Fancy afternoon tea?

The annual Afternoon Tea Week is a celebration of one of Britain’s favourite traditions and this year it takes place between August 10 to 16.

As a nation famous for our tea drinking it is only appropriate that we have a yearly celebration, after all tea drinking is arguably our country’s biggest ritual. 

Introduced in Britain in the early 1840s afternoon tea started off as a mini-meal used to curb people’s hunger before their evening meal at 8pm. 

The delightful affair usually comprises delicate finger sized sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries and cakes. 

Afternoon tea can be enjoyed almost anywhere including at home or in the park. However, the most splendid way to enjoy this British tradition is whilst being waited on in a hotel or tea room.

No matter your budget or taste, there is guaranteed to be an afternoon tea venue on this list to suit your preferences.

Halladays Tea Rooms

Daily Echo:

Halladays Tea Rooms serves afternoon teas from Wednesday to Sunday and open from 9.30am to 3.30pm. 

The afternoon teas cost £15 per person and are completely customisable to each customer, they include: sandwiches, scones, cakes, jam and cream served with tea or coffee.  

Owner, Jade Halladay said: "I like to put a lot of effort and love in to my afternoon teas, they're a bit different and very special."

Kettle and Cake

Daily Echo:

This family run tea room is located in Hedge End and serves homemade cakes, freshly prepared sandwiches, cream teas and afternoon tea.

Owner of Kettle and Cake, Pat Ramsey, said: "Our afternoon teas are loved by the community because it's all fresh to order. 

My wife makes all the cakes and we make everything from scratch on the premesis."

The afternoon teas cost £15 per head and can be tailored to suit all dietary requirements. Included in the teas: a choice of sandwiches, selection of cakes, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, served with tea and coffee. 

The tea rooms are also taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme and are offering 50% off Monday to Wednesday throughout August.

Harbour Hotel 

If you don't mind forking out £19.95 then the high tea includes: freshly-baked scones with jam and clotted cream, cakes, finger sandwiches and tea or coffee.

They also offer a ‘Tea for kids’, a smaller version of the traditional tea.

The spoiling nature of afternoon tea is epitomised at the Harbour Hotel where afternoon tea is served daily in the HarBar from 3pm to 5pm. 

Did we miss your favourite place off the list? Let us know about it in the comments.