What makes the perfect afternoon tea?

Afternoon tea is a traditional British custom that has been enjoyed since as far back as the 19th century. It is a light meal that has traditionally been served between 2pm and 5pm and consists of tea, sandwiches, scones, and cakes or delicious and small pastries, originally the idea was founded by Anna, The Duchess of Bedford. Afternoon tea was originally created as a way to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner and was ordered by the Duchess every day. Soon it became a social occasion for the upper classes to gather and socialise and has been a delightful British tradition ever since. 

To make for a truly good afternoon tea, several things need to be considered. The tea itself should be of a high quality and served in a traditional teapot with accompanying tea cups. Sandwiches are another essential part of the meal and should be freshly made with a variety of fillings, such as cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon, or egg mayonnaise. 

Scones are also a must-have and they should be served warm with clotted cream and jam. As well as accompanying cakes and pastries. 

Choose your tea

The traditional choice for a truly delicious afternoon tea are typically: English Breakfast tea, Earl Grey and Darjeeling. While Earl Grey and English Breakfast are a softer flavour, Darjeeling tea is considered the ‘champagne of teas’ for its musky and sweet tasting notes.  

We have a huge selection of teas to enjoy as part of our delicious afternoon tea offering, so you’ll certainly feel like royalty with all this choice:

• Winchester Breakfast
• Winchester Fruit Basket
• Darjeeling
• Gunpowder Green
• Chamomile
• Moroccan Mint
• Earl Grey Supreme
• Fine China Jasmine
• Rooibos, orange, eucalyptus, lapsang souchong

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are one of the most essential parts of an afternoon tea. Small finger sized sandwiches are the usual choice, elegantly layered on a tower amongst other delicious treats such as scones and pastries. 

The usual choices include:

Cucumber and cream cheese: Thinly sliced cucumber and smooth cream cheese are a classic combination and a must-have for any afternoon tea.

Smoked salmon: Delicate smoked salmon with deliciously fluffy cream cheese and dill on brown bread is another classic choice that never goes out of style for the perfect afternoon tea.

Egg mayonnaise: Hard-boiled eggs mixed with mayonnaise and chives and served on soft white bread. A classic choice that makes for a satisfying and tasty sandwich.

Coronation chicken: A British classic made for the Queen’s Coronation. This sandwich features tender chicken in a curry and mayonnaise sauce, with sultanas and almonds, served on soft white bread.

Ham and mustard: Thinly sliced ham paired with a dollop of tangy mustard, served on delicious granary bread: a simple yet satisfying sandwich.

Roast beef and horseradish: Thinly sliced roast beef with a smear of spicy and tangy horseradish sauce, served on crusty white bread, is a delicious savoury option.

Cheese and chutney: A fabulous vegetarian option with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese, Lyburn cheese is our favourite, with a dollop of sweet chutney, served on oatcakes or crusty bread. 

Overall, the best sandwiches for an afternoon tea are those that are simple, elegant, and packed with flavour that are easy to handle, bite and enjoy amongst the other tasty treats. 

Scones

Now, how to enjoy a scone is rather a controversial affair. Firstly, is it ‘scone’ or ‘scone’. And secondly, is it jam or cream first? The Cornish will tell you its jam first with cream dolloped on top, while the Devonshire way is cream first and jam on top. 

The perfect scone is equally light and dense with a delicious golden brown rise for you to cut them perfectly down the middle and lather up with your fillings. A delightful scone really is the hallmark of a tasty afternoon tea and has been enjoyed as part of afternoon tea from around 1840 when Anna, The Duchess of Bedford, and close friend of Queen Victoria requested some ‘light food’. 

Savoury scones are also a fabulous afternoon tea addition, adding a savoury bite to an otherwise sweet treat. Our cream cheese and onion marmalade scones are just the ticket.

Cakes

The perfect cakes for a simple and delicate afternoon tea are of course British classics. A delicate and zesty lemon drizzle is always a treat, as well as the traditional Victoria sponge with fresh cream and jam inside. Other popular choices include carrot and walnut, bite sized of course. The key to delicious cakes is to ensure the flavours are not too overpowering. A chocolate cake can also work, but ensure the chocolate isn’t too rich to overpower the other delicate flavours playing around in the tea and sandwiches. 

Biscuits & Pastries 

When we think of biscuits, we think of the hard, crunchy types such as a lovely custard cream, a hobnob or even a malted milk. However, for afternoon tea, the biscuits served are usually slightly more cakey. Choices such as scones, oatcakes and chewy, warm ginger biscuits are perfect for pairing with a delicious cup of tea. 

Pastries are similarly delicate and yummy, small and delicate pecan plaits, mini croissants and various flavoured swirls are great for this type of meal. And if you are especially fancy, delicious flavoured macarons 

Afternoon tea in the New Forest

For the perfect afternoon treat, enjoy a spot of afternoon tea at one of our locations as part of the New Forest Collection. Enjoy an afternoon tea in one of our onsite restaurants: the award winning 1820, Taylors bar at Beaulieu Inn, inside the gorgeous Bartley Lodge  and the grand Burley Manor.

You’ll find a wealth of choice as part of your divine afternoon tea, including various tea options such as Chamomile, Green Tea, Earl Grey Supreme, Darjeeling, Winchester Breakfast, and a selection of flavoured Rooibos. 

Our afternoon tea menus are subject to seasonal change, however our sample menu includes delicious savoury and sweet options such as Caramelized Onion Sausage Roll, Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese sandwiches, Cheddar and Chutney sandwiches, Roasted Vegetable Tarts, Honey Roast Ham and Dijon Sandwiches, and of course decadent cakes and pastries such as a Berry Panna Cotta, Chocolate Eclairs and Mini Lemon Meringue Pies. 

Our afternoon teas are for everyone to enjoy, we have a selection of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options as part of our afternoon tea offering too, simply ask for the specific menu.