The British Art of Afternoon Tea

Anne Scagell of The Great British Afternoon Tea Company Ltd creates bespoke training courses of interest to a variety of people. Whether you are a large business organisation considering a Corporate Rewards event or a small to medium sized company, Anne can tailor a course to meet your particular requirements.

"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated
to the ceremony known as Afternoon Tea"
[HENRY JAMES]

The custom of taking afternoon tea is believed to have been first introduced in England in 1840 by Anna, the Seventh Duchess of Bedford. At that time lunch was taken early and dinner was not served in the evening until about 9pm. The Duchess apparently became hungry in the afternoon and asked for some tea, bread and butter and cake to be brought to her room. This soon became a habit and the Duchess started to invite friends round to join her.

"If you are cold, tea will warm you,
If you are too heated, it will cool you,
If you are depressed, it will cheer you,
If you are exhausted, it will calm you."
[WILLIAM GLADSTONE]

"Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea."
[HENRY FIELDING]

Very quickly it became fashionable to take tea in the middle of the afternoon and the occasion became more and more elaborate with the use of elegant tea ware, lace and embroidered table linen, bone china tea services, cake stands, tea canisters and blending bowls. The ladies would dress for the occasion in long tea gowns and preside over the ornate silver teapots while making general conversation with their guests.

People are rediscovering the civilised pleasure of a traditional afternoon tea with its elegant settings, dainty sandwiches, meticulously arranged plates of delicious scones, clotted cream and preserves, cakes and perfectly brewed cups of tea.

Afternoon tea is fashionable again - and fun.