26 Apr 2012 No Comments
Time for Tea – a short history of afternoon tea
Afternoon tea has been around for many years and continues to grow in popularity as people look for a new way to treat themselves. So we decided to find out where it comes from and how it compares to afternoon tea these days!
Afternoon tea is thought to have originated in England in the 1840’s. At that time, the different classes of people had a divergence of eating habits with the upper classes eating lunch at midday and dinner at 8pm or later. The lower classes ate lunch at about 11am and then a light supper at 7pm. Afternoon tea therefore filled the gap in between those two meals. It proved popular and soon spread throughout the British Empire.
This tradition became less popular as changes in social customs and working hours meant that people didn’t have time to stop for afternoon tea or simply took smaller snacks in the afternoon instead.
Tea was traditionally brewed as loose tea leaves in a teapot and served with milk and sugar. This provided a welcome pick-me-up for the hard-working lower classes that needed the sugar and caffeine to get them through the day. A small sandwich or scone was often eaten too, especially by labourers. This was often prepared for them in the mornings before they headed off to work.
For the more privileged, afternoon tea included sandwiches with fillings such as cucumber, egg and cress, fish paste, ham or smoked salmon, as well as scones with jam and cream, cakes and pastries such as Battenberg, fruit cake or Victoria sponge.
A Lake District Afternoon Tea
The quintessential experience of afternoon tea in the Lake District can be enjoyed at any one of our six hotels seven days a week and is served throughout the afternoon.
Each Hotel has worked hard to bring you a special and unforgettable afternoon tea experience with fresh, homemade food and a great selection of teas, each with its own little twist whether it be the type of cakes they serve or the choice of teas on offer.
The relaxing atmosphere of the Hotel’s makes them the perfect place to enjoy afternoon tea. Choose from the cosy atmosphere of the lounges with their roaring fires where it is a wonderful spot to indulge in a luxury afternoon tea during the winter months. Or in the warmer months the hotels with conservatory’s or gardens are a bright alternative with beautiful surroundings to look at whilst you are eating.
Sample Afternoon Tea from the Borrowdale Hotel:
The Borrowdale Afternoon Tea offers guests a range of loose leaf teas served with finger sandwiches, homemade scones with jam and cream, homemade butter shortbread, a fruit tartlet, carrot cake, cream cake and a choice of finger sandwiches.
The Derwentwater Afternoon Tea is a lighter option serving guests a homemade scone served with strawberry jam and cream, toasted teacake and tea or coffee.
Book your afternoon tea at one of our six Lake District Hotels by calling 080 840 1240
Afternoon tea gift vouchers
Buy Afternoon Tea gift voucher’s for any of our 6 Lake District Hotels – click here to buy online
Afternoon Tea for your Special Occasion
Why not bring your friends and family along to enjoy afternoon tea for a special occasion. Whether it is a birthday, anniversary, christening or some other celebration, afternoon tea is a special, indulgent treat which everyone will enjoy.
Call 0800 840 1240 to make a table reservation or enquire about prices.
