Ladies Who Lunch: Afternoon Tea
Have you ever been so hungry you inadvertently started a new fashion trend that’d become a nationwide staple hundreds of years later?
We didn’t think so, but such was the case for Ann Russell, Duchess of Bedford. She is credited for turning Afternoon Tea into a formal social occasion, that would become one of England’s favourite past times throughout the years. Cucumber sandwiches anyone?
1830
In the year 1830, as families had the money to purchase more candles and lighting for their home, it became fashionable to push your evening meal back. Reportedly, the later you had your dinner, the richer you were. It showed you could afford to light your home for longer. This meant a larger gap between lunch and dinner, and as we at Harrison Cropper know, nobody likes waiting for food.
In fact, the wait irritated the Duchess so much she began snacking between meals and picking at food. She invited her friends to her rooms at Woburn Abbey for tea and light refreshments during the late afternoon, and continued to do so even when moving to London. Afternoon Tea became increasingly popular amongst wealthy families of London and from that, tea rooms quickly started popping up across the region, with crowds of women flocking to them. They provided a comfortable haven where they could socialise with their friends without a male chaperone.
Mouth-watering Victoria sponge cakes were served on delicate china plates, whilst hot tea oozed from the sprout of the hand-painted teapots. Each table was severed an array of tasty cakes and sandwiches on elegant cake stands. Women were free to gossip and giggle amongst themselves.
Afternoon Tea in the Modern Day
In modern times, this activity is no longer limited to the wealthy. Afternoon tea is a treat enjoyed by everyone and our stunning Garstang town and surrounding areas are home to numerous tea rooms that are popular with the locals. However, for the home birds amongst us, with our range of stunning pottery sets, afternoon tea can be a treat enjoyed at home too.
At Harrison Cropper Gifts and Interiors, we stock stunning tea sets and condiment sets to add a touch of elegance to your afternoon tea. Your cucumber sandwiches and fluffy cakes will look beautiful served on our Edgar Green Hare Rabbit Cake Stand, while your tea stays toasty in the timeless bee and flower teapot.
A treat to be enjoyed by all the family no matter the weather, afternoon tea has never been so accessible. An afternoon tea party is the perfect atmosphere for our nans and mums, relaxing in the garden, basking in the summer sun whilst the birds chirp. Create beautiful memories by treating your mini me’s to a fun day by dressing them up and inviting them for a grown up tea party. They’ll be sure to brag about it to their friends for weeks when they return to school.
