To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
You are here: Hudson's > Mrs Hudson Says... > Mrs Hudson says | how to enjoy Afternoon Tea Week
Every month, Mrs Hudson, along with her three children and Dinky the Irish Wolfhound investigate the best family and dog-friendly heritage attractions that the UK has to offer.
Did you know 12th August kicks off Afternoon Tea Week? I don’t know about you, but I love an Afternoon Tea, especially when I’m somewhere picturesque and the sun is shining. Which is why, over the next few weeks, I will be doing all I can to convince Mr Hudson to whisk me away somewhere to enjoy as many afternoon teas as possible!
Afternoon Tea is considered to be a British tradition but it didn’t actually become a thing until the 1800s when the 7th Duchess of Bedford decided that the wait between lunch and dinner was too long and so began order tea, cakes and sandwiches for her and her society friends in the afternoons. Though we see tea as being an essential part of our weekly shop now, at the time, tea was something only those who could afford it enjoyed and so hosting or being invited to afternoon tea was a big deal. From there, it became fashionable to enjoy tea and a snack or two in the afternoons, so much so that things like tea dances became common and even the middle and working classes got involved.
Now afternoon tea isn’t a regular occurrence, well for us in the Hudson household it isn’t, I’m told that the late queen would indulge every day, but for the rest of us, afternoon tea is a treat, so Afternoon Tea Week is the perfect excuse for enjoying dainty sandwiches, a fresh brew and some delightful cakes and scones.
If you fancy joining me in convincing your family that you need to spend the month finding the perfect spot for afternoon tea, here are some etiquette tips to remember, just so you get the most out of the experience.
1 – get the terminology spot on
Cream tea? Afternoon tea? High tea? Royal tea? What are you getting? What do you ask for? Well, a cream tea is usually just scones with cream and jam served with tea, it’s also pretty spectacular, but make sure to get the cream and jam the right way round if you’re partaking in Devon or Cornwall. Afternoon tea is tea with sandwiches, scones and a selection of cakes and is often confused with high tea, which seems to be the name visitors from over seas use. This is a different meal entirely though – it’s a more working class thing, high tea was a proper meal eaten at a table, while low tea was a small meal, usually eaten on a lap or coffee table. The more you know!
Royal Tea is less widely used but is basically an afternoon tea served with champagne!
2 – do not dunk!
While you’re enjoying a cuppa in your own home or more informal setting, dunk away – while enjoying afternoon tea? Don’t add those cakes, shortbreads or anything else to your cup!
3 – Should you stir
Yes. And you must do so correctly. No matter whether you’re adding milk, sugar or lemon to your tea, you must place your spook at the 6 o clock position in the cup and fold the tea towards the 12 o clock position without clinking the spoon. Once you’ve stirred, that spoon must be placed on a saucer – not the table cloth! And make sure the spoon is on the right hand side of the cup.
4 – Let it brew
Now a proper afternoon tea will use leaves rather than a bag, but not all afternoon teas are created equal. This one is more personal preference, but the longer you brew, the stronger the flavour and the more antioxidants are released which have health benefits. General consensus is to let it brew for at least 3 minutes and at most 6. Personally, I like a strong flavour!
5 – Raise my pinky, yay or nay?
Definitely nay! Some say holding out your pinky is the “posh” way of drinking, others say having the pinky outstretched helps with the balance when sipping. Both are nonsense, if you hold out your pinky, you are committing the ultimate afternoon tea faux pas.
Also don’t wrap your hands around your cup, hold it by the handle only.
6 – Leave the saucer on the table
When you are seated, the saucer should stay on the table, you only need to lift the tea cup. The only time you need to hold your saucer is if you are standing and if that’s the case, the saucer should be in your left hand and the cup, the right.
7 – Get the order right
When it comes to afternoon tea, you might be tempted to jump straight into the scones and sweet treats but this is frowned upon – the savouries and sandwiches should be eaten first, then the scones, then the sweets. Also, despite their small size, the sandwiches should be eaten delicately, so don’t go for the whole thing in one bite!
The most important thing though?
Enjoy!
Will you be going anywhere to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea this August?
Where to enjoy an afternoon tea this August
Syon Park
There are two eateries in the Hilliers centres at Syon Park and they offer two afternoon tea varieties, if you’re a Hilliers member, you can even enjoy 2 for 1 entry to Syon Park which is next door.
Broughton Castle
The Stables tearoom opposite the main entrance is open for refreshments with afternoon tea available for private groups.
Ludlow Castle
While not in the castle itself, there is a chance to enjoy an old fashioned afternoon tea at the tearoom on the corner of market square where you can indulge with an uninterrupted view of the castle.
© Visit Heritage 2025. All Rights Reserved