Afternoon Tea has always been about more than tea and tiny sandwiches. Born in 19th century England as an elegant pause between lunch and the evening meal, it became a cherished social ritual, an occasion for conversation, refinement and the pleasure of taking time to enjoy beautiful things.
At Queen City Cakes, we believe a little elegance shouldn't have to stay at the table. That's where Picnic Tea was born from, our take on Afternoon Tea to go.
We've gathered the much loved traditions of the British tea table and packaged them up for you to enjoy wherever the afternoon takes you. No formal dining room required, no need to dress for the occasion, simply collect your beautifully prepared tea and find somewhere lovely to enjoy it.
Inside, you'll find an assortment of traditional British inspired sandwiches, freshly baked scones, luscious homemade clotted cream, sweet fruit preserve and an assortment of irresistible bitesized treats, all prepared with the same attention to detail as our in-house Afternoon Tea.
Take it to the park, the garden, the lake, somewhere wonderfully scenic or, quite honestly, take it home and put your feet up.
Because some traditions are simply too delicious to leave indoors.
Season 2026 Menu
- Cucumber, Cheese & Spicy Tomato Jam Sandwich is crafted on slices of freshly baked homemade sourdough. Crisp cucumber and creamy cheese are layered with house made spicy tomato jam on freshly baked sourdough, creating a fresh, savory bite with a subtle hint of heat. A Mediterranean take on the classic Victorian Era cucumber sandwich, one favoured by the Upper Class of the time.
- Smoked Salmon & Dill Cream Cheese between homemade sourdough. Silky smoked salmon is delicately layered on freshly baked sourdough with finely sliced shallots, briny capers, and a luxuriously smooth dill cream cheese. Each bite offers a refined balance of smoky richness, fresh herbs, and subtle tang, creating an elegant and satisfying savory experience. This is a gracious tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Chef reported she was very fond of it.
- Egg Salad & Greens on sourdough made in house. Creamy, thoughtfully seasoned egg salad is generously layered with crisp garden greens. The richness of the eggs is balanced by fresh, vibrant textures, creating a comforting yet refined sandwich with a light, satisfying finish with a hint of mustard. This was a sandwich that was loved due to affordable nature back in the 1840s and as such became a frequent afternoon favourite, it has been likened to caviar of the sandwiches.
- Chicken, Cheese & Carrot Cake Jam sandwiched in fresh sourdough. Tender chicken and mild cheese are paired with sweet and spiced carrot cake jam made in house. This unique combination balances savory, creamy, and subtly sweet flavors for a playful yet satisfying bite. Chicken sandwiches evolved from the want for a more elaborate savoury tea during the Victorian and Edwardian period, and this is our play on that.
- Assorted standards desserts including signature cake truffles and macarons.
- Speciality seasonal dessert feature.
- Bespoke creations that are divine delight and surprise.
- Seasonal homemade jam.
- Seasonal flavoured scones.
- Homemade Cornish style clotted cream.
Allergies: We cannot accommodate vegan, however we can accommodate nut free, gluten free and vegetarian. Please advise at the time of booking to ensure accommodations can be made.
2026 Dates: 6 & 7 March, 10 & 11 April, 15 & 16 May, 12 & 13 June, 11 July, 8 August, 11 & 12 September, 2 & 3 October, 13 & 14 November and 12 December.
*beverages not included.
Booking Instructions: When adding to the basket you have 30 minutes to checkout, please make sure the date and time (if the date is greyed out, it is either fully book or not available on that date) is noted when making payment. If it is missing your slot has expired, remove it from the basket and start the booking over again. If in doubt or need help please call.
