Winter Tea Party

If you think that Afternoon Tea is all about dainty cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off and light-as-air sponge cake you've got a surprise coming!  What about a Winter Tea Party?  If you didn't know that such a thing existed, and have no idea how to host one, the lovely people at Tea & Cakes tell us how...

'A Winter Tea Party is one to have in front of a crackling fire, whilst cold winds whistle outside your windows. When the air's full of mists and hail and blowing a gale, take shelter indoors and conjure up some comforting scents for family and friends in your kitchen. 

Tea - Some strong-brewed traditional blend, something hearty and malty like Assam

Savouries - Buttered toast and crumpets, sandwiches made with hard boiled eggs and chicken, the aim here is to make the Famous Five jealous.

Cake - Hot sponge pudding, parkin, jam roly-poly, something made with suet and served with custard that will have been baking in the oven to perfection whilst you've been wolfing down your savouries.

Paraphernalia - A good sturdy teapot and your favourite mugs (this one is not about being dainty). Best served at a wooden farmhouse table, with oak beams above you and a spaniel underneath the table to feed scraps to.'

Doesn't that just sound lovely?  And if tea and cake is now high on your winter agenda you could go the whole hog and treat yourself to the very appropriate Tea and Cake tea cosy made to order by The Apple Cottage Company.  Available from Not on the High Street priced at £29.00 + p&p.