Bessiestown Vintage Tea in Carlisle

Can’t wait to repeat Sunday’s fabulous afternoon tea at Bessiestown. Everything was home made, so tasty and melt in the mouth. Too much for us to manage but what we couldn’t eat was plated and given to us to take home. Couldn’t fault the experience.

4 of us went for afternoon tea this afternoon. I have to follow a gluten free diet. I just could not believe how amazing it all tasted. So lovely to have everything homemade and taste so beautiful. The staff are do attentive. I can highly recommend it. A big thank you to all the super staff.

We booked here quite last minute and the staff/owners couldn't be more accommodating. The afternoon tea we were served was totally out of this world. Everything was homemade and fresh. The staff were so friendly and attentive. The food itself outstanding. I couldn't recommend enough. Absolutely wonderful.

We recently visited , we were highly recommend to go ! Excellent food and great service , this little gem hidden away in the borders must be in the top 5 in the Cumbria / Borders area. In terms of the quality of food , delicious on a par or better than many of the top hotels in the Lakes . ( Sharrow Bay ) included .

Amazing, everything lovely and fresh and all home cooked. The cakes were to die for. The staff were lovely and very helpful and made my friends 80th birthday treat a joy.

Have been to Bessiestown, and many others, for teas to celebrate special occasions and feel qualified to comment. They never fail to disappoint. Bessies is right up there with recognised destination of greater fame. They work really hard to prepare and create the right atmosphere depending on the occasion. Starve yourself because it's more like a full-on experience of sweet and savoury which is why it is so special. Cannot recommend it highly enough. You will need to book well in advance to enjoy it though!

WOW, what a beautiful afternoon tea. Everything from the moment we arrived was 1st class. Met in the courtyard and taken to our table. Within a few minutes we were served with our tea and coffee, and then...……. beautiful savouries, warm scones with jam and cream and then ample sweet delights, and as much tea/ coffee you can drink. All homemade. Will definitely visit again.

What a fabulous place, off the beaten track but well worth going. My MiL recently won an afternoon tea for two voucher for here, so we booked for Sunday afternoon. On arrival we were directed into a parking spot overlooking the surrounding beautiful countryside, then guided into the house through a flowered courtyard. Once shown to our table we took in the homely decor, very clean & immaculate. We both asked for tea & it came in a teapot with an old fashioned tea strainer, our delights started arriving first was a warmed yorkshire pudding (the size of my fist) filled with succulent pieces of beef in rich gravy. Then followed the savoury platter, top tier filo baskets filled with a traditional prawn cocktail, second tier was two sausage rolls & 2 squares of cheese quiche, the bottom tier had a round or sandwiches each with fillings of egg, ham & mustard & salmon. You then have time for that to settle while you chat & drink more tea, Then out came small glasses of mango & passion fruit sorbet to cleanse your palate. After another few minutes & a fresh pot of tea, we were brought a dish of warm scones with homemade strawberry jam & fresh whipped cream, followed shortly after by a teo tier stand of sweet treats. Top tier was meringues filled with cream, chocolate brownies Bottom tier was strawberry turnovers, raspberry oysters & lemon drizzle cake. More tea was offered but we politely declined as we were so full. An excellent experience was had by both of us & we plan to return again soon with Friends. They also do B&B as well as studio apartments that sleeps up to 4 people.

We booked afternoon tea at Bessiestown as a large group of 13 for a special family birthday. Having read some of the very positive reviews, we were definitely not let down. The guest house itself is beautiful and very well kept. The welcome from the staff was fantastic, really friendly and relaxed, which set the mood for the afternoon. The food is absolutely fantastic. Great selection of savory food including warm mini Yorkshire puddings filled with beef, gravy and Horseradish, warm sausage rolls, quiche, prawn cocktails in filo and a good selection of sandwiches. Next up was a lovely sorbet followed by a great selection of homemade cakes and scones. Tea and coffee were lovely and regular top ups offered constantly. Service was brilliant and faultless. Outside following the afternoon tea the horses in the field next to the car park, were very tame and lived to be stroked, which is great for young and old alike. I would highly recommend afternoon tea here - a wonderful experience

the savoury options were really good on this afternoon tea. the sausage roll, quiche and yorkshire pudding were all especially tasty. the cakes and scones served afterwards were all homemade, fresh and tasty. i asked for no cream on my afternoon tea which was done with no fuss. i also requested hot chocolate as my drink which wasn't a problem either. service was friendly although slightly slow for my preference but i appreciate that a lot of people would be happy to have afternoon tea served this way.

We’ve been enjoying afternoon teas here since they first started and they are fabulous. Very tasty and varied sandwiches, quiche, scones and cakes. Make sure you don’t eat much before you arrive because you’ll get a generous afternoon tea! All home made and delicious, served on lovely old tablecloths with pretty china. Looking forward to our next visit.

Had been recommended the afternoon tea here and wasn't let down. The food was all homemade and absolutely delicious, mini sausage rolls, yorkshire puds, sandwiches, scones and a good selection of cakes. The staff service was excellent as well.

well wow we went for afternoon tea as a belated mothers day gift from my daughter it was the best afternoon tea i have ever had we were met outside and taken in by a lovely lady who served and looked after us all afternoon well worth a visit we will be back

This was our first visit to Bessiestown for Afternoon Tea, we had a warm welcome & were shown to our table which was set up with lovely vintage China cups, saucers & plates - perfect start ! A 'good' cup of Tea & the food which followed was delicious & to a VERY high standard ! Delicious mini Yorkshire Pudd's, Quiche, Sausage Rolls, a selection of yummy sandwiches, then Sorbet to cleanse the pallet ! Another pot of Tea & freshly cooked scones with homemade Strawberry Jam ! The Cakes arrived ......... Wow mini Raspberry Oysters, lemon cake, Chocolate Eclairs, meringues - Everything Delicious 10/10 for Food, Service & friendliness of Staff ! Don't hesitate to go, you'll be missing a treat !

Certainly the best afternoon tea we have ever eaten, service excellent, surroundings beautiful, a real treat.

This was the first time we have visited Bessietown, although I don't know why we haven't done so previously. We have have had many 'afternoon teas' in many fine hotels, particularly in the nearby Lake District. Bessietown is right up with, and exceeds most places in terms of quality, friendliness and atmosphere.

We've enjoyed some great afternoon teas all over the UK, but this one beats the lot. Absolutely wonderfully fantastic.

Could not fault anything, the food was absolutely beautiful. The people could not be any more helpful and were really attentive without being intrusive. Good value for money. Only around 30 minutes from Carlisle. It really is worth it, there is not one thing I would change, and I am looking forward to going back soon. Fabulous :)

The best afternoon tea we have ever had! Make sure you go hungry as you will want to eat it all - however they will give you a box home with anything you can't manage!