06 Aug 2019
Tags: UK, Afternoon Tea, travel, Oxfordshire
“Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”
Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week, 12 – 18 August, at Blenheim Palace and enjoy the limited-edition William Curley Afternoon Tea. Afternoon tea bookings at The Orangery also allows guests access to the stunning parkland of Blenheim Palace. Tickets to the Palace, Park and Gardens can be purchased online or at the entrance gates.
This summer visitors can experience a bespoke, classically-inspired Afternoon Tea created by the world-renowned chocolatier and pâtissier William Curley - winner of the Academy of Chocolate “Britain's Best Chocolatier” and Pastry Chef of the Year.
Available for a limited time only enjoy treats such as Pistachio and Raspberry Financier, Sacher, which is a tempting dessert made with layers of sponge with orange ganache, orange jelly and Amedei dark chocolate mousse as well as favourites such as Black Forest Tart and Macarons.
Taken in the stunning Orangery Restaurant overlooking the 12th Duke of Marlborough's Italian Garden, this is the perfect place to echo the Duchess of Bedford's famous creation in opulent surroundings.
For those looking to experience Afternoon Tea Week with a more savoury palette discover the new Blenheim High Tea. Unlike Afternoon Tea, high tea wasn't seen as a luxury, but as an early evening meal eaten to regain one's strength. Instead of light snacks high tea would usually involve tea, bread, savoury snacks and, occasionally, meat. The latest addition to The Orangery's afternoon menu includes options such as Blenheim Welsh rarebit, Eggs Royale, Eggs Benedict or Florentine.
Visitors will sample delicious, locally sourced food and drink, including Jeeves and Jericho Teasmith of Oxford pots of tea, all prepared by Head Chef Billy Bush in the Palace kitchens.
Each Afternoon Tea includes freshly made traditional sandwiches with seasonal inclusions, a selection of home-made cakes, scones and delicacies. Each tea is also accompanied by still or sparkling Blenheim water for a refreshing taste which couldn't be found closer to the source. This year a highlight is the Smoked Salmon, a signature Searcy's ingredient which is caught and smoked at a family-run smokehouse on the edge of Aberdeen Harbour.
After Afternoon Tea explore inside the Palace with a tour of the Duke of Marlborough's Private Apartments (additional charges apply) or discover the 'Capability' Brown landscaped Parkland in one of the many walks available for visitors to download.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 709548
Notes to editors:
Afternoon Tea served
Monday - Friday 12.00 - 17.00 (last orders at 16.30)
Saturday and Sunday 14.00 - 17.00 (last orders at 16.30)
Afternoon tea was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in the year 1840.
Tea consumption increased dramatically during the early nineteenth century and it is around this time that Anna is said to have complained of "having that sinking feeling" during the late afternoon. At the time it was usual for people to take only two main meals a day, breakfast, and dinner at around 8 o'clock in the evening. The solution for the Duchess was a pot a tea and a light snack, taken privately in her boudoir during the afternoon.
Later friends were invited to join her in her rooms at Woburn Abbey and this summer practice proved so popular that the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for "tea and a walking the fields." Other social hostesses quickly picked up on the idea and the practice became respectable enough to move it into the drawing room. Before long all of fashionable society was sipping tea and nibbling sandwiches in the middle of the afternoon.
