Afternoon tea was invented by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford (1783-1857), one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting. In her day, the upper crust ate a huge breakfast, little lunch, and a very late dinner. Every afternoon, the duchess experienced a "sinking feeling." One afternoon she instructed her servants to serve tea and little cakes in her boudoir. The experience was so delightful that Anna repeated it every afternoon thereafter. Soon others followed the Duchess' lead, and in just a few decades the custom of "taking tea" in the afternoon had become well established. At first the practice was limited to the upper classes, but it eventually became so popular that tea shops and tea-rooms began opening for the enjoyment of the general public.
Cream tea is considered the regional dish of Devon where the famous clotted cream used in Cream tea originates from. It was most commonly served in the afternoon (around 4pm) after a hard day’s work in the field (or a leisurely stroll around your castle!). Cream Tea consists of clotted Westcountry cream, scones, strawberry jam and of course tea and is a quintessentially English tradition.
We are able to offer Afternoon Teas at the following venues:
Fortnum & Mason:
The best place to sample traditional Afternoon Tea must be St. James’s Restaurant. This world-renown restaurant with elegant and relaxed atmosphere and settings offers Traditional Afternoon.
RS Hispaniola
Afternoon Tea on board the permanently moored Restaurant Ship on the River Thames.
Le Meridien Hotel
Take Afternoon Tea at the luxurious 5 star Le Meridien Piccadilly Hotel.
The Ritz
Afternoon Tea at the Ritz Hotel is an institution in itself. Served in the spectacular Palm Court
Sheraton Park Lane - Palm Court
The Art Deco Palm Court is one of the most wonderful settings to take afterrnoon tea.
An Afternoon Tea usually comprises
Fine selection of teas, luxury and traditional sandwiches, pastries and of course a selection of scones with clotted cream and preserves.
A Cream Tea is the above but without sandwiches.
These venues do get booked, especially The Ritz, so book well in advance.