Decorated in signature Laura Ashley style we endeavour to create a unique and memorable experience for our guests. With a choice of charming Tea Rooms, join us for Afternoon Tea and enjoy timeless tradition with our delightful selection of sandwiches, scones, homemade cakes and world teas.

A quintessentially British treat for special occasions and more.

Afternoon tea was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in the year 1840. The Duchess would become hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon. The evening meal in her household was served fashionably late at eight o’clock, thus leaving a long period of time between lunch and dinner. The Duchess asked that a tray of tea, bread and butter and cake be brought to her room during the late afternoon. This became a habit of hers and she began inviting friends to join her.

This pause for tea became a fashionable social event. During the 1880’s upper-class and society women would change into long gowns, gloves and hats for their afternoon tea which was usually served in the drawing room between four and five o’clock.