What is Afternoon Tea?
The thoroughly British tradition of taking Afternoon Tea was said to have originated in the mid 19th Century, with Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford. She was one of Queen Victoria's Ladies in Waiting, and she often got peckish in the afternoons. What started merely as a nice cup of tea and some nibbles in her bedroom to keep her going until dinner, soon evolved into a major social occasion amongst the aristocracy, with anyone who was anyone meeting for Afternoon Tea.
Traditionally, Afternoon Tea consists of a pot of loose tea, scones with jam and clotted cream, sandwiches (with the crusts removed, of course) and a selection of cakes. Over the years variations have developed, with some locations like Kensington Palace and The Linthwaite Hotel adding champagne to the menu, to add an extra touch of luxury. Others, like Warwick Castle, prefer the simpler Cream Tea, with scones, jam and the all-important clotted cream.
This Victorian legacy has survived through the generations through some of the finest hotels, palaces and tea rooms in the country. Whether you decide to take your tea in the historical surroundings of Blenheim Palace or Windsor Castle, the refined luxury of Afternoon tea at Harrods or the traditional country setting of the Cotswold House Hotel, you're sure to have a delightful time.