The 14th - 20th August 2017 marks one of our favourite occasions: Afternoon Tea Week! From a cheeky home-made cream tea in the garden to a full three-tiered hotel experience, there's something so wonderfully indulgent about sitting down in the afternoon for a pot of tea and some sweet and savoury treats.

The British concept of afternoon tea was created by the Duchess of Bedford in the 1840s to fill the gap between breakfast and dinner which were typically the only main meals to be eaten throughout the day. Friends were invited and soon the idea spread throughout Britain's fashionable society.

For a completely classic afternoon tea, start with a selection of delicate finger sandwiches - classic fillings include cucumber, roast beef and horseradish, ham and mustard, and smoked salmon and cream cheese. With the freshly brewed tea flowing, it'll then be time to move on to freshly baked scones with lashings of strawberry jam and clotted cream. Finally, afternoon tea is best rounded off with a selection of small cakes and patisserie. What could be more perfect?

If you're looking to host your own afternoon tea, have a look at our range of pretty tea cups which will be the ideal accompaniment for a refined dining experience!