Featured Afternoon Tea Venues
Take a look at some of our favourite places to enjoy afternoon tea from around the UK.
Latest News
7th September 2022
WHAT IS INDIAN AFTERNOON TEA
As the popularity of afternoon tea continues to grow, so do the variations on this classic British tradition. Indian afternoon tea is one of the latest trends to hit the UK, and it’s easy to see why. This delicious twist on a classic combines the best of both Indian and British cuisine, resulting in a […]
11th March 2022
MOTHER’S DAY AFTERNOON TEA – IDEAS AND TIPS
A Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea is the perfect way to show a beloved parent you care. Whether you choose to have one at a restaurant or indulge at home, you’ll want only the best options to hand. We can help you on numerous counts, which is what we’ll be talking about in the following article. […]
21st January 2022
BABY SHOWER AFTERNOON TEA – NEW CRAZE FOR 2022
Baby shower Afternoon Tea is an excellent choice for mothers to be. What could be better, after all, than celebrating family with all things dainty and delicious? But there can be more to it than a few cups of Loose Leaf Tea beside your foodie favourites. The following article will offer some of the best […]
16th September 2021
FIVE AMAZING TEA PARTY IDEAS
In 1865, Alice and Wonderland author Lewis Carroll reimagined Tea party ideas in the most inventive way to date. It is hard to forget the wacky antics of the Mad Hatter, the March Hare and the Dormouse as they constantly switched places with the namesake character. However, we suspect that the following article will keep […]
9th September 2021
WHAT IS CREAM TEA AND HISTORY
A term thrown about often enough these days is “staycation.” It simply means having a holiday in your country of residence, which, if you’re UK-based, could mean venturing into the west country. The likes of Devon and Cornwall (in no particular order!) have long been known for Cream Tea. Which prompts the question: What is […]
11th August 2021
AFTERNOON TEA SANDWICH FILLING IDEAS
Delicious Afternoon Tea sandwiches deserve a lot more attention than they get. It’s all fair and well indulging in sweet treats such as cakes and scones. However, sometimes there is nothing better than savoury delights to satisfy your appetite. Which is why we’d like to show you our favourite Afternoon Tea sandwich fillings for you […]
About Afternoon Tea
What to Expect
Afternoon Tea has developed dramatically over the years. For the most, it remains as elaborate and quintessentially English as ever, but can also be reimagined depending on the venue. Some places, for example, have catered primarily to two of the most popular ingredients: Loose Leaf Tea and scones.
This has since become Cream Tea. Others proudly embrace multiculturalism in the UK, with savoury and dessert items undergoing a transformation of sorts.
Afternoon Tea is no longer reserved only for the upper classes. It is for everyone. Although first created in Bedfordshire, it has since gone on to become a popular pastime around the world. From England to Australia; Scotland to Albania, having an Afternoon Tea is an excellent choice.
Types of Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Teas can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In recent years, the concept of a themed’ Afternoon Tea, for instance, has become particularly popular. Those who have a favourite television programme or film might be lucky enough to find lunch that takes inspiration from certain characters or iconic scenes. One that stands out is a Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea’. But that isn’t all.
Despite the name Tea understandably conjuring images of one’s morning brew, there is sometimes the option of replacing this with alcohol. Champagne, Prosecco or even beer, gin and cocktails can make for a wonderful accompaniment to your meal.
Are you not so fond of staying in one place for too long? There is even a type of Afternoon Tea for that! Nowadays, you can hop onto a bus for Afternoon Tea in London, thus enabling you to sightsee while tucking into all your favourite treats.
If you can imagine it, it’s likely already in existence. Use this Afternoon Tea Directory to find what you’re looking for.
Where to have Afternoon Tea?
Once you’ve made up your mind to have an Afternoon Tea, it becomes a question of where. These days, it isn’t hard to find cafes, restaurants and Tea Shop, that offer this much-loved meal.
However, knowing which ones provide the best ingredients or offer the most welcoming atmosphere can be far more difficult. If you find yourself spoilt for choice but still unable to decide, you’ve come to the right place. This Afternoon Tea Directory has all the answers.
Exploring our site, you will find Afternoon Tea locations organised by country, region, county, city and towns and, of course, by specific venues including Afternoon Tea at the Shard. Our representatives have visited several establishments and provided detailed descriptions of many of them.
From here, you will be able to work out whether a particular place meets your requirements. And once you’ve made a decision, all that is left is to visit and, ultimately, enjoy!
The origin of Afternoon Tea
Having an Afternoon Tea is more than just a simple lunch. It’s an occasion, a classy affair of all things dainty and indulgent. First created in 1840, it was the brainchild of Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford. The story goes that her grace, finding herself hungry at four o’clock in the afternoon, decided to have a ‘snack’. As such, she requested a tray of Tea, bread with butter, and cake.
Unlike High Tea, which would go on to become a meal of the working classes, Afternoon Tea quickly became associated with aristocracy. Not long after its invention, the Duchess began inviting wealthy friends and family to her Afternoon Tea events. Women, in particular, wore long gowns, white gloves and fancy hats to these occasions. Not long after, it grew into a popular pastime across the country.