Afternoon tea is an English tradition that dates back to 1840. While the concept of drinking tea in England was first popularized by King Charles II in the 1660s, the concept of holding afternoon tea as we know it today only came about in the 19^th century. Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, started the tradition at a time when it was customary to eat the evening meal at around eight o’clock. By about four o’clock in the afternoon, Anne would become hungry and fell into the habit of asking for a tray of tea, bread and butter, and cake. Before long, she began to invite her friends to join her. Soon enough, this tradition became a fashionable social event that upper-class women would dress up for. Wearing long gowns, gloves, and hats, they would arrive in the drawing-room between four and five in the afternoon for afternoon tea. RELATED: 10 Etiquette Tips To Know Before Traveling To Great Britain

The exact afternoon tea menu depends on where it’s being held, as suburban homes tend to serve much smaller and less traditional spreads than official afternoon tea establishments and high-end hotels throughout London. Traditionally, a selection of sandwiches is served during afternoon tea, with one of the most popular fillings consisting of thinly sliced cucumber. Along with this, an assortment of cakes and pastries are commonly served. The star of afternoon tea is arguably the scone, which is served with preserved and clotted cream. And of course, no afternoon tea spread if complete without hot tea, usually grown in India or Ceylon. While tea may be served with tea bags and boiling water in suburban homes, in a traditional afternoon tea setting the tea is poured from delicate teapots and sipped from delicate china cups. RELATED: 10 Best Places For Afternoon Tea In NYC 

The chances of having afternoon tea with the Queen are rather slim. But if you plan on having afternoon tea in London, it’s a good idea to brush up on your tea etiquette anyway. You never know who may be watching! First thing’s first: there is a dress code. The days of wearing gowns and gloves are long gone, but it is important to dress smartly and presentably. Afternoon tea in London isn’t the sort of thing that is undertaken in sweat pants. Rather than cutting the scones with a knife, they should be broken with the fingers. It’s a matter of heated debate as to whether the cream or the preserve is spread onto the scone first, so this is up to your discretion. But it’s an absolute no-no to re-assemble the scone and try to eat it like a sandwich. Some of the desserts that you’ll be presented with during afternoon tea will require the use of a knife and fork, but the sandwiches should be eaten with the fingers. Naturally, small bites are favored over large bites. And of course, it’s always important to remember the rules of standard dining etiquette that apply everywhere. As it turns out, there is a correct and incorrect way to stir your tea. The correct way is to gently stir the tea from six o’clock position to the 12 o’clock position without letting the spoon touch the sides of the cup. The wrong way is to stir back and forth like you’re mixing cake batter. The most important thing to remember during afternoon tea is that your pinkie finger should always remain down. Holding it up will make you look like someone who’s bought into too many British stereotypes! RELATED: 10 Etiquette Tips For Afternoon Tea In England