Elevate your high tea or afternoon tea with beautiful teaware. From delicate floral patterns to contemporary designs, discover some of our favourite teaware.
One of the most important elements of hosting a High Tea at home is the teaware you choose, a beautiful tea set can transform the table, adding a real sense of occasion.
From classic fine bone china to colourful contemporary designs, there is a teaware style to suit every taste. Here are some of our favourite brands and collections to inspire your next high tea or afternoon tea at home.
Our Favourite Teaware Brands
Wedgwood
Founded in England in 1759, Wedgwood has a long history of creating beautiful tableware and fine bone china. One of our favourite designs is the Butterfly Bloom Tea Set. The collection features delicate butterflies and floral motifs across teapots, cups and saucers, with intricate details that give the pieces an elegant, artistic feel. Made from fine bone china, the collection combines a delicate appearance with the durability needed for regular use.
Royal Albert
Royal Albert was established in England in 1904 and has become synonymous with traditional English teaware. One of its most iconic patterns, Old Country Roses, has been a favourite for generations. The classic floral design brings a timeless elegance to the tea table and is particularly suited to a traditional afternoon tea. If you love the romance of English tea parties, Royal Albert is a natural choice.
William Edwards
Hand decorated in the heart of the potteries of Stoke-on-Trent UK, William Edwards is known for its fine bone china crafted with genuine English heritage. Our favourite is the Sultan’s Garden design, created in collaboration with Sam de Teran for the luxury Barbados hotel Cobblers Cove. The vibrant pattern features paradisal gardens with gazelles, lions, and monkeys playing beneath palms and cypress trees, inspired by early Near Eastern ceramic artwork. It’s a striking, exotic choice for anyone wanting their high tea table to feel a little more adventurous.
Maxwell & Williams
Melbourne based Maxwell & Williams has been making teaware since 1995, and its colourful designs brighten up any table. High Tea Society loves the Botanica range, created in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and inspired by the Gardens’ botanical archives. Detailed illustrations of Australian flora give each piece a refined, nature inspired feel that celebrates the beauty and diversity of native plant life.
Cristina Re
Australian designer Cristina Re is known for her feminine, vintage-inspired approach to tableware and entertaining. Her collections feature elegant patterns and luxurious details, with pieces made from high-quality new bone china. One of our favourite designs is the vibrant fuchsia collection with gold trim. Featuring mugs and teacups decorated with a classic houndstooth pattern, it adds a colourful and glamorous touch to the afternoon tea table.
Villeroy & Boch
Villeroy & Boch has been crafting premium porcelain since 1748, combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Our favourite design is the Fleur collection, which features floral graphics, clean shapes and characteristic colours. Its light, modern aesthetic with a fresh and contemporary feel.
Sara Miller London
Designed in London, Sara Miller London teaware combines elegant styling with vivid colours and exotic patterns. One of our favourites is the Chelsea Ceramic Tea for Two Set, featuring birds perched among delicate, intertwining branches. The set includes two fine bone china teacups and a tea strainer, making it a thoughtful gift for yourself or another tea lover. The combination of intricate pattern and classic tea-set styling makes this collection particularly charming for an intimate afternoon tea.
Royal Doulton
A British tableware icon, Royal Doulton has been creating ceramics and fine china since 1815. Its teaware combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary designs, making it a versatile choice for both classic and modern afternoon tea settings. From elegant floral patterns to clean, contemporary shapes, Royal Doulton offers teacups, saucers and teapots that can be styled as a coordinated set or mixed with existing pieces.
Marimekko
Melbourne-based company Maxwell & Williams has been creating tableware and teaware since 1995, with a wide range of colourful and contemporary designs. High Tea Society particularly loves the vibrant Teas & Cs Silk Road collection, which includes teapots and infusers. With its combination of colour and practical design, it is a great option for anyone looking to brighten up their tea table or find a gift for a tea lover.
Fortnum & Mason
English retailer Fortnum & Mason was established in 1707 and is renowned for its distinctive approach to food, entertaining and luxury. Its elegant fine china makes a beautiful addition to any afternoon tea setting. High Tea Society particularly loves the High Tea Teacup & Saucer Duo, created exclusively for Fortnum & Mason. The design features an elegant butterfly motif, flourishes of real gold and the brand’s signature Eau de Nil colour. It is a beautiful choice for anyone who appreciates traditional English elegance with a touch of luxury.
Mud Australia
If contemporary Australian design is more your style, Mud Australia is a beautiful choice for both everyday tea drinking and entertaining. The Australian company is known for its minimalist porcelain designs, which are handcrafted and available in a range of colours. Its teacups and mugs are available in a variety of shades, while the two- and four-cup teapots make it easy to choose a size to suit the occasion. With its clean, modern aesthetic, Mud Australia is ideal for creating a more contemporary afternoon tea table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose bone china, porcelain, or stoneware for my tea set?
Bone china is thin, lightweight and slightly translucent. Despite its delicate appearance, it is highly chip-resistant, which is one reason it has long been associated with luxury and fine teaware. Porcelain is fired at a higher temperature, making it dense, non-porous and durable. It generally has a slightly heavier feel and a cooler white appearance compared with the warmer ivory tone of bone china. Stoneware is thicker and more rustic, offering a practical and often more affordable option that is well suited to casual, everyday tea drinking
What teaware do I need to host a high tea?
At minimum, you’ll want a teapot, teacups and saucers, a milk jug, a sugar bowl, and a tea strainer. A tiered stand for sandwiches and pastries completes the classic look.
How do I care for my teaware?
Hand-wash fine bone china and porcelain in warm (not hot) water with a mild detergent, avoiding abrasive sponges that can wear down patterns and gold trim. Always allow cold teaware to come to room temperature before exposing it to boiling water. Sudden changes in temperature can cause thermal shock, which may crack or break china and porcelain. When storing, place a soft cloth between stacked cups and saucers, and keep gold-trimmed pieces out of direct sunlight and the microwave.
What teaware do I need to host a high tea at home?
At minimum, you’ll want a teapot, teacups and saucers, a milk jug, a sugar bowl, and a tea strainer. A tiered stand for sandwiches and pastries completes the classic look.
Find the perfect tea in our Tea Guide.
