Food & Drink at the Macdonald Compleat Angler

Afternoon Tea in the new Bowaters Restaurant

The history of traditional afternoon tea

The British tradition of afternoon tea is said to have begun with Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford in the early 1840s. In the 19th century, dinner was not served until 8.30 or 9.00pm in the evening and the Duchess, who was always hungry by mid - afternoon, decided to ask her staff to serve bread, butter, cakes, biscuits and tea at around 3.00pm. Soon it had become a fashionable pastime of the upper classes to have afternoon tea. Ladies would change into long gowns and tea services were made of the finest china.

The 19th century also saw the opening of teahouses such as Lyons in London and the popularisation of tea in America by Sir Thomas J. Lipton in 1890 who owned tea estates in Ceylon.

Many visitors from overseas still imagine that we are a nation where, in the words of the well-known song, 'at half past three, everything stops for tea'. Sadly these days Afternoon Tea is usually only an occasional luxury for the British; a birthday treat in a country house hotel, or a welcome break from a hectic days shopping 'in town'.
However, the symbolic and traditional status in England has not been lost and this is especially so here at The Compleat Angler where it has been a long established and popular pastime.

'Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony of afternoon tea'
Henry Jones opening words from "A Portrait of a lady."

Afternoon Tea has always been a graceful and refined occasion, bringing people together for a brief hour's pleasure and refreshments.

Tea at the Macdonald Compleat Angler is an institution in itself and is currently served in the calm surroundings of the new Bowaters Restaurant. A choice of several varieties of tea, finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones, jam and clotted cream and a range of delicate pastries, all served in the traditional manner, combine to make for an unforgettable occasion.

Compleat Afternoon Tea
A selection of finger sandwiches.
Homemade scones served with Devon clotted cream and home-made seasonal jam.
Cream cakes and pastries
£19.50 per person

Please call 0844 879 9128 to reserve a table.

Afternoon tea is served from 3.00pm to 6.00pm Monday to Friday.
3.30pm to 6.00pm Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.