“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

Henry James

Afternoon tea, that most quintessential of English customs is, perhaps surprisingly, a relatively new tradition. Whilst the custom of drinking tea dates back to the third millennium BC in China and was popularised in England during the 1660s by King Charles II and his wife the Portuguese Infant Catherine de Braganza, it was not until the mid-17th century that the concept of ‘afternoon tea’ first appeared.

Afternoon tea was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in the year 1840. The Duchess would become hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon. The evening meal in her household was served fashionably late at eight o’clock, thus leaving a long period of time between lunch and dinner. The Duchess asked that a tray of tea, bread and butter (some time earlier, the Earl of Sandwich had had the idea of putting a filling between two slices of bread) and cake be brought to her room during the late afternoon. This became a habit of hers and she began inviting friends to join her.

This pause for tea became a fashionable social event. During the 1880’s upper-class and society women would change into long gowns, gloves and hats for their afternoon tea which was usually served in the drawing room between four and five o’clock.

Afternoon Tea at Legacy Hotels

Treat yourself to a scrumptious homemade Afternoon Tea in one of our hotels with wonderful surroundings and soak up the ambience (and a perhaps some sunshine). This traditional English occasion is the ideal way to entertain close friends, relatives or colleagues.

To see the hotels menu’s please follow the below links.

Best Western Chilworth Manor – Southampton

Rose and Crown – Salisbury

Hotel Victoria – Newquay

Best Western Angel – Chippenham

Wychwood Park – Crewe

New Place – Southampton

Hilton Garden Inn – Sunderland

Castle Green – Kendal

Crabwall Manor – Chester

Rose & Crown Hotel is an original 13th Century coaching inn located in the City of Salisbury on the banks of the River Avon, with stunning views of picturesque meadows & Salisbury Cathedral. Only a 5 minute walk into the city of Salisbury, or a short drive to the world famous Stonehenge. Try out our new Luxury Suites for the ultimate relaxing Break away!

New Place is a stunning hotel and conference venue in Southampton, Hampshire
Ornate wrought-iron gates welcome you to a charming Southampton venue ideally suited for meetings, events, weddings, and leisure breaks. New Place, Southampton seamlessly blends traditional and modern spaces over 32 acres of landscaped gardens, including our Grade I listed manor house which houses a restaurant, a bar and meeting rooms.

A contemporary Hotel with Golf Club in Crewe

Set in the beautiful Cheshire countryside and surrounded by landscaped gardens, Wychwood Park is a stylish and modern conference venue and hotel. Located close to the town of Crewe—with easy access to Junction 16 of the M6, and Crewe train station with its direct rail links to Manchester, Birmingham and London—the hotel is ideally placed for all types of events and leisure breaks.

The Best Western Plus Angel Hotel is a delightful 17th Century coaching inn set in the market town of Chippenham.
In fact, it overlooks the marketplace itself, giving guests convenience and character in abundance! Dating back to 1751, the hotel building has been refurbished to offer modern, contemporary style bedrooms.

Ideally situated in the heart of Hampshire our Edwardian Manor House Hotel in Southampton offers charming accommodation and a state-of-the-art health club and spa which makes Chilworth Manor Hotel an ideal location when visiting Southampton.

Castle Green Hotel opened in December 1997 but the building itself dates back to 1847, when Thompson Bindloss, a Kendal Ironmonger bought the site for £3450. He built the house which today forms the Business and Training Centre and the executive bedrooms. He left the house to his nephew, William Bindloss, who was Kendal’s Mayor six times. When William died, he donated the house to the Borough of Kendal in his will in 1895. The house was sold and the proceeds were used to extend the Town Hall and to build the clock tower, which is a feature of Kendal today.

Crabwall Manor Hotel & Spa is an historic 17^th Century manor house just a short drive from Chester city centre.  Following a multimillion-pound refurbishment the hotel now boasts a beautiful selection of elegant rooms as well as a spa and indoor swimming pool.

Hotel Victoria sits on the cliffs above the golden sands of Great Western Beach with stunning sea views. Newquay is a fantastic choice for a short break, or a family holiday.
Experiencing Cornwall is all about catching a wave and letting go. Relaxing, playing, sunbathing, exploring and discovering why Cornwall is the UK’s favourite holiday destination.
Our amazing special offers means there has never been a better time to visit Hotel Victoria and our mild climate allows for year round breaks.

Ideally located close to Preston City Centre, there is a wealth of tourist attractions right on the doorstep. Preston is home to Preston North End Football Club.
The Riversway Marina offers a new contemporary development, with Beacon Fell Country Park providing an ideal contrast to the city.