Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15min until tender. And what makes the place extra special is its private garden out back – almost unheard of in central London – where you can enjoy your tea in good weather before working it off with a game of croquet. Work your way up the tiers to gooey apricot and pistachio cake, hot-pink Battenberg, salted-caramel éclairs and shot glasses of white-peach and verbena cheesecake, and even a giant pink marshmallow. Sold at all Signature KOI outlets, their newest duo of bubble teas will be available starting March 2021, so do keep your eyes peeled for that.. More generally, a high tea was and is often the last meal of the day for young children, before an early bedtime. The core is Georgian, with limestone buildings the colour of burnt orange, the seat of the Hobhouse family for more than two centuries. But onto the good stuff: the highlight was the freshly-baked scones, plain, and raisin, with stick-to-your-spoon clotted cream and Marco Polo jam. And noise. Served in The Game Bird, a room that marries duck-egg walls with shiny, plush velvet sofas and where gilded columns complement the grand bouquets of yellow flowers. More make-up references come in the form of a fluffy Eton mess accompanied by a nail-varnish bottle filled with sharp raspberry coulis, a dark-chocolate lipstick and a banoffee cake paired with a quirky cosmetic tube of pour-over caramel. We’ve sat down to countless cups of tea, finger sandwiches, scones and macarons to bring you our editors’ reviews of the best afternoon tea in London – from the traditional spreads perfect for Mother’s Day to the modern interpretations that roll on into evening drinks. £29.90 for the afternoon tea at home, £50 for the Valentine’s hamper, cutterandsquidge.com. Scones are of the fruity variety, kept warm under a cloche, to be topped with lashings of clotted cream and jam. The Royal Family make no secret of their affection for The Goring Hotel. The desserts are just as decadent – with the star of the show (the cassis and hibiscus macaroon) replenished many times before we were ready to move on. Looking for the best afternoon tea in London? [2] Tea as a meal is associated with the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland, and some Commonwealth countries. This may occur mid-morning (see elevenses) or mid-afternoon. [Towards five o'clock in the evening, the mistress of the house, in the midst of the sitting-room, makes tea herself, very strong and barely sweetened with a few drops of rich cream; generous slices of buttered bread accompany it. By the end of the 19th century, afternoon tea developed in its current form and was observed by both the upper and middle classes. But Brown’s does just that, with its modern take on tried-and-tested classics – and a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne for those wanting to make things a little more grown-up. And now you can win a classic or a vegan afternoon tea from Piglets Pantry! Biscuits are not usually served. The Great Court Restaurant is perched at the top of the former reading room, a rotunda in the central courtyard of one of London's best museum. The giveaway is open to all UK residents aged 18 or over. Found it useful that we could specify the day of delivery. There are unlimited refills on dozens of brews – including iced coffee, matcha and turmeric lattes, jasmine silver tip and lemon verbena tea – all served in sturdy silverware and poured into gold-rimmed (obviously), grey- and white-striped fine china. England's leading wicket-taker finished with … It’s an afternoon of floral delight. We recommend you add a cocktail (the Hendrick’s, cucumber, elderflower and Prosecco concoction is our favourite) to accompany your Earl Grey. We were assured that they were taking measures to change this, so we look forward to being served drinks in proper china next time. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset. For something lighter, the China Milky Oolong is delicate and one of those rare finds that tastes as fragrant as it smells. The London Edition hotel arrived in Fitzrovia with a bang back in 2013, and its restaurant quickly became its heart. That said, the arrival of French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his international flair has relaxed the rules a little, doing away with formalities such as dress codes and allotted time slots. However, in most of the South of England, the midday meal is almost universally called "lunch", with "dinner" being the evening meal, regardless of social class. Scones stay cossetted in a thick napkin to keep warm, with lashings of clotted cream and strawberry jam. Soft, warm scones are served with lashings of Somerset clotted cream and the most delicious raspberry, strawberry and wild blueberry jams which left us scraping the bottom of the jar. But it’s not all cold-pressed kale juices (although those are available too); the meat-free meatball sub is a lunch-hour bestseller, and there were opening-day queues around the block for the burgers. Anyone who’s always wanted a sneak peek through the hallowed doors can combine tea with a tour (and history lesson), as guests are guided around the auditorium, the gallery and the usually off-limits Royal Retiring Room before being greeted with three tiers of taste. Tucked away on an unassuming side street in Belgravia, there are even rumours of a secret tunnel linking the hotel to Buckingham Palace, so the Queen and co can slip in unnoticed. Almond shortbread, dressed in a Henry Poole and Co tuxedo, and a top hat made with white chocolate and lime jelly, inspired by Lock and Co Hatters – the world’s oldest hat shop, are both fun and quirky eats. Possibly even more of them. A stereotypical expression "You'll have had your tea" is used to parody people from Edinburgh as being rather stingy with hospitality. We have a variety of experiences including Champagne Afternoon Tea at the Courthouse Hotel, London, Visit to Kensington Palace with Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two and Afternoon Tea for Two at Bovey Castle.Browse below to find the perfect Afternoon Tea today from Five Star Days! And don't forget that view; book a table an hour or so before sunset to watch the skyline transform in the moonlight. Not a meal as such, but a chance to "down tools" (or get away from the computer) and relax from work for 10–15 minutes. You’ll want to make the most of that remarkable room. The English afternoon tea blend is medium body and lighter than English breakfast tea.[7]. It's worthy of such popularity for the vibrant venue alone: behind the restaurant is a terrace that we've chosen as one of the beautiful restaurant gardens in London, and inside there are vast floral installations and trees, too, plus botanical artwork and dreamy vintage posters on spearmint-green and coral walls. Buena Vista Social Club, the Gipsy Kings (who are, naturally, personal friends) and Frank Sinatra kept us in good company throughout our visit. View and download this free map of Bristol Shopping Quarter. It's small and tucked away. We are the champion of British Spelt, committed to bringing you the best tasting and healthiest organic spelt in the UK. Next up, the cavalry arrives (just in time if you've already moved on to your second teacup), in the form of a three-plate-high cake stand flaunting both fruit and plain warm scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam, carrot cake, lemon meringue pie, chocolate ganache - eat it fast on a sunny day or it may droop - panna cotta with granola and, to top it (and you) off, deep-friend sugary doughnuts balls. Set behind a red-and-white gateau of Victorian neogothic, St James's Hotel & Club has the air of having residing here since Kipling was a nipper, but in fact has only been a hotel since 2008, although the club has been around since the 19th century. Anna Maria, Duchess of Bedford, is widely credited with inventing afternoon tea in England as a late-afternoon meal whilst visiting Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire. Lots of noise. The earliest "tea" meals were often in the early evening, some three or four hours after dinner, or even later, after a supper and before bed. The name really says it all, and meat is what most people come here for. We particularly enjoyed the gin paired with cardamom and rose, which was smooth with just the right hint of tartness. After a dainty amuse-bouche of butternut squash and savoury granola come unfussy, crustless finger sandwiches filled with smoked salmon, pastrami or cheese and pickle. Mainly from the many smart diners still enjoying long lunches all around you. Address: Ting Lounge at Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street SE1 Telephone: +44 20 7234 8000 Website: shangri-la.com Price: British Summertime Afternoon Tea from £52. The experience doesn’t fall short when it comes to the food either. WOW, the quality very good. Ox-tongue with mustard butter sandwich is a favourite from the savoury front, along with crayfish mayonnaise and watercress. First up, a truffle, potato and quail’s-egg starter comes with a curl of crispy Melba toast. An organic family farm on the Somerset Levels making delicious products from home grown Spelt (a wheat alternative). The philosopher Thomas Carlyle and his wife invited guests for 7 pm to their teas in the 1850s, although afternoon tea before dinner was also becoming established by this time.[3]. The British and Irish habit of dunking biscuits in tea has been exported around the globe.[18]. On to the food itself, which, as you might expect, is proudly traditional. Time your tea wisely, and you can even eavesdrop on rehearsals for the evening’s performance. The Royal Academy celebrated its 250th birthday last year. All have beautifully crafted cakes, pastries, sandwiches and scones from £130 via thesavoylondon.slerp.com. Darts Farm. It’s a lively place – on a bank-holiday afternoon there was animated chatter all around, and although the area where afternoon tea is served, just by the bar is slightly separated from the main dining space, it actually has the best seats in the house. Next up are four warm vanilla scones – it wouldn’t be afternoon tea without them. Although the 'yard' is a surprisingly quiet thoroughfare connecting Great Windmill Street and Denman Street, the hotel itself is lively, complete with rooftop garden, cinema and an original Fifties bowling alley imported from Texas. 1840 is a pretty big date for the afternoon-tea aficionado: it's the year that it was supposedly invented by the Duchess of Bedford, a close friend of Queen Victoria's. At the centre of the wide courtyard is a giant almond-shaped bar, a glittering metal oasis ringed by mint-green stools, each pair lit with individual gold lamps. William Drabble's the chef at the restaurant here, the Michelin-starred Seven Park Place, and his new afternoon tea is inspired by the year 1840. Owner Prosper Assouline is an antiques addict – his personal collection includes more than 100 serpent trumpets – and his refined taste is apparent down to the last detail; he chooses everything from the 24-carat-gold teaspoons to the tailored jackets worn by the waiters, and he even hand-picks the music. There’s also a tea-tox option featuring low-carb, low-fat snacks, including miso-glazed salmon, beetroot crêpe and matcha-raspberry cheesecake. biscuits, scones, or slices of cake or sandwiches) in the afternoon is referred to as "afternoon tea." We did the latter, gobbling up finger sandwiches so that our scones wouldn't lose their warmth. There are very few places that can reinvent the traditional afternoon tea and still make it feel as English as ever. [1] Teatime is the time at which the tea meal is usually eaten, which is late afternoon to early evening, being the equivalent of merienda. From the 35th floor of The Shard, St Paul's Cathedral - once the tallest building in London - appears reduced to the size of a Tunnock's Tea Cake. An oasis of tea and cake! The result is a green, serene space; the natural light and presence of nature itself is at once calming and elegant. Sandwiches are classic picnic favourites (coronation chicken, cucumber) and the patisserie stand displays the handiwork of pastry chef Nicolas Rouzaud, highlights of which include an irresistible chocolate fondue with seasonal fruit and a bite-sized pavlova. By Anna Prendergast, Address: Palm Court, Kimpton Fitzroy, 1–8 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 5BETelephone: +44 20 7123 5000Website: palmcourt.londonPrice: Afternoon tea, £30. The afternoon tea is packed every day of the week at the Ivy Chelsea Garden, so for a weekend you'll have to book way, way ahead. Scones come with or without raisins and are kept warm in a napkin envelope, served with generous helpings of clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam. So good that you’ll definitely agree to the offer of a second helping. Choose from our wide range or make your own with a personalised gift message. Service is lively, liveried and brisk, respectful but not fawning, attentive without being obtrusive, resolutely on the right side of stuffy. We offer traditional, vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free afternoon teas. For example, Alexandre Balthazar Laurent Grimod de La Reynière wrote in 1804 of afternoon tea in Switzerland: Vers les cinq heures du soir, la maîtresse de la maison fait elle-même, au milieu du salon, du thé très-fort, qu’adoucissent à peine quelques gouttes d’une crème onctueuse; de larges tartines de pain beurré l’accompagnent. A.B.C. The most common ingredients of a light tea are tea itself, with cakes, biscuits or pastries (especially scones), bread and jam, and perhaps sandwiches; these are the ingredients of "traditional afternoon tea" meals offered by expensive London hotels. Highlights from our visit included a generously fat wedge of salty Montgomery cheddar with spiced chutney, and a rich and buttery egg mayonnaise topped with a bright burst of theme-fitting edible flowers. Image credits: KOI Singapore It turns out that most (likely more sophisticated) guests prefer not to pick tea leaves out of their teeth. Traditional sweets are spiked with more exotic flavours. Address: Brown’s Hotel, Albermarle Street, London W1Telephone: +44 20 7493 6020Website: roccofortehotels.comPrice: Traditional afternoon tea, £55; Champagne afternoon tea, £65. The impressive stone-and-column façade of the Royal Exchange betrays the building’s trade roots. Shoemakers Foster and Son get a white-chocolate shoe horn and polish tin filled with a seasonal fruit trifle topped with Chantilly cream, while cigar aficionados James J Fox have a chocolate-and-hazelnut cigar tribute that comes in a smoky case. By Olivia Holborow, Address: Oblix West, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RYTelephone: +44 20 7268 6700Website: the-shard.comPrice: £42 per person, Afternoon tea from The Savoy is now available, with traditional, Champagne and vegetarian options. Afternoon tea is a light meal typically eaten between 3:30 pm and 5 pm. Second helpings are encouraged. At the top of the stand are miniature creations so elegant you’ll feel guilty for demolishing them so quickly. In a large pan cover the potatoes in cold water. If Willy Wonka ever swapped chocolate for tea, the menu might resemble that at the Tea Salon, listing around 45 fantastically-named infusions like Jasmine Dragon Pearls, Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe, and Hattialli, which takes its name from the Assamese words 'Hathi Alli', meaning 'Elephant Road'. The Pelham London’s new offering, designed with event planners La Fête, takes its inspiration from the V&A’s current exhibition celebrating legendary British designer Mary Quant, who defined 1960s fashion with her vibrant colours, pioneering miniskirts and Mod styles. Alongside typical teas – we are English Breakfast through and through – there’s a cocktail on offer (plus a non-alcoholic option). Tea at The Ritz. If you like your tea strong enough to fuel rocket ships, ask for extra leaves – the staff will happily oblige. And there are more sweet treats to accompany them than you are likely to manage: indulgent cappuccino macarons, a silky chocolate and mint mousse, an apple and redcurrant delice and a carrot cake served with redcurrant curd. From the extensive menu we chose a Tregothnan Earl Grey, blended with a blend from an ancient Cornish estate that has been around since 1335; and Darjeeling, the 'Champagne of teas'. Everything at The Dorchester is scaled up. It’s got style, but doesn’t compromise on substance – it’s actually a bit of a game-changer, delivering completely vegan versions of traditional fillings such as smoked salmon and egg salad. Rattan and wicker furniture sits beneath four olive trees, potted plants replace flowers on the tabletops and vines climb a mirrored trellis on the walls. By Olivia Holborow, Address: Senate Room, Royal Academy of Arts, 6 Burlington Gardens, London W1S 3ETTelephone: +44 20 7300 5912Website: royalacademy.org.ukPrice: £29.50 per person. Bang in the centre of busy Soho is the colourful Ham Yard Hotel from Tim and Kit Kemp, whose portfolio includes the splashy Whitby in New York. As you sip tea beside the curling Ionic capitals of stone columns, it’s hard not to be impressed by the majesty of the British Museum. This spring it celebrates the landmark V&A exhibition Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams, with a dedicated afternoon tea masterminded by pastry chef Mourad Khiat. Taken amid the elegant surroundings of The Petersham – a secret-garden hideaway and one of the best restaurants in Covent Garden – this is one of the prettiest afternoon teas in London. Some venues will provide butter instead of clotted cream. Tunes from the 1920s played by a pianist and cellist create the perfect backdrop, while the incredible Dale Chihuly chandelier hovered above our heads as a modern-day talking point. Once you’re inside, the tea itself is served in the light-filled Michelin-starred restaurant Céleste, where three substantial chandeliers hang from the domed glass roof and fluted columns, powder-blue walls and 23-carat gilding all set the ornate scene. (It's a different story from the suites above, which have river views to stagger the gods.) * FREE UK DELIVERY * gift wrapping and personalised card 01494706709 By Becky Lucas, Address: Balthazar London, 4-6 Russell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5HZTelephone: +44 20 3301 1155Price: From £29.95 per person, or £39.95 for the NY-Fizz Afternoon Tea, served with the Yankie cocktail or a glass of Delamotte Champagne.Website: balthazarlondon.com. Tea is taken by the bar, an intimate, Deco-inspired space of gold and polished black lacquer, with large yellow vases, a wall of 20th-century oil paintings and an eyeful of mild Hungarian erotica from the 1940s. Address: 7-8 Park Place, London SW1A 1LS Telephone: +44 20 7316 1621 Website: stjameshotelandclub.com Price: From £40 per person. But the cool, airy Palm Court makes for a lovely change from some of the over-stuffed, over-fluffed tea rooms in London. The finale is a trio of patisserie cakes: a tangy red-velvet cube with cream-cheese layers, topped with a cherry-powder crumb and transparent droplets that could be mistaken for pomegranate seeds; a vanilla-cheesecake sphere in smooth white-chocolate casing that sits atop a delicate, buttery biscuit; and a choux bun filled with vanilla cream and adorned with pastel-pink icing and a rose petal. But afternoon tea is one of the most beloved things to do in London on the weekend – and usually more affordable than à la carte – that the restaurant is now serving its own offering in the light-flooded space overlooking Stoney Street and the stalls below. In all its grandeur, the Promenade is sink-into-the-cushions comfortable too; those Chesterfields are ever so inviting, and the high-ceilinged ballroom-sized space is designed so that every table is positioned to prioritise privacy. There’s a pastel-pink stiletto cookie, complete with Dior-branded sling-back ribbon, from Maria Grazia Chiuri’s current collection; a Miss Dior perfume-bottle cake topped with a gumdrop spray cap (which your waiter will spritz with rose water to recreate the scent); and a quilted Lady Dior handbag, the famous design named after Princess Diana. The skill in keeping its authenticity lies, as ever, with the staff who create this experience, keeping it a treat while keeping it real. The food is often served on a tiered stand; there may be no sandwiches, but bread or scones with butter and jam, or toast, muffins or crumpets. Stir and drizzle Fortnum's wondrous honeys and syrups into your breakfast. As one of the best hotels in London, this could become a tourist sideshow, something to 'tick off' the list. Fortunately, Dukes are more than happy to pack you off with anything you're too squiffy to finish, along with lots of inspiring gin recipes and cocktail tips to try at home once you've recovered.By Becky Lucas, Address: Dukes London, St. James's Place, London SW1 Telephone: +44 20 7491 4840 Website: dukeshotel.com Price: From £35, or £45 with Champagne. At Maison Assouline, the swishest publishing house in Europe, the shelves are weighed down with coffee-table tomes for the style set (although god forbid anyone ever uses them as a coaster), page by enormous page overflowing with some of the world’s finest photography, compiled by the kind of people who are on first-name terms with royalty. Despite its name, it's not actually very easy to see the Thames from here. Unfortunately, we are unable to cater for: nut-free, peanut-free, combination of dairy & gluten-free, combination of vegan & gluten-free and Coeliacs. A selection of tea tails – botanical, tea-infused cocktails – make for a refreshing aperitif. Creative vegetarian understudies include an indulgent truffle tofu with vegan mayonnaise, but the salt-crusted golden-beetroot sandwich was the surprising scene-stealer, and the volume of food matched the oversized decor. The Covent Garden branch is a bright, white deli-style space with hanging basket-chairs, a shamelessly photogenic ‘Guac save the Queen’ neon sign and a clean, green menu built for plant-based diets. James Anderson turned the 30th five-wicket haul of his Test career into a six-for on day two of England's second Test in Sri Lanka. By Teddy Wolstenholme, Address: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2APTelephone: +44 20 7589 8212Website: royalalberthall.comPrice: From £30 per person. Address: Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, London W1 Telephone: +44 20 7734 8040 Website: fortnumandmason.com Price: Fortnum's Afternoon Tea £52.50 (£56.50 with Rare Tea). This was also sometimes called a "meat-tea" in the past. The Berkeley’s Prêt-à-Portea is a rite of passage for the fashion set. The latter is served alongside a lemon-posset shot with crumbly biscuit topping on a separate plate – the overspill of the already crammed cake stand. For the Cantonese Chinese practice of "drinking tea", see, Australian, South African and New Zealand usages of "tea", p. 209, Pool, Daniel (1993) "What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew", Touchstone/Simon & Schuster, New York, A list of significant tea houses in Britain, Alexandre Balthazar Laurent Grimod de La Reynière, "Tea with Grayson Perry. But they soon clear out, leaving you to revel in the restaurant’s downtime at this slightly less obvious London afternoon tea spot or, as it’s officially named, NY-Tea. Afternoon tea here is not about theatrics or gimmicks. Try to get a table in the front section of the restaurant, where light filters through the stained-glass windows by Parisian artist Jean-Michel Othoniel and you get a great view of passers-by. By Karin Mueller, Address: Ham Yard Hotel, 1 Ham Yard, London W1Telephone: +44 20 3642 1007Website: hamyardhotel.comPrices: From £24. And just as you think you’ve reached the end, a tray of freshly-baked bombolini, Italy’s answer to doughnuts, are whisked in front of you, dusted with sugar and stuffed with hot salted caramel. Our favourite, however, is the Liberty: a rich peanut butter and jelly (in this case, apricot jam) éclair. In rural areas, dinner is still used quite often for the midday meal; tea is around 6 pm, and the term supper is either a late meal at night, or food served at night at a social function, such as the town's annual Christmas dance and supper. Cheesecake is soaked in yuzu juice. Isabella Beeton, whose books on home economics were widely read in the 19th century, describes afternoon teas of various kinds, and provides menus for the "old-fashioned tea", the "at-home tea", the "family tea", and the high tea. Firstly, its notable position across from Hyde Park means it’s the perfect pitstop for a London walk. But we can’t deny that the original full-fat spread was our preference. Then soft, warm plain and fruit scones are accompanied by clotted cream, strawberry jam and lemon curd – Fortnum’s own, naturally. Claridge's is known for its warm welcome to all, and we were instantly made to feel like part of the family. Such is the Swiss Tea in all its simplicity. Enchanting details like this have been stitched into the fabric of the hotel and will no doubt become as much a part of the Grade II-listed building’s history as the green-fingered Humphry Repton. Coconut mousse has a mango centre. Observance of the custom originated amongst the wealthy social classes in England in the 1840s, as the time of dinner moved later. We like the salon here. Since its major revamp in the 1990s, the entire quadrangle has been covered with an undulating glass roof and the round space inside now contains the museum shop. There’s a small bar pouring Prosecco into coupes at one end and an open kitchen at the other. A long early-evening walk across Hyde Park is recommended to walk off the cake. Scones (with clotted cream and jam) may also be served (as they are for cream tea). All listed in a vintage book, served on delicate blue Burleigh crockery, and taken with a glass of fizz or a pot of Campbell Darjeeling Second Flush perhaps, or something more unusual, such as a hand-rolled Snow White from Nepal (also a tea, one should add, rather than something to be smoked). There are also plenty of herbal infusions for those looking for an option without caffeine. For the sweet offering, the scones are anything but simple. The trademark eau de nil is there – on velvet seats and leather booths – but the majestic 16th-century setting in London’s financial district lends it an even grander air, as though tea sippers are members of an elite secret society. Be sure to share so you can try them all – there’s not a dud among them. With its gold-lettered shop fronts, St James's is an easy place for a spot of time-travelling, to rewind to the Victorian age and go shopping for a badger-hair shaving brush, or a silver-topped walking cane or that velvet smoking hat you always wanted. With a tea tail or glass of prosecco, £55. [12] In most of the United Kingdom (namely, the North of England, North and South Wales, the English Midlands, Scotland, and some rural and working class areas of Northern Ireland) people traditionally call their midday meal dinner and their evening meal tea (served around 6 pm), whereas the upper social classes would call the midday meal lunch or luncheon and the evening meal (served after 7 pm) dinner (if formal) or supper (if informal).