Afternoon tea is a quintessentially English tradition and who can resist exquisitely delicious cakes, scones, meringues and finger sandwiches stacked high on a tiered stand. What a great British way to celebrate the Queen’s official 90th birthday and to entertain friends on a sunny summer afternoon.
How to Serve Afternoon Tea
The Glasshouse Café’s Guide to the perfect Summer Afternoon Tea
1. Time for Tea
It’s all about the tea – take time to make a proper pot of tea with leaves, Assam or Ceylon by choice, and let it infuse for three to five minutes. Always offer a green tea as an alternative.
Boscombe Bistro café set
Enjoy your carefully made cup of tea on this Provence Bistro wrought-iron garden table with French-style chairs. Just perfect for afternoon tea, or coffee and a chat with a friend in the sun. The dark granite tabletop stays cool on a hot summer day. And it will look just as good in your conservatory or garden room.
2. A Cut Above
On to the sandwiches – try using different breads, thinly-sliced, mixing colours and shapes and fill miniature bread rolls. Don’t forget the cucumber sandwiches!
Avalon wirework conservatory table and chairs
Cucumber sandwiches will not look out of place on the Avalon Wirework garden room furniture. Much-loved by the Victorians — they traditionally used wirework for decorative furniture in the conservatory — and, although it looks delicate, it is extremely strong. This Avalon Wirework is made from steel wire on a steel frame with a painted ivory finish.
3. A Slice of Perfection
Cut cakes with small fancy cutters and fill mini tart cases with fresh summer berries, or homemade jam and whipped cream. Mini cupcakes are a small piece of heaven and the tiny cupcake cases make excellent containers for miniature meringues.
French-style café set
If you are serving petits fours, they will look completely at home on this charming French-style café set. It is the traditional street café furniture of France, at an exceptionally good price – only £120. There are three contemporary colours to choose from - gooseberry, shutter blue and clay. (All the pieces fold for winter storage.)
4. The Cornish Tradition
An afternoon tea would not be complete without scones, topped with jam and clotted cream. Offer the smallest size of fruit or cherry scones, halved and topped with homemade strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream.
Naples aluminium garden table and chairs
If you do live in Cornwall, or any other seaside location, we would recommend aluminium outdoor furniture, like this Naples and Etna garden set. It is strong and durable and will resist the salty sea air better than anything else. It will keep its good looks and can stay outside all year round – looking lovely in your garden.
5. Tiers of Joy
Don’t forget the correct way of serving afternoon tea — it must be served on a tiered plate stand, and with fine china teacups. Milk in first, or not…? That’s your decision.
Chartwell Café set
A tiered plate stand would sit happily on this pretty café set for two. The Chartwell is made from wrought iron, painted cream. We have a selection of colourful garden seat pads in our showrooms. It folds for winter storage.
Meet your friends at The Glasshouse Café
Afternoon tea at The Glasshouse Café
The Glasshouse Café are justly proud of their scrumptious Afternoon Tea for Two. Served every day from 3pm – 5pm, it is an indulgent experience quite unlike any other. With impeccable service and a fantastic array of choice for tea drinkers, it’s the height of nostalgia. Book your table to celebrate this summer.
Afternoon Tea for Two £16
Afternoon Tea for Four with Bubbles £47 (includes a glass of Prosecco)
Cornish Cream Tea (scones, clotted cream, homemade jam) £4.75
You can always add a glass of Prosecco to any meal in The Glasshouse for just £6.50, so every visit can become a celebration.
