Overview

Taking Afternoon Tea has become a treat we all look forward to, it brings family and friends together, an opportunity to indulge just now and again, it just gives us the change to sit back, relax, and be together. If we can do this at a place of utter delight it remains with us as one of those treats we will never forget, and we recommend you take the opportunity of doing so at COWORTH PARK. So how did it all begin ? Your cup of tea originated in southwestern China and the borders of northern Myanmar. It was first taken as a medical drink, made from the tea plant Camellia Sinensis, and records show it dates back to the 2nd century. It was first known in the western world during the early 16th century through Portuguese priests, but drinking of tea in Britain did not become popular until the 17th century. The first record of tea in England is by a letter written by a Richard Wickham, in 1615, who asked a merchant in Macao to find him the best sort of “chaw” In 1637 a merchant living in Fuji wrote “chaa, which is boiled water with a herb in it (tea). The first person to sell tea in London Thomas Galway, during 1657 was a tobacconist and coffee man, and the first advertisement appeared in 1658. The MARRAIGE of King Charles 11 in 1662 to the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza brought the drinking of tea to the courts. It then began as a popular trade controlled by the British east India company, so that by the very early 1700’s it was being drunk as an all-purpose drink, and by 1750 had become Britains national drink. With the sugar cane trade now in full swing, Britain were drinking “sweet tea”. “Would you like a sandwich with you tea” ? Tea and a “sandwich” became something the British quickly came to love following its introduction in 1762 It is regarded that John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, is the man who invented the humble sandwich, but what was the beginning of this worldwide meal. He was a terrible compulsive gambler, and on one occasion in 1762, while playing cards and not wanting to leave the gambling table, he asked his servant to bring him a serving of roast beef placed between two slices of bread, which he could eat with his hands, and so the sandwich was created. Sandwich is an actual port on the east coast of England, just one of five ports that were grouped together to become known as Cinque ports, (we pronounce these as “sink ports” The five ports being, Sandwich, Romney, Dover, Hythe and Hastings, grouped together by Edward the confessor, to supply the court with ships and men, as recorded in the Doomsday book. They then formed the first ever navy. The ports were given a royal charter which allowed them to be granted to be free from tolls and customs duty, the freedom to trade, and to hold their own judicial courts. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, Sandwich became the most important and main port in England. However, because of the silting that occurred in the river Stour, Sandwich is today actually 2 miles inland. ========================================== Now we ask, what is the history of your afternoon tea ? Anna Maria, the seventh Duchess of Bedford , introduced the idea of afternoon tea in 1840. At this time of history, after breakfast had been taken and lunch served, it was a number of hours before dinner time at around 8.00pm. The Duchess found she became rather Hungry before dinner, so she asked for a tray of tea, bread, butter and a cake be brought to her. During the afternoons, she enjoyed this so much that she made this a regular treat, and even invited her friends to join her in her room to enjoy this unusual snack. Sandwiches were by now a popular stable delight, and so during the late 1800’s the upper class ladies and society women, would wear long gowns, gloves and hats to take what was now known as afternoon tea, which would typically be served between 4.00 and 5.00pm. By the late 1800’s tea had become more affordable, and middle class people also began to enjoy this experience of an afternoon tea, and it spread throughout Britain. They even started to hold orchestral music events in the 1920’s, sometimes holding these in the gardens of the rich. Today, afternoon tea is an event that most people will be enjoying on perhaps a regular occasion, and my wife and I will this year of 2024, be celebrating our 62nd anniversary with an afternoon tea at “The Dorchester Coworth Park hotel” at Ascot. The Dorchester hotel group is one of the worlds most prestigious hotels, the first Dorchester opened on the 18th April 1931, located on Park Lane, London, and began to serve its traditional Afternoon Tea at this time, and has continued to offer this delightful experience at Coworth Park since it opened its doors in September 2010 as a luxury resort The birthplace of Afternoon Tea is recognised as having been introduced at the Five star Langham Hotel, in London. It was europes first “Grand Hotel” when it opened its doors on 10th June 1865, and welcomed the prince of wales and many of the high society of the Victorian era, to take tea in the Palm court. So in what order do we start our own Afternoon Tea ? The first thing we need to do is select the tea that will help us really enjoy the occasion. This is generally made by using the young leaves of a Camellia plant, more than likely it will be a variety of Camellia Sinensis, from east Asia. Today, the choice is ours, tea as it is, or sweetened with sugar or sweeteners. BUT, which tea shall we choose ? You will always be asked first of all which tea you would prefer, then this will be brought to your table, followed by the three tiered platter, called a “curate” This is the exciting time that you have waited for. So what tea goes best with each platter ? THE SANDWICH PLATTER. Indian Assam is a malty black tea, served with or without milk, as this is good with sandwiches and creamy foods. English Breakfast is still many people’s choice, usually this is made from Assam leaves, and can be served with most foods, especially if lemon flavoured cakes are involved. Indian Darjeeling pairs well with sandwiches and cakes, but best drunk without milk. It has a sweet musky taste. This platter is often eaten quickly because we want to move on to the scones, but we do suggest you take your time by sipping your tea nice and slowly, or even having a second cup before the scones. THE SCONE PLATTER ( it’s pronounced as gone) This is the course to finish any sparkling wine you have left over, or to order another glass of dry sparkling wine, as the dryness blends well with the freshly baked scone to come. Lady Grey tea has a light citrus and lavender flavour, and can be taken without milk. The tea has been made with a bergamot oil that enhances the scones to come (gone) Earl Grey has a more robust taste but still reacts well with scones (gone) THE CAKE PLATTER Finally, the rather delicate and lovely cake platter, which is usually the top tier, because these have a more exciting and mouth watering desire and attracts the eye more than the lower tiers. These are naturally sweet and full of sugars, so a tea is required to enhance these flavours. Lady Grey fits the bill, its lavender hints cuts through the sweetness that lies ahead. English breakfast can have the same results, especially if any cake has a lemon flavour. The healthy Green teas have their uses here, all best without milk. You could consider a Chamomile blend, with its floral and apple like hints. Or a Lavender tea. Both these teas are caffeine free and a better tea to finish for the platter. Then a delightful sweeter Jasmine tea with its floral flavour may now be enjoyed to finish the day. While you await your pot of tea may we explain a few Afternoon Tea Etiquette rules. SCROLL DOWN ON THE PHOTO SECTION BELOW TO THE LAST WRITTEN PHOTO. “AFTERNOON TEA ETIQUETTE” Read the advice then settle down to enjoy the wonderful experience of Afternoon Tea. We invite you now after reading our review of the Dorchester Coworth Park to see our photos below which we hope may encourage a few to consider visiting Coworth Park for one of your own special celebrations in the near future.

Transport & Parking

Arriving for afternoon tea at COWORTH is delightful. Turn left after the main gates and follow the driveway all the way round to reach the main mansion. The main carpark is then just a few yards further along, and on your left. It’s quite large with plenty of bays. It is then just a few yards to walk along a pleasant pathway to arrive at the main entrance.

Access

It’s all on the level for you. No steps to worry about at all. You will be greeted at the reception desk, and pleasant helpful staff will escort you to the conservatory and a table overlooking the gardens and large estate of COWORTH Park.

Toilets

Staff

Excellent, friendly and more than willing to help you have a wonderful day at COWORTH

Photos