Afternoon Tea

The Duchess of Bedford’s Afternoon Tea

Tea consumption increased dramatically during the early nineteenth century and it is around this time that Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford is said to have complained of “having that sinking feeling” during the late afternoon to her Butler. At the time it was usual for people to take only two main meals a day, breakfast, and dinner at around 8 o’clock in the evening. The solution for the Duchess was a pot a tea and a light snack, taken privately in her boudoir during the afternoon.

Later friends were invited to join her in her rooms at Woburn Abbey and this summer practice proved so popular that the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for “tea and a walking the fields.” Other social hostesses quickly picked up on the idea and the practice became respectable enough to move it into the drawing room. Before long all of fashionable society was sipping tea and nibbling sandwiches in the middle of the afternoon.
Traditional Afternoon Tea £12.95 Per person

£15.95 per person with a glass of Prosecco dry sparkling wine or
£18.95 per person with a glass of Mercier Brut Champagne

Our selection of finger sandwiches include:
Smoked salmon, mature cheddar & tomato and cucumber finger sandwiches
Warm Homemade scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream
Selection of our handmade cakes including;
Cherry frangipane
Chocolate marquise
Tiramisu
Rich fruit cake
Glazed fruit barquettes 
 
Choose from our unique selection of speciality Teas & Infusions:
Duchess of Bedford
Earl Grey
English Traditional
Assam
Darjeeling
Twinings Fruit infusions