| There's nothing quite like taking a break midday for | | | | Chosen as the best place for tea in Victoria, the |
| some little sandwiches, scones with jam and a | | | | White Heather Tea Room offers a truly magnificent |
| beautiful, bone-china cup of hot tea! Originated during | | | | afternoon tea experience. Visualize Devonshire cream |
| the 1700's in the United Kingdom, afternoon tea is a | | | | with homemade jam and preserves, finger |
| light meal or refreshment served usually from 3-5pm. | | | | sandwiches, fresh fruit, decadent trifle, petit desserts |
| Prior to its inception; England only had two major | | | | and a wide assortment of tea. Not to mention |
| meals a day, breakfast and dinner. Anna Maria | | | | served in an elegant setting and accompanied by |
| Stanhope, Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861) brought | | | | beautiful fine china. The White Heather is known to |
| about this tradition when she claimed to have a | | | | be a favourite because it is affordable. They serve |
| 'sinking feeling' during midday. She thus initiated | | | | three sizes to accommodate any appetite: the Wee |
| Afternoon tea to keep her grounded until dinner time. | | | | Tea for the not so hungry; the Not So Wee Tea for |
| The duchess invited many friends to join in on her | | | | those looking for more of a meal; and the Big Muckle |
| afternoon meal and it quickly became a custom | | | | Giant Tea For Two which is known to exceed the |
| adopted by many women in the United Kingdom. | | | | appetite of even a hungry pair. |
| The practice became international when many | | | | Gatsby Mansion |
| colonies of the British Empire also embraced the | | | | An 1897 Victorian beauty, the Gatsby mansion offers |
| tradition. Victoria, British Columbia is one former | | | | an extravagant afternoon tea experience with |
| colony of British North America that is renowned for | | | | gorgeous stained glass windows, intricate artwork, |
| its exceptional afternoon tea houses. Learn about | | | | sparkling chandeliers and rich wood paneling, all |
| some of the top tea houses in Victoria here and find | | | | surrounded by the lush landscape of Belleville Park. |
| out which one is for you! | | | | Can you imagine a better place for an elegant |
| Fairmont Empress Lobby | | | | afternoon tea? The refreshment spread includes |
| Experience the true essence of Victorian class at the | | | | steaming tea, warm scones with jam and Devonshire |
| Fairmont Empress hotel. For almost a century, the | | | | cream, finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, miniature |
| Empress has played host to this grand English | | | | desserts and creamy chocolate-Pernod mousses. |
| tradition. Indulge in traditional British delicacies created | | | | Abkhazi Garden & Tea Room |
| by an award-winning pastry chef and relax in the | | | | The magnificent Abkhazi estate has many enchanting |
| soothing atmosphere of the elegantly restored tea | | | | features, among them a pleasant tea room situated |
| lobby. Soft piano music also adds to the gentle mood | | | | in the mansion's former sitting room. Accentuated |
| and setting. Afternoon tea menu includes seasonal | | | | with a dome ceiling, archival photos and regional |
| berries with cream, dainty finger sandwiches and a | | | | artwork, the tearoom is the perfect place for a |
| variety of house-made pastries. Make sure to | | | | delightful afternoon refreshment. After tea, take a |
| reserve a week or two in advance, especially in the | | | | stroll in the verdant Abkhazi gardens to compliment |
| summertime. | | | | your charming Victorian visit. |
| White Heather Tea Room | | | | |