The Perfect Paddington Afternoon Tea Guide
National Tea Day Edition — 21st April
If there is one bear in all of literature who truly understands the importance of a proper cup of tea, it is Paddington. From his very first arrival at Paddington Station to countless adventures since, Paddington has always found comfort, warmth and belonging over a good brew; often accompanied, naturally, by a thick-cut marmalade sandwich.
National Tea Day on 21st April is the perfect occasion to celebrate this most British of traditions. Whether you are planning a proper sit-down afternoon tea, searching for a thoughtful gift for a tea-loving friend, or simply treating yourself to some beautiful new homeware, the Paddington Store has everything you need to make this National Tea Day truly special.
Read on for our curated afternoon tea guide, complete with product picks, gift ideas and a few fun facts about Britain's favourite beverage.
Build Your Perfect Paddington Afternoon Tea
The Teapot
Every proper afternoon tea begins with the right teapot. Keep an eye on our Kitchen & Homeware Collection for our brand-new Paddington 'Tea-For-One' Teapot, landing in May. It will make a wonderful centrepiece for your tea table and an even better gift.
Perfect for gifting or for your own tea table. Sign up to our newsletters be the first to know when it drops.
The Mug
For those who prefer their tea in a beloved, go-to mug, browse our full range of Paddington Mugs. From bold illustrated designs to classic character portraits, there is a mug to suit every tea drinker on your list.
The Marmalade
No Paddington afternoon tea would be complete without marmalade. Whether spread generously on a finger sandwich or simply kept close at hand (as us all at Paddington store insist), our Paddington Seville Orange Marmalade are a must-have addition to any tea spread and a wonderfully quirky gift.
National Tea Day is a wonderful excuse to treat someone special or to give yourself a well-deserved upgrade. Here are our top gifting ideas for any tea lover in your life.
Why not pull together the ultimate Paddington Teatime Bundle? Pair a Paddington mug with our marmalade and a few choice treats for a gift that is guaranteed to delight.
Browse our gifting collection for more inspiration or shop Paddington Store’s top picks:
Paddington The Musical: Tea Towel
The Essential Paddington Ceramic Mug – Red
The Essential Paddington Set of 4 Coasters
Tea Traditions & Fun Facts
Few things are more British than a cup of tea and few characters embody that spirit more than Paddington. Here are some delightful tea facts to share over your National Tea Day brew.
Did You Know?
• The UK drinks approximately 100 million cups of tea every single day, making it one of the largest tea-drinking nations on earth.
• Afternoon tea was reputedly invented by Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, in the 1840s, to stave off the 'sinking feeling' between lunch and dinner.
• The correct temperature for brewing most black teas is around 95°C, just off the boil.
• The great British debate: milk in first, or tea in first? Traditionally, milk went in first to protect fine bone china cups from cracking, though most modern tea drinkers add milk after.
• Paddington's beloved orange marmalade, the same variety found in his famous sandwiches, is a traditional British preserve with roots going back to the 18th century.
The Paddington Tea Tradition
In Michael Bond's original stories, Paddington often enjoyed tea with the Brown family, a moment of warmth and belonging that captured the very heart of what afternoon tea represents. Whether in Peru or at number 32 Windsor Gardens, a good cup of tea has always meant home.
Celebrate National Tea Day on the 21st April the Paddington way.
Shop our full collection of Paddington afternoon tea gifts and homeware at store.paddington.com.