Easy, elegant food for afternoon tea
Planning a tea party should feel joyful — not overwhelming.
This page brings together our most-loved tea party recipes, menu ideas, and make-ahead favourites, so you can quickly find what you need and move on with confidence.
Whether you’re hosting a classic afternoon tea, a garden party, or something a little whimsical, start here.
Classic Tea Party Recipes
These are the foundations of a beautiful afternoon tea — timeless, reliable, and always loved.
- Classic High Tea Loaf
- Victoria Sponge Cake (Traditional Recipe)
- Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Simple & Easy Tea Cakes
👉 Browse classic tea party cake recipes
Tea Party Baking Essentials:
These are the baking tins and cake stands we regularly use for classic tea party recipes.
Scones That Always Impress
No tea party is complete without scones. These recipes are designed to be easy, dependable, and crowd-pleasing — whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth.
👉 See all scone recipes for afternoon tea
Tools That Make Scones Easy:
If you’re new to baking scones, these simple tools make the process easier and more consistent.
Savoury Tea Party Food
Balance the sweet with savoury favourites that are simple to prepare and easy to serve.
👉 Explore savoury tea party recipes
Serving Pieces for Savoury Tea Food
These serving pieces help keep savoury tea food neat, elegant, and easy to serve.
Afternoon Tea Menus & Inspiration
If you’d rather not plan everything yourself, these guides pull recipes together into clear, elegant menus.
- High Tea Sessions & Menu Ideas
- Unique Afternoon Tea Parties
- Vintage Secrets for Baking Perfect Cakes
👉 See complete afternoon tea menus
Afternoon Tea Table Essentials
When you’re hosting a full afternoon tea, these pieces help create a cohesive, beautiful table without overbuying.
Tea Party Treats & Extras
Perfect for adding colour, variety, or a little surprise to your table.
- Pink Marshmallow Slices
- Lemon Drizzle Cake
- Easy Afternoon Tea Cakes
- Louise Cake Slice
- Thirty-Five Classic Canapés
👉 Discover extra treats & small bites
Perfect for Tea Party Treats
Hosting a Tea Party?
If you’re new to hosting — or want a calmer, more organised approach — these guides will help you pull everything together.
👉 Start with our step-by-step hosting guides
Looking for serving ideas, cake stands, or table styling?
Many of our recipe and hosting guides include recommended tea party essentials to help you create a beautiful table without overbuying.