Soak in the stunning surroundings of Belvoir during National Afternoon Tea Week (8-14 August).
Whilst also thrilling in the knowledge that Belvoir Castle are the official birthplace of the afternoon tea tradition!
The tradition takes back to the 19th century. It is said that the visiting Duchess of Bedford decided to wait between lunch and dinner was too long and asked for sandwiches, cakes and tea to be brought to her rooms one afternoon when she and her husband were staying for a hunting weekend.
Delving into the Belvoir Castle archive confirms the likely truth of the account. Archivist Peter Foden said: “We identified just two or three weekends in the early 1840s when the Duke and Duchess of Bedford visited Belvoir together. All the gentlemen were of course out in the field, and so the ladies were left indoors getting bored. At this time, there was no resident Duchess at Belvoir to entertain visiting Duchesses, which makes the guest ordering tea in her room all the more likely.”
Visitors to Belvoir Castle can enjoy afternoon tea in three places on site. There is the Aviary, the Regency-style tearoom, or in the Duchess Parlour in the Engine Yard. Each afternoon tea includes a selection of dainty sandwiches, fruit and plain scones with jam and clotted cream, mini cakes and a pot of tea or coffee.
A Prosecco Afternoon Tea, Vegan and Vegetarian options are also available.
Belvoir Castle’s afternoon tea offer stars from £50 for two people. The ticket also includes access to the Castle’s award-nominated gardens.
To book Afternoon Tea at Belvoir Castle, visit https://www.belvoircastle.com/book-tickets-afternoon-tea/
Enjoyed this post? Read about the Free Entertainment at Belvoir’s Engine Yard This Summer!
