Step back in time with Lancashire's historic Afternoon Teas

This week marks Afternoon Tea week in the UK, and what better way to celebrate than with an Afternoon Tea in a beautiful historic setting.  

If the idea has your tastebuds tingling, take a look below at some of the fabulous buildings you can enjoy a bite to eat in.  

Blackpool Tower Ballroom  

It can't be argued that one of the most iconic places to enjoy an Afternoon Tea in Lancashire is the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. The ballroom is known and loved worldwide for its stunning architecture and its fantastic dancefloor. Having been used as one of the filming locations for Strictly Come Dancing over the years, the Ballroom is on many people's bucket lists making it perfect for an Afternoon Tea stop. The Afternoon Tea experience includes all-day access to the Ballroom where you can enjoy live music from the mighty Wurlitzer, watch the dancers and even don your dancing shoes yourself.  

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Hoghton Tower  

One for the Set-jetters, head to the historic Houghton Tower for your next afternoon tea adventure and see the space that has hosted the likes of David Tennant, Robbie Coltrane, Lily Cole, Cillian Murphy and more.  

Set in magnificent grounds and approached by a steep, straight 0.75 mile long drive this 16th-Century Elizabethan fortified manor house has been seen on so many screens over the years. The ancestral home of the de Hoghton family, Hoghton Tower has been a part of Lancashire’s landscape since 1565. Visitors can join a guided tour of the panelled state rooms to hear about the history of the house, the family and the distinguished guests who have enjoyed the Tower over the centuries before, or after, enjoying Afternoon Tea within the beautiful building, and children's Afternoon Teas are available too. 

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Samlesbury Hall  

Reportedly one of Britain's most haunted historic halls, Samlesbury Hall is a delight to wander through and takes your breath away as soon as you see it from the picturesque tree-lined driveway. The hall is home to relics from the past, where you can learn about the history of the area and those who lived there, discover a priest hole, share a spell in the Witches Garet and even encounter your own ghost in the Ghost Room. Once you've explored, you can head to the Garden Room Eatery to enjoy a delicious Afternoon Tea made with Lancashire ingredients.  

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Haworth Art Gallery Kitchen  

Home to the largest collection of Tiffany Glass outside the US, Accrington's Haworth Art Gallery is the place for art lovers to explore. Not only can you get up close to the beautiful collection of ornamental glass, you can also find an Arts and Crafts house gardens, plus artist studios. It’s the perfect place to go to get the creative juices flowing and if you are feeling peckish the Gallery Kitchen is on hand to help. The Gallery is full of beautiful features such as the ornate plaster ceiling and inglenook fireplace and is ideal for an afternoon tea celebration.   

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Mitton Hall  

Mitton Hall is one of the areas finest Tudor halls dating back to the 15th century. Mostly serving as a wedding venue, the Hall also has a bar and brasserie on site for visitors to enjoy. Within the majestic building you will find the oak-panelled Great Hall, which has been described as “one of the finest gothic rooms” some historians have seen, complete with painted glass bay window, minstrel's gallery and original stone fireplace which also has a priest hole. It is within this Great Hall where you can enjoy a delicious Afternoon Tea with friends or family, with the open fire to keep you warm in the cooler months. Options for the afternoon tea include traditional, cocktail and champagne.  

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East Lancashire Railway  

Imagine enjoying an Afternoon Tea on a steam train, whilst travelling up a 12-mile heritage railway line with stunning views… well you can in Lancashire! The Dining with Distinction experiences with East Lancashire Railway are ideal for foodies who love history, and this Afternoon Tea with a view should not be missed. The train journeys take place on the traditional pullman-style carriages like those found on the Orient Express providing a luxury dining experience. The railway line snakes through some of the most important landscapes for the industrial revolution in Lancashire, with mills and mill towns found at every stop. This is a quintessentially British experience is a must for those looking to lose themselves in history.  

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Lytham Hall 

A beautiful historic building nestled in the countryside just off the Fylde coast, Lytham Hall is a well-known Georgian era hall with vast grounds and a reputation for supplying great backdrops on film.  

While the hall itself is home to a cafe and tea rooms... The food and drink offer really shines through in the Afternoon Teas they provide at Lilibet's Afternoon Tea Emporium. The Emporium is located within the beautiful Lytham Hall Library and follow a Georgian theme, with special traditional roast dinner theme on Sundays.  

Which historical backdrop are you going to choose for your next adventure? Please note, that most of Lancashire's Afternoon Tea experiences do have to be booked in advance, so be prepared to wait a little while to savour their sweetness.