Afternoon tea is a quintessential British tradition - and where better to indulge than overlooking the stunning gardens of a stately home.
For the first time visitors to Chatsworth House, in Derbyshire, can take tea under-cover outdoors by the maze with views of the historic 105-acre garden.
Showcasing the best local produce, as well as the talents of its bakers, delectable treats, worthy of a drive over the border, include hand-cut sandwiches and freshly baked scones - with the extra home-grown touch of Chatsworth jam and clotted cream.
The array of sweet treats continues with individual Bakewell tart, summer fruit sherry trifle, elderflower delice topped with a gin jelly, raspberry and chocolate opera cake and a piña colada pavlova.
Available until August 29, it costs £50 per person and includes admission to the garden and free parking.
Alternatively, visitors can enjoy a luxurious summer treat in The Flying Childers, located in the Stables. Tea, served on Wedgwood, starts with beetroot-cured loch salmon with pickled fennel, beetroot pearls and a cucumber gel, followed by a selection of sandwiches and a duo of scones with fruit with homemade jam and clotted cream.
Hartington blue cheese with onion marmalade comes next, and mouth-watering pistachio and cherry financier, gold leaf topped macaroon, chocolate opera cake with mirror glaze, rhubarb and ginger custard tart, mini Bakewell tart and banoffee eclair.
Costing £35 per person, diners can upgrade to have a glass of fizz. It's available to book every day, between 11.30am and 4.30pm.
There’s even a special afternoon tea menu so little ones can join in the fun too.
The afternoon tea platter designed especially for children starts with a stack of scrumptious jam, ham and cheese sandwiches followed by freshly baked scones piled high with clotted cream and jam.
Sweet treats include a decorate-your-own gingerbread bear, a hedgehog cake pop, and a marshmallow and macaroon toad stool, with a choice of a chocolate or strawberry milkshake. Priced £12.50 per child, it's served 3pm to 4.30pm.
To find out more, and book online, visit chatsworth.org/shopping-dining/afternoon-tea
