Sweet Treats & Afternoon Tea Tour

A 1.5-hour walking tour of Brighton's best tea shops, bakeries, and afternoon tea venues. You'll visit three locations sampling tea, cakes, pastries, and traditional British sweets. The guide explains the history of afternoon tea culture and which local bakeries have been operating since the Victorian era. Best for afternoon tea enthusiasts and sweet tooth satisfiers. This is a easy activity lasting 1.5 hours. Group size: 2-10. You meet at Royal Pavilion gardens gate. Key highlights: Taste loose-leaf tea served in proper teacups at a traditional tea room, Sample homemade cakes from bakeries operating since the 1950s-1970s, Learn the etiquette and history of British afternoon tea traditions.

Price: £25

Duration: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: easy

Group size: 2-10

Minimum age: all ages

Best for: afternoon tea enthusiasts and sweet tooth satisfiers

Best time: Afternoon departures only (2:30pm standard, seasonal 3:00pm in summer). Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant tea room atmospheres with garden seating. Weekdays are quieter than weekends.

Meeting point: Royal Pavilion gardens gate

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

2:30pm Meet at Royal Pavilion gardens gate, orientation to tea shop route - Guide introduces three venues and explains the history of afternoon tea service in Brighton.

First 25 min Walk to established tea room, serve loose-leaf tea and homemade cake - This venue often features traditional bone china cups and a selection of 15+ tea varieties.

50 minutes in Visit traditional bakery, sample pastry or scone with jam and cream - Many Brighton bakeries use family recipes dating back 50+ years and bake daily on-site.

75 minutes in Final venue serving sweet treats such as macarons, chocolates, or shortbread - This stop often features artisanal candy makers or chocolatiers selling hand-made sweets.

Final 15 min Return to Royal Pavilion gardens or visit gift shop - Guide shares information on which shops sell takeaway cakes and loose-leaf tea for home brewing.

The whole experience takes 1.5 hours. Difficulty: easy. You meet at Royal Pavilion gardens gate.

• Taste loose-leaf tea served in proper teacups at a traditional tea room
• Sample homemade cakes from bakeries operating since the 1950s-1970s
• Learn the etiquette and history of British afternoon tea traditions
• Visit artisanal candy makers and chocolatiers producing sweets by hand
• Discover which shops offer online ordering and mail delivery for gifts
• Accessibility: Flat terrain on pavement near Royal Pavilion. All three venues have accessible street-level entrances. Most tea rooms are ground floor with table seating suitable for wheelchair users.

What is included: 1.5 hours guided walking tour, Loose-leaf tea service at tea room (one cup, choice of 10+ varieties), Homemade cake or pastry sample at bakery, Sweet tasting at artisanal confectioner (chocolate, macarons, or candy), Guide recommendations for self-guided tea room returns.

Not included: Full afternoon tea sets (three tiers of food), Hot chocolate or coffee drinks (tea only unless specified), Packaged goods or souvenirs from shops, Hotel pickup or drop-off. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Comfortable shoes (approximately 0.8 miles on mostly flat terrain), Small bag for purchasing takeaway cakes or boxed sweets, Cash or cards (all venues accept both), Light jacket (tea rooms maintain cool temperatures). Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: Afternoon departures only (2:30pm standard, seasonal 3:00pm in summer). Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant tea room atmospheres with garden seating. Weekdays are quieter than weekends..

Tip: Perfect for mother-daughter trips

Tip: Afternoon departures only

Accessibility: Flat terrain on pavement near Royal Pavilion. All three venues have accessible street-level entrances. Most tea rooms are ground floor with table seating suitable for wheelchair users..

Operator: Brighton Tea Tours

After this activity, these are within easy reach:

• Royal Pavilion (0 min (starts here) walk)
• Brighton Museum & Art Gallery (2 min walk)
• The Lanes (5 min walk)

This activity is run by Brighton Tea Tours.

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure. Cancellation 24-48 hours before incurs 25% charge. Non-refundable within 24 hours. Operator will reschedule free if spaces available..

Accessibility: Flat terrain on pavement near Royal Pavilion. All three venues have accessible street-level entrances. Most tea rooms are ground floor with table seating suitable for wheelchair users..

Best time to go: Afternoon departures only (2:30pm standard, seasonal 3:00pm in summer). Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant tea room atmospheres with garden seating. Weekdays are quieter than weekends..

Is this a full afternoon tea service?

No. The tour includes tasting portions at three venues (tea, cake, and sweets), not a full three-tier service. For a complete afternoon tea experience, book a table separately at The Pump Room (£40+ per person) or Choccywoccydoodah (£35+). This tour samples multiple venues instead.

Can I bring my young child?

Yes. Ages 5-12 are welcome and enjoy cake and hot chocolate tastings. Under-5s should be supervised closely during walking sections. The operator recommends strollers for under-3s due to shop doorways and street crossings.

What if I have a dairy or gluten allergy?

Notify the operator before booking. Most venues offer gluten-free cakes and dairy-free alternatives (oat milk, almond milk in tea rooms). The operator coordinates with each shop 48 hours in advance to ensure suitable tastings are prepared.