This week is Afternoon Tea Week in Britain (August 9 to 15) and there are plenty of reasons not to participate. It’s hot, for one. So is tea. You, more than likely, are also hot. But fortunately for you, air conditioning exists. And what better way to pretend that artificial breeze is actually the result of naturally beautiful weather than taking an afternoon tea, indoors.
Here’s where you can raise a stained china cup at tea-themed events ranging from silly to serious, around what was formerly the first English Colony (yes, Virginia, for the history-deficient among you) that managed to stick.
There Is An Alice In Wonderland Theme, But It Comes With A Price.
Mad Hatter Tea Party and Cooking Class: Elegant Desserts, Drinks and Dress-Up (not the same as what’s happening in DC) is the first in a two-part series. This part teaches you how to make complicated pastries (which the British call “delicates”) as you drink champagne and tea. It takes place on August 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Ms. Peacock’s Champagne Lounge. Tickets are $80. Pre-registry required. 929 N. Garfield St., Arlington
The other part of this theme-upon-themed-event is the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, where you’ll learn how to make your own finger sandwiches, scones, and other things like macarons. It takes place on August 13, from 1:30-4:30 p.m., at The Boardroom VA. Tickets are $120. Pre-registry is required. 925 N. Garfield St., Arlington
For the Tories Among Us…
Virtual Afternoon Tea: Brush Up On Your British is a celebration of Afternoon Tea Week brought to you via Zoom by the folks at Historic Green Spring. This virtual tea event explores customs and manners in what the website calls “two nations ‘divided by a common language.’” It takes place on August 15 at 2 p.m., and the website specifies that this event is for adults. Tickets are $12, but for $24, you get a tea box. Pre-registration is required. 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria
Afternoon Tea at the Ritz Carlton in Pentagon City is the place to have a proper sit-down type of affair. Bring the kids along, so they are imparted with an early awareness of fusty-ness. Teas include pastries, scones, Devonshire Cream, and fruit spread, and a pot of loose-leaf tea. Events are held weekly, on Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 3 p.m., $25 to $59. Pre-registration is required. 1250 S. Hayes St., Arlington
A Low-Key Chill With Tea
Wine Down Weekends at Elden Street Tea Shop lets you enjoy the new wine bar in the existing tea gardens as you listen to what the website says is “mostly live” music. They have a selection of wine and snacks, and a soon-to-arrive food truck will offer food from area caterers. The events are weekly, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. 714 Pine St., Herndon
Afternoon Teas at Gateau Bakery and Tea Room are held weekly, from Wednesday to Friday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Saturdays (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Their menus are pretty impressive. Pre-registration is required. 12 Culpeper St., Warrenton
If You Want To Wait Until September…
Summer’s Last Hurrah: Tea In The Garden takes place at Blooming Hill Lavender Farm. This event lets you enjoy the last days of summer on the farm-let, with tea in the garden and scones. The event takes place on September 4, and runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 and the event is rain or shine. 19929 Telegraph Springs Rd., Purcellville
Afternoon Tea: Kick-Off to Fall is the bookend to your tea adventure, welcoming Fall with finger sandwiches and scones, and a signature blend of Oatlands tea at Oatlands Historic House and Garden. The event takes place on September 19, from 11 a.m. to2 p.m.; tea times are at noon and 1 p.m. Tickets are $45 to $60. Reservations are required. 20850 Oatlands Plantation Ln., Leesburg
Feature image courtesy Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City
For more specialty drinks around NoVA, subscribe to our Food newsletter.
