Afternoon Tea Week in the South Downs: Freshly Made at Tottington Manor

Freshly prepared in the South Downs National Park, West Sussex

Published 09 August 2026 | TERRA Restaurant

Afternoon Tea Week returns from 10–16 August 2026, celebrating one of Britain's most sociable food traditions. Here in the South Downs, Tottington Manor has another reason to raise the teapot: the South Downs National Park Authority has included us in its feature on some of the best afternoon teas to enjoy across the National Park.

Featured by the South Downs National Park

External feature: Best afternoon teas in the South Downs National Park

More information: Afternoon Tea at Tottington Manor

Afternoon tea made fresh for you

Our afternoon tea isn't assembled from a delivery of ready-made cakes and sandwiches. The savouries, finger sandwiches, scones and sweet elements are prepared fresh each day by our chef team, with the menu changing as ingredients and seasons change.

Wherever we can, that means working with local Sussex ingredients and suppliers. It is the same philosophy that runs through TERRA Restaurant: good ingredients, careful preparation and food that actually tastes as if someone has made it for you that day.

Freshly prepared finger sandwiches and savouries served as afternoon tea at Tottington Manor in West Sussex

Tea, Sussex sparkling wine — or both

The traditional centrepiece is, of course, tea. Our afternoon teas are served with a selection of Hoogly teas, but there is no rule saying the afternoon has to stop there. Guests can also add Sussex sparkling wine, Champagne or Prosecco by the glass or bottle.

That makes the experience work just as well for a quiet catch-up as it does for a birthday, anniversary or family celebration. In the warmer months, the gardens and views towards the South Downs make the setting part of the afternoon too.

Sussex sparkling wine being poured alongside afternoon tea at Tottington Manor

Fresh tea being poured during afternoon tea at Tottington Manor

Sometimes the best part is simply having time to talk

Afternoon tea works because it is inherently shared. Nobody is rushing through a single plate. Sandwiches are passed around, somebody inevitably negotiates over the final cake, tea is poured and topped up, and the conversation carries on.

That is why afternoon tea can be a particularly lovely backdrop to a wider family gathering. It works across generations: grandparents, parents, children, relatives and friends can all sit around the same table without the occasion feeling too formal or too hurried.

From two people to a bigger family gathering

Afternoon Tea is served daily at Tottington Manor between 3pm and 5:30pm. Our chefs prepare each booking to order, so we ask for 48 hours' notice and for dietary requirements to be shared when booking.

For larger groups of ten or more, afternoon tea can also be arranged in one of our private dining rooms. That makes it an easy option for birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, hen gatherings and those family occasions where the real purpose is simply getting everyone together.

An afternoon in the South Downs

Being featured by the South Downs National Park Authority feels particularly appropriate because afternoon tea fits naturally into a day exploring the National Park. A countryside walk followed by scones and tea is hardly a difficult concept to sell.

Tottington Manor is at the foot of the South Downs near Henfield, within easy reach of Brighton, Burgess Hill, Worthing and Horsham. For visitors travelling further, afternoon tea can also be combined with a boutique hotel stay and dinner at our AA Rosette TERRA Restaurant.