Traditional afternoon tea

The tradition of afternoon tea was introduced in England by Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, in 1840. The Duchess often became hungry in the afternoon as evening meals were served fashionably late at around eight o’clock. With such a long break between meals, she requested a tray of tea and cake to be brought to her room in the afternoon.

This became a habit of hers and, upon her return to London, she continued the practice with friends. This pause for tea soon became a fashionable social event for upper-class women and afternoon tea as we know it was born.

Inglewood Manor continues this tradition of creating a delightful pause in the afternoon, during which guests can savour this most quintessential of English customs.