Afternoon tea has been a british institution since anna maria russell the seventh duchess of bedford asked her footman to bring her a pot of tea and light refreshment one afternoon in 1840 the ritual caught on and afternoon tea became the corner stone of high society dining these days taking tea as a light afternoon meal has become much more accessible but has not lost a crumb of its charm on arrival you will be greeted by staff who will seat you your afternoon tea may vary slightly depen