PHOTO: Magnificent multi-tiered serving platters are a signature element during afternoon tea. (photo via Pixabay/xandra71)So you’re heading to Britain soon and have your heart set on enjoying an afternoon tea.You may be thinking that you’ll sit down, someone will serve you a cup of tea, you’ll chat a bit and then that’s pretty much that.Well, there’s a lot more to it.It’s actually a much fancier, lengthier affair than you’d expect, with sweet treats and sandwiches starring almost as much as the tea does. Here’s all you need to know to be prepared for tea time on your next trip.MORE Features & AdviceThe History of Afternoon TeaAccording to historians, afternoon tea was likely first invented during the mid-1800s by the seventh Duchess of Bedford.Back in those days, most people only ate two meals a day—breakfast and dinner—and so many would find their stomachs rumbling come mid-afternoon. The Duchess, who naturally had a roster of staff at her disposal, started asking for a tray of tea, bread and cakes to be delivered to her each afternoon.She eventually started inviting her friends to join her, and so began the “afternoon tea” as we know it.What Should You Expect to Eat and Drink?In addition to steaming cups of leaves, the signature afternoon tea sight is a magnificent, multi-tiered serving platter. There you will find a multitude of skinny finger sandwiches, a tier of homemade cakes or desserts and scones with decadent cream and jam.You will often find cucumber sandwiches in your selection (typically layered with cream cheese), but you will also likely be served a variety of fillings such as roast beef, egg and watercress, smoked salmon, shrimp, cheese or Coronation Chicken (chicken in a curried mayonnaise).Cakes and desserts should all be homemade and can run the gamut from mini cheesecakes and eclairs to macarons or chocolate puddings.Scones will often either be plain or of the fruit variety. Any afternoon tea worth its fine china will be served warm from the oven. Any type of jam can be served with the scones—strawberry is the most common flavor—while the cream should be thick and sticky. READ MORE: The 5 Quirkiest Afternoon Teas to Try in LondonThe amount of food served will depend on your party size. You should expect around three finger sandwiches and cakes, as well as 1-2 scones per person. It may not sound like a lot of food, but it is surprisingly filling considering that this tradition started out as a “light” afternoon snack.You typically should be able to choose from a selection of teas to enjoy with your food. Loose-leaf is the best, and some venues will even offer pairing suggestions depending on the type of food they will be serving with the tea that day.You will always be offered free refills of tea should you need it—the afternoon tea process can take as long as a full meal—but you can often choose coffee or a soft drink as an alternative if you’re not a tea person. (Better to make up an excuse though than tell the locals you dislike tea.)READ MORE: Experience London the Royal WayWhere to Find a Good Afternoon TeaAfternoon teas are served the length and breadth of Britain, in tea rooms, cafes, restaurants, coffee shops, department stores and hotels.As a general rule, the nicer the hotel or restaurant, the pricier and more decadent the afternoon tea will be.