Last year was a bit of an immense year for Afternoon Teas in my household, so I thought I would document them all in one post. 🙂 Who doesn’t enjoy reading blogs about cake!
The taking of Afternoon Tea was invented by Anna Maria , Duchess of Bedford , in the 1840s. The yawningly long intervals between luncheon and dinner often left her feeling peckish and bored, so one day she requested a light meal of Darjeeling tea and cake. She found this refreshment to be sufficient in keeping away those annoying hunger pangs, and an ideal opportunity to invite friends over to join her. Thus Afternoon tea was born.
Today Afternoon teas are still seen as a very British Institution, and have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent times. Birthday treats and Girly Get togethers, Hen parties or Lunch with a loved one, there are plenty of reasons to book one. 🙂
Afternoon Tea in the City. Only last month a spot of Christmas shopping in Manchester with friends Arwen and Gill , was interspersed with a lovely Afternoon tea at ‘Browns’ on York Street. Set in the converted Athenaeum pub, the building is a fine example of Edwardian baroque architecture. Choose from a selection of leaf teas served with finger sandwiches, fruit scones with strawberry jam & clotted cream and mini cakes and desserts. £12.50 per person. Brownsrestaurants.co.uk
A Picnic Afternoon Tea. Fancy Afternoon Tea in the grounds of a historic Lancashire Castle? ‘ The Atrium’ at Clitheroe Castle provides a more rustic picnic version of the traditional afternoon tea. Feast on goodies that include ham hock terrine, sausage rolls, pate & toasts, mocha frappe with shortbread and lemon & vanilla posset. Then take a stroll around the park or climb the steps up the castle keep. £12.50 per person. castleweddingevents.co.uk
A Wonderland Inspired Afternoon Tea. Ooooh kids and grown-ups alike would no doubt queue to tumble down the rabbit hole, for a Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea. ♤♡ The Alice Tearooms in the Lancashire seaside resort of St Anne’s are a treat for all Lewis Carroll fans. Treat yourself to tea or coffee,mini sandwiches, fruit scones & clotted cream and a selection of cupcakes and rainbow meringues, all served on pretty vintage china in quirky and colourful surroundings. £17.95 for two people. alicetearooms.com
Cute as a Cupcake Afternoon Tea. Back in Manchester with the girls and here is an adorable Afternoon Tea at ‘Hey Little Cupcake’ in Spinningfields. Welcome to a pretty in pink cupcakery and cafe where you will be spoilt with finger sandwiches, chocolate coated strawberries, scones with clotted cream & jam, speciality teas, mini cupcakes and mouth watering macarons. £14 per person. heylittlecupcake.co.uk
Afternoon Tea for the Guys. Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire is a historic country house hotel that was originally founded as an abbey in the 12th century. We were fortunate enough to stay there in March. Gentlemen ( and ladies) can opt for the ‘Knight’s Afternoon Tea’ that features old English favourites including mini pork pies,duck scotch eggs, finger sandwiches , a selection of sweet treats, all washed down with half a pint of Coombe Ale. Served in the attractive Garden Room Restaurant on a mini picnic bench. £22 per person. coombeabbey.com
Best Value Afternoon Tea. I’ve visited ‘Cafe Autisan’ at Whalley Abbey in Lancashire a couple of times for Afternoon Tea. Earlier last year I got together with my sister and cousins for a family get-together in this vibrantly colourful tea room, which is run by the National Autistic Society. We tucked into finger sandwiches, pork pies & chutney, scones with jam & clotted cream and diminutive desserts with tea or coffee. A cake stand piled high with goodies for £7.50 per person. No website but look for Cafe Autisan on facebook.
Afternoon Tea with a View. Whilst on holiday in Dumfries & Galloway in November, Wil treated me to Afternoon Tea for my birthday at the’ Fernhill Hotel’ in Portpatrick. The stunning views over the harbor and Irish Sea made this lovely celebration all the more special. I loved that the tea & coffee, delicious open sandwiches, scones and cakes were all presented on mismatched vintage china. We could even bring the dog, though Mr Hugo did drool quite a bit when he saw us tucking in! £15 per person. mcmillanhotels.co.uk
Afternoon Tea in a Country House Hotel. Mitton Hall near Whalley in Lancashire hosted two of my Afternoon Teas last year. The elegant country house puts the emphasis on naughty but nice cakes and includes open sandwiches and prawn cocktails in kilner jars. Unlimited teas and coffees too. The Afternoon Tea above came served on a three tier cake stand but when I dined there again in November it was presented on separate plates. £15.95 per person. mittonhallhotel.co.uk
Are you a fan of Afternoon Tea and have you any booked for 2017?
I have never had an afternoon tea. 2017 it must be. Fabulous selection!
Ahh I can’t believe you have never had Afternoon Tea. 2017 is definitely your year ro try one.:)
Oooh, yummy! I don’t know which of these looks the nicest. I just want them all 😉
I know! I couldn’t fault any. Is Afternoon Tea a thing in Switzerland? X
I was gifted a voucher for afternoon tea at a local cafe for my birthday, so I will have to book it soon. Hoping to take David with me. I am sure to blog about it afterwards 😀
Yay looking forward to that. 🙂
These all look delicious, I love a good afternoon tea. We had afternoon tea for my hen do, and took my Nanna to The Ritz for afternoon tea for her 80th, which was very posh and very lovely. Must pencil in an afternoon tea soon!
Oooh lovely. I bet the Ritz was pretty special.:) Going to London in April for my sisters 40th and she has booked claridges for afternoon tea.Exciting! How was your Shepherds hut break? X
It was amazing thank you. I’m going to put together a blog about our glamping breaks in 2016, hopefully up in the next week or so.
Cool.Look forward to it.x
I am actually salivating reading this – you got to some great places! I like the look of Cafe Autisan and Fernhill – props to them for letting you bring your pup along! If you ever visit Northern Ireland and want a really special treat the Afternoon Tea at the Merchant Hotel is so nice. They serve it in the Great Hall and if you go on the weekend they have musicians who will play while you are there. It’s a bit pricey for Norn Iron at £22.50 a head (£29.50 at the weekend!) but you are really treated like royalty from the minute you step into the place.X
Sounds wonderful. I will get to Ireland onday I hope. X
I blimming love afternoon tea, it’s something I need to make more time for in 2017 🙂
Oh yes you must!! X
Mmmm very yummy looking. I’ve only once had afternoon tea. It was lovely though. We treated my great aunt who is in her 90’s.
HA I need to cut down really. Can never resist them though! X
I’m sure you deserve the occasional treat.
Oh wow, they all look so different and delicious ! I hope I will be able to enjoy a few in 2017. I just love afternoon tea.
They were all fab and lots of places make them very individually to them now. I hope you do! X
Lovely post! I’m off for afternoon tea this Saturday at the Buchanan Arms in Drymen.
Ohh great , have a fabulous time. X 🙂