You can now book your afternoon tea online, featuring a freshly prepared menu of sweet and savoury treats made daily.
In the summer of 2013, The Orangery was established, serving the highest quality teas and coffees alongside fresh, locally sourced food.
The spectacular Orangery, designed in 1777 by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, houses delicate plants of many kinds, including one of the oldest camellias in the country. The Orangery is open to the public, and residential guests are welcome to use it at any point during their stay.
The Orangery is open Tuesday – Sunday 10:30 am – 4 pm. The kitchen closes at 3.30 pm. (Serving light refreshments and drinks until 4 pm.)
Due to events, the site will be closed on the following dates:
2025
Tuesday 23rd – Thursday 1st Jan (Christmas closure) (Opening Friday the 2nd of January 2026)
2026
Saturday 14th March – Monday 16th March (Mother’s Day Weekend. Pre booked Afternoon Teas only) (Opening Tuesday 17th March
Saturday 2nd May – Monday 4th May (Opening Tuesday 5th May)
Saturday 6th June – Monday 8th June (Opening Tuesday 9th June)
Saturday 18th July – Monday 10th August (Opening Tuesday 11th August)
Tuesday 22nd December – Wednesday 23rd December (Pre booked Festive Afternoon Teas only)
Thursday 24th December 2026 – Friday 1st January 2027 (Opening Saturday 2nd January)
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd January 2027 (Pre booked Afternoon Tea only)
We have a range of sandwiches & paninis, soup and daily specials at lunchtime, cakes and snacks, hot and cold drinks. It is counter service with items served at your table.
We expect to be busy during the summer and sunny days. We have outdoor seating available, and food and drink for outside consumption may be served in disposable packaging.
Our delicious Afternoon Tea includes a selection of sandwiches, fruit or plain scones served with clotted cream and jam, two small cakes and a pot of tea or filtered coffee.
£18.50 per person (minimum two people.)
Booking Terms
Bookings are taken September to June (subject to availability). We do not take afternoon tea bookings in July and August. Advanced booking is required. We can take bookings from 12.30pm to 3.00pm Wednesday to Sunday.
You can book online here
At the time of booking we require a valid credit or debit card to confirm the booking. No charge will be made at this time. These details are securely kept with a third party called Stripe and will only be charged if the cancellation terms are not met. For seasonal event bookings a pre-payment deposit may be required. If you fail to attend your booking or you cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled booking time a fee of £10 per person fee will automatically be charged to the card that was provided.
We have a different menu in December with a Festive Afternoon Tea and in March with Mother’s Day Weekend Afternoon Tea
Stay in the know about the latest happenings and enjoy exclusive promotions by joining our Orangery club. Download the app today.
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From the Garden
The Kitchen Garden serves as a sustainable food source for the Ashburnham Place community and its guests. Our gardeners work to cultivate a variety of vegetables, herbs, and fruits, ensuring the freshest ingredients for our dishes.
To the Kitchen
Delight in the flavours of fresh produce that journey from our Kitchen Garden directly to your table. Our commitment to using homegrown ingredients means that each meal is not only delicious but also supports sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
From the Ashburnham Bakehouse
Enjoy the taste of freshly baked sourdough bread from the Ashburnham Bakehouse. Our baker uses traditional methods and high-quality ingredients to create cakes and breads that is both wholesome and flavourful.
Once on site follow signs for the Orangery car park. After parking, continue on foot, following the signs up towards the Orangery.
Disabled parking is available on the front terrace.
You are welcome to walk around Broad Water Lake whilst you are here. Other lake walks are open to our residential guests. Why not book a stay with us?
There’s more to see
Get away and stay in one of our comfortable guest rooms. During our meeting times, you can find time to walk, reflect, or join the community.
Our dining experience is set across four unique spaces, from the historic, beautifully panelled Oak Dining Room to the modern comforts of our Courtyard Dining Room.
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Our services and facilities are run by community members, many of whom are volunteers. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be saying goodbye to some of our current volunteers and welcoming new ones.
To help this changeover run smoothly, we will temporarily use disposable crockery and cutlery from Wednesday, 3 September, until Sunday, 14 September. Afternoon Teas will be unaffected.
We appreciate your understanding and support during this time.
