Well it looks the part, that’s for sure!
Cakes, sandwiches, tea, other treats, all served on adorable stacked presentation towers, with cute china cups and all the other regalia? It’s a true treat! It’s almost like going back in time to Victorian times and it’s certainly still showing popularity today.
Thankfully, you don’t have to be royalty to enjoy this treat these days, and whilst you’re visiting Welbeck Manor and Golf, you can book in for a delicious afternoon tea to really make your day that extra bit special. Everyone’s welcome, whether you’re staying with us, a local resident or just visiting for the day.
Afternoon tea is also becoming increasingly popular as an option at a Baby shower so why not ask our event team for further information.
We serve traditional afternoon tea, or you want something sparkly and alcoholic to go alongside your savoury and sweet treats, we’ve got you covered.
We certainly know what makes a good afternoon tea. As afternoon tea is such an institution, it pays to learn a little more about it. By doing that, you can truly enjoy the experience, as well as the delicious bursts of flavour on your taste buds!
So what is afternoon tea?
Afternoon tea is a three course, light meal which consists of savouries, sweets and tea. Within it you’ll have dainty sandwiches, usually with the crusts cut off, scones with clotted cream and a dollop of jam, other sweets, and a teapot full of steaming, hot tea (or coffee if you’d prefer!).
Of course, the fun is in the presentation. Afternoon tea is always served on stacked platters and it’s a real Insta-worthy moment!
If you Google ‘what is afternoon tea’, you’ll find a million and one rules about what you should and shouldn’t do.
For instance, you’re supposed to raise your pinky finger when drinking the tea, and are you supposed to put jam or cream on your scone first? (depending if you’re in Devon or Cornwall, but thats an arguement for another day!)
At Welbeck, we’re not about rules, so if you want to eat with your hands, do it. If you want to use your cutlery, do that too. If you want to hold your cup with both hands, we really don’t mind! We just want you to enjoy the experience in the way you feel best.
Over the years the afternoon tea ritual has changed a little and you’ll now find alcohol served in some cases, but we’ll talk more about that in a bit!
For now, you simply need to know that afternoon tea is a real treat and something which can take a boring, rainy day and turn it into a luxurious experience. Whether you want to sit out in the garden during the summer months, or in front of a roaring fire when the rain and wind is howling outside, enjoying an afternoon tea is the highlight of any day.
Who invented afternoon tea?
Afternoon tea is widely accredited to the Seventh Duchess of Bedford who began hosting afternoon teas with her high society friends.
If you’re wondering ‘where did afternoon tea originate’? It was as far back as the 1840s!
During the mid-afternoon, the duchess started to feel peckish, but it wasn’t becoming of a woman of high society to eat a full meal at this time, so she sought out smaller dishes which would tide her over until dinner. At that time, dinner wasn’t usually eaten until around 8pm, so the afternoon tea was born!
In order to stop her stomach rumbling for another four hours, the duchess started experimenting with small dishes; at first she tried small sandwiches, but she didn’t like the crusts, so they were cut off. Then, she had a sweet tooth that she needed to satisfy, so next came the sweets. Of course, everything went with tea in those days.
After that, the duchess decided to invite her friends around to join her in her snacking, and over a short period of time, the afternoon ritual began to take shape. At this time however, afternoon tea was only enjoyed by women of high social standing, the wealthy elite.
Perhaps that’s why even nowadays having an afternoon tea treat feels like something special, something that royalty would do. The way the afternoon tea is presented certainly still feels that way too.
So, if you were wondering how did afternoon tea start, now you know!
How many calories in afternoon tea?
This really depends on what exactly is served, but on average there are around 1000-1500 calories in afternoon tea. If you add on extra butter or cream, the calories in afternoon tea can rise.
But we’re all about the enjoyment, so we say forget the calories for that afternoon!
You can cut down on the amount of calories in afternoon tea in other ways; don’t put so much sugar in your tea perhaps, or only have half the amount of cream on your scone. Just a few small adjustments will reduce the calorie count and you don’t have to forgo any enjoyment.
The good news is that all portions in an afternoon tea are small and bite-sized, and portions are delivered according to the number of people booking a place. For that reason, you’re unlikely to overindulge to the point of not being able to move.
How to serve afternoon tea properly
Afternoon tea is traditionally served in three courses, on three tiers of plates, with the table set in a specific way.
Afternoon tea includes a first course of savouries, with finger sandwiches and nibbles, followed by scones with jam and lashings of cream, and then small sweets, such as French fancies and cookies. Tea or another beverage is served throughout the afternoon tea experience.
It’s worth mentioning that there are several different types of afternoon tea nowadays, and sometimes they’re often grouped together into the same category. You’ll also sometimes hear afternoon tea being called ‘high tea’, but it’s generally one and the same.
What is a typical afternoon tea menu?
A traditional afternoon tea menu includes:
* Finger sandwiches of different varieties
* Scones with butter
* Cream and jam
* A selection of small cakes and pastries
* Tea/coffee
However, there are many different variations on the these nowadays. Gin with your Afternoon Tea very popular! You could also add prosecco or champagne for a special occasion, and when you’re on holiday, what’s to stop you?
Despite the fact there is cutlery on the table setting, that doesn’t mean you have to use it! The knife and fork are generally there for spreading the butter, jam and cream onto your scones.
The rest of the afternoon tea menu is designed to be eaten with your hands, so despite the fact that it’s quite a posh and high society event throughout history, it’s also quite down to Earth too. For that reason, everything on the menu is small and easy to pick up and bite.
Feeling peckish?
We have a feeling that after reading about all those delicious, buttery scones, cute and dainty sandwiches, with bubbles or tea included, you might have a rumbling stomach! If that’s the case, an afternoon tea treat is certainly for you.
Here at Welbeck Manor and Golf we serve afternoon tea every day and we have several different variations on the theme. You can go authentic with delicious tea, or you can add some bubbles, with the prosecco or champagne option.
Why is afternoon tea so popular? Because it’s a true experience and not just something rather delicious to eat when you’re a little peckish before dinner! The tradition of eating afternoon tea has made it through history to the modern day and it’s taking on a brand new lease of life with various establishments all putting their own twist on the model.