Afternoon Tea

‘Sandwiches intended for afternoon tea are dainty trifles, pleasing to the eye and palate, but too flimsy to allay hunger where it exists.'
Mrs Beeton 1892

The tradition of taking Afternoon Tea was reputedly introduced by Anna Maria, seventh Duchess of Bedford, in the early 1840’s to appease her ‘sinking feeling’ in the long hours between an early luncheon and a late supper. She asked for a pot of water, bread and butter and cakes; and brewed her own tea.  In a letter to her brother-in-law sent from Windsor Castle in 1841, she writes: 'I forgot to name my old friend Prince Esterhazy who drank tea with me the other evening at 5 o'clock...’ By the end of the decade Afternoon Tea was a widespread social event. The small, crust-less sandwiches, biscuits, and cake were easy to eat without soiling gloves, prior to a fashionable promenade in Windsor Great Park.

The British love the combination of savoury and sweet treats, accompanied by some of the 165 million cups of tea we drink each day in the UK and there are few traditions more deliciously decadent than Afternoon Tea.

Meadow Afternoon Tea at Coworth Park

Coworth Park’s elegant Drawing Room enjoys views over 240 acres of Berkshire countryside. In a delicious twist on tradition, Coworth Park’s pastry team pays homage to the hotel’s English roots, taking inspiration from hedgerows and reinventing the classic English afternoon tea. The accompanying tea menu features over 20 varieties including Coworth Park’s own Meadow Blend, with lavender picked from the hotel’s grounds.
From £50 per person
Reservations: 01344 876 600 

Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea at Leaf, The Castle Hotel Windsor

At Windsor's Castle Hotel, enjoy an afternoon tea fit for royalty including delicate finger sandwiches with time-honoured favourite fillings and updated classics like the Jubilee Coronation chicken wrap, scones with clotted cream and British berry jam, and delicious patisserie like the Royal cupcake and Union Jack Jubilant Macaroon sandwich, a lemon posset and Her Majesty’s high tea chocolate cup. The tea selection includes green teas from Darvilles of Windsor, holders of the Royal Warrant for 70 years, who continue to supply teas to the Royal Household at Windsor Castle.
From £30 per person
Reservations: 01753 851 577

Doggy Afternoon Tea – Great Fosters

Served in the historic Anne Boleyn drawing room, or on the terrace overlooking the parterres garden, this elegant affair at Great Fosters involves bavarois, eclairs and a changing array of fancies served alongside warm, freshly baked scones and sandwich selection. Accompanying four legged friends will be served savoury sausages, dog bakery biscuits and treats with a puppycino and water.
From £35 per person and £20 per dog.
Reservations 01784 433822 (option 3) to book you & your furry friend in for tea.

Orchid Tea Room Afternoon Tea – Fairmont Windsor Park

Baron and Baroness Schroder, the original owners of the mansion house, collected orchids from around the world and displayed them in this room. Fairmont Windsor Park's bespoke crockery reflects the flowers’ beauty for an altogether indulgent experience. The expert Pâtisserie and Chocolatier teams ensure an outstanding presentation of home-made food including beetroot bread, cheese scones, prawn & crayfish tartlets, and Valrhona chocolate opera served with world-class teas.
From £45 per person
Reservations: 01784 535 555

Vegan Afternoon Tea – Cliveden

Central to great moments in history starring a cast of colourful characters, take afternoon tea at Cliveden – a place oozing glamour, intrigue, and drama. Served on fine bone china, the Astor Tea Service is based on an original design commissioned especially for Lady Astor. Executive Chef Christopher Hannon has curated an exquisite vegan menu consisting of traditional savoury dishes, scones, sandwiches, and sweets with a selection of teas. Traditional afternoon tea also available.
From £45 per person* (a National Trust fee of £10 per person will be added to the bill and covers access to walk around the gardens.)
Reservations:  01628 668 561

Floating Afternoon Tea - Cliveden

Board one of the Cliveden’s private boat flotilla, cruising down Cliveden reach, the most beautiful stretch of the River Thames. Belmont is a 33-foot restored wooden River boat, built in the 1930’s. She accommodates up to four guests with a hamper of finger sandwiches and savouries, scones, seasonal cakes and pastries, hot drinks and Laurent-Perrier Champagne. Boat Boats available to hire on an hourly basis or for the day from April until October. A river cruise to Bray takes 1 hr, and to Windsor takes 2.5 hours.
Boat hire: First hour £350, subsequent hour £140.
Picnic £150 for two sharing
Reservations: 01628 668561

Traditional Afternoon Tea – The Savill Garden

Visit one of England’s greatest woodland gardens and centre of horticultural excellence. Afternoon tea at The Savill Garden Kitchen comes with the option of traditional or vegetarian, and includes a selection of sandwiches, sweet treats and Earl Grey mini scones served with a selection of teas. Available on Fridays and Saturdays only at 3pm.
From £23.95 per person
Reservations required: 01784 485402

River Thames Steamboat Tea Cruise

For a truly nostalgic experience board a genuine Victorian steam vessel and cruise past Windsor Castle, travelling downstream through Romney Lock and the grounds of Windsor Great Park. The 90-minute experience with French Brothers includes prosecco on arrival, selection of finger sandwiches, fruit scone, fruit tartlet, mini afternoon tea cake, shortbread fingers and freshly brewed tea or coffee served on china crockery.  Limited date availability.
From £50 per person
Reservations required: 01753 851900

Perfect Picnics on The Long Walk with Windsor Carriages

Windsor Carriages offer locally-made picnics in proper hampers to accompany their horse-drawn carriage tours lasting 30, 60 or 90 minutes. Relax and enjoy al-fresco eating at the top of The Long Walk in Windsor Great Park, facing Windsor Castle.
Reservations required: 01753 981980