Here is a selection of the National Gardens Scheme’s best tea gardens. For more details and this year’s opening times, see the NGS’s annual Yellow Book or visit www.ngs.org.uk
● Devon Moretonhampstead Gardens, TQ13 8PW
Two classic country gardens in one village, with fine views of Dartmoor. Tea is taken in the conservatory, naturally, if it rains. And, as it’s Devon, there are heavy-duty, clotted-cream teas (a good job the NGS gives so much of its money to medical charities)
● London 5, St Regis Close, Alexandra Park Road, N10 2DE
Take your tea in a secluded alcove in this whimsical garden of colourful temples and glazed Chinese dragons. Susan Bennett offers a range of herbal teas, but is man (or woman) enough to wield a mighty stainless-steel teapot for the real thing
● Vale of Glamorgan Slade, Southerndown, CF32 0RP
A stone’s throw from the beach, and sea air ever made one thirsty. Take your tea and wonderful biscuits off where you will. Perch on a rock, look down the valley and listen to the wind in the trees to seaward
● Derbyshire 334, Belper Road, Stanley Common, DE7 6FY
Is one kind of cake insufficient? Here, up to 20 different sorts are on offer. Work off tea with a walk around the woods and lake
● Oxfordshire Upper Chalford Farm, Sydenham, OX39 4NH
Tea in the garden ought always to be in a bower of roses, and this is the perfect place: a garden full of old-fashioned blooms. If it feels familiar, that could be because it was a location in the Midsomer Murders series
● Kent Hole Park, Rolvenden, Cranbrook, TN17 4JB Coffee-and-walnut cake, lemon sponge, chocolate brownies and bara brith are among the Sunday attractions that regularly draw visitors to the glorious 15 acres of gardens surrounded by parkland and fine views
● Shropshire Preen Manor, Church Preen, SY6 7LQ A fascinating and large garden with modern leanings—provocative without being wacky. But the teas, served by the local ladies, are traditional enough. Tables on the lawn if it’s sunny, in the converted tack room if it rains. Homemade cakes and tea-bread here
● Yorkshire Lawkland Hall, Austwick, LA2 8AT A garden of compartments, with topiary in box and yew and fine views of flat-topped Ingleborough hill. Jam and scones are made by the owner’s fair (but still a gardener’s) hands. Last year’s opening was a washout, and, with true Dunkirk spirit, visitors took tea on benches around the ping-pong table
● Norfolk Narborough Hall, Narborough, PE32 1TE Yes, there are formal gardens, topiary, a walled garden, a park and a lake, but the focus here is sensuousness and flavour. Bits of every border find their way into the cakes (in the nicest sense): geranium leaves, rose petals, lemon verbena, and all picked that day
● Herefordshire Stockton Bury Gardens, Kimbolton, HR6 0HB A garden of intimate spaces and delightful planting, with Leominster church as an eyecatcher at no extra charge. Tea on the terrace is the real thing
● Sussex Clinton Lodge, Fletching, TN22 3ST Six acres of garden re-creating various period styles, from the 17th century to the present day. Tea is served in the lemonery. Look out for a splendid chocolate cake, which you can eat on a balustrade while you gaze at the park
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