Victorian Afternoon Tea at the Victoria and Albert Museum

Last Updated on April 28, 2018

An Historic Afternoon Tea at the V&A:

The Victoria and Albert Museum have come up with the most civilised way to spend your Sunday afternoon, with a traditional Victorian Afternoon Tea, which will launch on 13th November, and will be served in the beautifully decorated Morris Room, the historic interior which was part of the V&A’s original Refreshment Rooms.

Award-winning British food business, Benugo, has partnered with the Victoria and Albert Museum to create a traditional Victorian Afternoon Tea, giving visitors a unique dining experience.

The skilfully curated menu has been developed with the help of Tasha Marks, award-winning food historian and founder of AVM Curiosities. Tasha has created a Victorian Afternoon Tea, inspired by 19th-century recipes, subtly tweaked to suit the modern palate while continuing to offer a taste of history. AVM Curiosities champions the use of food as an artistic medium and storyteller, which shows in the beautifully theatrical presentation of the Victorian Afternoon Tea – from enhancing the lavish surroundings of the V&A, to the intricately ornate Burleigh china on which the delicacies are served that have been handcrafted and designed exclusively for Benugo.

I was invited along to sample the new menu, which proved to be a real treat, both for my daughter and myself, especially as we were celebrating her birthday. We were greeted with a celebratory glass of Prosecco and were able to soak up the lavish surroundings, before being seated at the elegant, perfectly set table, befit for a queen.

We were served an assortment of traditional Afternoon Tea delicacies, giving a real sense and taste of an early 19th-century tea, this included Mrs Beeton’s cucumber sandwich, first seen on menus in 1859, a delicious iced orange cake, circa. 1891, lemon and caraway poppy cake, circa. 1895, and of course, the traditional Victoria sponge which first appeared on Victorian tables in the 1800’s, which was my daughter’s firm favourite. There was also a selection of savoury treats, including a divine asparagus tart and some tasty crayfish sandwiches. This sensory feast was served with a choice of organic loose-leaf teas, I chose the traditional Darjeeling.

All in all, I couldn’t recommend this wonderful taste of history enough, whether it’s for a special occasion or just a way of whiling away a Sunday afternoon in the sumptuous surroundings of the V&A.

The exclusive Victorian Afternoon Tea is served every Sunday between 15.00 – 17.15 in the V&A’s exquisite Morris Room, from 13th November 2016. The traditional Afternoon Tea is priced at £30 per person, or £35 per person for those wishing to enjoy a glass of Prosecco. Reservations are essential and can be made by emailing victoriantea@benugo.com.

For further information, please visit the Victoria and Albert Museum cafe webpage