There aren’t many better ways to round off the day, than a spot of Afternoon Tea – plentiful golden tea and a selection of bite-sized treats shared with friends. We caught up with the team at Fishmore Spa to talk tea, afternoon treats and where it all started…
Now a staple in every socialite’s schedule, Afternoon Tea dates back to the early nineteenth century. Back then, the norm was to have just two meals each day – a hearty breakfast and then dinner at around 8pm.
It was around this time that Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford is believed to have complained that she always felt peckish during the late afternoon. So she began a habit of having a pot a tea and a light snack in her boudoir each afternoon at around 3pm. It wasn’t long before she made it a regular social gathering, inviting friends to join her for tea and light refreshments at Woburn Abbey.
The idea caught on quickly throughout London, and soon, many of the upper classes were sipping tea and nibbling finger sandwiches by mid-afternoon.
Today, Afternoon Tea comes in a variety of forms. From traditional, quintessentially English bites, to creative takes on the tradition.
Fishmore’s Afternoon Tea includes a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, including favourites such as Cray Fish in Marie Rose Sauce, Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese and Ham with Pommery Mustard.
If English Breakfast tea isn’t your, erm… cup of tea, Fishmore offer a selection of options to sip, including Earl Grey Moroccan Mint, Jungpana Sweet Camomile, Peppermint Vanilla Roibosh or a selection of freshly brewed coffees.
Finish off the afternoon delights with freshly baked cakes, homemade scones, clotted cream and raspberry compote… and your afternoon quickly turns from humdrum, to heavenly.