Roaring Twenties Downton Abbey Afternoon tea at The Towsend Hotel

Barb and Rachel Gulley present A Downton Abbey-inspired tea talk in "Roaring Twenties" fashion

Downton Abbey in the Roaring Twenties came to The Townsend Hotel March 1st, reflecting the time period of last year's Downton Abbey movie.  And, like the Crawley family in the feature-length film, The Townsend provided their special guests with the royal treatment (as the always do!).

Barb's Tea Service (Barb and Rachel Gulley) presented "A Downton Abbey-inspired Afternoon Tea" talk which covered the "lifestyles of the rich and famous" British aristocracy from the late Edwardian period to the Jazz Age.  As the Downton Abbey movie revealed, the upstairs and downstairs staff of the English country estates were experiencing not only improved methods of transport and communication, but radical changes in women's fashion where ladies trimmed inches off both hair and hemlines.

Guests were seated in The Townsend Hotel's afternoon tea lobby

The central theme, however, of the Downton Abbey movie, is the visit of the King and Queen to the Crawley estate - a not uncommon practice of the day.  Much preparation went into executing a flawless dining experience for the royals: contracting expert chefs, setting an elegant table and serving it all with a professional staff.  The parallels to afternoon tea at the Townsend are uncanny!

Afternoon tea sweets

Rachel with Afternoon Tea Director, Marsha Clark

Guests at The Townsend were seated in Birmingham's luxury hotel's tea lobby which features crystal chandeliers, velvety couches and, at the center of it all, the inviting fireplace with a warm and cheery glow that emanates from its glass doors.

Local Downton Abbey fan and guests

A quick poll of attendees found that most of the guests were Downton Abbey fans, but a few came as invitees of those passionate Downton Abbey-ites.  Visitors came from not only the tri-country area, but Canada as well.

Downton Abbey fans from Windsor (Ontario!)

Barb's Tea Service is always thrilled to present a Downton Abbey-inspired afternoon tea at The Townsend. We've done several over the years and typically our dress reflects the era of the current Downton Abbey season. We can tell you, it's always a treat to have afternoon tea at The Townsend whether it be Gilded Age, Edwardian era or Roaring Twenties (both 1920's and 2020's).

A special thanks to Afternoon Tea Director, Marsha Clark and her staff and to Rachelle of Derby Hats by Rachelle for the beautiful headband worn by Rachel.

DA tea in the Gilded Age (2019)