“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

– The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

There’s always a time for tea, so why not combine it with a decadent selection of finger sandwiches, scones and beautiful pastries!

While the beverage of tea was first introduced to England in the 1600s by the Portuguese wife of Charles II, Catherine de Braganza, the tradition of the meal of afternoon tea only began in 1840.

Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, experienced hunger pangs in the long period between lunch and dinner, around four o’clock in the afternoon. She requested for a tray of tea, bread and butter and cake to be delivered to her, and soon, this transformed into a social event of upper class society.

Now, we have so many afternoon tea experiences to choose from around the world. From the traditional and decadent offerings in many historic hotel establishments to quirky and fun themed delicacies and cosy and casual cream teas.

There’s an afternoon tea for everyone!