Coming up
Literary afternoon tea – Mansion House,
City of London
We are honoured to have received a very special invitation this September. Hosted by the Representative Lady Mayoress in support of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, this private Literary Afternoon Tea in the Lord Mayor’s Private Dining Room will celebrate literature, storytelling, philanthropy, and the cherished British tradition of tea. The event will spotlight the stories of extraordinary women—past and present—and feature live readings from Elizabeth Ascot performed by actresses, alongside a tasting of our bespoke artisan tea blends. This occasion also marks our first collaboration with the wonderful Gillian Harrow, whose support has made this unique opportunity possible.
30 years Windsor Library – Elizabeth Ascot cream tea event
We are delighted to have been chosen by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Libraries to mark the 30th anniversary of Windsor Library. This special event will be open to the public on Friday, 21st November from 4:00pm, with 30–40 bookable slots available soon via Eventbrite. Guests will enjoy live readings from Elizabeth Ascot performed by two actresses, followed by a short talk by the author.
June 2025
Our third year at the Royal Windsor Flower Show was a fantastic day—rain and all! His Majesty King Charles and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh made a joint appearance to open the 118th edition of this much-loved event, held at The York Club in Windsor Great Park. Founded by Queen Victoria in 1892, the show continues to thrive under royal patronage and remains a highlight of the summer season. As Honorary President Alan Titchmarsh described it, “My favourite flower show in the world.” A joyful one-day celebration of gardening, nature, food, and traditional crafts, the show featured stunning floral displays, inspiring talks, live demonstrations, and hands-on workshops.
Monkey Island Estate
June 2025
A special preview reading from the second book in the Elizabeth Ascot series took place at the annual Summer Lunch of the AWBS International Women’s Club. The event was held at the elegant Monkey Island Estate in Bray—a village on the Thames celebrated for its gastronomy and Michelin-starred restaurants. In Victorian times, the island was a beloved leisure destination known for fishing and lavish banquets. King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra were said to enjoy afternoon tea on the lawns with their children. Guests at the event sampled the upcoming Ascot Garden tea blend and enjoyed a live reading by the author.
Gift of the Year
2025
We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news: our signature tea, Victorian Black, has been shortlisted by the British Allied Trades Federation (est. 1947) for the 2025 Gift of the Year Award in the Food & Drink category. Now in its 45th year, this prestigious award celebrates the finest new British products, and we’re proud to be named among the finalists. Victorian Black is a single estate, single field orthodox Orange Pekoe 1 black tea, distinguished by its rich notes of dark forest honey, with an earthy, malty aroma—a blend that captures the elegance and depth of the Victorian era in every cup.
Limehouse Library london
January 2025
We were delighted to bring the world of Elizabeth Ascot to the Limehouse Library Hotel in London. Once an Edwardian district library, this beautiful boutique hotel has been transformed into a haven for literature lovers—where each room is named after an iconic author, from Charles Dickens to Jane Austen, with interiors that vividly evoke their worlds. Our first event at the Limehouse Library Hotel was a truly memorable afternoon, with a delicious tea service and a marvellous performance by actor Monica Nash. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
Good Housekeeping's Christmas Collection
2024
We were thrilled to see the Elizabeth Ascot Gift Box featured in Good Housekeeping magazine's Christmas Collection 2024 issue as a recommended gift! Although we knew the editors had downloaded our product photos, we couldn’t be sure we’d made the cut—until the issue hit the shelves. What made this recognition all the more meaningful was that it wasn’t a paid promotion, but an independent editorial endorsement. The feature introduced our Victorian Black tea blend and historical novel series to a wider audience of tea lovers and book enthusiasts just in time for Christmas.
The Berystede
September 2024
We welcomed the start of autumn with a special afternoon tea event at The Berystede Hotel in Ascot. This former country manor is not only located near the real-life cottage that links the Victorian and modern heroines in the Elizabeth Ascot novel—it also features as the home of Hélène, the French protagonist and one of the Extraordinary Ladies of Ascot. British television presenter and actress Sunita Shroff brought the story to life with readings from two key scenes, followed by a lively Q&A with author Agnes Fernandes. Agnes shared fascinating insights into her research on Ascot’s Victorian history, as well as personal stories from her friendship with the legendary couturier Hubert de Givenchy, which inspired the novel’s contemporary narrative.
June 2024
It was a true honour to be invited to the University Women’s Club in Mayfair to present the Elizabeth Ascot book series to members of the Federation of International Women’s Associations in London. The event included a reading by the wonderful actress Sunita Shroff, followed by a delightful afternoon tea. Founded in 1883 when Miss Gertrude Jackson of Girton College, Cambridge, gathered friends and colleagues to form a club for university-educated women, the Club soon became a cornerstone of female intellectual and social life in London. As Elizabeth Ascot celebrates the hidden lives and ambitions of 19th-century women navigating a world not built for them, it was especially meaningful to share the story in a place so deeply rooted in that very legacy.
June 2024
For the second year running, Elizabeth Ascot joined the Royal Windsor Flower Show—a joyful one-day celebration of gardening, heritage, and country life at The York Club in Windsor Great Park. Now in its 117th year, the show drew enthusiastic crowds with its stunning floral displays and quintessentially British summer charm. We were delighted to welcome visitors to discover the story behind our novels and sample our artisan teas amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Windsor’s horticultural finest.
June 2023
In June, we had the privilege of exhibiting Elizabeth Ascot at the prestigious Royal Windsor Flower Show held at York Club in Windsor Great Park. It was an absolutely fabulous day with beautiful installations, great food, music and dance performances and an abundance of joyous laughter. Organised by the Royal Windsor Rose and Horticultural Society, one of the oldest horticultural societies in the country, the show traces its roots back to 1892 when it was established by Queen Victoria. Over the last 130 years the Society has had six monarchs as Patron. This year’s show was inaugurated by the Duchess of Edinburgh. Alan Titchmarsh, in his role as Honorary President, declared with pride, “What you have witnessed here today is the very best of English tradition, in the heart of Windsor countryside!”
March 2023
In March 2023, Kempton’s restaurant at Sunningdale park hosted a cream tea event with Elizabeth Ascot in the magnificent Northcote House, a Neo-Georgian stately home beautifully restored to its former glory. The characters of our book series sprung to life through the thrilling performance of actress Sunita Shroff who delighted the audience, effortlessly transitioning between various accents from contemporary French couturier to Victorian bank heiress. While the ladies enjoyed their cream tea, an engaging Q&A session with the author ensued. Agnes shared heartwarming anecdotes of her personal friendship with Givenchy, providing an intimate glimpse into the world of high fashion. She also delved into the fascinating story behind the fashion exhibition she had curated alongside the iconic designer, showcasing a breathtaking collection of eighty original creations. Some of these extraordinary pieces dated as far back as 1952.
During the months preceding Christmas 2022, we took part in a handful of select markets near Ascot where we proudly presented our Elizabeth Ascot book series and tea blend. This allowed us to personally engage with avid readers of historical fiction and connoisseurs of fine tea.
September 2022
In September 2022, we received an invitation from the AWBS International Women's Club to present the inaugural book of the Elizabeth Ascot series at their season opening gathering. The event took place at the ON5 Restaurant, situated on the fifth floor of the Grandstand. With its private balcony and breathtaking panoramic window overlooking the Ascot race track, the venue provided an exceptional setting for this special occasion. Actress Patrizia Petrassi, known for her role in "The Windsors: A Royal Dynasty" (2020), recited two excerpts from the book. The first passage transported the audience to the bustling backstage of a contemporary fashion show in Milan, while the second took them back in time to a delightful Victorian tea party in Ascot during the year 1862. The scene unfolded with charm until an unexpected twist abruptly concluded the affair. To further immerse the audience in the experience, the ladies were served the exquisite Victorian Black tea blend. Following the absorbing reading experience, an engaging Q&A session with the author ensued. Attendees had the opportunity to inquire about various aspects of the book, gaining insights into the creation of the Elizabeth Ascot series. To conclude the event, guests were offered the chance to have their books signed by the author.