The introduction of Afternoon Tea, a quintessentially British tradition, is usually credited to Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford, in the earlty 1800's.

During the 18th Century, dinner came to be served later and later in the day until by the early 1800's, the normal time was between 7:00 and 8:30 pm. An extra meal called luncheon had been created to fill the midday gap between breakfast and dinner, but as this new meal was very light, the long afternoon with no refreshment at all left people feeling hungry. The Duchess found taking an afternoon snack to be such a perfect refreshment, that she soon began inviting her friends to join her, with Afternoon Tea quickly becoming an established and convivial repast.

Selection of finger sandwiches

Plain and raisin buttermilk scones
with Devonshire clotted cream and Cornish strawberry jam

Selection of cream puffs and French pastries

Choice of tea

Anna's Tea £30.50 per person
Anna's Tea with a glass of Piper Heidsieck Brut £38.50 per person