British-grown afternoon tea at Bowood

Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort has introduced the refreshed Bowood Afternoon Tea at the Shelburne Restaurant.

The experience is developed in partnership with Cornish tea producer Tregothnan and brings together a seasonal menu of sandwiches, scones, and pastries, shaped by ingredients grown in Bowood Estate’s Walled Garden. 

The renewal reflects a more considered approach to how afternoon tea is sourced, prepared, and presented.

Across the UK, afternoon tea continues to hold strong appeal as a recognisable part of British hospitality, and at Bowood the focus has been on refining rather than reinventing the afternoon tea experience, paying homage to traditions while focussing on the detailed nuances of crockery, service, ingredients, and its presentation. 

The result is described as a more cohesive experience that has a stronger connection to the estate and a clearer sense of place.

Rupert Taylor, Executive Head Chef at Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, said: “The Bowood Afternoon Tea is all about renewing a much-loved tradition with care, while strengthening our connection to Bowood’s Walled Garden. 

"It allows us to shape the menu around what is growing here on-site. Ingredients come straight from the garden into the kitchen, which brings a level of seasonality and freshness that is difficult to replicate. 

"Each element reflects a wider picture of both the estate and the time of year.”

Bowood places greater focus on where ingredients are sourced and how experiences reflect its surroundings, drawing these elements together through estate-grown produce and British-grown tea. 

The menu follows the rhythm of the seasons, with produce moving directly from the Walled Garden into the kitchen. 

Ingredients for the Bowood Afternoon Tea such as strawberries and rose petals are grown on the estate and used to create Bowood’s own strawberry and rose petal jam, reinforcing a zero-mile, field-to-fork approach.

The tea selection served at Bowood Afternoon Tea has been developed with Tregothnan, the UK’s first tea plantation and the first in England to have created a range of black tea, green tea, and herbal infusions homegrown on British soil. 

The exclusive tea partnership brings a distinct British provenance to the experience.

 Jonathon Jones OBE, Managing Director at Tregothnan, said: “Tea itself is the reason fine bone China found its place in Britain. 

"Afternoon tea, at its best, is an expression of place as much as tradition; the ritual shaped not only what we drink, but how it is served and carried across continents. 

"To see the first British-grown tea presented alongside such carefully considered craftsmanship at Bowood feels entirely fitting.

“Bowood Afternoon Tea is a thoughtful renewal that respects heritage while allowing the concept to evolve with quiet confidence, pairing a sense of tradition with a willingness to pioneer. 

"The partnership reflects provenance, care, and a shared commitment to doing things properly.”

A bespoke fine bone china collection, created with British manufacturer Duchess China 1888, completes the Bowood Afternoon Tea experience. 

It has been developed specifically for Bowood, combining the brand’s traditional gold detailing with a contemporary linear finish. Each piece balances form and function, complementing the food and tea while maintaining the sense of occasion associated with afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea originated in the 19th century as a social ritual designed to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. 

Historians say that Anna Maria Russell, the Seventh Duchess of Bedford, invented afternoon tea and it is incredibly likely that the Lansdowne family residing at Bowood would have participated in a Bedford afternoon tea. 

Given the Lansdowne family’s important role in British society, they also would have regularly held afternoon teas at Bowood, emphasising the timeless nature of the tradition.

Matthew Voyle, General Manager of Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, said: “We are incredibly proud to present the renewed Bowood Afternoon Tea. 

"It has been important to us that the relaunch honours the timeless tradition of afternoon tea, while ensuring it feels relevant today. 

"Working with partners such as Duchess China 1888 and Tregothnan, both of whom share our values around heritage, quality, and British craftsmanship, has been a privilege.”

Together, the menu, tea, and service create an experience that reflects Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort today, grounded in its surroundings and shaped by a more considered approach to how afternoon tea is delivered.

Bowood Afternoon Tea is served in the Shelburne Restaurant at Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort from 22nd May 2026, priced at £37.50 per person. 

It is available from 1-4pm Monday to Saturday and 2-4pm on Sunday. Tables can be reserved via Bowood’s website: https://bowood.org/hotel/