authenticity, atmosphere and service. The Cliffside Inn has revived the classic art of afternoon tea in the style perfected by the British 150 years ago and introduced in Newport in the late 19th century. Cliffside's "Legendary Newport Tea Service," is a traditional Duchess of Bedford Afternoon Tea as it was served in Victorian Newport at the turn of the 20th century.

DUCHESS OF BEDFORD AFTERNOON TEA
Anna Maria, the seventh Duchess of Bedford and lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria, is recognized as having created a new and different kind of afternoon tea in England in 1840.

During Victorian times, dinner was served fashionably late and the Duchess would experience a "sinking feeling" around five o'clock. One afternoon, she instructed her servants to bring tea, bread, butter and little cakes to her boudoir. The experience was so pleasant that this soon became a planned daily event and she invited friends to join her. Eventually, after being adopted by Queen Victoria, Duchess of Bedford afternoon tea became a celebrated domestic tradition in Great Britain and North America.

Afternoon tea, in accordance with tradition, is served between two and five o'clock and is always an elegant "snack" rather than a complete meal. The menu usually includes tea, finger sandwiches, scones with Devonshire Cream and jams, cakes, assorted pastries and occasionally a more elaborate layer cake or trifle as a finale. Tea is usually served in a drawing room, living room or parlor with the elegant fare presented with lacey linens, fine bone china and silver teapots.