Afternoon Tea is a tea-related ritual, introduced in Britain in the early 1840s. It evolved as a mini meal to stem the hunger and anticipation of an evening meal at 8pm. Afternoon Tea is a meal composed of sandwiches (usually cut delicately into ‘fingers’), scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries and cakes.
It’s something that all ages can enjoy together. And makes a perfect SchoolHoliday activity with a chance for our children to reconnect with any school friends that they have missed during the school break.
Afternoon Tea at home
Pick a date and send out your invitations
Pick an invitation that fits within your theme and pick a time that works for you. In general a traditional tea party will start at 3 pm .
Plan your menu and select your “tea”
Sandwiches which are cut into “fingers” strawberries, scones with jam and cream, small cookies and cakes. As long as its small and you all will enjoy eating it, make it part of your “tea”
Setting the table
This is the part i enjoy most, bring out the tablecloth, teacups,teapot and cake stands. You can buy cake stands in the discount shops in town, or why not pop into Lucys Kitchens in Andover high street to see what they have available to decorate your table. The key to a afternoon tea table setting is to make it fancy.
I would love to see your photos if you do decide to go ahead with your own afternoon tea party, so please do share them on social media and tag us in them @LoveAndover Familylife
Where to have Afternoon tea in Andover
To celebrate National Afternoon Tea Week, they are offering two complimentary glasses of Prosecco (or orange juice) with every Afternoon Tea for Two purchased between 12th and 18th August
at the Weyhill store.
Serving a wide selection of loose teas, fresh coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches. Please be aware that they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Chalkie’s Coffee Bar (formally know as Butters)
In Andover high street. Homemade cakes with a selection of different teas
Have you been somewhere great in Andover that offers afternoon tea? Then email me the details so that i can add them here so that we are all in the know about them !!
