The Duchess Tea Room in Central Bedfordshire

If you are looking for refined then this is not for you. The Bedford room is somewhat drab and to be frank needs a good clean. I was sat next to the window cill which has a few ornaments which had clearly not be dusted or washed down for some time. I appreciate that spiders can spin webs through the summer very quickly but this genuinely needs a good clean. When the room is not clean this makes me query what else is not clean! Having pre booked this tea for a girlfriends birthday I could not fault the afternoon tea itself. The sandwiches had a good amount of filling and the scones were light for me, perfect. The cake selection for someone who is dairy free was great and the service was also good. There is an excellent selection of quality teas and other drinks too. Overall I would of liked to give a very good rating for the tea itself as it was lovely but the surroundings and cleanliness really let this down and it could be so easily rectified.

We were booked in as a party for afternoon tea but we were totally surprised when we were treated to a tea as if we were at the Ritz hotel, London. It was beautifully laid out with finger sandwiches of smoked salmon, egg, ham and one other. There were cheese scones, fruit scones, plain scones with clotted cream and. raspberry jam, shortbread, (prepared by the chef who had cooked for the Queen, whom we later met) cakes with cream and strawberries and so on. Tea and coffee was in ample supply. They even catered for special diets and food allergies and their food looked delicious too|

The tea room is perfect for afternoon tea after a long walk through the scenic Woburn gardens. The café is well stocked and the scones are really tasty. Would recommend sitting outside as you are surrounded by a tidy lawn and beautiful plants and trees. The children love to pick up the conkers in autumn and overall makes for a lovely experience

Had afternoon tea in the Bedford Room (Duchess Tea Rooms closed at this time of year. The room is lovely and bright with loads of natural light. The staff were very pleasant and the food tasty. We did have to ask for the tea pots to be replenished, this was not offered, but they were filled quickly for us. This is a good option for afternoon tea locally, especially as the price includes entry to the grounds and gardens.

The tables set for afternoon tea looked lovely set with thick white tablecloths. The tables for lunch weren’t quite so nice. I found an empty but messy table and wiped it down myself with a paper napkin. The soup was nice, but the accompanying bread roll turned out to be sliced bread wrapped up in cling film. The tea room is convenient if you’re visiting Woburn, but you may be better bringing a picnic.

Great value for money ! We loved the drive through the deer park.The staff from the booth at the beginning to the end of the afternoon were all very polite and helpful. The sandwiches and cakes were a lovely assortment and very fresh.Thankyou

I was given two vouchers for afternoon tea at The Duchess Tea Room as a birthday present, and very good it was too! It was a pleasant autumn day when we visited and, as the gift also included free entry to the Gardens and Deer Park, we were able to enjoy a walk around the extensive gardens and take a good look at the many deer in the rolling parklands of Woburn. Tea was very good, the Duchess Tea Room was lovely and warm, and tea offerings were well made and nicely presented by very pleasant staff. In all a lovely birthday gift!

Tea was delicious although sandwiches would be better with thin bread but they were fresh and soft. The downside was the background music which was awful. The sort of wartime music I would expect if I was taking my parents out and I am in my seventies. It made me feel really old and flat. It also continued in the gift shop nearby. Perhaps something more uplifting would be good. Excellent service from friendly waitresses.

We had a voucher courtesy of my daughter’s workplace. We entered via the kiosk which is about 2 miles from the tea rooms and gardens. The drive through the deer park is superb. So many different types of deer, wandering freely on the vast estate. The car park is very close to the gardens and tea rooms. The lady in the shop was extremely helpful. It was a lovely day, so we spent about 45 minutes looking around the gardens, which were superb. The afternoon tea was held in the Bedford Room. In a very old part of the estate. The tea itself was delicious and so well presented. The windows were really dirty and they could have done with blinds. Two ladies sitting next to us asked to have their cakes covered as the sun was drying them out. Apparently the whole estate will be closing down next year for 18 months. Maybe the very basic room will have some tlc then. The young girls waiting on the tables were very friendly and professional. After we had our tea we resumed our trip around the gardens. We could have spent hours there. A lovely afternoon.

I was booked afternoon tea as a gift in the Duchess Room which with my husband we were really looking forward to - when we arrived we were taken to the Bedford room, which was cold and uninviting. We were told this is where the booked afternoon teas are held now. As a coeliac my sandwiches and scones were actually good, but the cakes were really bad, shop bought and stale. My husbands normal afternoon tea was few and far between, small sandwiches, tiny scones and again the cakes were stale, and clearly shop bought (really sweet, bland and over processed). Additionally there were ridiculous amounts of wasps trying to land on our food that we kept having to shoo away. Other diners were having the same problem. The waiting staff were disinterested in helping. For the home of afternoon tea we were really disappointed, not worth your money and not worth your time. Steer clear!

There are plenty of gluten laden items here - sandwiches, pies, pasties, etc. but not a lot of gluten free items. I don't want a baked potato when it's 30C! I had a drink and packet of crisps for lunch.

Stopped in here after a pleasant walk in the gardens. Had 2 drinks but the selection of 'naughty eats' were very limited and individually wrapped or only had biscuits. No cake - if you were expecting you will be disappointed. Pretty poor for a such a venue

What better way to spend a sunny afternoon than take my mum for tea in Woburn Abbey. The afternoon started with a slow drive through the deer park followed by a walk around the gardens and grounds. Our tea was served in the Bedford room by a charming waitress. Everything was presented really well and everything was tasty and very fresh with a nice variety of finger sandwiches, scones and excellent cream cakes in pleasant cool surroundings

We were able to use the Duchess's tea room twice, when we first arrived for coffee and cake, and then for a simple lunch. There are limited choices for those of us who need to be gluten free, but nevertheless we were happy with what we had, and GF bread was offered to go with the soup. A very pleasant environment, both inside the building and outside on the patio, and pleasant and helpful staff. One brief word of warning, if you do sit outside, ensure that you watch your food carefully or the jackdaws might gobble it up!

We were told we had to have tea in the Bedford room which was cold and univiting and we where looking forward to eating in the duchess suite. We had pre booked vegetarian option and the lady who served us said yes it’s all ready. When we were served we had exactly the same as everybody else including ham sandwiches. We ended up leaving most of the items. Tea and coffee very good gardens and drive through deer park beautiful. Will not be recommending the afternoon tea to anyone though! go to Luton Hoo for fresh vegetarian choice and beautiful cakes

A great treat when you visit Woburn Abbey is to sample their afternoon tea. There is a large selection of quality cakes and sandwiches to suit all tastes and once you are full any that are left can be boxed up for you. The staff are very professional, friendly, helpful and observant to your needs. Frequent top-ups of tea and coffee are available and its a great way to round off your visit.

I bought my mother a gift voucher for an Afternoon Tea for her 81st birthday. I have heard back from her that they had a very enjoyable time. The service was very good. Lovely, dainty cakes and sandwiches were a delight. And as much tea as they could drink. And the place is set within the pastoral beauty of the area. Thank you Woburn for adding to my Mum's enjoyment of her day.

We had this visit given to us by friends for our 50th wedding anniversary, and we went over on Weds, it a was fantastic day out. And the cream tea was so delicious. Scones to die for. Staff very caring. Recommend you should try it, but allow a day as there is so much to see around.

My daughter had arranged afternoon tea for my 60th birthday celebration, we were in the Bedford Suite which was a tranquil and beautifully decorated room. The afternoon tea was superb, the sandwiches were dainty and the scones were delicious. Service to our table was efficient, friendly but not too intrusive which is sometimes a difficult balance to achieve. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday tea, thanks to your staff.We will definitely be back. Many thanks.

Great afternoon tea, fantastic setting and wonderful staff - very accommodating for dietary requirements.

We celebrated my wife's birthday. The sandwiches were fresh and wholesome as was the cakes for tea. Quiet but we'll run. Very clean

We often visit places for afternoon tea and this is by far the worst afternoon tea I have ever experienced and it was such a shame because the setting is beautiful. We were booked into the Bedford room when I specifically booked into the duchess tea room. I can only describe the Bedford tea room as a school lunch room with dinner ladies. The tea menus were laminated a4 paper and there was only tea offered in this facility. No soft drinks, coffee, wine just tea. The service was appalling and the food was plonked in the middle of the table and just left as were the tea pots. The sandwiches were stale and only one pot of tea was offered per person no top ups. I was so disappointed by this afternoon tea, I have had better service and afternoon tea in a garden centre than at this facility. Such a shame.

We went here as part of a visit to Woburn abbey and gardens. The teas were beautiful, the cakes lovely and all in all not expensive at all!

Purchased this as a birthday treat for my friend and you get more than expected.From the drive into the grounds we were impressed, I was unaware just how much land there was. You are able to drive through the deer park before parking up.Upon entering the team rooms, you are delightfully treated, a wide variety of teas and the sandwiches and cakes were perfect.If you can't manage it all, don't worry, they will pack them up for you to take home.

Lots of choices of foods both sweet and savoury. We had a very reasonably prices lunch. Also famous the the Duchess of Bedford's Afternoon Tea with sparkling wine/Champagne just to celebrate that special event!

We were bought vouchers for our cream tea,at Woburn,in The Duchess's TeaRoom,we hadn't looked before we went so in our minds we would be having our Cream Tea inside a part of Woburn Abbey itself.On the drive up to the house we saw all the deer and obviously its all rather beautiful but I have to say we were very disappointed that the setting was just like being in a modern garden centre,not at all what we expected from a Stately Home like Woburn.We are fans of cream teas and have had many in many places but this was in our opinion quite average,indeed half of the café type building was for people who had booked for cream teas but this was opposite the canteen and counter for the public who were in the other half,all very noisy and nothing personal or special about this at all.Luckily we hadn't taken anyone elderly as there were no toilets in the building,one being outside and another down the path,again for anyone to use,not ideal and again not what you expect.Our daughter wanted a cold drink instead of a hot one,the lady refused which didn't help,after all the voucher wasn't for a child-it was a full price adult one so it shouldn't have mattered what she wanted-we asked to see the manager who at first didn't let us have 1 but as we pointed out the cold drink was cheaper then the hot so surely it didn't matter-all unnecessary and just put us off even more, in our opinion there are far nicer places to go,with far more accommodating staff.If you want a garden centre cream tea then you will like it but if you want something a bit special and you want it to be a treat we'd recommend you go elsewhere! Wouldn't go again and wouldn't recommend.

Had a lovely afternoon tea at the Duchess Tea room, Woburn. Plenty of tea/coffee offered and lovely cakes, scones and sandwiches. Nice walk in the gardens afterwards. Will be going again soon.

We had a delicious afternoon tea at the Duchess Tea Room while visiting Woburn Abbey. The tea room offers casual cabinet food as well as high tea options. The Tea Room is open from the end of March to the end of October and on a sunny day you can sit at outside garden tables. It was particularly hot on the day we were there so enjoying our morning tea outside was perfect. This is a perfect refreshment stop while visiting Woburn Abbey & Gardens.

Had afternoon tea here today and I have to say cannot fault it. Was met by a lovely team of friendly staff headed by a lovely lady called Julie. Our afternoon tea was freshly made and all the cakes were home made even the scones were lovely and warm. The tea room was spotless. We visited on the only day Bedford saw snow and the wonderful drive through the Deer park seeing all the Deers playing in the snow made out arrival more amazing. We will definitely be back and will recommend highly x

No primeiro dia do ano, era a única cafeteria aberta no local, mas o atendimento foi bom, em um lugar agradável com pessoal simpático. Não havia muita variedade de comida, mas a sopa e o café estavam bem saborosos.

We visited last Sunday and were surprised by the lack of comfortable seating and warm fire having been to various other venues for afternoon tea.We were sat at a standard table seated on wooden dining chairs in the main cafe at Woburn which was open to the public to buy sandwiches and teas / coffees etc. we have come to expect a bit more from an afternoon tea. the food was average, too many little cakes not enough sandwiches. The only thing separating us from the rest of the cafe was a portable barrier. Also the cafe has not toilets in the building so we had to go outside on a particularly wet and windy day to walk to the nearest ones, not suitable for elderly or disabled visitors.

The tomato soup was expensive but very good. The menu is not easy to find and the staff a little disinterested.

I took my disabled mother for afternoon tea and we had a very enjoyable time. From the time of booking via email, everyone was helpful. We were offered the loan of a wheelchair at the gift shop as the assistant was concerned that the path to the tearoom was steep for my mother's wheeled walking frame. At the Bedford tearoom we were offered a choice of tables. The tea was served on a 3 tier cake stand with finger sandwiches, light scones (plain and fruit) with plenty of jam and cream and a selection of dainty cakes. The staff were polite and helpful throughout the afternoon.

We visited in July for a very special anniversary. The setting was stunning and the quality of the tea, cakes and sandwiches more than adequate. However, it was massively let down by all the waitresses. On arrival, they had no documentation of our booking, which was definitely made over the phone. The head of service in the tea room was very rude about this and didn't apologise once. She treated us like we were an inconvenience to her busy stressful day. The eventually said they would squeeze us in. We reiterated some special dietary requirements (no fish or egg due to allergies) as we assumed these would have been lost together with our original booking. When we arrived at the tea rooms at our new allocated slot, we reiterated the dietary requirements. When our sandwiches arrived, they contained both egg and fish. Again, no apologies at all for this mistake and we were treated like we were a massive inconvenience. We were thereafter ignored and not offered a top up of our tea. Such a shame that the experience was entirely ruined by rude, arrogant, disinterested staff. Do not recommend.

The Woburn abbey experience is a lovely day out but spoilt by an inadequately staffed cafe come restaurant which on our visit had no clean tables , little to offer and we sent our sandwiches back as bread had gone stale - seemed to lack a mature manager to oversee enthusiastic but young staff - didn't have the afternoon tea so can't comment - we were in at lunchtime

I took my parents for afternoon tea at the 'Bedford' Room and was really pleasantly surprised. It is really good value for money, the room was lovely and sunny, the sandwiches and cakes great and a really good choice of teas. The service was good too I would definitely recommend and go again.

I purchased afternoon tea for my mother for mothers day. We visited only recently and was directed to the new Bedford Rooms. This area is more like a local cafe really with; paintings (for sale), cold Concrete floor, paper tableware, laminated cheap tea/coffee menu. I was utterly disappointed! I have visited many different Afternoon tea locations including Large London Hotels and the local garden center. As Woburn is the 'home' of afternoon tea I genuinely thought the product would have been a lot better. If I am honest - for the money, Go to the Garden Center! The food:- Sandwiches from Ham, Egg, Salmon & Tuna Cakes were mainly fresh cream very sweet. Scones were a lot smaller than what I have experienced before Jam and clotted cream wasn't anything special. Service was conducted by two ladies who generally knew what they were doing. Table was ok, however CRACKED and CHIPPED chinaware - utterly disappointing. Also, Please ensure you visit the loo beforehand as it is about a 3 min walk to the nearest loo (right back down the hill - and more)! I'm sorry for repeating but for the place where it was the 'home / original' afternoon tea, it really isn't living up to standards and if this was my first experience.. it could put me off afternoon tea once and for all.

Pre booked for afternoon tea only. Directed from shop to the Bedford room which understand to be a new venture away from the Duchess tea room which is now more of a cafe.Room is very light and fresh with interesting art work adorning the walls. Service was prompt and courteous, however it was very quiet with only two other couples eating.Tea selection was on a laminated A4 sheet which felt a bit cheap for the elegant surroundings, however the choice was very comprehensive. Food was very good, an interesting selection and just enough to satisfy everyone. What stood out was the stone flooring and use of paper table cloths, which again wasn't really in keeping with a country house tea, however set this against the value for money which was excellent considering I have paid double for the same food at London Hotels.Staff were delightful and took obvious pride in giving a good service. Recommended.

A pleasant way to refresh your day.The fayre on offer be simple and satisfying, offering much as one would expect and more - being licensed !Oneself partook of two of the local brews by Whitepark Brewery - Oast House at 4.8% and Malt Store at 5.0%. Both were bottled, chilled and excellent - the latter methinks the better.A small bottle of 'regular' Rose wine was also quaffed. This was fine.The meal consisted of simply a Jacket Potato with Cheese. This came complete with salad - which was not expected ! Both quality and quantity were good.Service be Self-Service. Orders for hot meals being taken further along the counter. If not ready by the time you reach the checkout it will be brought to your table by one of the helpful staff. Service from said staff was fine, but, you may have to operate the bottle opener - if you purchase alcohol and the staff be under eighteen years of age !Both the building and the decor be modern, simple and neat. The room itself be clean and comfortable. That said, it is not the largest of spaces - weather permitting - the outside seating be available.Toilets are provided outside, but, you may have to wait outside - as there appeared to be only one for each gender. That said, oneself did not make use of them.

Treated to Afternoon Tea by my daughter, along with my mum and other daughters. The afternoon teas are in a separate room just for the purpose which makes it feel even more special. Lovely light summery room, very relaxing. Staff were helpful, attentive and cheerful and the food was very good, especially the scones. There was more food than we could eat so took the rest home. Left feeling relaxed, full and pampered to stroll of some of the excess around the beautiful gardens.

A well situated restaurant, in the park lands. A large, pleasant room, with some interesting nibbles on offer.

My daughter treated me to afternoon tea. The service was excellent, the sandwiches fresh and the cakes were delightful, just 2 bites big, which is just big enough to try all. The picture of the cake stand is very accurate. Will certainly go again, very good value. They have recently moved to a very spacious and appropriate room, specifically for the set afternoon tea.

Although there was suitable gluten free food, there was no gluten free option. There were salads, jacket potatoes and soup, the usual suspects. For deserts there were the usual prepacked cake bars. The surroundings beautiful but alas uninspired option for the gluten sensitive.

On our recent trip, we found the Duchess Tea Room to be far from user friendly.It was pouring with rain and we all dashed into the Tea Room, only to find that HALF the Tea Room, was laid out and reserved for "afternoon tea"!!!!!!We couldnt therefore find anywhere to sit as a group of ten, and we all became very frustrated....we asked if we could sit on one of the "reserved " tables, and even offered to reset the table after we left, but we were told by the off putting manageress "its NOT allowed.She even had the nerve to suggest we sat outside!!!!!! Shocking.

Went here with friends for an afternoon tea, the food was nice but the staff could do with smiling abit more, felt like anything we asked for was too much of an effort! Not overly child friendly unless you sit outside!!!

We've had tea here a number of times during walks in the delightful parkland and its surrounds, and throughout last winter had no problem. Then came the spring, and to get into the tea-room we were asked for £6.75 each (garden admission), even though the garden was, on this occasion, of no interest. The tea-room is perhaps 50 yards from the entrance yet might as well have been on Mars. So, if you're reading this, Your Grace, your silly demand has denied your catering department £20 or so of income. Get it organised, please. It's not difficult - though if you want my ideas you'll have to pay a consultancy fee. Until then, au revoir. (Incidentally, this is not the first example of jobsworth-style insistence on the observation of irrelevant rules that has denied the estate an income, to my certain knowledge. If staff are given a bit of discretion to use common sense it would create goodwill instead of destroying it, as well as producing income.)

Have been here a few times when we visit Woburn Abbey and gardens. Always lovely cakes and Coffee, My husband always has tea, which uses loose English Tea, which apparently gives a lovely cup of tea, but there are different teas if you would like a change. I have promised myself an AfternoonTea in the near future, looks Yummy. Staff always friendly.

We decided to try the Afternoon Tea package at the Duchess' Tea Room as a treat for my elderly parents. We had heard good things about it but there are few reviews for this café in the grounds of Woburn Abbey.We booked for a Saturday afternoon on a cold but sunny December day. The cost (£13.50) includes access to the gardens as well the tea itself. Parking is very close to the café. Despite it being cold outside, the café was warm and inviting. We were shown to a table and immediately asked if we would like some tea, coffee or drinking chocolate. The 'Afternoon Tea' consisted of finger sandwiches (smoked salmon, ham, tuna & egg), scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of cakes. There was more than enough for the four of us (we took some cakes home) and everything was delicious and very much enjoyed. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Afterwards we went for a walk around the gardens to burn off some of the calories! Even in winter it was very pleasant.You can buy vouchers for these Teas and I think they would make a nice gift.Highly recommended.