Afternoon Tea is a meal that evolved into the light snack that we know today with the introduction of tea to the royal court by King Charles the second’s wife in the 1600’s. By the 1740’s it had become the fashionable breakfast drink and in the mid 1840’s Anna Maria Russell, the Duchess of Bedford famously claimed to be the creator of the afternoon tea when visiting the 5th Duke of Rutland at Belvoir Castle. By this time in the 19th century, the usual time for the evening meal was between 7.00 and 8.30pm. A light meal called luncheon had been created to satisfy the midday hunger between breakfast and dinner, but the long time between these meals left the Duchess feeling hungry around 4.00pm. During her stay with the Duke of Rutland, she asked that a tray of tea, bread and butter and cake be brought to her room during the late afternoon and she found this to be such a perfect refreshment that she soon began inviting her friends to join her in her rooms at Woburn Abbey her home, to discuss news and stories over tea and light refreshments, and gradually afternoon tea became an established and fashionable meal in many middle and upper class households.
Typically taken between 4.00pm and 6.00pm, the ingredients of a traditional afternoon tea comprise of a pot of loose leaf tea (naturally) together with small, dainty sandwiches; typical fillings are cucumber, egg and cress, fish paste, ham and smoked salmon, followed by cakes and pastries which are usually served on a tiered stand. A pot of hot water is usually provided to dilute over-brewed tea if necessary.
There are certain rules of etiquette for an authentic afternoon tea, the person nearest the pot should pour for everyone. The tea is poured first, this was a way to test the quality of the china being used, lower quality china would be cracked by hot tea. The pouring of the tea is followed by adding sugar and then the milk or lemon is added to the cup. The lemon is served in thin slices on a tea plate and if required should be added using a small fork.
A traditional afternoon tea party is all about relaxing with friends and family much like Anna the Duchess of Bedford did all those years ago. So when hiring one of our houses for a get-together, as well as those hearty breakfasts and lavish evening meals for everyone, why not take the time to have a traditional afternoon tea, we can organize specialist catering so all you have to do is gather round and pour the tea.
We know the world cup is taking place in Brazil this year and it’s a major event for football fans, but the summer of 2014 is going to be packed full of sporting events in the UK.
The first stage, or Grand Depart, of the The Tour de France, the world’s greatest cycle race, starts in Yorkshire on 5th July. On 7 July, Stage 3 will take riders from Cambridge to Essex with a finish on The Mall in London.
From 23rd July to 3rd August Glasgow will be welcoming athletes from all around the world who will be taking part in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Wimbledon, the world’s most famous tennis tournament, starts on 23rd June and for two weeks of glorious sunshine (we hope!!) and strawberries and cream, tennis fans will be watching Andy Murray to see if he can retain his title.
And there is a host of Society sporting events like rowing – the Henley Regatta, horse racing – Ascot and Polo which Princes William and Harry are known to enjoy.
Summer in the UK is also a great time for a large group holiday or family reunion and we have the houses to rent to accommodate lots of people. Some of them have their own tennis courts, so you can host your own tennis tournament and play like the best of them. And with lots of our properties situated in Gloucestershire they make the perfect base for a group outing to watch the Beaufort Polo Club’s Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, 21st and 22nd June. In 2013 the Beaufort Polo Club team included Prince Harry. World-class polo, teamed with fantastic entertainment and a tented shopping village, would make a sociable fun day for the whole group.
One of our properties even has its own polo court and offers learn to play polo packages for complete beginners/non riders. Let’s hope for a summer of sunshine with no rain – absolutely none- and lots of luck to all the UK competitors, especially Andy!
This new addition to the Party Manors portfolio is one of the finest places in England to consider for an exclusive use event. Enjoy a slice of English country life and be transported back to the elegance of days gone by with outstanding service and the finest cuisine. Make it your own country home for the sole enjoyment of you and your friends or colleagues, perhaps for a wedding, a special anniversary or birthday party, a visit to England, or for a corporate meeting or team-building day.
With a swimming pool, tennis court, indoor sports hall and 30 acres of grounds there is plenty of entertainment for everyone. This house can accommodate up to 31 guests and lends itself perfectly to high profile celebrations and events, tucked away from public view, offering a highly secure environment, with friendly yet discrete hospitality.
The Easter holiday is a perfect time to gather friends and family to celebrate together. Party Manors’ houses to rent for parties are great places to host an Easter gathering and they all have extensive gardens that are ideal for an Easter Egg Hunt for children of all ages. Plenty of our properties still have availability for the Easter weekend, so it’s not too late to organise an Easter break for a large group of people.
