What you should know about afternoon tea
Afternoon tea, a favourite food tradition of Britain, began as a fashionable pastime among the wealthy in the 19th century and has since spread around the world, evolving along the way. This can be enjoyed at a grand hotel or provided at home, and here is what you should know.
A short history of afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is often attributed to Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, in the 1840s. As dinner was served late in the evening, she would take tea, with bread and butter and cake, in the late afternoon to fill the time between lunch and dinner, and the habit caught on among fashionable society. Today, afternoon tea is often served on special occasions, to celebrate an event or to catch up with friends and family, rather than as a daily meal.
What is afternoon tea?
Afternoon tea is a sweet and light meal of the day which is traditionally served in the mid-to-late afternoon. It is normally served on a tiered tray and usually includes:
- Finger sandwiches: cucumber, egg and cress, smoked salmon, ham and mustard, with crusts removed.
- Scones: plain or fruit, served with clotted cream and jam.
- Cakes and pastries: small cakes, tarts, macarons or slices.
- Tea: a choice of loose-leaf teas, from breakfast blends to Earl Grey and green tea.
Afternoon tea, cream tea and high tea
An afternoon tea and a cream tea are similar but not quite the same.
| Type | What is served |
|---|---|
| Cream tea | A pot of tea with scones, clotted cream and jam |
| Afternoon tea | Sandwiches, scones and cakes with tea |
| Champagne or celebration tea | Afternoon tea with a glass of sparkling wine |
| High tea | Traditionally a more substantial early evening meal with hot dishes |
The name High Tea is often misused to describe a fancy version of afternoon tea. Despite the name, High Tea was historically a large and substantial evening meal for working people that was eaten at a table.
Where to enjoy afternoon tea
Hotels, tea rooms, cafés, department stores and country houses across the UK serve afternoon tea, from traditional to themed menus. Afternoon tea boxes from companies such as https://www.afternoonteabox.com/ have also become popular, bringing the experience home for birthdays and gifts.
Afternoon tea etiquette
- Stir your tea gently, back and forth, without clinking the spoon.
- Sip rather than slurp, and do not blow on it to cool it.
- Most afternoon tea is finger food: sandwiches and cakes are eaten by hand.
- Break scones in half by hand rather than cutting them.
- Milk in first or last? Many purists add milk after the tea, but the scone debate is livelier: in Devon, cream usually goes on first, in Cornwall, jam first.
Hosting your own afternoon tea
You don’t have to be staying in a hotel to enjoy afternoon tea. Just make up a couple of sandwich fillings, bake some scones in the morning and buy/bake some small cakes. Use your best teapot and cups and serve the scones warm straight from the oven. They’re one of the easiest ways to add a really special touch to afternoon tea.
Frequently asked questions
What time is afternoon tea served?
Traditionally from around 3pm to 5pm, although many hotels and tea rooms now serve it from late morning into the early evening.
Can afternoon tea be made vegetarian or gluten-free?
Yes. Most venues offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free versions if you ask in advance. At home, simple swaps such as vegetable fillings and gluten-free scones work well.
Where to go next
Planning a special stay? Read our guide to the luxury hotel experience.
