Obviously the origin of the well-known British tradition of afternoon tea cannot be credited to only one woman,but evolved over a period of time ,as many cultural customs do.
Women were first introduced to tea on a wide scale when Lyon`s tea house opened.The tea house not only served women tea ,but even hired stylish young women to serve it.This provided a place for women,accompanied by men,to go and visit with one another in an acceptable atmosphere. women were also served tea in the London tea gardens of the early 1730s. Tea gardens were outdoor gardens with flowered paths and music for dancing. They opened in April or May and remained open throughout the summer until August or September Unlike Lyon`s tea house ,tea gardens were not public places.One had to pay to get in.