Once a year I treat myself to afternoon tea in London. This has become a ritual each time I return to the UK. Of course I enjoy the wonderful cakes and delicious sandwiches which are served but the real highlight for me is enjoying the amazing interiors of the fabulous hotels and the excellent service from the staff.
I have tried and tested 4 different afternoon tea services in some great venues.
The Lanesborough is just off Hyde Park and we had a post-Christmas afternoon tea there. In the background they had live piano music in the room while we enjoyed our scones with clotted cream. The Bellini´s were prepared in front of us with a cassis syrup. This is an elegant setting for tea. Discreet and extremely professional service.
The Berkeley is located very close to Harrods in Knightsbridge. The Pret-a-Portea has a fashion theme. It comes served on colourful Paul Smith Crockery. All the cakes and biscuits are inspired on the catwalk shows of that season. If you go here take your camera. The patisserie designs are works of art. I have been here twice already. Once in the summer (shown above) to try the light fruity mousse in the Spring/Summer collection. Then after Christmas for the Autumn/Winter selection.
The well-known store Fortnum & Mason has the St James Restaurant on the fifth floor. The afternoon tea selection is fabulous. Macaroons, scones & a vast array of teas to choose from. Not only do they have the traditional afternoon tea but they also cater for diabetics, gluten-free, nut allergy etc. When I had my afternoon tea there I particularly noticed the impeccable duck egg blue crockery.
The most recent place I visited was Sketch which is on Conduit Street. The interior design was breathtakingly original. Different depending on which area of the building you are in. In the parlour for the Afternoon tea there was an eclectic but homely vintage feel. If you wandered through to the ladies towards the back of the building you were transported into the future. These sleek white pods were the Ladies!
If you travel to London on a shopping or sightseeing trip. Here are some well located London hotels to help plan your journey.
On my recent trips each time I leave without managing to see all the things I want to. I´ve been to many fabulous parts of London already but there are heaps more things than I want to try.
If you are far from London at the moment here are some more Ideas to make afternoon tea yourself. I hope I´ve not made you too hungry!
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