Guides & Updates

When hosting or attending afternoon tea, the food may get the spotlight, but the tea itself is the true foundation of the experience. The right tea not only complements the food but also sets the tone for the entire occasion. Whether you're new to the tradition or curious to upgrade your teaware, understanding the key types of tea and how to serve them will enhance your afternoon tea offering.

Creating your own afternoon tea at home can be a wonderfully rewarding experience. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, hosting friends, or just treating yourself, building the perfect menu is key to a successful event. Here’s how to balance savoury, sweet, and tea with ease even if you’re new to it all.

Afternoon tea may seem simple on the surface, pour, sip, and nibble. But beneath the surface lies a series of subtle social cues that can shape the entire experience. These aren’t the kind of rules you’ll find printed on a menu or explained by your server. They’re the quiet cultural codes that make afternoon tea feel special, and sometimes even a little intimidating to first-timers.
In this post, we explore the unspoken behaviours that help you move confidently through any tea setting from traditional hotels to modern cafés.

Tea may be a global drink, but nowhere is it more ritualised than in Britain. While many people use terms like afternoon tea, high tea, and cream tea interchangeably, they actually describe very different experiences. If you’re planning to indulge in a tea outing whether in the UK or abroad, knowing the difference can help you choose the perfect setting.

You don’t need meat to create a spectacular Afternoon Tea spread. Vegetarian sandwiches are full of flavour, texture, and charm. Perfect for layering on your three tiered cake stand. Whether you're planning a vegetarian Afternoon Tea or simply want to expand your savoury offering, these recipes are sure to impress.

No Afternoon Tea is complete without a layer of sweet indulgence. From dainty pastries and classic cakes to rich tarts and fruit-filled bites, the dessert tier of your Afternoon Tea stand is the final flourish and the most eagerly anticipated.

Afternoon Tea isn’t just for meat-eaters, vegan sandwiches can be just as indulgent, elegant, and satisfying. Whether you’re hosting a fully plant-based tea party or simply want to offer inclusive options, these vegan finger sandwiches are packed with flavour and perfect for layering on your tiered stand.

Afternoon Tea is one of Britain’s most beloved traditions, and while sweet treats tend to steal the spotlight, it’s the savoury sandwiches that form the heart of the experience. Finger sandwiches are elegant, simple, and packed with flavour perfect for layering your own tiered cake stand at home.

There’s something undeniably magical about an afternoon tea garden party. As the sunlight filters through blooming branches and birdsong dances in the air, there’s no better way to bring friends and family together than over delicate sandwiches, clotted cream scones, and dainty cakes. To set the scene with vintage elegance and whimsical flair, every detail counts, from floral bunting and fine china to the all important centrepiece: the porcelain/cake stand.