There’s something wonderfully indulgent about enjoying a festive afternoon tea, where the air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked scones and warm pastries. As you sit surrounded by festive decorations, the table is a feast for the eyes, with delicate finger sandwiches, colourful macarons, and rich fruit cakes artfully arranged. The clink of china and the soft pour of tea add to the soothing rhythm of the moment. Every bite feels like a celebration, whether it’s the sweetness of spiced gingerbread or the buttery flakiness of a scone topped with clotted cream and jam. The conversation flows easily, laughter mingling with the cozy warmth of the gathering, making the afternoon feel like a cherished tradition, full of joy and comfort.  This is quality time, to laugh, to chat and catch up with friends and family. What could be better?

The choice is there, but where will you pick?

Sloan’s Coffee Shop, located in Loughgall offers afternoon teas (pre-book) and they have recently been awarded Speciality Tea and Coffee House of the Year 2024- N. Ireland. They also have a cute little bookshelf to take a book, leave a book.

Travelling into Armagh, the Armagh City Hotel offers mouthwatering afternoon tea – open and finger sandwiches, scones, mini shortbread and the tastiest of tasty, tiny desserts. Bon Appetit!

Brownlow Castle nestled on the edge of Lurgan Park is a delightful location for a winter’s afternoon tea and oozes history at every turn. The sumptuous dining space is located in one of the 365 rooms in the castle which also has 52 chimneys and 12 corners, all built to signify the passing of time and cyclical nature of the seasons.

Saturdays were made for a relaxing but sumptuous afternoon tea experience at Blackwell House. 5 tiers of taste explosions – dainty sandwiches, tiny shots of soup, scones hot from the oven, followed by bite sized pastries and final taste of lemon posset… Hungry yet?

For those who are in the know about Winterfell, afternoon tea is highly recommended at the Game of Thrones Studio tour, just outside Banbridge in the Linen mill Studios. Try hot pies sausage rolls, the high garden sandwich selection and chocolate crunch dragon eggs (highly recommended for chocolatey impact!).