Afternoon Tea

Host a vintage style afternoon tea for a touch of tasty whimsical charm.

Readings of the leaves is recommended but not compulsory!

Setting the Scene

Explore the indulgent ritual of the tea ceremony out in nature.

Our menu of culinary delights will ensure that no one leaves hungry.

Create a personalised scene either boho, Victorian or Mad Hatter, or let us save you the bother and provide our standard setting.

Combine with a reading of the leaves for some mystical allure.

The Menu

Savoury options

  • Mini bagels with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and dill.

  • Pastrami brioche.

  • Club sandwich.

  • Wild mushroom and parmesan vol-au vent.

  • Cheese rosemary & parmesan scone.

  • Caramelised onion & goats cheese tart.

Sweet options

  • Scone; fruit

  • Tart (treacle)

  • Mini choux bun

  • Chocolate & raspberry torte

  • Macarons (any flavour)

  • Jammie dodger biscuit

  • Mini dessert lemon posset

Tea Menu

  • A relaxing blend of assam and Ceylon teas. The story goes that the Seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna, first had the idea in 1840 for what was to become afternoon tea when, tired from the weariness of the afternoon, asked her servants to prepare her some tea and something sweet to eat with it (The Ceylon adding a slight sweetness to the cup).

  • A blend of Indian, African and Ceylon teas. Slightly Stronger than English Breakfast. Perfect for hardwater.

  • Earl Grey with extra zest!! A traditional earl grey blended with lemon and orange with added pieces of citrus peel. Normally served without milk, and a slice of lemon.

  • Our Traditional Earl grey with bergamot oils blended with blue cornflowers, added for their relaxing properties. Also available as decaf earl grey blue lady.

  • A rare example of a Sri Lankan white tea, Ceylon Silver Tips is a luxurious infusion: light-golden, low in caffeine and delicately redolent of pine and honey.

  • Produced from a South African shrub. High in vitamin C, rich in antioxidants and completely caffeine free. Can drink with or without milk.

  • Tippery Golden Fancy Orange Pekoe, a reference to the whole leaf tea with a certain amount of buds present. A light Delicate flavour often described as the ‘champagnes of tea’.

  • Japanese green tea. Traditionally drunk after a meal to aid digestion. It is a light and refreshing green tea with a mild sweetness A top grade green tea.

  • A whole headed camomile flower. The infusion produces a light liquor. Known for its relaxing/sleep aid benefits. Research also suggests it helps reduce inflammation, slows osteoporosis and can help with menstrual cramp pains. Caffeine free.

  • Red bush flavoured with grenadine and apricot flavours. A good night time brew.

  • Drunk without milk. It is a pale yellow liquor produced from a long thin bud with a sweet taste. Very high in antioxidants.

Coffees

  • City of Norwich Blend

    A unique blend of four different coffee beans, which results in a medium strength coffee. Perfect for a cafetiere.

  • Arona Valley Blend

    An Organic coffee from Papua New Guinea produced on small native farms. Full Body dark roasted bean with low levels of acidity.

  • Decaf Water Processed

    Decaffeinated using the Swiss water process, available in both a medium and a dark roast. The Dark roast offers a strong bodied low acidic cup, which we find most popular among hoteliers.

The details

  • Can be provided by Donna with an option for lessons in reading the leaves.

  • We are partnered with boutique bakery, Dotties Delights based in Gorleston-on-sea.

  • Our fabulous teas & speciality coffees are supplied by The Tea Junction in Norwich.

  • Maybe you want to get creative and bring your own props. If not, we’ve got it covered and will refer you to our fabulous Suffolk based furniture and prop partners.

  • No tea party is complete without a vintage tea set. Our is a Royal Albert Old Roses. The white tea cups are perfect for leaf reading!

“The ‘art’ of tea is a spiritual force for us to share.”

— Alexandra Stoddard

To discuss your tea party!

A little bit of History

The afternoon tea, dating back to Victorian society, became a widespread practice in British culture. This era was also marked by a fascination of the occult and tea leaf reading as a form of divination.

Both were practiced initially in parlours of the aristocracy and although the custom spread beyond it is due to this, that the ceremonial practice is today regarded as a treat held for special occasions.

The association of these readings with Romani people, is somewhat a stereotypical portrayal born from a prejudice from wider society to their lifestyle.

Non-the-less the idea of the Romani fortune teller conjures up an enchanting notion of their nomadic lifestyle and deep connection to nature and spirituality.