One of our favorite things to do when we go to London is to find a new place to stop for afternoon tea. In case you’re like me and didn’t know the real history behind afternoon high tea… keep reading.
I always thought the term “high tea” meant that the day stopped, no matter where it was, for tea and a biscuit. I thought it meant white tablecloths and sophistication, but all it really means is dinner. Ha! For high tea, there is tea and a meat, and it is typically served later in the day–and here I’ve been associating it with “high” society. It is called high tea because it is taken at a higher table–the dinner table. High tea was reserved for the working class, who were not afforded the opportunity to stop in the middle of the workday. Who knew?
Afternoon tea, or “low tea”, is usually taken in the late afternoon. It is called low tea because you eat it on lower tables, such as a coffee table pulled next to a couch. Typically, it is served with a light meal or snack. Afternoon tea appears to have started with women.
Women were banned from coffeehouses, and used to serve an afternoon tea in their bedroom quarters to friends and neighbors {also women}. Of course, this probably only applies to aristocratic women and royalty, and served more of a social function than anything else. Afternoon tea bridged the gap between breakfast and dinner in a time when typically only two meals were served.
Today, it is much less likely that people have the time to stop everything for tea, regardless of what class they are–life is just too busy. But the Girl and I? In London, oh we stopped. 🙂
Every.Single.Day.
I LOVE London!!!
~Mavis
Veronica Vatter says
alright Miss Mavis, where did you stop and how much? 🙂 I’m going to england for 5 weeks mid April-May, w/ a week in London. I so want to do tea a few times. Also did you notice many loners at the tea shops?
Alicia says
I’ve done tea solo many, many times. Sometimes your best companion for tea is a good book!
Wynne says
Our favorite tea stop was Fortnum & Mason.
Mavis Butterfield says
This time we had tea at the Orangery at Kensington Gardens. Last year we had afternoon tea at Bea’s of Bloomsbury and that was nice as well. I hear Harrods has a really nice tea service in the tea room as well {and it’s open til 8pm}. And yes, there were a few singles enjoying tea as well. 🙂
veronica vatter says
Yeah, solo trip to stay on a farm in Surrey for 4 weeks with day trips to Bath, Cardiff (Dr. Who Experience!), and maybe the seaside. For my week in London I’m planning now. So, any loner tips for London are much appreciated!
Mavis Megler says
Thank You for the memories! You made my day and put a BIG smile on my face! Its been many years since I’ve been to Britain and stopping to have a spot of tea was so delightful in our many travels in and around the Isle. I was 19 when I went with My Dad & My Mom. We went to visit his family, his aging Mother, his younger brother & his wife, his sister & her husband, (who was his best friend growing up). Also, My Mom loved her afternoon tea, with a sandwich & scones or tart. She was raised to enjoy these small luxuries in life as her Mother & Grandmother were both from London.
Debbie says
I’ve always wanted to know more about high tea…thanks for the info.
Low tea looks delightful. Can you please post the types of food you had at low tea?
Recipes would be wonderful:)
Cecily says
A couple of times a year my sister and I host an afternoon tea for family and friends. We serve a variety of tea sandwiches, scones with lemon curd, jams and clotted cream, petit fours, fresh fruit and several varieties of tea. It is a wonderful way to get together with friends we haven’t seen in a while.
Mavis Butterfield says
I think that is awesome Cecily. I should give it a try at home too.
Helen in Meridian says
For 7 years I hosted a Victorian Doll Tea Party for 100 girls at the Vancouver Public Library. It was free, and the 1st year I hauled all my own china and table ware. We bought after easter holiday candy on sale, used empty toilet paper rolls wrapped in pretty foil and finged for victorian snappers and served petit fours and tang infused hot cider because some moms didn’t want their daughters to drink real tea. Our first year budget was $35 but we really stretched it to go far. It became the library’s biggest youth event. Then I moved back home to Idaho. I was fortunate to stay at The Empress and have their high tea once.
Margery says
My older daughter learned that when she went to Switzerland with her girl scout troop and at Our Chalet met a troop of girls from England and they invited her to join them for tea, ( at our house tea is served after-school and is tea ,sandwiches or scone and cookie we use it as a chance to learn manners) And they had spaghetti, she came home and was like mom did you know in England they call dinner – tea .
This summer my younger daughter is going to England with her girl scout troop, they are spending a week at http://www.wings2014.org.uk/ camping for a week ( so that they don’t have to pack tents and sleeping bags they are teamed up with a troop from England for the week, hoping she makes lots of new friends) and then spending a week in London itself at a boyscout youth house ( which I think is a battle ship in the Thames). Can’t wait for her to make her memories and she gets to turn 14 while she is there.
Kristina says
Taking a break during my sightseeing in London for tea was one of my favorite things. So much to see and so much walking makes a girl thirsty and hungry. 🙂
The other best thing was the amazing (whole milk) hot chocolate at my hotel in the evening. I would sit in their parlor, drink my hot chocolate and write in my travel journal about what I had done that day and then plan my next day’s adventures. Since I was walking miles and miles every day (which I know sounds familiar 🙂 ) no problems with the high calorie drink every night.