Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week at Walwick Hall

“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as Afternoon Tea.” – Henry James

In celebration of Afternoon Tea Week (12th – 18th August) we’re dedicating this week’s blog to one of Britain’s favourite indulgences.

But where did this quintessentially British tradition come from? The history of Afternoon Tea dates back to the 19th century when Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, would find herself becoming peckish around 4pm, famously complaining of “having that sinking feeling” in the gap between lunch and dinner. As a solution, the Duchess began inviting her friends to enjoy a pot of tea and ‘a light refreshment’ in her rooms at Woburn Abbey, and continued the tradition upon returning to London. The trend quickly caught on and Afternoon Tea became a fashionable event among the social hostesses of the British upper class women. Fast forward to today and Afternoon Tea is still an incredibly popular event for Brits, albeit as more of an occasional luxury treat rather than a part of everyday life.

If you fancy a little mid-afternoon indulgence this week, there’s no place that offers a quintessentially British Afternoon Tea quite like the team at Walwick Hall.

Our popular Traditional Afternoon Tea consists of mini sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, beautifully presented pastries, and homemade cakes, all carefully crafted by our very own in-house pastry team. Alternatively, our Northumbrian Afternoon Tea is a more creative take on the tradition, offering guests a delicious selection of local delights including mini stotties and northern savouries, alongside our warm homemade scones with clotted cream and jams. 

With both our Afternoon Teas, guests can choose from a large range of teas and coffees or add some extra sparkle to the occasion with a glass of champagne. Choose to take yours in our relaxing Drawing Room, which boasts sink-in sofas, open fire and a pretty bay window overlooking the Tyne Valley, or if the sun’s shining, why not enjoy yours out on our spacious Terrace?

To book Afternoon Tea at Walwick Hall, please visit here.

Our Traditional or Northumberland Afternoon Tea is £24.95 per person. Afternoon Tea bookings must be made by 4pm the day prior, and a £5.00 deposit per person is required at time of booking.