Photo by Sebastian Coman Photography on Unsplash
Afternoon Tea Week returns from 10 -16 August 2026, giving us a very good reason to bring out the cake stand, warm the scones and argue about whether the jam or cream goes on first.
The celebration was founded by Keith Newton, creator of AfternoonTea.co.uk, to champion Britain’s tea rooms, hotels and restaurants. It has since become an annual opportunity to enjoy one of the country’s best-loved traditions, either at a local venue or around your own kitchen table.
Afternoon tea itself dates back much further. Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, is generally credited with popularising it during the 1840s. Dinner was served late in fashionable households, leaving the Duchess with what she described as a “sinking feeling” during the afternoon. Her solution was tea accompanied by bread, butter and cake. Friends soon joined her and a British institution was born.
How to celebrate at home
You don’t need silver teapots, fine china, or a three-tier stand. A pot of tea, a plate of sandwiches and something sweet will do nicely.
For the savoury layer, make finger sandwiches with cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise or ham and mustard. Remove the crusts and cut them into neat fingers. It somehow makes them taste more expensive!
Homemade scones are easier than you might think too. Simply rub 50g of butter into 225g of self-raising flour, stir in 25g of sugar and gradually add around 150ml of milk.
Cut out the scones and bake at 220°C for 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm with jam and clotted cream, in whichever order keeps the peace.
Finish with miniature Victoria sponges. Sandwich small rounds of sponge cake with strawberry jam and buttercream, then dust them with icing sugar. Lemon drizzle squares, chocolate-dipped strawberries and bite-sized Bakewell tarts are equally welcome.
You could also give your afternoon tea a theme. Try a children’s teddy bear tea, a garden party, a vintage spread using mismatched china or a savoury version with sausage rolls and miniature quiches.
Of course, you can skip the washing-up altogether and book a table locally, take a look at Afternoon Tea’s website to find a venue near you.
