown Park, near Forest Row (East Sussex): Country-house tea in Ashdown Forest
• The Grand, Brighton (East Sussex): Seafront tea with sea views
• Metrodeco, Brighton (East Sussex): Vintage Kemp Town tearoom with 30-plus teas

Sussex is split into two counties, West Sussex and East Sussex, with Brighton and Hove on the East Sussex side of the coast. The list below covers both, so there is a spot near you wherever you are in the county. Below the venues, you will find a short history of afternoon tea and the difference between afternoon tea, high tea and cream tea.

The Best Places for Afternoon Tea in Sussex

Sussex has afternoon tea for every kind of visit, from a castle and grand country houses to a relaxed seaside tearoom and a vineyard. The list runs from group settings to spots that suit two, and it covers both West and East Sussex. Always book ahead, as most venues need at least 24 hours’ notice.

The Tripadvisor ratings below were correct at the time of writing and can change, so check the latest before you book.

1. Bolney Wine Estate, Bolney (West Sussex)

Best for: group celebrations and couples, with a vineyard view

Bolney Wine Estate sits in the West Sussex countryside near Haywards Heath, and has been growing English wine since 1972, as one of the country’s first commercial vineyards. Its afternoon tea includes sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, cakes, and a glass of English sparkling wine, all with views over the vines.

There are two ways to book. The classic sparkling afternoon tea is a group experience for parties of 10 or more, which suits birthdays, anniversaries and family get-togethers. Bolney also runs seasonal afternoon teas at certain times of the year, available for a minimum of two people, so couples and smaller groups can come along too. For seasonal dates and to book, see the Bolney what’s on page.

Quick facts

• Where: Foxhole Lane, Bolney, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 5NB
• Tripadvisor: 4.5 out of 5 (532 reviews)
• Good to know: Classic sparkling tea is for groups of 10 or more; seasonal teas take a minimum of two (see the what’s on page for dates)

2. Ockenden Manor, Cuckfield (West Sussex)

Best for: a special occasion for two, close to Bolney

Ockenden Manor is an Elizabethan country-house hotel and spa in the village of Cuckfield, a short drive from Bolney. Afternoon tea is served in the elegant drawing room, the oak-panelled tearoom or out on the terrace, with views towards the South Downs. You can add a glass of Sussex sparkling wine.

Quick facts

• Where: Ockenden Lane, Cuckfield, West Sussex, RH17 5LD
• Tripadvisor: 4 out of 5 (1,529 reviews)
• Good to know: Served 3.30 to 5.30pm, book 24 hours ahead; from around £39, sparkling version higher

3. Amberley Castle, near Arundel (West Sussex)

Best for: a castle setting and a real sense of occasion

Amberley Castle is a hotel set inside a 900-year-old castle near Arundel, complete with stone walls and a working portcullis. Afternoon tea is served in the lounges or on the terrace in summer, with finger sandwiches, plain and fruit scones with clotted cream, cakes, and savoury touches like quiche and sausage rolls.

Quick facts

• Where: Amberley, near Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9LT
• Tripadvisor: 4 out of 5 (over 2,600 reviews)
• Good to know: Book ahead; from around £34, with a Champagne option

4. South Lodge, near Horsham (West Sussex)

Best for: a five-star treat with estate views

South Lodge is a five-star country-house hotel near Horsham, set in its own 93-acre Sussex estate. Afternoon tea is served on a tiered cake stand in the drawing room, the lounge or the terrace, with views across to the South Downs when the weather is kind. The kitchen leans on estate-grown herbs and fruit.

Quick facts

• Where: Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, near Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 6PS
• Tripadvisor: 4.5 out of 5 (over 2,100 reviews)
• Good to know: Book ahead, deposit taken; festive version runs through December

5. Ashdown Park, near Forest Row (East Sussex)

Best for: a countryside tea after a forest walk

Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club is a grand country house in East Sussex, surrounded by the 6,500 acres of Ashdown Forest that inspired the Winnie the Pooh stories. Afternoon tea comes with handmade sandwiches, savouries, scones and cakes, served in elegant rooms with views over the grounds and the former chapel. A walk in the forest first makes it feel well earned.

Quick facts

• Where: Wych Cross, near Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JR
• Tripadvisor: 4.2 out of 5 (over 3,000 reviews)
• Good to know: Book ahead; handy for Ashdown Forest walks and families

6. The Grand, Brighton (East Sussex)

Best for: sea views on a Brighton day out

The Grand is a Victorian seafront hotel that opened in 1864, and it serves afternoon tea in the Victoria Terrace and Lounge, with views over Brighton seafront. Expect three tiers of sweet and savoury treats, a cake trolley, and a choice from more than 30 loose-leaf teas and infusions.

Traditional, vegan and gluten-free versions are all available, with sparkling wine and gin upgrades. Bolney Estate is roughly 14 miles from Brighton, so the seafront and the vineyard make an easy itinerary across a weekend.

Quick facts

• Where: 97 to 99 Kings Road, Brighton, Brighton and Hove (East Sussex), BN1 2FW
• Tripadvisor: 4 out of 5 (over 13,000 reviews for the hotel)
• Good to know: Served daily; from around £40; vegan and gluten-free options

7. Metrodeco, Brighton (East Sussex)

Best for: a relaxed, budget-friendlier tearoom with dietary options

Metrodeco is a vintage-styled tearoom in Brighton’s Kemp Town, a short walk from the beach. It leans into tea itself, with more than 30 blends to choose from, and uses local ingredients. Vegan and gluten-free afternoon teas are a strength, and well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Booking is advised. It is a good pick after a spot of Brighton shopping, or for anyone who wants a calmer, less formal setting than a grand hotel.

Quick facts

• Where: 38 Upper St James’s Street, Kemp Town, Brighton, Brighton and Hove (East Sussex), BN2 1JN
• Tripadvisor: 4.4 out of 5 (592 reviews)
• Good to know: Book ahead; from around £37; strong vegan and gluten-free options

Here is a quick comparison to help you shortlist:

Venue	Area	Tripadvisor	Best for
Bolney Wine Estate	West Sussex	4.5 / 5	Groups and couples, vineyard views
Ockenden Manor	West Sussex	4 / 5	Two, special occasions
Amberley Castle	West Sussex	4 / 5	Castle setting
South Lodge	West Sussex	4.5 / 5	Luxury treat
Ashdown Park	East Sussex	4.2 / 5	Forest walks, families
The Grand	Brighton (East Sussex)	4 / 5	Sea views
Metrodeco	Brighton (East Sussex)	4.4 / 5	Relaxed tearoom, dietary needs

What Is Afternoon Tea, and Where Did It Come From?

Afternoon tea is a light mid-afternoon meal of tea, small sandwiches, scones and cakes. It began in the early 1800s as a way to fill the long gap between lunch and a late dinner, and it grew into a social event for fashionable society.

Most often credited is Anna Maria Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford. As industrialisation pushed the evening meal later and later, she felt a “sinking feeling” in the afternoon and, around 1840, started taking tea with a light snack, then began inviting friends to join her, as the British Museum explains.

The custom spread quickly through drawing rooms and stayed. The sandwich at its centre is older still, named after the Earl of Sandwich, who is said to have asked for a filling between two slices of bread so he could eat without leaving the table, according to Historic UK.

Worth knowing: did the Duchess invent it?

The tiered afternoon tea we picture today is really a blend of several Victorian tea customs, so the Duchess of Bedford is better seen as the person who made the fashion catch on than as the sole inventor.

Queen Victoria’s interest helped the fashion spread through high society, and afternoon tea became a firm British custom by the Victorian era, as The Irish Times notes.

Afternoon Tea, High Tea or Cream Tea: What Is the Difference?

Afternoon tea, high tea and cream tea are three different things, even though the names get mixed up. Afternoon tea is the light, dainty version. High tea was a hearty evening meal. Cream tea is the simplest of the three.

Getting the terms right helps when you book, because a “high tea” listing does not always mean what a first-timer expects.

Jargon explained: cream tea

A cream tea is the pared-back version: just scones, clotted cream and jam, served with a pot of tea. No sandwiches, no tiered stand of cakes. It is a West Country tradition linked with Devon and Cornwall.

Jargon explained: high tea

Despite the grand-sounding name, high tea was traditionally a working-class evening meal with hot savoury dishes, eaten around 5 to 7pm. It was food after work, not a refined afternoon treat.

Here is the quick version:

• Afternoon tea: Light and elegant, served around 3 to 5pm. Finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and tea.
• High tea: A bigger, later evening meal with hot food, from a very different part of British history.
• Cream tea: Scones, clotted cream, jam and tea.

When most Sussex hotels advertise “afternoon tea”, they mean the light, tiered-stand version. If you see “cream tea”, expect scones only, usually at a lower price.

A Few Points of Afternoon Tea Etiquette

You do not need to worry about strict rules to enjoy afternoon tea, but a few small points of etiquette can make it feel more relaxed. The guidance below follows Debrett’s, the British authority on etiquette since 1769.

• Holding the cup: Pinch the handle between your thumb and forefinger. There is no need to raise your little finger.
• Milk and tea: Pour the tea first, then add milk, lemon or sugar. Do not add milk to lemon tea, as the milk will curdle.
• Sandwiches: Eat them with your fingers, not with a knife and fork.
• Scones: Break them in half with your hands rather than cutting them. Put a little jam and cream on the side of your plate, then spread small, bite-sized pieces as you go.
• Jam or cream first: There is no fixed rule. Cornwall puts jam on first, Devon puts cream on first, and both are perfectly acceptable.

One easy habit to remember: work from savoury to sweet, starting with the sandwiches, then moving on to the scones and cakes.

Should You Add Sparkling Wine or Prosecco?

Adding a glass of sparkling wine to afternoon tea is a lovely upgrade, and most Sussex venues offer it. The bubbles cut through the cream and cake, and a dry, crisp sparkling wine suits the savoury sandwiches too.

Sussex is a natural home for this pairing, because it is one of the centres of English sparkling wine. Sparkling made up 69% of all English and Welsh wine production in 2024, according to The Drinks Business, reporting figures from trade body WineGB. English wine sales also grew by 3% that year, WineGB reports.

Jargon explained: traditional method

The traditional method is the same way Champagne is made, with a second fermentation inside the bottle that creates fine, long-lasting bubbles. Most premium English sparkling wine is made this way.

If a menu offers “afternoon tea with prosecco”, that is a fine, easy-drinking choice. Prosecco is made in Italy using a different, tank-based method, which tends to give softer, fruitier bubbles. English sparkling wine, by contrast, often has finer bubbles and a delicious, apple-like character that comes from the traditional method. Both work well with afternoon tea, so it comes down to taste and budget.

How to Choose the Right Afternoon Tea in Sussex

The right afternoon tea depends on who you are going with and what kind of day you want. Use these quick pointers to narrow it down.

• For two: Ockenden Manor, Amberley Castle, South Lodge, Ashdown Park, The Grand and Metrodeco all welcome couples, and Bolney’s seasonal teas take a minimum of two.
• For a group: Bolney Wine Estate’s classic sparkling tea is set up for parties of 10 or more.
• For sparkling or prosecco: Most venues offer an upgrade, and Bolney serves English sparkling wine as part of the tea.
• For dietary needs: Metrodeco and The Grand are strong on vegan and gluten-free options, but always flag requirements when booking.
• For West Sussex: Bolney, Ockenden Manor, Amberley Castle and South Lodge. For East Sussex: Ashdown Park, The Grand and Metrodeco.
• For a view: The Grand for the sea, Ockenden Manor and South Lodge for the South Downs, Ashdown Park for the forest, and Bolney for the vines.

One more tip: almost every venue needs advance booking, and popular weekends fill up. Book early, and confirm dietary requirements at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best afternoon tea in Sussex?

It depends on the occasion. For a group or a couple with a vineyard view, Bolney Wine Estate is a strong pick. For a country-house setting, Ockenden Manor, Amberley Castle, South Lodge and Ashdown Park all stand out. For sea views on a Brighton day, The Grand is hard to beat.

Where can you have afternoon tea with prosecco or sparkling wine in Sussex?

Most Sussex venues offer a sparkling upgrade. Ockenden Manor, Amberley Castle, South Lodge, Ashdown Park and The Grand all add sparkling wine or Champagne, and Bolney Wine Estate serves English sparkling wine as part of its afternoon tea.

What is the difference between afternoon tea and cream tea?

Afternoon tea is a fuller spread of finger sandwiches, scones and cakes with tea. A cream tea is the simpler version: just scones, clotted cream and jam with a pot of tea. Cream tea usually costs less.

Can you do afternoon tea for two in Sussex?

Yes. Ockenden Manor, Amberley Castle, South Lodge, Ashdown Park, The Grand and Metrodeco all take tables for two. Bolney Wine Estate’s seasonal afternoon teas are also available for a minimum of two, while its classic sparkling tea is for groups of 10 or more.

Do you need to book afternoon tea in Sussex?

Almost always. Most venues ask for at least 24 hours’ notice, and some take a deposit. Booking early also lets you confirm any dietary requirements in advance.

Sources

• British Museum
• Historic UK
• The Irish Times
• The Drinks Business
• WineGB