Image this: Savoury sandwiches, fluffy scones with jam and cream, mini candy treats that pack a tiny however mighty punch of cheer, served on a fairly three-tiered tray… getting hungry? I’m salivating simply writing that. And let’s not neglect the gorgeous pots of piping scorching tea, to be loved from delicate porcelain cups in a cushty, but elegant, setting. Welcome to afternoon tea, a much-loved British customized, and certainly one of my favorite actions to get pleasure from in good firm.

I lately loved a day journey with a fab afternoon tea on the World of Wedgwood in close by Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire. As you may think about, it was decadent and pleasant, however first, let’s discuss concerning the origins of afternoon tea, certainly one of my favorite actions.

How did afternoon tea originate?

Whereas tea itself has been sipped and savoured since 300-ish BC China, ‘afternoon tea’ is a comparatively younger mid-Nineteenth-century idea. And my favorite half is {that a} pleasant method to spend an hour or two with associates, your companion, or relations apparently originated from the starvation pangs of a Nineteenth-century duchess. 

Again within the Victorian period, dinner/supper can be served round eight o’clock pm. However, Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, discovered she obtained peckish round mid-afternoon. (Relatable.) In the future, it was simply an excessive amount of to bear, so she requested her workers to deliver her some tea and snacks. This proved to be fairly satisfying and shortly grew to become the factor to do together with her aristocratic associates. Quick ahead a couple of a long time and it was the modern 4 o’clock factor to do for members of society. As of late, it’s an accessible social exercise to get pleasure from in good firm and/or present thought that reinforces tourism for lodges and eating places, and makes everybody really feel a bit posh.

I wish to assume the Duchess of Bedford would have loved her afternoon tea from a stunning Wedgwood tea set. If your earthenware, Wedgwood means high quality. A lot in order that Queen Charlotte was Josiah Wedgwood’s patron within the Regency (a.okay.a. the Bridgerton) period. In current occasions, Wedgwood has held a Royal Warrant since 1995 as Potter to Her Majesty, the late Queen.

And if you happen to’re going to have a pleasant meal, why shouldn’t your crockery be beautiful?

The afternoon tea expertise at World of Wedgwood 

My boss and her PA understand how a lot I like tea. So it solely felt pure that my work Christmas current was afternoon tea for 2 at World of Wedgwood. (Thanks!) At £27.50 per particular person*, the Wedgewood afternoon tea expertise is mid-tier in value and good worth for cash. 5-star lodges and eating places with afternoon tea on their menus value way more, and small cafes and tea homes have a tendency to supply less complicated choices within the vary of £12-15 per particular person. There’s one thing for everybody’s price range. 

*I do know you’re not likely meant to see the price of a present, however I needed to look it up so I may write this weblog.

Upon arrival on the Wedgwood Tea Room, we had been warmly greeted and proven to our desk within the fabulously adorned eating room. This isn’t your grandmother’s stuffy tea room, of us. It’s vivid and ethereal, with a lot to catch the attention with out being overwhelming.

The menu

Your selection of tea is included and limitless, so you may pour out of your fairly teapot into your equally fairly tea cup as many occasions as you want. I had the Earl Gray, the Brit had the Breakfast tea. For a little bit further value, you may have some prosecco or Champagne so as to add some bubbles and champagne to the day. 

However I’m certain what you is perhaps barely extra involved about is which candy and savoury delights are on the menu. The present providing to reach at your desk in a three-tiered-tray fashion contains: 

Sandwiches

• Hen & sage mayonnaise
• Beef brisket
• Ham hock & cider apple
• Cream cheese & cucumber
• Egg & cress

Scones

• Plain and fruit scones served with strawberry jam & clotted cream

(For the file, I put the cream on first. It simply makes extra sense. Don’t @ me.)

Fancies

• Sticky toffee cake
• Apple & cinnamon crumble tart
• Triple chocolate brownie
• Wedgwood blue macaroon
• Lemon blackberry & pistachio posset

Issues to do at World of Wedgwood

An outing to the Wedgwood property in Stoke-on-Trent is a good day journey from London or from wherever in England. It’s a really inexpensive expertise, in that you can really not spend a single penny.

Sure, you learn that accurately. You possibly can go to the World of Wedgwood at no cost, and that’s as a result of there is no such thing as a value of admission for the very spectacular V&A Wedgwood Assortment, and the strolling paths are additionally free to discover. That being mentioned, you’ll seemingly find yourself spending some cash within the store, on the tea room, or within the outlet retailer. It could be arduous to not! Otherwise you may resolve to e-book a Wedgwood Manufacturing unit Tour or take a pottery class (after which have afternoon tea.)

Learn how to get to Staffordshire and the World of Wedgwood:

• 45-50 minute drive from Derby or Manchester
• 90-minute prepare from London Euston

You possibly can plan your journey right here.

This was a very unbelievable time out and about with the Brit and extremely suggest having a day tea expertise on the World of Wedgwood. (It additionally makes an important present!)

• Ambiance: 5/5
• Meals: 5/5
• Service: 5/5 Worth: 4.5/5 (barely on the pricier facet, however price it for the expertise)
• Total: 5/5 – Extremely advisable!

“There are few hours in life extra agreeable than the hour devoted to the ceremony referred to as afternoon tea.”

— Henry James