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Slice of Victoria sponge cake
Slice of Victoria sponge cake

British Afternoon Tea Party

You can follow in the footsteps of Victorian royalty by using our top tips to host your very own British tea party.

Anna Maria Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford and a lifelong friend of Queen Victoria, is widely credited as the creator of Afternoon Tea. It was customary in the 1840s for dinner not to be served until as late as 9pm. Queen Victoria was often heard to complain of a “sinking” feeling in the middle of the afternoon. So what started out as tea and a few slices of bread in her private drawing room soon became an elaborate social occasion to be shared with friends.

Queen Victoria’s name gave rise to the popular Victoria sponge cake which is so synonymous as an accompaniment to the afternoon tea party. By the early 1920s when SPANA was founded, tea parties were commonly used as charity events throughout Britain.

You can be like Victorian royalty and host a traditional British tea party, whilst raising money to support the working animals of the world.

Download your free pack below to receive eight traditional recipes from around the world for your World Tea Party, along with bunting and games to make your tea party extra special.

Download your World Tea Party pack

Enter your details below to receive your SPANA World Tea Party pack, and get fundraising for SPANA! Included in the pack are fun activities, games and recipe cards to make your Tea Party extra special.

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Order your World Tea Party pack by post

Order your World Tea Party Pack

Enter your details below to receive your free SPANA World Tea Party sponsorship pack by post, and get fundraising for SPANA! Included in the pack are fun activities, games and recipe cards to make your Tea Party extra special.

  • We’ll use your details to fulfil your request. There are many simple, fun and inspiring ways you can help us reach more animals in need and the communities who depend on them. By submitting this form you are demonstrating an active interest in SPANA’s work and we will contact you by post with information about our activities and other ways you can support and donate to our work, unless you tell us otherwise by ticking the box above.

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Please donate the funds you raised at your World Tea Party here.

Tea Party Essentials

Make sure you greet guests with a cup of tea or coffee. It doesn’t have to be served in your best china, but if you’d like to wow your guests then why not use some lovely floral china cups? If you don’t have any, you can always find bargains at your local charity shop!

Now is the time to use the cake stand that has been gathering dust at the back of your cupboard. What better way to display your Victoria sponge cake and to show off your baking talents?!

You don’t need to stop there either – finger cakes, scones, or other sweet treats will all be well received by your guests.

If you’re feeling creative, you can always decorate your table with a lovely floral table cloth, which can again be sourced from a local charity shop. Or you can find your inner Blue Peter creativity to make table decorations, bunting or goody bags.

Victoria Sponge Cake

No afternoon tea would be complete without a delicious Victoria sponge cake. The cake was named after Queen Victoria herself as she was known to enjoy a slice with her afternoon tea. SPANA’s English co-founder, Nina Hosali, was born during the reign of Queen Victoria and would certainly have spread the word of her cause over tea and cake.

Discover more tea party themes

Moroccan Mint Tea Party

Discover how to host a Moroccan mint tea party with SPANA's recipe for this tasty orange and almond cake.

Ethiopian Coffee Morning

Host a traditional Ethiopian coffee morning with our recipe for giant Ethiopian bread.

Moroccan Mint Tea Party

Discover how to host a Moroccan mint tea party with SPANA's recipe for this tasty orange and almond cake.

Ethiopian Coffee Morning

Host a traditional Ethiopian coffee morning with our recipe for giant Ethiopian bread.