Afternoon tea is one of those things Southport does well and doesn't shout about enough. There are at least half a dozen places in the town doing a proper tiered stand, decent sandwiches, homemade scones, and tea that actually comes in a pot. Here's where to go — and the one or two where you should manage your expectations.
🍰Book ahead for all of these, especially at weekends. Afternoon tea is popular and most places have limited covers. A few days' notice is usually enough outside of event weeks.
The Grand Lord Street Hotel
This is the benchmark. The Grand is Southport's most recognisable hotel — it's been on Lord Street since 1866 and the afternoon tea matches the setting. You get the full tiered stand: finger sandwiches with proper fillings (not just cheese), warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of cakes and pastries that change seasonally. The room itself — high ceilings, Victorian cornicing, the boulevard outside the windows — is half the experience.
It's not cheap. You're paying for the building as much as the food. But if you're celebrating something or you want to impress someone, this is the one. Book at least a week ahead on weekends.
The Vincent Hotel
The Vincent is the more contemporary option. Modern hotel, stylish bar area, good service. Their afternoon tea runs Thursday to Sunday and the portions are generous. Less grand than The Grand, but the food is arguably more consistent. The champagne afternoon tea is good value if you factor in the prosecco — though they do call it champagne and it isn't always.
Good for groups. The bar area accommodates larger parties without feeling cramped.
The Scarisbrick Hotel
Slightly lower price point than The Grand or The Vincent. The Scarisbrick has been doing afternoon tea for years and it shows — efficient, reliable, decent quality. The scones are good. The sandwiches are fine. If you're bringing elderly relatives who want a classic experience without the occasion pressure of a five-star setting, the Scarisbrick is comfortable and unfussy.
Churchtown options
A few of the cafés in and around Churchtown offer afternoon tea, usually by pre-order. The Hesketh Arms has occasionally run a weekend afternoon tea service. Worth calling ahead rather than assuming it's on. The village setting makes it worth the extra effort — you can combine it with a walk around the Botanic Gardens or along the canal.
What to expect and what to ask
- →Always pre-book — most places won't do walk-ins for afternoon tea
- →Check whether it's a set time (usually 90 minutes to 2 hours) or open-ended
- →Ask about dietary requirements when booking, not on the day
- →Prosecco packages are usually worth it — the uplift is small and it makes the occasion
- →Children's afternoon tea versions are available at most hotels — smaller portions, fewer savoury items, more cake
When to go
Any time of year, honestly. Afternoon tea is an indoor thing by nature, so bad weather isn't a deterrent. The one exception is Open week in July 2026 — the hotels are at capacity and afternoon tea slots will be booked months in advance. If you're visiting for The Open and want to do afternoon tea, sort the booking before you book your hotel.
📅Open week 2026: 12–19 July. If you're in Southport that week, book afternoon tea now. It will sell out.
Outside of event weeks, you can usually get a table within a few days with a reasonable amount of notice. Bank holidays are busier. Midweek is always easier. My preference is a Thursday afternoon — quieter than the weekend, the service is less rushed, and you don't feel like you're competing for attention.
Looking for restaurants in Southport for lunch or dinner instead? Our full guide covers every area of the town.
Browse Southport restaurants →Terry
Chief Editor, SouthportGuide.co.uk — Lives in Churchtown with his wife,
four kids, and Frank the bulldog.
