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Food & Drink:
Afternoon tea week
13th August 2025
“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” - spoken by American author Henry James who spent most of his writing life in England, and we couldn’t agree more! This National Afternoon Tea week, we’re celebrating this truly tasty tradition and embracing every part of the tower of treats that many love to indulge in.
The origin of afternoon tea
Back in the 1840s, Anna Maria, 7th Duchess of Bedford is said to be credited with creating the idea of tea and a light snack taken during the afternoon, to tide her over until dinner. What started as an afternoon bite eaten in her boudoir, eventually turned into inviting friends to Woburn Abbey to join her in what became a fashionable affair in high society.
And now the tower of finger sandwiches, scones and cakes has become a British staple. But there’s one question still widely debated and a conundrum for many across the UK – cream or jam first? The Devon tradition calls for cream first, whereas the Cornish prefer a dollop of jam before topping with the clotted cream.
“For me, I like to put jam on first so definitely agree with how the Cornish do it!” says our development chef Nick. “If you put the cream first, it seems more difficult for the jam to stick!”.
Whatever way you choose, there’s plenty of each for you to top your freshly baked scones when enjoying this afternoon ritual at one of our hotels.
The Warner Hotels afternoon tea experience
We take afternoon tea seriously, offering three tiers of deliciously decadent treats for you to savour and enjoy. Our classic collection of sandwiches include the classic fillings such as egg mayonnaise and cheese with chutney, as well as flavourful chicken and tarragon and roast beef and horseradish.
After savoury must come sweet, and we serve up warm scones – plain and sultana- with plenty of jam and clotted cream. For an extra touch of sophisticated sweetness, our selection of carrot cake, chocolate tart and assorted macarons are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Our development chef Nick says you don’t want to miss the macarons. “They’re so light and airy but still full of delicate flavour. They taste amazing!”.
Served with a selection of speciality teas, you can sip away an afternoon in one of our cosy lounges or picturesque terraces – or make it feel extra special and toast to the good times with a glass of fizz!
Available during your stay, or just for the day
It couldn’t be easier to indulge while you stay with us. Simply log into My Warner Stay and book a time that suits and get ready for a table filled with finger sandwiches, scones and delicate sweet treats. It’s the perfect pause between breakfast and dinner (both included in your break) and is served in gorgeous surrounds across our 16 picturesque locations.
And if you can’t make it for a break, just because you’re not checking in, it doesn’t mean you can’t check out the charm of an afternoon tea at Warner Hotels. Join us for the day and try the timeless tradition for yourself, all served with a selection of delightful teas (or perhaps a glass of bubbly if you’re feeling celebratory!).
Tips from our chefs: Make your own scones at home
Fancy baking your own treats at home? Scones are a teatime staple and surprisingly easy to make. Made up of flour, butter, sugar and milk, you can add a variety of flavours and ingredients to suit your tastes.
"My advice for the best scone is to not overwork the dough otherwise it’ll be too tough.” Nick advises. Here are his top tips for creating your own:
- Cold butter: For a better rise, use cold butter – or even frozen!
- Cool equipment: Keep your mixing bowl and cutter cold as well
- Try something different: Don’t be afraid to try something besides the usual plain or fruit. Love savoury? Add some cheddar cheese and chives or swap sultanas for cherries or chocolate chunks
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