Course curriculum

    1. Welcome by your tutors

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Introduction

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. In conversation with Steven Moore - the confused history of afternoon tea

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. The Bedford orthodoxy

    4. The early role of women and tea

    5. Pre-Anna references to tea

    6. What exactly did The Duchess of Bedford do?

    7. The modern afternoon tea was born... or was it?

    8. The rise of the Victorian tearoom

    9. Tea terminology

      FREE PREVIEW

    10. The components of afternoon tea

    11. Afternoon tea history quiz

    1. Teapots

    2. Teacups and saucers

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Tea accessories

    4. Varieties of tea

    5. Tea tools quiz

    1. How to hold a teacup

    2. Stirring tea

    3. Tea accompaniments

    4. Sandwiches and savouries

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Scones

    6. Clotted cream

    7. Cakes and patisserie

    8. Dress codes for afternoon tea

    9. Tea etiquette quiz

    10. Assessment: how you hold a teacup

    1. Table settings for tea

    2. Tea scenes in London

    3. Cake stands

    4. Private houses vs hotels

    5. In conversation with the experts: what makes for a good afternoon tea

    1. Queen Elizabeth and tea

    2. The best scone recipe

    3. The care of silverware

    4. William Hanson reacts to The Crown's tea scene

    5. Suggested further reading

    6. Learn more

    7. Offers from our partners

    8. Thank you for joining us

Information

  • £80.00
  • 40 lessons
  • Digital certificate included
  • William Hanson and Steven Moore

Pricing options

This new self-guided online course is available at different price points to suit all needs.

  • £80.00

    7 day access + certification

    Enrol

  • £125.00

    30 day access + certification

    Enrol

  • £150.00

    60 day access + certification

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  • £225.00

    365 day access + certification

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Instructors

William Hanson

Etiquette tutor

William joined The English Manner in 2008 before taking ownership in 2019. Based in London, William’s work sees him teach in the UK and all over the world, including in Europe, America, China, south-east Asia, and GCC countries. He is a trusted advisor and trainer to many official households, embassies, businesses and academic institutes. William is the author of the bestselling, irreverent manual of modern-day social mobility, The Bluffer’s Guide to Etiquette, and the more recent follow-up The Bluffer’s Guide to Entertaining. In 2020 he co-authored Protocol to Manage Relationships Today, published by Amsterdam University Press. He is a regular contributor to global media as an etiquette expert and believes good manners and etiquette are based on common sense and should be universal. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and in 2019 became a visiting lecturer at Georgetown University in Doha.

Steven Moore

Historical advisor

Steven is a well-known and respected voice on tableware and its history, as well as a proven creative force in their contemporary manufacture, design, marketing and retail. Steven has worked as an antiques dealer, auctioneer and museum curator and is a published author and writer for magazines such as Country Life, Gardens Illustrated, and World of Interiors. He is best known for his appearances on the BBC’s antiques programming, particularly Antiques Roadshow, where he has been a regular expert since 2003, and Antiques Roadtrip, since 2019. He has held numerous notable appointments, such as Ambassador to The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, creative consultant to Royal Crown Derby and creative director of Burleigh, one of the last traditional ceramics manufacturers in the UK. Steven has worked with leading luxury brands, including Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Ralph Lauren and Soho House.
  • Steven Moore demonstrating about teacups
  • Patisserie being eaten with a cake fork
  • William Hanson with a teacup

Don't just take our word for it...

5 star rating

All you need to know about afternoon tea

Alexandra Mikor

Excellent course, very detailed and informative. I enjoyed the videos the most, I loved the part about the scones and the Crown reference. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to gain understanding of the history and the culture of this...

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Excellent course, very detailed and informative. I enjoyed the videos the most, I loved the part about the scones and the Crown reference. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to gain understanding of the history and the culture of this wonderful British tradition.

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5 star rating

Excellent detailed course

Andrea Harasek

I thoroughly enjoyed this course. It was well presented and had lots of extra little tidbits of information that were interesting and relatable to the course. The videos and audio clips were clear and concise.

I thoroughly enjoyed this course. It was well presented and had lots of extra little tidbits of information that were interesting and relatable to the course. The videos and audio clips were clear and concise.

Read Less
5 star rating

Lovely and informative course!

Samuel O’Neil

I enjoyed this course very much! It was all very informative and well paced.

I enjoyed this course very much! It was all very informative and well paced.

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5 star rating

A must to know in graceful society

Lucia Sandrin Breznayová

I strongly recommend! You will learn all important aspects of the afternoon tea, and also you will gain the confidence in having one in a luxury hotel where nothing will surprise you in terms of the etiquette. If you like The British Royal Family ...

Read More

I strongly recommend! You will learn all important aspects of the afternoon tea, and also you will gain the confidence in having one in a luxury hotel where nothing will surprise you in terms of the etiquette. If you like The British Royal Family you will enjoy the part about Queen Elizabeth and tea.

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5 star rating

The Art of Royal Tea

Aleksandra Bubnova

I want to say my gratitude to your school for the opportunity to study the traditions of English Afternoon tea. This is a real pleasure and a rich experience in my life!

I want to say my gratitude to your school for the opportunity to study the traditions of English Afternoon tea. This is a real pleasure and a rich experience in my life!

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5 star rating

Afternoon Tea Self-Guided Learning Course

Noof Alkhaja

Very informative and interactive course.

Very informative and interactive course.

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5 star rating

Afternoon Tea Etiquette and History describes this course perfectly

Sherri House

very well thought out and organized in a manner that was easy to follow. I would have loved if you covered more con what to do in the event of things were not so perfect i.e. crumbs ended up on your table, or a bit of tea spilt on your saucer, etc..

very well thought out and organized in a manner that was easy to follow. I would have loved if you covered more con what to do in the event of things were not so perfect i.e. crumbs ended up on your table, or a bit of tea spilt on your saucer, etc..

Read Less
5 star rating

Afternoon Tea Etiquette and History describes this course perfectly

Sherri House

very well thought out and organized in a manner that was easy to follow. I would have loved if you covered more con what to do in the event of things were not so perfect i.e. crumbs ended up on your table, or a bit of tea spilt on your saucer, etc..

very well thought out and organized in a manner that was easy to follow. I would have loved if you covered more con what to do in the event of things were not so perfect i.e. crumbs ended up on your table, or a bit of tea spilt on your saucer, etc..

Read Less

Learn afternoon tea etiquette today