Written by
Casey Gameson
Afternoon Tea Week is soon to be upon us and we can’t wait to see you take the opportunity to indulge in our delicious cakes, scones, Welsh cakes, and sandwiches.
This week helps tap into the British tradition of Afternoon Tea to help bring a bit of elegance to an otherwise ordinary time of day. Afternoon Tea Week 2021 is being held from Monday 9th August to Sunday 15th August and was established to help secure the tradition and to help celebrate our nation’s history and tea culture. Afternoon Tea week is the perfect opportunity to indulge and enjoy savory or sweet treats.
History of Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea is the most quintessential of British customs, however, only in the last few years it has resurfaced and become popularised. Afternoon Tea was invented in the 1840s. The invention was created as the 7th Duchess of Bedford was hungry and requested sandwiches and a slice of cake to feed her appetite until dinner time (at the time it was a custom to eat dinner around 8 pm). This became a regular thing and soon began inviting friends to join her, to be followed by a walk in the grounds.
Soon after that, the upper class adopted this tradition and it later filtered down the social ladder, especially after Queen Victoria took part. At this point, the ‘Tea Reception’ was born and the lavish and fancy events were hosted by prominent figures in society.
‘Traditional Afternoon Tea’ includes an assortment of sandwiches, usually consisting of cream cheese and cucumber, egg mayonnaise, tuna and sweetcorn, cheese and pickle, or ham and mustard. It’s also served with a scone with clotted cream and fruit preserves, plus a variety of cakes.
Many people do get confused with the term ‘High Tea’. Some think that this is served with prosecco or champagne but traditionally it was served with more savoury items, such as; a steak and ale pie or a pork pie.
Again, many people ask for a ‘Cream Tea’. The name originates from Devon and Cornwall. This is simply a scone or two served with a fresh pot of tea.
If you are looking to bring some sparkle to your week, why not opt for our Sparkling Afternoon Tea available in our Blas Restaurant.
Afternoon Tea is usually served on cake stands of two, three, or four tiers. For larger groups, it can also be served on platters.
At Bryn Meadows, our Afternoon Tea selection is served in our Blas Restaurant for individuals or smaller groups. This is presented beautifully on a three-tier cake stand.
For larger groups, we offer private dining, which is ideal for hen parties, baby showers and birthday celebrations. This Afternoon Tea is also served on a three-tier cake stand, and the room is decorated with vintage bunting.
Over the last few years, there has been a renewed interest in British traditions, particularly in our food and drink. ‘The Great British Bake Off’ and ‘The Junior Bake Off’ is a good example of this. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Olympics, and supporting the NHS during the pandemic have helped increase our sense of national pride.
Afternoon Tea is not an everyday activity, but it is an opportunity to indulge and take time to relax with friends and family. For visitors to the UK, it is a novelty and a chance to try something different – with many of them believing that we still do this daily!
Our current menu includes (subject to change):
A traditional selection of sandwiches, all served on white or brown bread, including:
- Chicken and Bacon
- Cheddar and Spring Onion
- Cream Cheese & Cucumber
- Tuna, Mayonnaise, and Sweetcorn
A sweet selection, including:
- Toffee Cheesecake
- Toasted Welsh Cakes
- Summer Fruit Eton Mess
- Strawberry and Vanilla Cupcake
- Homemade scones with clotted cream & jam
All our Afternoon Teas are accompanied by an unlimited tea selection or freshly brewed coffee. Why don’t you upgrade to a ‘sparkling’ for a supplement? We are now taking bookings for both Traditional and Sparkling Afternoon Tea in our Blas Restaurant.
Book here today!
