04/16/2026
In addressing this controversial question…
Afternoon tea is not the same as High tea.
High tea was what servants of a large house ate downstairs at around 6pm, after the aristocrats upstairs had been given their afternoon tea.
On the servants menu were things like large joints of meat (often a roasted ham), slices of thick bread, potted shrimps, a big cake to share, and ale. Tea replaced ale when it became affordable for ordinary people.
It was eaten at a proper table, rather than a lower, coffee table, and so it became known in the servants’ hall as ‘high tea.’
High tea is still observed in some institutions, more typically in nurseries, boarding schools, private nursing homes and gentleman’s clubs. It has otherwise lost the ‘High’ and ‘tea’ is widely used as a colloquial term for dinner.
Afternoon tea is typically served between 12 and 4pm. The upper class Victorians who invented the rules of this ceremony ate dinner after 8pm. Made up of several courses, it finished late into the night.
Afternoon tea consists of tea served with three courses, also eaten in the order of: i) sandwiches (which may include the addition of bite size savouries) ii) scones and iii) sweets (cakes and small individual desserts).
When served with champagne, it is called a Royal Afternoon tea.
Cream tea is tea served with scones only. Scones are traditionally offered as plain or fruit and served with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
However, having said all this, some hotels in London will capitalise on tourist trade. Serving Afternoon tea from as early as 10.30am until 7pm at night. Even adopting the name High tea in their promotions.
There is a foreign notion which assumes ‘High tea’ is synonymous with ‘High society.’
Whilst nothing to lose sleep about, I hope you agree that it’s helpful to explain the history behind traditional practises.
Sending hugs ❤️ Claire
