AFTERNOON TEA? – YES PLEASE

What would we do without our Afternoon Tea? Brilliant for a celebration, get together or a delicious treat because why not? We love it, but how did it all start?

This great British tradition was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford in 1840. Thanks to her rumbling tummy, she more or less invented the afternoon tea. With dinner being served much later in the evening, she became hungry around four o’clock so cakes and bread were served to stave off her hunger. Before too long, she started to invite friends to join her and this soon caught on and became a fashionable, social event enjoyed by the upper-class’s and society women.

Thank goodness we can all enjoy afternoon tea and it has evolved over the years, to include dainty sandwiches, scones, jam and clotted cream and of course not forgetting cakes and pastries.

So with thanks to Anna, here’s 5 great venues to head to for Afternoon Tea in Cambridgeshire!

CARRIAGES – FEN DRAYTON

The inspiration for Carriages came from a visit to a restaurant located in a railway station in India.

Carriages offer you a unique Afternoon Tea experience, that will transport you back to a 1920’s train station, complete with a platform and original Pulman style railway Carriages in which you enjoy your tea.

The highest attention to detail has been paid to make this venue one of a kind, using beautiful fine bone china, vintage-style glasses and beautiful cake stands. Every detail has been thought of and locally grown ingredients have been used to create the perfect English Afternoon Tea.

Call on 10954 233279 or visit carriagesofcambridge.co.uk and also find them on Facebook to make a booking

GRANTCHESTER TEA ORCHARD – CAMBRIDGE

This historic tea orchard was immortalised by famous war poet Rupert Brooke and a small museum tells the story of his life, it’s been part of the Cambridge scene for over 120 years.

Set in beautiful surroundings, the orchard was planted in 1868 and is a short walk from Cambridge City Centre. You’ll enter another world and feel as if you have been transported back in time to a bygone era.

Find yourself a Deck chair and on a perfect summers day, lounge under the trees and enjoy the tranquillity or for those slightly duller days, shelter in the historic pavilion and enjoy the great English tradition of afternoon tea.

01223 840230 or visit theorchardteagarden.co.uk and also find them on Facebook.

DI RITA’S ITALIAN CUISINE – ST IVES

Looking for something a little bit different, then try afternoon tea with an Italian twist at St Ives restaurant Di Rita’s. Everything is freshly made by their own bakery and includes ciabatta rolls filled with Italian meats and cheeses, Antipasti and meatballs in a passata sauce as well as a delicious selection of homemade cakes.

Afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the restaurant or why not collect from the bakery in Merryland and indulge at home.

01480 465339 or visit www.diritasitalian.com and also find them on Facebook

PEACOCKS TEA ROOMS – ELY

Peacocks in Ely is an award-winning tea room, a family run business set up in 2004 and located in a beautiful setting overlooking the river.

It has a wonderful homely feel and with good reason as the owners started serving teas from one room in their house and it has slowly expanded into the kitchen, hall and now has seating in the front garden.

It’s been voted one of the top tearooms in England and boasts the widest choice of teas from all over the world, so you can find the perfect cup of tea.

Homemade lunches as well gorgeous cakes and set teas are on the menu and a friendly welcome is guaranteed.

01353 661100 or visit them on peacockstearoom.co.uk and also find them on Facebook

CREAM OF TEAS – AT HOME

Why not let the tea come to you?! All brought to your home, office or wherever you choose, set up and served on beautiful vintage crockery and then cleared away when you’ve finished.

Cream of Teas can provide you with it all, the cakes are all homemade and if you are celebrating a special occasion, they can even make your celebration cake as well.

So for a gathering of friends and family or even a corporate event, this is a perfect traditional Afternoon Tea.

07712 894364 or visit creamofteas.co.uk and also find them on Facebook