On Thursday, September 26, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) will host a unique 'Afternoon Tea Through Time' event, aiming to raise funds for a special “Calm Christmas” experience at Blists Hill Victorian Town.

The event will take place in the Covered Bays at Coalbrookdale, offering guests an afternoon steeped in history and tradition.

Attendees of the event will be treated to a classic afternoon tea, complete with finger sandwiches, cakes, and scones topped with jam and clotted cream.

The event will also include a dive into the history of Victorian-era fashion.

Original costumes from the 1840s and 1850s, showcasing what would have been worn during the early days of afternoon tea in Britain, will be on display.

Guests will also have the unique opportunity to try on replica Victorian attire, adding an interactive element to the afternoon.

Kyla Hislop, IGMT’s Interpretation Curator, will provide an insightful talk on the history of tea drinking and the social etiquette surrounding it, further immersing guests in the Victorian era.

Proceeds from this event will contribute to the development of a new Calm Christmas Grotto at Blists Hill Victorian Town.

This initiative is designed to offer a quieter, more sensory-friendly grotto experience for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities, ensuring that the magic of Christmas is accessible to all.

Tickets for the event are available now, and booking is essential. For more information, please visit the IGMT website here.