Afternoon tea in London

One of the most honoured and quintessentially English traditions is that or enjoying a cup of traditional afternoon tea. It is relatively new in Britain having originated around the 17th century, unlike China where it began in the third millennium BC. It came to England by Dutch Traders who imported the brew from China. It gained popularity during the rule of King Charles II and his royal consort Queen Catherine de Braganza. However, the concept appeared much later in the mid 19th century.

The seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna in 1840, introduced the practice of afternoon tea. She would feel hungry around four o'clock at noon. At night meal time was at eight o'clock, and it left a long gap between lunch and dinner. The Duchess asked for tea, bread and butter and cake served during the latter part of the afternoon. It became a habit with her and this trend caught on with her friends and spread among the nobility of London.

Over time this became a fashionable trend and a social event. In the 1880s women of the upper classes would dress up fashionably in long gowns, hats and gloves for the custom and drink tea served in the drawing room or parlour anytime between four to five pm. The event consisted of an assortment of sandwiches, pastries, cakes and scones with clotted cream etc. The tea used was either from India or China, which was poured from a silver pot in bone-china cups. Things have changed a lot in most modern day homes in Britain, with families drinking a mug of tea accompanied with cake, biscuits or snacks. The tea is made using a teabag far from the hallowed tradition of afternoon tea in Britain.

You can enjoy the best of afternoon tea at any of the top hotels in London. While in the city enjoy the fabulous experience of Afternoon Tea at Park Grand London Hotels, which offer a wide range of afternoon tea option. From Champagne Afternoon to Chocolate Afternoon tea there are numerous options to choose from.

There even are tearooms that specially serve classic English tea with all the authentic items including the world famous Devonshire cream tea with scones, Devon clotted cream and strawberry jam with tea in china cups.
Wherever, you experience the tradition it is going to be a very enjoyable experience and one which you are likely to repeat on more than one occasion, while in London.