In the 1730's, the gardens of Vauxhall on the south bank of the River Thames in London were a popular place to relax and drink tea amongst the elite of London. Ten years later various other gardens in London opened up and Londoners from all walks of life visited the gardens to drink tea, watch fireworks and dance.
From the dancing in the tea gardens came the idea of holding a 'tea dance' party, which at the beginning of the twentieth century became the vogue. This meant that teatime was an even longer and more leisurely affair and ladies and their male partners would dance and enjoy tea for several hours.
