insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 06 - August 2015 | Page 30

FOOD+DRINK

insideSUSSEX’s

Favourite Cream Teas
Is there anything more British than a nice cream tea with lashings of
clotted cream, oodles of strawberry jam, freshly baked scones, and a pot
of Earl Grey? And is there anything better than making this tradition
your own by trying a different flavour of jam and new variety of tea?
So many versions, so little time, but each one has something in common
– the cream tea is beloved by everyone.

Afternoon tea became highly fashionable
in the 1880s when Anna, seventh
Duchess of Bedford, fancied a snack
between lunch and dinner. She chose
sandwiches, cake, and a perfect pot of
tea. She began to invite friends round to
‘take tea’ with her, and soon enough this
practice became a well loved tradition
nationwide. Everyone wanted to be like
the fashionable and beautiful duchess.

preserve, clotted cream and butter, as
well as a very special ‘cake of the day’
and unlimited tea and coffee refills. The
Deluxe Afternoon Tea comes complete
with a selection of finger sandwiches and
various freshly baked cakes, as well as
the essential scones, jam, and cream.
And the Champagne Afternoon Tea is
the same as the Deluxe, with the added
benefit of a lovely glass of bubbly.

Although the counties that may well
spring to mind when thinking about
cream teas are Devonshire, Somerset,
Dorset, and Cornwall, Sussex holds its
own in the scone and dainty sandwiches
stakes, and there are some fabulously
delicious teas to be had all over this
county of ours.

Gravetye Manor // West Hoathly

The Hickstead Hotel // Hickstead
www.classiclodges.co.uk/our-hotels/
the-hickstead
There are three delicious afternoon
teas to sample at The Hickstead, a
beautiful hotel just 20 minutes from
Gatwick Airport, yet surrounded by
stunning West Sussex countryside. Try
the classic cream tea, complete with
homemade fruit scones, strawberry

www.graveytemanor.co.uk
Gravetye has a fascinating history
(spanning back to 1598 when Richard
Infield built the manor for his new bride,
Katharine Compton) and a stunning
atmosphere of calm and peace, so
it is the ideal place to enjoy a mouth
watering, very special cream tea. Served
every afternoon between 3pm and 6pm,
you can enjoy a selection of sandwiches
and cakes, warm scones with clotted
cream and homemade jam, and a pot
of tea from the wide range available
on Graveyte Manor’s menu. For some
added opulence, add a glass of sparkling
wine to your treat.

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