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NORTH

Ballindalloch Castle
Fondly known as the Pearl of the North, Ballindalloch is one of the most impressive estates in Scotland. Located just behind the Laburnum Arch is the tearoom, providing a tempting array of freshly baked cakes and local produce. 

Ballindalloch, Banffshire: 01807-500205, www.ballindallochcastle.co.uk

Castle Howard
Immortalised as the home of the Flytes in Brideshead Revisited, Castle Howard is one of the country’s most iconic stately homes. The 1,000-acre estate offers formal gardens, woodland walks and afternoon tea against the backdrop of the Howardian Hills.

York: 01653-648333, www.castlehoward.co.uk

Chatsworth House
Seat of the Duke of Devonshire, spectacular Chatsworth House is one of the finest and best-loved stately homes. Afternoon tea is served in the Cavendish restaurant, with a pot of Chatsworth English afternoon tea and a homemade scone.

Bakewell, Derbyshire: 01246-565300, www.chatsworth.org

Inverary Castle
Seat of the Campbell Clan, Inverary Castle sits high on the shores of Loch Fyne and is home to some of the best gardens in the highlands. The ‘Policies’, a Scottish term for the surrounding grounds of a country house, are particularly renowned and include trees planted by famous house guests. The Castle Tearoom is run personally by the Duchess of Argyll.

Inveraray, Argyll: 01499-302203, www.inveraray-castle.com

Levens Hall
This stately home in Cumbria is internationally renowned for its ancient topiary, preserved immaculately alongside the house, which itself dates back to 1350. The Bellingham Buttery tearoom serves freshly baked scones and teas daily.

Kendal, Cumbria: 01539-560321, www.levenshall.co.uk

SOUTH

Audley End House
Beautifully restored to its original decor and showcasing the Victorian kitchen and dairy, Audley House is both a charming stately home and the perfect spot for a cuppa.

Saffron Walden, Essex: 01799-522842, www.english-heritage.org.uk

Blenheim Palace
The birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and a masterpiece of the English stately home, Blenheim attracts some 600,000 visitors a year, many treating themselves to the exclusive Marlborough champagne tea in the Indian Room.

Woodstock, Oxfordshire: 01993-810530, www.blenheimpalace.com

Longleat House
Situated in 900 acres of Capability Brown parkland, Longleat House is one of the finest Elizabethan stately homes in Britain. Along with a safari park, First World War exhibition and rose gardens, Longleat has its own secret garden cafe, the Orangery.

Warminster, Wiltshire: 01985-844400, www.longleat.co.uk

Montacute House
This Elizabethan mansion has proven popular with TV producers and visitors alike – it featured in the BBC’s Wolf Hall. Don’t miss the Long Gallery, the longest of its kind in England, after which savour a homemade cake from the cafe.

Montacute, Somerset: 01935-823289, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/montacutehouse

Waddesdon Manor
The 19th-century home of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, this extraordinary English house has entertained artists, writers, politicians and royalty within its magnificent walls. Bequeathed to the National Trust in 1957, Waddesdon is now one of the South’s top attractions, with formal gardens, extensive art collection and, of course, serving afternoon tea.

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire: 01296- 653203, www.waddesdon.org.uk

EAST

Burghley House
Here you can enjoy some of the finest Elizabethan architecture in the country, as well as the extensive gardens designed by the famed Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Take tea with a view in the Garden Cafe.

Stamford, Lincolnshire: 01780-752451, www.burghley.co.uk

Elton Hall
Built in the 17th century but with later gothic additions, the highlights of romantic Elton Hall, set in landscaped parkland, include Henry VIII’s prayer book, along with rose and sunken gardens. There is also an orangery, built to celebrate the millennium, and garden centre, complete with cosy tearoom.

Near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: 01832-280223, www.eltonhall.com

Grimsthorpe Castle
Renowned architect Vanbrugh’s last and most confident work, Grimsthorpe Castle is a magnificent country house set in ancient parkland. The afternoon tea is an essential part of every visitor’s itinerary.

Bourne, Lincolnshire: 01778-591205, www.grimsthorpe.co.uk

Holkham Hall
Situated next to a nature reserve on the beautiful Norfolk coast, elegant Holkham Hall, home to the 8th Earl of Leicester, is one of the best examples of Palladian architecture in the country. Have afternoon tea in the Café in the Park, with homemade fresh local produce.

Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk: 01328-713111, www.holkham.co.uk

Somerleyton Hall
Standing on a site that dates back to 1240, Somerleyton Hall is one of England’s most historic homes, with an equally impressive garden featuring a yew-hedge maze. Refreshment can be found at the Duke’s Head or Fritton Arms, both on the estate.

Lovingland, Suffolk: 0871-222 4244, www.somerleyton.co.uk

WEST

Arbury Hall
Surrounded by more than 100 acres of unspoilt lakes and parkland, Arbury Hall is one of the most spectacular examples of the 18thcentury gothic revival. Victorian novelist George Eliot was born on a farm on the estate. Cream teas are among the offerings at the tearooms in the original stable block.

Nuneaton, Warwickshire: 02476-382804, www.arburyestate.co.uk

Bodrhyddan Hall
This magnificent property in North Wales has been the home of the Conwy family for more than 500 years. Take a guided tour of the house, then explore the gardens, which include a parterre and woodland walk. Finish off with a treat in the tearooms.

Rhuddlan, Clwyd: 01745-590414, www.bodrhyddan.co.uk

Hagley Hall
Notable for sheltering two of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators, Hagley Hall is one of the last great Palladian mansions. There are magnificent state rooms, plus 250 acres of parkland with panoramic views – and, of course, an opportunity to enjoy tea and cake.

Hagley, Worcestershire: 01562-882408, www.hagleyhall.com

Picton Castle
This characterful 13th-century castle sits in the spectacular surroundings of an RHS partner garden, featuring an exotic mix of rare specimen trees and shrubs and native flora. The courtyard restaurant is open all year round, offering local produce and seasonal fare.

Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire: 01437-751326, www.pictoncastle.co.uk

Upton Cressett Hall
The moated and turreted Elizabethan house, with oak interiors and ornate plasterwork, offers teas on the lawn or in the Millinery Tea Room. There are collections of tapestries and art, as well as a pair of rare white peacocks. 

Upton Cressett, near Bridgnorth, Shropshire: 01746-714616, www.uptoncressetthall.co.uk