The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook

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Pub Date 7 Jul 2020 | Archive Date 16 Jul 2020

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Description

In official partnership with Downton Abbey and with over 150 stunning photographs featuring stills from across the series and right up to the latest film release, this collection of 70 delicious tea recipes is a lavish celebration of the elegant institution of afternoon tea. 

With a foreword by Gareth Neame, executive producer of Downton Abbey, this carefully curated selection of tea recipes spans the world of Downton, from intimate afternoon tea taken in the drawing-room to glamorous tea parties in the garden, covering different types of tea, curds, preserves and creams, as well as classic recipes and serving suggestions for accompaniments such as scones and biscuits, cakes and tarts, sandwiches and savoury bites. 

With a brief history of tea at Downton Abbey and guide to the etiquette and decorum for afternoon tea, the book is and full of photographs and quotes from Downton characters, so you can recreate the rich traditions and flavours of Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea time and time again.

In official partnership with Downton Abbey and with over 150 stunning photographs featuring stills from across the series and right up to the latest film release, this collection of 70 delicious...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9780711258938
PRICE £12.99 (GBP)

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)

Average rating from 42 members


Featured Reviews

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley, in return for my honest review.

This is a delightful cookbook which fans of Downton Abbey, like myself will love. With character quotes and television stills, it brings the tradition, still loved by many Brits, to life.

Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook by Gareth Neame is full of delicious recipes. Both savory and sweet British delicacies, and how to serve them.
With an abundance of historic facts and an informative how to guide, teaching the reader the basics everyone must know when having their very own quintessential afternoon tea.

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A tea fit for the Crawleys. This is the most lovely introduction to a traditional British afternoon tea. Not just for fans of Downtown Abbey but for anyone who loves traditional baking. Jam packed with easy to follow tasty recipes from English Cream Scones to Mini Pork Pies and so much more. Each recipe includes an interesting introduction on the history of the dish/bake or how it fits into the world of Downtown Abbey.
The photography in this book is fantastic showing both scenes from the show and luxurious snaps of each dish.
Scattered throughout are little asides such as Etiquette Notes , Tea History and little hints and tips , who knew that a scone should be ripped rather than sliced open!
Overall this book is pure luxury, a perfect addition to any collection of food writing.

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An interesting book, it starts with an explanation of the development of 'tea time' in Britain and the various types of tea, then has sections of Pastries, buns and biscuits; Cakes, tarts and puddings; Tea sandwiches and savoury bits and Preserves and spreads.

Each recipe has an interesting comment at the top and some have either quotes or etiquette tips on the page as well. There seem to be an equal number of pictures of scenes from Downton Abbey as the foods themselves, although not all pages have pictures (I would have liked pictures of all the recipes, to know what I'm aiming for). There are a lovely selection of recipes, some well known, some less known, all very tempting. I haven't made any yet, but I will very soon.

One thing I noticed - as a Brit, I assumed this book was written in Downton Abbey's home country. But I think it is written for the American market since it refers to measurements in cups before grams and to confectionery sugar rather than icing sugar. Not that this spoilt my enjoyment of the book at all.

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What a lovely lovely book.

This Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea book gives a great introduction about the history of afternoon tea and etiquette. There are plenty of pictures to accompany the lovely recipes and I just love the little hints and tips dotted throughout the book. The recipes are simple and easy to follow. I can not wait to get into the kitchen to try them out.

A must for Downton Abbey fans who love an afternoon tea!!

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read and review this book.

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What a lovely book, great insight into traditional afternoon tea and definitely something for everyone to learn from. Its beautiful and I cant wait to buy this to put on my recipe stand and try some of the recipes.

I loved the quotes from the show and the pictures of the cast. Such a great book would make an excellent gift as well I'll be buying this for my Mum and Nan at Christmas.

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Have you ever imagined what it would be like to partake in afternoon tea at Downton Abbey? Now you can! This is afternoon tea in a book! It is full of beautiful recipes, interspersed with images from the TV drama and a few etiquette notes to keep everyone on their toes! This would be heaven for a fan of Downton Abbey who loves to bake (or entertain).

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A lovely book full of delicious recipes I can't wait to try.
The book is really attractive, there are recipes for all the elements of a traditional afternoon tea mixed with a history of its origins and etiquette.
Interspersed throughout the book are some great stills from Downton Abbey and there are references to it throughout, although I would say this book isn't solely for fans of the show it's certainly a bonus for those of us who are.

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I love Downtown Abbey and reading this book made me feel so close to this show!

This book is simply lovely! The photographs are gorgeous and I loved the stills from the series and the new movie, but, above all, I'm so excited about the recipes and I can't wait to try them!
The history part was interesting, so as the guide to the etiquette and decorum and I love everything. It was like being there with the characters and take the tea!

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Beautifully illustrated book on afternoon tea

This book is a beautiful addition to any tea lover's bookshelf. It offers a short history on the British tradition of afternoon tea and different kinds of teas. Then it goes into recipe sections for pastries, buns and bisquits; cakes, tarts and puddings; tea sandwiches and savory bites; as well as preserves and spreads. The recipes are well explained and some show beautiful pictures of the finished products. Unfortunately, not all recipes have pictures so as a non-brit, I had to google some of the recipes to know what I am aiming for. All this is interspersed with some pictures and quotes from Downton Abbey. This is a lovely cookbook for any tea lover, most especially Downton Abbey fans.

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+++++++was able download file to Samsung phone, but unable to open and read+++++++

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Not had a chance to actually make anything yet - still struggling to get flour during lockdown! However, Sat and had a read through of the recipes and very impressed. There are loads of recipes I want to try. The recipes are explained well, methods easy to understand and really well illustrated. A must have book for all bakers and Downton Abbey fans too.

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What a beautiful book which will make a stunning present for any fan of the series. There are no new bakes here but a lovely carefully chosen selection of wonderful British tea time specials. The pictures are lovely and the recipes very clear and well written. I shall be buying physical copies for presents once published!

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Plot

A collection of afternoon tea themed recipes together with tea history titbits and pictures and quotes from the Downton Abbey TV show.

Ending – Thumbs up or meh

Thumbs up – some lovely recipes.

Book surmised in 5 words or less

Afternoon tea delight!

A keep you up all night read?

Not a book I would read in the small hours but a book I would read on a rainy afternoon even if I didn’t feel like baking.

My thoughts

Thank you to Gareth Neame, Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion / Frances Lincoln and NetGalley for this temporary ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book includes a lovely selection of recipes for the perfect afternoon tea.

Chapters include Pastries, Buns and biscuits, Cakes, tarts and puddings, Tea sandwiches and savory bites and preserves and spreads.

Together with pics and quotes from the TV show, a history of tea, tea etiquette and recipe notes, this book will be the perfect gift for any Downton Abbey fan.

The recipes give grams and cup measurements which I liked and it was also welcome to have the savoury element to the book with recipes including Cornish pasties, pork pies and the perfect afternoon tea sandwich.

What will I take from this book?

This cookbook wouldn’t be my usual pick but I liked the selection of recipes and I feel inspired to give some of them a go.

Favourite bit of the book

The recipes.

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I thoroughly enjoyed the introduction which was informative and interesting as it explored how afternoon tea came to be so well known - I honestly could have read more about the history and culture that was explained!

I have yet to try the recipes but I have decided to try meringues, the lemon drizzle cake this week so I will be sure to update my review. The photos, page design and clear instructions made reading through the recipes really enjoyable and I will be returning to this book again and again as family and friends visit. This would make a perfect gift for friends who enjoy baking, tasty spreads and sandwiches and who appreciate a beautifully designed book!

Perfect for Downton fans but also very good for those who aren't as it has lovely photos and quotes about the characters but they don't dominate the actual basis of the book either.

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I love this book and I can't wait to buy a physical copy. Downton Abbey is probably my favorite TV Show and now I can try recipes that appeared in the show. It was really interesting learning more about the history of tea, especially Afternoon Tea. Now I need some fancy china and some good quality tea, I will dress in a pretty, flowery dress and have an afternoon tea party. I'm excited to try some recipes, especially the sweet ones.

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Wow what an amazing book! I absolutely love it and shall have to purchase a physical copy as there is so many recipes I would love to try ( especially The Battenburg and The Bakewell Tart) The coloured photos throughout are truly lovely and the recipes are brilliant too. I like how informative this is, especially about different types of tea, This book is set out in a really lovely way, with easy to read fonts and sections. I absolutely love all the Downton Abbey quotes and photos aswell, a must have for any Downton Fan. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

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A delightful book for Downton Abbey fans and for everyone who loves the afternoon tea tradition.

The Downton Abbey story offers the perfect background for a delightful book about afternoon tea. I found the short history of tea, tea making and everything that developed around it, very interesting. It recalls that tea, politics, women power and society have very interlinked histories.

The recipes are illustrated with very nice photos for the series. The explanations are very well done, and each recipe gives a little information about the particular cake or pastry in the context of the times, together with little remarks bringing you right into the story. For example, the fact that you are free to use other jams (than raspberry or strawberry) for your Bakewell tart and add a little sugary glaze, but should you do so, Mrs Patmore would call it by another name entirely. I also discovered in this book that there is such a thing as mock clotted cream and a recipe for it...

Even for those who are not fans of Downton Abbey, this book will be a great one to have as a collection of quite a number of great cakes to make to enjoy with a nice cup of tea. A real mouthwatering read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author Gareth Neame for giving me the privilege of an advance reader copy of this book.

#TheOfficialDowntonAbbeyAfternoonTeaCookbook #NetGalley

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Such an interesting cookbook.

It is full of history regarding tea, how best to make it and the rise of the afternoon tea.

The recipe book itself is rammed full with different recipes which could accompany an afternoon tea. every cake, and party that you have ever heard of, plus those you have not heard of, can be found in this book! Savory covers pies, sandwiches, pasties, jams, jellys and creams.

This would be the perfect gift for an afternoon tea fan, they wouldn't have to know or follow Downton Abbey.

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The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook is a truly beautiful book, far more than just a cook book, it's a quintessential guide to Afternoon Tea, The history, the best hints and tips on how to serve and enjoy it. Filled with lovely recipes . It's the perfect gift and a welcome addition to any book shelf.

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It was a delight to browse through this review copy. It’s full of wonderful pictures and quotes from the TV series Downton Abbey, mouthwatering pictures of delicacies and recipes, and lots of information about the British Afternoon Tea. Like, what to wear, which blend of tea to drink, which culinary delights to offer for which sort of afternoon tea event, and which tea service to use.

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As both an afternoon tea lover and a fan of Downton Abbey I adore this book. It gives a charming history of afternoon tea in England and provides wonderful recipes with beautiful pictures. Lovely!

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The official Downtown Abbey tea book will take you back to the time when the aristocracy took tea, with all it's etiquettes and traditional ways of doing it just so.

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So great for fans of Downton. My daughter and her friends loved trying the different recipes for a true afternoon tea for a recent tea party, and I love how the layout is just perfect in every way.

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The Official Downtown Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook by Gareth Neame features a stunning set of recipes for the perfect afternoon tea! Stunning cakes and bakes and finger foods. The photos are absolutely beautiful.

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The perfect gift for an Downton fan. This is a gorgeous book filled with all the recipes you would need to craft your own afternoon tea ala Downton. It is also full of really interesting facts as to the history of afternoon tea and the main components of it. Perfect addition to the kitchen of a Downton fan!

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I really found this little cookbook delightful. What I enjoyed most is that it focuses on the history of the afternoon tea recipes and not Downton Abbey the series. Yes of course, Downton Abbey is the setting, but it doesn't dominate, and the star of this book are the delights served up on the fancy plates, and the concise and informative background information. It looks beautifully designed, without actually holding it in my hands, and after reviewing the e-copy, I will definitely be purchasing and recommending this book. Delightful, can't wait to start cooking.

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This book is a must for any Downton Abbey fans. Also those that just love a good cookbook. The book is laid out with wonderful pictures of the cast of the tv program alongside pictures of the delicious looking delicacies that are on offer. Clear recipes. Easy to follow instructions.
My daughter and I will thoroughly enjoy making some of this just as Mrs Patmore would have done.

The book also covers the etiquette of an afternoon tea . Long may the tradition continue

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in return for an honest review.

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How many times have you watched the iconic series, Downton Abbey, and wondered how delicious those tea treats look? Ok, admittedly, you might also have wondered how much time the cook would have to spend making them, too. But you can have the answer to both. Cooking enthusiasts, unite. Here comes the Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook!

A luxurious, carefully constructed series of recipes from one of our favorite dramas, the Downton Abbey Cookbook is adorned with illustrations from the series and looks fantastic. But more than that, it promises to help you create all those wonderful treats you've secretly (or not so secretly) been admiring for so long. Success? Why, yes, dear, absolutely!

A recommended read for hardcore Downton Abbey fans and cooking enthusiasts alike.

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Delightful” is an overused term, but it is just right for this little gem. Will be delighting bakers as much as Downtonophiles. A pinch of history, short and not preachy combined with a mixture of mouthwatering images of cakes, pies, biscuits and sandwiches and stunning TV stills from Downton Abbey.
You can almost see Lady Mary pour herself a perfectly brewed cup of oolong before draping herself on one of Downton’s chaiselongues. Have finally made scones (recipe works!). Hardcopy purchase already planned as a deserving friend’s (and maaaad Downton fan) Christmas present.
Only slight downside: boring cover does not do the gorgeous content justice.

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This was a beautiful book perfect for big fans of Downton Abbey. I loved the way that elements of the show, history of the food and the actual recipes were tied together

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As a huge Downton fan, I was so pleased to be able to review a copy of this on Netgalley.

A lovely memory of the series, this book contains a glorious mix of series memorabilia, quaint ceremonies of mealtimes gone by, and delicious recepies. Although some of the recipies are fairly generic, they combine to give a lovely old-fashioned vibe and can definitely be used to give an air of a grand afternoon tea at Downton!

As someone who also loves history, and loves going to National Trust properties and hearing of how the families used to live, I really enjoyed the decision to intersperse the recipies with notes and stories of various tea ceremonies and other meals.

The recipies are both pleasant and fairly easy to follow, with the majority being possible with fairly simple ingredients - which was a big help. I would definitely recommend this book, whether you are an avid cook, fan or Downton, or simply fancy a cute and delicious afternoon tea.

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This is a delightful Afternoon Tea recipe book in conjunction with the television series Downton Abbey.

The book is divided into 5 sections:
- Introduction with foreword from Gareth Neame (Executive Producer of Downton Abbey) and British Tea Characteristics & Etiquette
- Pastries, Buns & Biscuits (18)
- Cakes, Tarts & Puddings (27)
- Tea sandwiches & Savoury Bites (5)
- Preserves & Spreads (7)

Each recipe comes with an introduction as to its origins or when it should be served, or sometimes a tip. For example, I didn't know you are supposed to tear a scone in two rather than cut it - Oops!

The recipes are in both imperial and metric measurements, some have a colour photograph or there is a scene photograph from the TV series. The steps are easy to follow and gives the number it will make or serve.

Lots of the recipes are for traditional English cakes, such as Battenberg, Crumpets or Chelsea Buns that you would find in many another book, but it's good to have it all together in one for those who wish to serve a traditional English Afternoon tea to their friends and family.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

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Love this book - the recipes - the pictures - the history - can’t wait to try the recipes as they are easy to understand and a novice baker like myself could make afternoon teas fit for a queen

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