Tea Time in England, Descriptions and Definitions

Tea Time is a ritual with the English and is greatly anticipated by visitors to England. There is some specific information one needs before undertaking this exciting adventure. Here we will describe High Tea, Cream Tea, and Afternoon Tea, as well as the food items served at each tea. A number of places will be identified where one may take tea also.

High Tea

The High Tea as described by some of the London hotels is a bit of a misnomer. Their offering consists of tea with a number of appetizers such as sweets and small sandwiches including the famous cucumber sandwiches and various meat sandwiches. Actually, this is the Afternoon Tea. According to some historians, it has been called High Tea because it came at the end of the workday for the working class-the same time that the upper classes were having their High or evening tea. The working classes had whatever was available for the evening meal in terms of meets, pastries, etc.

Afternoon Tea

This is the tea you will be served at the Ritz, Browns Hotel, Fortnum and Masons' St. James Tearoom and similar places in London. The self caterer can enjoy wonderful teas in many towns and cites across England if not visiting London. You have a choice of a variety of teas served with accompaniments such as slices of bread and butter, cucumber sandwiches, salmon sandwiches, other meat sandwiches, cakes, pastries, scones with cream, and a Victoria sponge cake.

Bye the bye, here is a comparison of the approximate cost of tea some London establishments: The Ritz - 34.00 GBP per person;Fortnum and Masons' St. James Tearoom - 18.00 to 22.00 GBP per person; Brown's Hotel - 28.00 GBP per person. You will find that prices vary across the country.

Cream Tea

Cream Tea (a favorite) is served with freshly baked fruit scones, clotted cream, butter and strawberry jam and a large pot of tea.The clotted tea is for eating with the scone. It is heavy enough to spread like butter. Our most delicious Cream Team was taken at a tearoom in a park on the outskirts of the enchanting village of Burly. "Enchanting" is used advisedly since Burly is known as the center of witchcraft.

There are variations in the tea service across the country, here are some examples you may encounter. Cream Tea - Tea, scones, jam and cream Light Tea - Tea, scones and sweets Full Tea - Tea, scones, sweets, savories, and dessert

Savories are tiny sandwiches or appetizers. Pastries are cakes, cookies, shortbread, and sweets.

The typical tea room serves tea from three until five in the afternoon.

If you are in Yorkshire, visit Betty's Cafe Tea Room in York. There is also a Little Betty's near York Minster. You will find Betty's Cafe Tea Rooms in Harrogate and Northallerton as well.

Should you have the expensive afternoon tea at the Ritz? It is not just for tourists. Citizens of all walks of life in England as well as tourists take tea there. We saw a three generations of a family obviously from rural England enjoying Tea at the Ritz.

ENJOY!!!