Sussex


<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-japanese-inspired-one">The Japanese-inspired one</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/06/sora_afternoontea.png" alt="Sora at Malmaison, Brighton" class="wp-image-84860" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/06/sora_afternoontea.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/06/sora_afternoontea-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/06/sora_afternoontea-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/06/sora_afternoontea-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s a definite Asian twist to afternoon tea at <a href="https://www.malmaison.com/locations/brighton/sora/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SORA</a>, Malmaison&#8217;s summer pop-up SORA down at Brighton Marina. Think Japanese inspired sweets with matcha and miso, savoury snacks and of course sushi. Just add a cocktail like the Umeshu Sour, Togarashi Margarita, or Yuzu Mojito for a fully transporting experience – minus the jet lag. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-extra-sparkling-one">The (extra) sparkling one </h3>



<p><a href="https://www.tinwoodestate.com/experience/afternoon-tea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sparkling Afternoon Tea</a> at Tinwood is served on Weds afternoons in the vineyard&#8217;s Tasting Room, so it&#8217;s only appropriate that it&#8217;s washed down with not one but <em>three</em> glasses of their finest fizz. You can enjoy a guided tasting along with delicacies like warm scones with homemade red berry compote and lemon curd meringue tart. A perfect pairing, we reckon! </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-weekday-one">The weekday one</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/ThePIG.jpg" alt="Buttered and Baked at The PIG in the South Downs" /></figure>



<p>Who says afternoon tea should only be served at the weekends? Here at Muddy we reckon it make the perfect midweek pick-me-up, and folk at The PIG in the South Downs agree. Hoof it there Mon-Fri to sample <a href="https://www.thepighotel.com/eat-and-drink/buttered-and-baked/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buttered and Baked</a>, their tempting take on Afternoon Tea. Sweet and savoury goodies include Garden herb salted popcorn, Coastal Cheddar Scones and Bacon Jam, Spiced Squash and Goat’s Cheese Quiche, Lemon Meringue Tartlet. It&#8217;s served with all the tea or coffee you’re able to guzzle.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-one-with-alpacas">The one with alpacas</h3>



<p>Yes, you read that right. <a href="https://www.fisherwoodfarm.co.uk/tea-with-the-alpacas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fisherwood Farm</a>&#8216;s two-hour experience includes not only hand-feeding the alpacas but brushing the baby pygmy goats and saying hi (baa!) to the sheep and chickens. You&#8217;ll have the whole site to yourself and also get to enjoy a vegetarian afternoon tea including scones straight from the oven, served with strawberry jam, whipped cream and fresh fruit. Coffee with capybaras next? Sign us up! </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-steamy-one">The steamy one</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/BluebellRailway.jpg" alt="Afternoon tea of the Bluebell Railway, Sussex" /></figure>



<p>Enjoy a steam-powered treat with Bluebell Railway, where a <a href="https://www.bluebell-railway.com/special/wealden-rambler-afternoon-tea-service/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wealden Rambler Afternoon Tea</a> is accompanied by picture-perfect vistas. Vibe-wise, we’re talking 1950s polish thanks to beautifully restored carriages. Yes, rock up in jeans or trainers and you shall be turned away. The round trip to East Grinstead and back lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 mins. Definitely time enough for an extra sandwich – smoked chalk-stream trout with lemon balm crème fraiche, say? And we won&#8217;t be passing up another strawberry shortbread, either!&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hunny-pot-one">The hunny pot one</h3>



<p>It&#8217;s a big year for Winnie-the-Pooh, who turns 100. He was written into being by A.A. Milne not far from Ashdown Park Hotel, whose surrounding landscape helped inspire the timeless books. The nostalgic <a href="https://www.ashdownpark.com/hunny-pot-afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hunny Pot Afternoon Tea</a> pays homage with storybook nibbles like Woodland Picnic Sandwiches and the Woozle Cheese and Ham Bake followed by honey-laced treats including chocolate and honeycomb choux. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-botanical-one">The botanical one </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/the_alfriston_afternoon_tea.png" alt="Afternoon tea at The Alfriston, Sussex" class="wp-image-85120" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/the_alfriston_afternoon_tea.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/the_alfriston_afternoon_tea-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/the_alfriston_afternoon_tea-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/the_alfriston_afternoon_tea-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Head to The Alfriston for a <a href="https://thealfriston.com/eat/botanical-afternoon-tea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Botanical Afternoon Tea</a>, inspired by English country gardens and wild botanicals. Think dainty savouries and floral-infused sweets, from English pea and cheddar tart to poppy seed scones and lavender cloud meringue with wild blueberries. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-arty-one">The arty one</h3>



<p>Chichester&#8217;s Pallant House Gallery likes to keep things traditional, with <a href="https://pallant.org.uk/your-visit/eat-drink/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Afternoon Tea</a> served promptly at 4pm every Saturday. Your surroundings will be anything but, however: there&#8217;s no hint of chintz, instead expect to be feasting your eyes on sculptures out in the shady courtyard or inside the gallery café surrounded by its seasonally changing exhibitions. The permanent collection includes the likes of such as Barbara Hepworth’s  <em>Figure (Walnut)</em> and Michael Andrews’s <em>Thames Painting: The Estuary</em>. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pawsome-one">The pawsome one</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/alexander_house_dogtea.png" alt="Dog's afternoon tea at Alexander House, Sussex" class="wp-image-85118" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/alexander_house_dogtea.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/alexander_house_dogtea-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/alexander_house_dogtea-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/alexander_house_dogtea-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Alexander House goes out of its way to accommodate four-legged guests and that includes afternoon tea. It&#8217;s served al fresco in the summer and moves into the Champagne Bar when things get chilly. Either way, your dog is welcome – and can even receive a <a href="https://alexanderhotels.co.uk/alexander-house/dog-friendly-hotel-alexander-house/?srsltid=AfmBOop325-3RfczNdSmoW7h_zOFTmz99En3TyOFPazXonm6PrQ7ucFy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">doggy afternoon tea</a>. Featuring the likes of gourmet sausages and iced &#8216;woofins&#8217; washed down with &#8216;Bark-Jeling&#8217; tea, it sounds anything but a dog&#8217;s dinner. The human menu isn&#8217;t bad either. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-breakfast-one">The breakfast one</h3>



<p>When is an afternoon tea not quite an afternoon tea? When it&#8217;s served before noon. Just minutes from Bracklesham beach and known by locals as ‘the gateway to Bracklesham Bay,’ the <a href="http://brackleshambaytearooms.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bracklesham Bay Tea Rooms &amp; Garden</a> are based in a fetching thatched cottage fringed by an equally picturesque country garden. Fresh, locally sourced and lovingly hand-prepared afternoon teas include a &#8216;Ploughman&#8217;s Afternoon Tea&#8217;, a &#8216;Sparkling Afternoon Tea&#8217; and a &#8216;Breakfast &#8220;Afternoon&#8221; Tea&#8217; (think bacon and egg open rolls, yoghurt with fruit, and of course scones with clotted cream and jam).  </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-playful-plant-powered-one">The playful plant-powered one</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/02/Terre-2.jpg" alt="Afternoon tea at terre à terre, Brighton" /></figure>



<p>You won’t find a more playful take on afternoon tea than the three-tiered feast served up by veteran clean-eating star terre à terre. Named the <a href="https://terreaterre.co.uk/food" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Terre à Tier Tea</a>, it&#8217;s a joyful blend of sweet and savoury treats with a uniquely umami twist – expect miso, soy and sesame mingling with more traditional tastes. There&#8217;s an equally beguiling cocktail list and a predominantly wine list, too. Pure indulgence.&nbsp;</p>



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Afternoon tea with a twist? 11 fresh Sussex takes on the classic treat

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