Other countries are only just discovering Britain’s Tea-time Alarm – have you had your compulsory daily cup?

Poppy Dykes. Updated March 30th, 2025

If you’ve found yourself on the internet much in the past couple of weeks, you may have heard about the Tea Time Alarm, which (as every self-respecting Brit knows) goes off at 4pm every day to remind the UK to have a cuppa.

As unwilling as we are to let the joke drop after the whole country has gone to such lengths to fool the world, we’re afraid it is stating the obvious to say that this is all just an elaborate prank.

However, some of the lying going on has been simply masterful; these videos will have you believing it was real all along, and rushing to the kettle to have your Government-mandated brew.

@ukgov in the meantime use gov.uk to renew your passport, report potholes, find your local council and much more #teaalarm #teatimealarm ♬ alarm – TripTravel

@heinzuk What tea time alarm snack you choosing? #heinz #teatime #teatimealarm #bakedbeans #beanz ♬ original sound – NWemergency

@inesraemusic the king of the tea alarm #teaalarm #trend #trending #fyp #inesrae #daddyrae #jokes ♬ original sound – INÉS RAE

@teatimealarmapp The official UK Tea Time Alarm App is nearly here. Never miss another cuppa. Follow for updates on the release. #teatimealarm #british #teatime #TTA #TTAapp ♬ alarm – TripTravel

@natalie_oneillll So glad this is getting the awareness it deserves because tbh I don’t think anyone’s enjoying it anymore. Love a cuppa but come on people have lives?? 4 things I dislike about the UK tea time alarm #teatime #teatimealarm ♬ original sound – Isobel | UGC

@northernfunnymummy No British person is doing this #teaalarm #teatime #britishculture ♬ original sound – Northern Funny Mummy

@thismorning When the tea time alarm goes off mid-show! #teatimealarm #ThisMorning #tea ♬ original sound – This Morning

@tfl Time for a cuppa ☕️ #tfl #teatimealarm ♬ original sound – John Lewis

@mathew.matosg hate when this happens!! #teatimealarm @ella &lt3 ♬ original sound – John Lewis

And the hard work has clearly paid off, because some people have been well and truly fooled:

@simplymaryuk American looking for answers 🙂 #Britishtiktok #uk #teatimealarm #american #hightea #afternoontea ♬ original sound – simplymaryuk

Source Reddit Image Screengrab