Afternoon Tea in England

Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861) is thought to have introduced Afternoon Tea to England. Her main meals of breakfast and dinner and a very light luncheon at midday left her a little hungry in the afternoons. She developed the habit of taking an additional meal at 5pm in her rooms at Belvoir Castle.

The Duchess invited her friends to share her afternoon enjoyment of sandwiches, small cakes, tarts and biscuits, all to be partaken with a drink of tea. Afternoon tea began to be served in the same way in all the houses. A first pot of tea was brought from the kitchen to the lady of the house and a second pot left to warm in the lady's room. The hostess would serve the tea to her guests, usually all ladies, and her eldest daughter or a close friend would pass the food amongst the guests.

Soon, the growing middle classes were to imitate the rich and found that tea was an economical way of entertaining several friends. Afternoon tea quickly became the norm.In the early 19 th century, the tea dance became popular and continued to be so until the mid 20 th century. The tea dance normally consisted of a friends and acquaintances coming together to dance, whilst tea and snacks were served at tables around the dance floor. By the late 1880s top hotels in England began to offer afternoon tea in tearooms and tea courts. Served in the late afternoon, Victorian ladies would meet for tea and conversation.

At the beginning of the 1900s, hotels began to host afternoon tea dances.
Afternoon tea is still enjoyed today, although much less frequently. It now comprises a selection of dainty sandwiches, cakes, pastries and scones with jam and cream, all served on a tiered cake stand. Tea is poured from silver teapots into china cups. It is also customary for the scene to be set with good linen, flowers and soft music playing in the background.