England is a county of tradition, and so naturally the city of London holds a wealth of landmarks and cultural centres dedicated to the country’s history. Guests of London spa hotels are never far away from palaces, royal parks and monuments to the city’s past. It’s not just physical landmarks either, traditions in London leak into the very actions of the city’s residents and workers. From the red regalia of the Royal Guards to the Tower Guards, or Beefeaters who reside in the Tower of London, there’s plenty to do as well as see.
One overlooked tradition that has a fascinating British history is that of afternoon tea. A uniquely English pastime, afternoon tea has created a whole industry of its own, even being offered to customers at the Montcalm Hotel London as a relaxing afternoon refreshment. There’s more to afternoon tea than just scones and warm drinks though, the traditions of it speak to the heart of British values, and there’s good reason it is such a popular novelty for tourists and locals alike.
Below is everything that first time London visitors should know about the traditions, history and etiquette of this relaxing afternoon treat.
What Is Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon tea is a type of meal, though less rigid than breakfast, lunch or dinner, and is a popular pastime and tradition in England. Though the timings at which you would have afternoon tea may vary and the concept is more relaxed than other meals, the style of presentation is more formal than other meals. Often, people will dress up smart for afternoon tea, contrasting its air of relaxation.
Taking place around the same time as a Spanish “siesta”, afternoon tea consists of a mid-afternoon snack, usually between the times of 3 and 6pm. It includes but is not limited to a pot of tea, cakes, sandwiches and scones, the latter being a type of pastry usually served with butter, cream or jam. More lavish afternoon teas will be served on a tiered tray, this is especially the case at restaurants and the Montcalm Mayfair hotel in London.
History Of Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea has its roots in the aristocracy and was originally designed as a way for noblemen and women to socialise and relax during a long morning of… well, socialising and relaxing. Put simply, afternoon tea was originally a luxury only afforded to the upper crusts of upper society, but its popularity with the well-to-do soon trickled down into the middle and working class too.
Anna Russell And Afternoon Tea
Close friend of Queen Victoria Anna Russell, or the 7th Duchess of Bedford to her underlings, created the concept of afternoon tea to give her friends and she something to do during their husbands business meetings over light lunch.
Back in the 19th century, it was the norm for dinner to be served between 8pm and 9.30pm. Between breakfast and mid evening dinner, it was not uncommon to get a little peckish. This was especially the case because often only two meals would be eaten a day! Anna Russell killed two birds with one stone whilst her husband was talking shop with his friends, by inviting her own pals for tea in her private chambers. This soon caught on amongst other social groups in the English aristocracy, and so afternoon tea was born, at least for the upper classes.
A Victorian Trend
Due to Queen Victoria taking on the fad, afternoon tea soon gained popularity amongst the lower classes too. It became an aspirational meal, one where middle and lower classes could play at being high society. The tradition may have been born in the townhouses of the Duchess of Bedford, but it soon extended out all across England.
Afternoon Tea In The 20th Century
After the Great War, England and the West saw a trend of opulence and fashion, as exemplified by the art deco movement and the flapper subculture. Afternoon tea soon evolved to meet these standards and it developed into not just a slice of cake and a cup of tea, but a much larger social event. Amongst the upper classes of England, afternoon tea often saw hundreds of guests turn up in their Sunday best and hang around at large manor houses for hours before dinner. Alongside tea and cakes, champagne became a popular addition to the proceedings, often helping to extend afternoon tea into the evening.
Modern Day Afternoon Tea
Throughout the 20th century, afternoon tea cemented itself and it’s now found in many of the best hotels in the country. From coastal towns to inner city London, modern afternoon tea is probably enjoyed less by locals and more as a nostalgic celebration of English culture, often advertised to tourists as a quintessentially English experience.
In terms of casual dining, afternoon tea has arguably blended into the tradition of “brunch”, served between breakfast and lunchtime as opposed to between lunch and dinner. The two are comparable in their airs of glamour. If you have brunch and an afternoon tea on the same day, you’ll probably not need to have another meal for the rest of it!
Where To Find It In London
Afternoon tea is available at many of the best boutique hotels in London. The formality of hotels and the stylish decor make them the perfect venues to enjoy an afternoon tea. You’ll probably find that there’s a selection of choices for customers, and hotels like the Montcalm offer everything from chocolate, champagne, Indian and traditional variations to choose from. Each will come with a different selection of teas to try and accompanying snacks.
Whilst the tradition of dressing up for afternoon tea is no longer a prerequisite for customers, people still do so for the fun of it. The English tradition has a special place in the heart of visitors to the country who associate it with British sovereign history and elegance. If you have an afternoon to kill in London, why not take some friends or family and try one of the many offerings available in the city?
