Afternoon tea has long been a precious tradition here in the UK, and who doesn’t love finger sandwiches and scones? So, in the spirit of cake, tea and all things quintessentially British, we’ve pulled together our top tips for hosting the very best afternoon tea party, so you can impress your friends and learn the interesting history behind this well-loved and truly delightful tradition.

What is afternoon tea?

Now, right off the bat it can sometimes be easy to get confused between lunchtime and afternoon tea – they’re close, but not quite the same thing. At its heart, afternoon tea is the traditional ritual of sitting down around 4pm to enjoy a tiered platter of dainty finger sandwiches, scrumptious scones, classic cakes and of course, a cup of tea! This noble tradition, however, can mean many different things to many people. Like everything else, afternoon tea has evolved over the years; everyone has their own version tailored to their own specific tastes.

The history of afternoon tea

While drinking tea has been a long-standing custom here in England, it might surprise you to learn that afternoon tea is a relatively new tradition. Tea drinking here in England was popularised in the 1660s by King Charles II and his first wife Infanta Catherine de Braganza. But it would be nearly another 200 years before the concept of afternoon tea would make its grand appearance.

Do you ever get hungry between lunch and dinner? Well, the seventh Duchess of Bedford did. In the late 1840s, the Duchess Anna would get hungry around 4pm, but she didn’t want a full meal so as to not spoil her dinner. She started asking for cakes, bread, small sandwiches and tea to be brought to her room — and thus, afternoon tea was born.

How to host the best afternoon tea party

Now you’re all caught up, here’s how to host a truly delightful afternoon tea party.

Tip 1: Pick a theme

Setting a theme is a great way to make your party stand out amongst the crowd, and it’s also just a lot more fun! Make your afternoon tea a memorable experience for your guests by setting the mood with an excellent theme. You could go for a classic theme such as a mad hatter’s tea party, like in Alice in Wonderland, or you could opt to host for a special occasion such as Easter, or if you’re feeling a little more adventurous why not opt for something slightly more daring… like a murder mystery!

Tip 2: Decide on a menu

Once you have settled on your theme, you can start planning your menu. You can serve whatever you like at your tea party, but if you’re looking to stick somewhat true to tradition, some options you can consider are:

  • Finger sandwiches such as cucumber, smoked salmon, cream cheese or egg mayonnaise and cress
  • Scones with jam and clotted cream
  • Shortbread biscuits
  • Victoria sponge cake
  • Fondant fancies
  • Chocolate éclairs
  • Tea to serve (our recommendations are Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and English Breakfast)

Tip 3: Set the scene

Now you’ve got your theme and a good idea of what’s going on your menu, it’s time to set the scene. There are many places you could host an afternoon tea. You could host one in your dining room, in the garden or you could hire a venue especially for the occasion. (Let’s be honest, your decision probably at least partially depends on the weather!) Whatever you choose, decor is an important step. For maximum authenticity you’ll need the following:

  • Tiered cake stands
  • A tea set (tea pot, tea cups and saucers)
  • Tableware - tea spoons, butter knife, napkins, plates and a tablecloth
  • A centrepiece such as a bouquet of fresh flowers

Tip 4: Master afternoon tea etiquette

Rigid etiquette and strict rules when it comes to afternoon tea are largely a thing of the past in most cases. It all depends on where you are and the kind of party you’re throwing. If you’re just having a friendly get together in the garden, you can be as formal or as informal as you like! On the other hand, if you’re looking to produce the most authentic and historically accurate Victorian tea party, it’s time to break out the table manners and pageantry.

Here are some afternoon tea etiquette rules that have been followed over the centuries to help you along:

  • When it comes to clothes, the nicer the better. Suits and fancy dresses are not necessary, but a nice outfit is certainly the way to go. Think smart casual!
  • Assign a guest to pour the tea for everyone at the table. It’s also good etiquette to serve your guests first.
  • The first course is the sandwiches and the savoury food, followed by the scones and any bread, and then the final course is the sweet treats.
  • Use your fingers. There are no knives or forks at afternoon tea, it’s all finger foods, with the exception of using a knife to spread the jam and cream on your scones.

All that being said of course, your tea party should be a reflection of you, the food you like and your interests. It’s fun to embrace tradition but it’s even better to be original, so however many of these rules you choose to follow is completely up to you.

We all have different tastes, but the one thing that remains at the heart of every good tea party is, of course, a good cup of tea. What problem isn’t solved, or at the very least halved, by the sacred phrase “shall I put the kettle on?” It just goes to show that some things will never change!

And speaking of things that will never change – if you need some more exquisite furnishings to help you accommodate your guests, that’s where we can help.

Here at Taskers of Accrington, we have a wide range of stunning pieces perfect for setting the scene of an afternoon tea party, from dining tables and chairs to plush pillows, candles, art and vases. Our expansive showroom now includes themed displays, room sets showcasing lounge and dining furniture from a range of top brands like Tetrad and Calligaris.

If you’ve got any questions about anything we stock, rest assured we’re here waiting to help. Feel free to get in touch by calling us on 01254236262, or send us an email at sales@taskers.com. Alternatively you could pop in to our sweeping showroom on Penny House Lane, Accrington. Whatever you choose, our fantastic in-house team will be happy to assist you!