Roll up your sleeves in Birmingham’s iconic baking tent and craft a classic Afternoon Tea

Step into The Big Bakes marquee at 110 Floodgate St, Deritend, Birmingham B5 5SR and you’re in for three hours of hands-on Afternoon Tea making that reads like a fast-track course in British comfort food. The Big Bakes team runs the UK's No.1 baking experience in a large tent fitted with 12 baking stations and top appliances. Working in pairs, you’ll bake Victoria sponge sandwiches, pipe choux pastry eclairs, and roll chocolate truffles, then assemble everything on a three-tier stand for a proper tea tasting. Instructors guide every step; aprons, ingredients, and a take-home cake box are included, plus a digital mini recipe e-book. The session combines practical technique—mixing, folding, piping—with social energy: ovens humming, flour-dusted surfaces, and the buzz of a busy kitchen. Classes suit visitors, date nights, families, and local groups and are capped to keep instruction personal. Accessibility is considered: the host can provide a chair at your station on request, and children bake under structured supervision to keep things safe and fun. The setting in Deritend puts a culinary workshop in easy reach of canalside walks and creative Digbeth streets, so you can pair a morning outdoors with a warm, indoor culinary activity. This experience stands out here because Afternoon Tea is a distinct slice of British culinary culture—originating in the 19th century as a social pause—and The Big Bakes translates that ritual into a reproducible craft instead of a passive tasting. The marquee setup, full service, and the no-washup promise make it an efficient, low-friction way to learn regional baking traditions. Practical details: the class runs three hours with two hours of guided baking, includes a complimentary soft drink on arrival, and ends with tea and tasting in the café area; book early for weekend spots. Children aged 6–13 must bake with a responsible adult; children 5 and under can attend free when baking in a team of three. Optional extras include a welcome cocktail or Prosecco and limited-edition souvenir pins. Expect the kitchen heat, the smell of browned butter and vanilla, and the tactile joy of folding batter and piping choux — sensory moments that make the class feel like a compact urban culinary adventure. Paired with a morning canal walk or an afternoon exploring local galleries, this warm, social workshop is a restorative indoor option that supports local food craft. Wear comfortable shoes and bring curiosity and ready to bake at home.