Journey back to Downton – Afternoon Tea on a Train from a bygone era

Highclere Castle is regarded as the finest occupied Victorian castle in England……….although frankly my dears, that is not why Tea with Mary Kate is interested . I hesitate to divulge this finding but in the spirit of generosity, who could hesitate to take up a splendid train journey on the orient express to Downton…..ahem, I mean to Highclere.

Lady Mary Crawley and Matthew Crawley - on the Train Platform from Downton Abbey

Tea with Mary Kate has been lucky enough to travel on the wonderful Northern Belle train to the Chelsea Flower show already

Not that once is enough by any stretch of the imagination – who could not wish to be swept to Downton via this bygone era of travel. It will be very hard to resist a quite delightful journey on this beautiful 1930s train with the prospect of wandering around the rooms at Highclere that have become very familiar as the Crawley’s home. There is even the prospect for bumping into the cast filming series 3 of Downton Abbey. Tea with Mary Kates enthusiasm for this journey is unbridled in her article  Oh to have tea at Downton Abbey

Northern Belle - A Beautiful Cup for Afternoon Tea to travel to Downton Abbey

I may need to enlist a generous benefactor though to fund this potential trip.Tea with Mary Kate is open to offers!

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A Murderous Tale of Tea and Agatha Christie

In the air, there are plots of murder as well as the odd flurry of snow.

Winter is here! It is far too cold to be even contemplating venturing outside, but you’ll hear no cry of complaint from these quarters. What more could I wish for than a Hercule Poirot adventure on the Orient Express. But there is more to Tea with Mary Kate’s Tale of Tea & Agatha Christie, so do join me on an adventure of Agatha Christie inspired idea’s at Christmas.

Agatha Christie’s Poirot in a snowy scene in front of the Orient Express

Read a Agatha Christie Christmas themed Book

Reading is such a distracting, indulgent pleasure, and often one we only make time for at holidays. Choose one of her books with a Christmas theme to keep you in the festive mood or just reread your favourite one!  A few that immediately spring to mind are:

The adventure of the Christmas Pudding

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas

A Christmas Tragedy

And while you are reading your book, a spot of Agatha Christie Inspired Afternoon Tea wouldn’t go amiss

I can think of no more perfect an afternoon than sitting by a roaring fire, sipping freshly brewed leaf tea from a beautiful vintage tea cup, with the most difficult decision being whether to start with a gorgeous sandwich, or go straight for the delicious cakes.

If you are feeling Adventurous, Investigate where you can see one of her plays

I love An Unexpected Guest, marvelously inventive, it keeps you guessing right until the last moment.

Dream of visiting Greenway

Or better still, plot how you are actually going to visit as this gem of a National Trust property is currently shut. It is an amazing place to imagine having afternoon Tea with Agatha Christie. Agatha’s is often quoted  in saying that Greenway “is the loveliest place in the world”, and it is very hard to disagree with her.

Agatha Christie – Afternoon Tea in the kitchen at Greenway

Finally, Grab your dancing shoes & dress to kill for an amazing Agatha Christie Tea Dance

If you happen to be in London on 27th December,  put on your most gorgeous vintage frock, and head for the Clore Ballroom where a free Agatha Christie tea dance is being held to celebrate her 120th birthday. With 1930s and 1940s live vintage music, who could resist the abundance of vintage glamour!

A rather glamorous Agatha Christie – Afternoon Tea dance

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