What is Afternoon Tea Week?

Afternoon Tea Week is an annual celebration of the quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea. Organised by AfternoonTea.co.uk, the UK’s leading afternoon tea booking and review platform, the week encourages people across the country to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with friends, family, or colleagues. During the week, hundreds of venues across the UK offer exclusive discounts, special menus, and themed events to mark the occasion.

When is Afternoon Tea Week?

Afternoon Tea Week takes place during the second full week of August each year. In 2026, it runs from Monday 10 August to Sunday 16 August.

Why Afternoon Tea Week Matters

Afternoon tea is far more than just a meal — it is a cherished social ritual that has been part of British culture for nearly two centuries. In a world that often moves at breakneck speed, the tradition of afternoon tea encourages people to slow down, savour good food and drink, and enjoy meaningful conversation with the people around them.

The afternoon tea industry is also a significant contributor to the UK hospitality sector. Hotels, tea rooms, restaurants, and cafes across the country offer afternoon tea as a premium experience, generating substantial revenue and employment. Afternoon Tea Week provides a valuable promotional opportunity for these venues, driving bookings and attracting new customers during what might otherwise be a quieter period in the summer calendar.

The week also celebrates the diversity and creativity of modern afternoon tea. While the traditional format of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and an assortment of cakes and pastries remains beloved, many venues now offer innovative variations including themed afternoon teas, plant-based options, and experiences featuring champagne, gin, or cocktails.

What to Expect at Afternoon Tea

A traditional British afternoon tea typically includes:

• Tea — A selection of loose-leaf teas, often including classic choices such as Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Darjeeling, and Assam, alongside herbal and fruit infusions.
• Finger sandwiches — Delicate, crustless sandwiches with classic fillings such as cucumber, smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise, and coronation chicken.
• Scones — Freshly baked plain and fruit scones served with clotted cream and preserves. The eternal debate over whether to apply cream or jam first (the Devon versus Cornwall method) is part of the tradition’s enduring charm.
• Cakes and pastries — An assortment of sweet treats, which may include miniature cakes, tarts, macarons, eclairs, and other patisserie.

How to Get Involved

• Book an afternoon tea — Visit AfternoonTea.co.uk to browse and book from over 700 venues across the UK and Ireland, many of which offer special deals and menus during Afternoon Tea Week.
• Host your own — You do not need to visit a fancy hotel to enjoy afternoon tea. Put the kettle on, bake some scones, prepare a selection of sandwiches and cakes, and invite friends or family to join you at home.
• Try something new — Use Afternoon Tea Week as an excuse to try a themed or unusual afternoon tea experience, such as a gin afternoon tea, a vegan afternoon tea, or one inspired by a particular era or cultural theme.
• Share on social media — Post photos of your afternoon tea experience using the hashtag #AfternoonTeaWeek to join the nationwide celebration and share recommendations with others.
• Support local venues — Seek out independent tea rooms and cafes in your area that offer afternoon tea. Your custom during Afternoon Tea Week can make a real difference to small businesses.

History of Afternoon Tea Week

The tradition of afternoon tea is widely credited to Anna Maria Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, who is said to have introduced the custom in the early 1840s. At the time, it was common to eat only two main meals a day — breakfast and a late dinner at around eight in the evening. The Duchess reportedly experienced a “sinking feeling” during the long afternoon gap and began requesting a tray of tea, bread and butter, and cake be brought to her room in the late afternoon. She soon began inviting friends to join her, and the practice quickly became fashionable among the upper classes.

By the mid-Victorian era, afternoon tea had become an established social event, with dedicated tea gowns, fine china, and elaborate table settings. Tea rooms began to open across Britain, and afternoon tea became one of the few social occasions where women could meet in public without a male chaperone.

Afternoon Tea Week itself was founded by Keith Newton, the creator of AfternoonTea.co.uk. Newton launched the website in 2002 as a hobby, sharing details of the best afternoon tea experiences across the UK. After the site was featured on BBC Radio 2, its popularity soared, and Newton turned it into a thriving business. The increasing demand led him to establish Afternoon Tea Week as a dedicated celebration, providing a focal point for venues and tea lovers alike to share their passion for this quintessentially British tradition.

Hashtags: #AfternoonTeaWeek #AfternoonTea #TeaTime

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