A hotel in west Suffolk will celebrate Afternoon Tea week by paying homage to its connection with the woman who invented the custom almost 200 years ago. 

The Bedford Lodge in Newmarket, just a stone’s throw away from the famous racecourses, has unveiled a sumptuous menu in readiness for Afternoon Tea week, which begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, August 13. 

The Bedford Lodge is particularly keen to celebrate Afternoon Tea next week, as the custom is believed to have been invented by Anna Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford – and the wife of the hotel’s second owner. 

A lifelong friend of Queen Victoria, the duchess was born Anna Maria Stanhope in Portugal in 1783. She married Francis Russell, the seventh Duke of Bedford and Marquess of Tavistock, in 1808. 

East Anglian Daily Times: The seventh Duchess of Bedford is thought to have started the trend for afternoon tea. Image: Bedford LodgeThe seventh Duchess of Bedford is thought to have started the trend for afternoon tea. Image: Bedford Lodge (Image: Bedford Lodge Hotel)

East Anglian Daily Times: The duchess began requesting light refreshments be brought to her rooms in the mid-1840s. Image: Bedford LodgeThe duchess began requesting light refreshments be brought to her rooms in the mid-1840s. Image: Bedford Lodge (Image: Bedford Lodge Hotel)

The Duke was the son of the hotel’s original owner, the sixth Duke of Bedford, John Russell. He was also the elder brother to Lord John Russell, who served as Prime Minister from 1846 to 1852, and then again from 1865 to 1866. 

Legend has it that around the mid-1840s, the Duchess of Bedford complained of a feeling peckish during the afternoons. At this time, it was typical to have just two meals during the day, breakfast and dinner. 

She would request some light refreshment and a pot of tea (usually Darjeeling) be brought to her private rooms. This light food likely included bread with butter, and possibly sweet biscuits. 

East Anglian Daily Times: The Bedford Lodge will be serving a variety of options for afternoon tea next week. Image: Bedford Lodge HotelThe Bedford Lodge will be serving a variety of options for afternoon tea next week. Image: Bedford Lodge Hotel (Image: Bedford Lodge Hotel)

East Anglian Daily Times: Afternoon tea includes tea, cake, scones and sandwiches. Image: Bedford Lodge HotelAfternoon tea includes tea, cake, scones and sandwiches. Image: Bedford Lodge Hotel (Image: Bedford Lodge Hotel)

The idea proved so successful that the duchess soon began inviting friends to share in her new routine. 

The Bedford Lodge will be serving afternoon tea from its Squires Restaurant.  

The tea includes a selection of finger sandwiches made from local ingredients, such as smoked salmon on horseradish bread, cucumber and dill cream cheese on white bread and Suffolk ham and grain mustard on tomato bread.

Scones with jam and clotted cream and a variety of summer cakes and pastries will also be available.