Teatime Treats

A squeeze of lemon, a dash of milk, however you take it, there is something wonderfully British about Afternoon Tea. Its one of life’s luxuries, and one of the best reasons we can think of to while away a few hours on a lazy afternoon. Towers of mouthwatering finger sandwiches, delicious scones, mountains of jam and cream – along with some delightfully pretty cakes all make for a pretty lavish affair. If you’re lucky- you can find this funny little British tradition in many of our delightful teashops and hotels dotted around the countryside.

Duffle old tea

 

It is said that Anna, Duchess of Bedford popularised the eating of light finger food with the drink in 1841, calling it afternoon tea. Tiring of the long wait between lunch and dinner, (we know what she means!) What simply started out as simply ordering tea and some treats to her room when peckish, soon evolved into a gowns-and-all social affair, inviting friends to join her in her country house.

Thankfully a delicious cream tea is never too far away, and as we’ve been lucky enough to sample a few different places too, we thought we’d offer you some of our favourite places and indulge in a special afternoon cream tea.

A final word from Debrett’s, who say; you should spread your jam before dolloping cream on top of your scone and never use whipped cream. It’s utterly improper!

Duffle the ritz

 

Brown’s Hotel afternoon tea

The historic Brown’s Hotel, London where Queen Victoria used to take her tea, caters to the modern world of dieting and health obsessions with a lighter take on traditional afternoon tea.

Check availability: Brown’s Hotel, London

 

Duffle ritz

 

Afternoon tea in the Ritz

Afternoon tea has been served at the Ritz since its 1906 opening and that sense of heritage is partly why it remains so popular today. Served with precision in the hotel’s ornate Palm Court, the tea includes the requisite finger sandwiches with smoked salmon, roast ham alongside fresh raisin and apple scones and cakes on a tiered cake stand.

If you want to experience a wonderful sense of British pomp and ceremony, you’ll need to book well in advance to secure a spot at this enduringly popular spot.

Check availability: The Ritz, London

Dufffle cakes

The Alverton Afternoon Tea is something to be savoured. Take High Tea on the terrace, by the glowing embers of the fire in the lounge or in our cosy library. Gather your friends, add a glass (or two!) of champagne and tuck into delicate macaroons, rich brownies and light cucumber sandwiches. All the cakes are homemade, including the scones, and the selection of sandwiches are freshly made. The tea, the only grown in the UK, is from just down the road at the Tregothnan Estate.

Check availability : The Alverton Cornwall

Netherstowehouse Lichfield

Luckily we don’t need to go far to enjoy a real teatime treat as it’s a fabulously British tradition that Netherstow take very seriously indeed! They have the perfect setting in an enchanting Grade II listed Country House with pretty gardens and brimming with old English charm.

English vintage china and gleaming silverware; this is where their quintessential teatime treat begins. You can choose from the exquisite afternoon tea menu of loose-leaf teas, elegant finger sandwiches, freshly baked sweet delicacies and warm scones served with Devonshire clotted cream and preserves and for a little added glamour, the odd glass or two of bubbles. Yum!

Check availability : Netherstow House Lichield

Our teatime treats

We know you will love this gorgeous blazers, and they will look great with any amount of jam and cream.

Tweed Jackets

Lightweight tweed makes this jacket blazer brilliant for all year round wear. A tailored fit creates a flattering waisted look and in a wonderful range of colours sizes from 8 -18.

The collar is either in self-fabric or faux suede depending on fabric colour.The lining is soft polyester with a smooth finish for easy slip on, just in time for tea.

At just £134.99 we know you’re going to love it!

Our promise If you are not delighted with any product we sell to you please return to us, unused, and we will credit your card straight away.