AFTERNOON TEA AT KILWORTH HOUSE, LEICESTERSHIRE: A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY HOUSE EXPERIENCE

Are you looking to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in the elegant surroundings of a country house hotel? Then afternoon tea at Kilworth House, Leicestershire delivers exactly that and more. The charming nineteenth century estate is set within 38 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland, in South Leicestershire. Afternoon tea has been served in the Victorian estates Orangery for over one hundred years and transforms guests to a bygone era! The experience combines timeless charm, impeccable service and an indulgent selection of freshly prepared sweet and savoury treats to create a classic memorable experience.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, catching up with friends or simply looking for one of the best afternoon tea experiences in Leicestershire, Kilworth House offers the perfect setting. From delicate finger sandwiches and warm melt-in-the-mouth homemade scones to handcrafted cakes and a carefully curated selection of teas, every detail is designed to encourage you to slow down and savour the grandeur of the moment.

In this guide, we’re sharing what to expect from afternoon tea at Kilworth House, what’s included, the atmosphere, practical tips for your visit and why this elegant country house hotel deserves a place on your Leicestershire luxury experience list.

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Why Visit Kilworth House for Afternoon Tea?

Set in the heart of rural Leicestershire close to Lutterworth and Market Harborough, Kilworth House Hotel is a magnificent Victorian Grade II-listed Italianate country house renowned for its luxurious interiors and warm hospitality.

It was built in 1891 for High Sheriff John Entwistle but converted to flats in the 1960s, the estate was bought and meticulously restored into a four-star luxury hotel in 2003, later adding a renowned 550 seat open-air theatre, branding the hotel to Kilworth House Hotel & Theatre.

There’s no denying that the moment we arrived via the tree-lined driveway, and caught a glimpse of the main house, the experience felt so  wonderfully indulgent. Whilst you’re walking through to the Orangery, note the elegant drawing rooms, grand staircases, ornate ceilings and sweeping views over the estate as well as a very warm welcome from the team, make this afternoon tea experience a definite occasion. 

Afternoon tea is typically served in one of the hotel’s elegant lounges or, during warmer months, in the light-filled Orangery overlooking the gardens.

What to Expect from the Afternoon Tea experience 

Our afternoon tea was elevated by the fact that the British weather was playing ball, one June summer’s day! The sky was blue, birds were tweeting away, we could hear the buzzing of bees in the roses and driving up the green hues of the estate foliage was simply idyllic, oh and spotting the herd of cows that walked by the back of the house was a treat in itself to this perfect location! It can only be described as quintessentially English!

Afternoon tea is served in one of the hotel’s elegant lounges or, during warmer months, in the light-filled Orangery which overlooks the gardens and fields in the horizon. We were lucky enough to enjoy it in the almost 150 year old Orangery that has recently undergone some sympathetic refurbishment. 

We were greeted promptly and shown to a table overlooking the centre portion of the gardens and the mid-afternoon light rays flooded in through the glass in all directions. The relaxed pace allowed us to savour each course of the silver three tier stand whilst soaking up the peaceful surroundings. The attentive staff strike the perfect balance between professional and friendly, ensuring every detail is taken care of without feeling rushed.

The atmosphere is refined yet comfortable, making it suitable for couples, families, groups of friends and multi-generational celebrations as we witnessed on our visit. 

What’s Included In The Afternoon Tea?

There are a few options at Kilworth house for afternoon tea, and these do need to be booked at the time of reservation together with any specific dietary requirements.

• Full Afternoon Tea
• Sparkling Afternoon Tea 
• Champagne Afternoon Tea 
• Children’s Afternoon Tea (under 12 years)

We opted for one full afternoon tea plus a vegetarian sparkling one which came with a glass of Prosecco. The booking does state that everyone has to have one full tea, there is no sharing however you can have the remainder packed to enjoy back at home to keep the experience going.

When it comes to hot drinks there is a choice of loose leaf tea, tea infusions, a range of coffees as well as hot chocolate. Options even extend to decaffeinated teas and coffees. 

Teas and coffees are replenished as many times as guests wish so it’s possible to try a few varieties should you wish. 

We prefer tea with our afternoon tea so chose the Lapsang Souching (Also known as ‘Smoke tea’, the tea leaves are withered over cedar wood, then pan-fired before being dried over burning wood), the Red Berry Crush (Taste summer in a cup with this utterly delicious mix of hibiscus, rosehip, apple pieces and orange peel) and the Green Tea (A ‘True’ tea, meaning it is only made from un-oxidized Camellia Sinensis leaves). Our favourite was definitely the Lapsang with it’s delicate woody flavour. 

Now onto the three tiers of the afternoon tea, the savoury tier was the only difference between the vegetarian and non-vegetarian option and we enjoyed the cucumber & dill cream cheese and free range egg and chive mayonnaise sandwiches plus the vegetarian sausage roll. Soft bread with just the right amount of filling and the vegetarian sausage roll just gave it that extra edge with the flaky pastry. 

Next it was onto the two sweet tiers. We really enjoyed the seasonal gateau, which actually was one of our favouries from the sweet selection.

Then we partially tackled the Kilworth House strawberry and cream tart, blackcurrant cremeux, Tiramisu. Macacon, white chocolate choux bun.

With quite a generous selection of sweets we chose to take some of these home with us as we were presented with a plate of two warm melt in the mouth fruit and plain scones each, midway through the tea. They were of course accompanied by homemade strawberry preserve and clotted cream! We’re entertaining no other notion bit, that cream always goes on a scone before the jam!

We loved that guests celebrating a special occasion are treated with a glass of champagne or sparkling wine which really is an extra memorable touch that goes such a long way!

We think we may be returning especially after learning that there are seasonal afternoon teas available such as a festive one during Christmas and themed ones for Mother’s Day and St. Valentine’s Day!

The Orangery and Historic Setting

The Orangery truly is a stunning location to enjoy an afternoon tea, complete with chandeliers. Think lots of natural light flooding in through the glass and the sight of the gardens and rolling green hills in the background.

We’ve touched on the setting previously but the mature woodland, ornamental gardens and peaceful walking paths are perfect to enjoy before or after your afternoon tea experience. It’s also great to work up your appetite or walk off the indulgent treat!

We’d definitely recommend a walk around the estate! During our visit in June, there were beautiful colourful flowers and the buzzing of bees, insects and birds all around the estate. It was truly picturesque, almost like a quintessential English summer garden painting!

Exceptional Service

From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, the service was exceptional and consistent throughout, exactly what you’d expect at a four star country house hotel.  

The staff were attentive yet not intrusive which makes such a big difference. Their attention to detail in making sure everything is perfect on the table and taking away unwanted crockery promptly noteworthy.  

Can Dietary Requirements Be Catered For?

Yes absolutely. Dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free afternoon teas, can be accommodated with advance notice and should be mentioned at the time of booking. 

Perfect for Special Occasions 

Kilworth House is a popular destination in Leicestershire to celebrate a special occasion. During our own visit we saw guests celebrating birthdays and anniversaries plus you can mark the occasion by combining an overnight stay with an afternoon tea, dinner and a show at the open air theatre on the beautiful grounds. 

Tips For Visiting Kilworth House

• Book well in advance, especially for weekends and seasonal events.
• Mention dietary requirements when making your reservation.
• Arrive early to explore the gardens.
• Dress smart casual to complement the elegant surroundings.
• Don’t leave your camera at home, you’ll want to take photos of the house and grounds that are exceptionally photogenic.

Is Afternoon Tea at Kilworth House, Leicestershire Worth It?

If you’re searching for one of the finest afternoon tea experiences in Leicestershire, Kilworth House most certainly  lives up to its reputation. It’s classic, elegant and most definitely a benchmark for a quintessentially British experience, we think.

From the grandeur of the Victorian country house to the beautifully presented food and attentive service, every element has been carefully considered. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply treating yourself to an afternoon of indulgence, you’ll leave with lasting memories, we’re sure.

How Much Does Afternoon Tea at Kilworth House Cost?

We think that the pricing is really great value for money taking into the account the full  luxury experience.

• Full Afternoon Tea £37.00
• Sparkling Afternoon Tea £46.75
• Champagne Afternoon Tea £50.25
• Children’s Afternoon Tea £20.00 (under 12 years)

How to get to Kilworth House?

By Car: Kilworth House Hotel is on the A4304 just four miles east of Junction 20 of the M1 and easily accessible from the M69, M42, M6 and A14

By Rail: Midland Mainline offer a frequent service between London St. Pancras and Market Harborough. Market Harborough train station is around 20-minute drive from the hotel. Rugby station,  has a direct rail link to London Euston, and is also around 20 minutes away from the Hotel. The London to Rugby rail journey takes about 60 minutes.

By Air: Kilworth House Hotel is located within easy reach of East Midlands and Birmingham airports, which are both around 45 minutes by car. Stansted and Luton are approx 1.5 hours away; Heathrow and Manchester, 2 hours.

Things To Do Nearby

The closest town is Market Harborough, which has a wonderful range of small businesses and places to eat. Wistow Maze is great to keep the children entertained and you can also pop into the Wistow Bistro to fuel up. 

Alternatively head to Leicester, a vibrant city with lots to do including the National Space Centre, which is one of the city’s most popular attractions as well as the King Richard III Visitor Centre charting the story of the last plantagenate king and how his remains were identified. 

The adjacent county of Rutland is packed full of quaint villages and is home to Rutland Water, one of Europe’s largest man-made lakes. Here, spot wildlife, rent a bike and spend time in nature. 

Rockingham castle is in the small village of Rockingham and was built on the instruction of William the Conqueror and makes for a lovely half day visit.

There are so many more options such as Warwick Castle, Leicester Tigers Rugby Club, Leicester City Football Club, Leicester Riders, Grace Road Cricket, The British Motor Museum  and more.

• Market Harborough – Driving time: 19 mins
• National Space Centre, Leicester – Driving time: 30 mins
• King Richard III Centre, Leicester – Driving time: 30 mins
• Rutland Water – Driving time: 55 mins – Driving time: 50 mins
• Rockingham Castle – Driving time: 40 mins
• Warwick Castle – Driving time: 50 mins
• British Motor Museum – Driving time: 60 mins

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Afternoon Tea at Kilworth House Round-up

In our opinion, very few places capture the elegance of a traditional English afternoon tea quite like Kilworth House. With exquisite surroundings, beautifully crafted and curated food coupled with impeccable service, it’s easy to see why it remains one of the most sought-after afternoon tea venues in Leicestershire.

We would totally recommend Kilworth House whether you’re celebrating something special or simply slowing down for an afternoon of indulgence and we love how it blends heritage, luxury and some English countryside charm.

Next steps…

Read the related articles below for help with planning a wider trip to the area and things to do around Kilworth House.

Ready to Experience Afternoon Tea at Kilworth House?

If you’re planning a special celebration then we’d say it’s worth booking ahead. Afternoon tea is one of Kilworth House’s most popular experiences, particularly at weekends and during festive seasons and you want to guarantee your preferred date

Why not Turn Your Afternoon Tea into a Luxury Country Escape?

Why not make the most of your visit by staying overnight? Kilworth House’s elegant bedrooms, award-winning dining and peaceful gardens make it the perfect destination for a romantic getaway or relaxing weekend break.

Details

• Address: Kilworth House Hotel, Lutterworth Road, North Kilworth Leicestershire LE17 6JE. England
• Tel: 01858 880058
• Google Map: Location
• Parking: complimentary car parking for all guests on site
• Reservations Essential: Kilworth House Afternoon Tea

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• How to spend 48 hours in Leicester by a local: A 2 day itinerary
• Rockingham: A beautiful village escape in Northamptonshire
• 30+ of the best independent coffee shops in Leicester LE1
• Independent spots to have breakfast in Leicester City Centre
• The most beautiful hotels in Leicestershire

Resources To Help You Plan

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