About Afternoon Teas
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 London’s Mandeville Hotel or the traditional country setting of the Cotswold House Hotel, you’re sure to have a delightful time.
Facts about our Afternoon Tea experiences
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Devon and Cornwall have an ongoing battle about the best way to serve scones and clotted cream. If you cut your scone in half, smother it in clotted cream then add a dollop of jam on top then that’s a Devonshire Cream Tea. For a Cornish Cream Tea, first butter your scone, spread a layer of jam and finish with clotted cream. Why not try it out both ways, and see which you prefer?
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The difference between Afternoon Tea and High Tea is nothing to do with how posh you are; it’s simply to do when and where you eat it! Afternoon Tea is generally taken between 3pm-5pm on a low tea table, and High Tea is usually between 5pm-6pm, served on a proper dinner table. Basically, it’s just a fancy way of saying dinnertime!
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Without anything added to it, tea has no calories! So technically that means you’re entitled to another of those cream cakes.
A selection of our afternoon teas
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There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea
Henry James, Portrait of a Lady
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Afternoon Tea at Harrods is truly a national institution, which everyone should indulge in at some point in their lives. This world famous Knightsbridge department store just epitomises luxury. Spend a hard day’s shopping in the legendary shop, then enjoy a delicious Afternoon Tea to round off your trip.
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Visit this beautiful 18th Century stately home for a tour of its exquisite interiors and glorious gardens. Then take your seats in the majestic Indian Room for a spread worthy of royalty. Help yourself to smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches, sultana scones and home made cakes, all washed down with a glass of champagne.
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Let the expert therapists make you feel amazing, as you are treated to a warm cream manicure, relaxing shampoo and blow dry, and a beautiful make-up refresher at this Mayfair spa. Then tuck into a deliciously decadent Cream Tea. Pure indulgence never felt so good.
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Customer Reviews of Afternoon teas
It was my mum’s birthday last week and I thought she deserved a treat, so I bought her the Deluxe Afternoon Tea at Langshott Manor. The setting for our afternoon could not have been more picturesque. It’s a beautiful old country house hotel, and the gardens are just lovely. The food was to die for, and we’ll definitely be going back soon.
Colleen Locke, Isleworth
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When my friend from the US was over in London to visit, she wanted to do something “really British”. So I scoured the Buyagift site and came up with the Champagne Afternoon Tea at Egerton House Hotel. She *loved* it! All traditional scones and finger sandwiches and tea in china cups, not to mention the champagne. And the service was amazing! Thanks, you guys!
Shizuka Sato, London
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We recently took the kids to Warwick Castle and bought Buyagift’s tickets, which came with a Cream Tea. I just want to say what incredible value that was – more than worth it for the castle alone. The boys had a fantastic time and spent the whole day pretending to be knights! Then to all be able to sit down to a delicious Cream Tea at the end just made a great day even better.
Alex Parker, Hereford
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