DINING
The tradition of Afternoon Tea was invented by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford (1783-1857), one of HM Queen Victoria's ladies in waiting.
In her day the upper crust ate a huge breakfast, little lunch and a very late dinner. Every afternoon, the Duchess experienced a "sinking feeling". One afternoon, she instructed her servants to serve tea and little cakes in her boudoir. The experience was so delightful that Anna repeated it every afternoon thereafter.
Soon other followed the Duchess' lead and in just a few decades the custom of "taking tea" in the afternoon became well-established. At first the practice was limited to the upper class, but it became so popular that teashops and tearooms began opening for the enjoyment of the general public.
Afternoon Tea at Middlethorpe is a long-lasting tradition enhanced by a local luxury connection with the old established family tea merchants "Taylors of Harrogate".
Each afternoon, between 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock this English ceremony takes place in the 18th Century Drawing room, in front of the fire place or facing the south lawn.
A pot of Taylors of Harrogate leaf tea:
Darjeeling (Margaret's Hope Estate)
South African Kwazulu
Pure Assam
Tippy Assam (Harmutty Estate)
Pure Ceylon
Earl Grey
Jasmine
Lapsang-Souchong
China Rose Petal
English Breakfast
Decafeinated or leaf herbal teas (Camomile or Peppermint)
(on white or brown bread) to include:
Cucumber
Smoked Salmon
Tomato
Egg mayonnaise
Home-made scones w/ clotted cream and strawberry preserve
A selection of home-made biscuits, pastries and rich fruit cake
£14.50 per person
£21.50 per person with a glass of Champagne
