Where to Go for Afternoon Tea Week?
Celebrate a true British pastime this Afternoon Tea week (9th-15th August) with some of the country’s best and most exciting afternoon teas. From classic and boozy teas to inventive twists, special menus and themed treats, there is somewhere for everyone to get a slice of the action.
While we don’t need an excuse to indulge on freshly baked scones and finger sarnies, we’ve handpicked some Afternoon Tea experiences not to be missed, across the capital and beyond.
LONDON
Parisian afternoon at Mariage Frères
Covent Garden, www.mariagefreres.com
Enjoy a delicate tea-infused afternoon in the stunning Salon de Thé at luxury French tea emporium, Mariage Frères. Select from over 1,000 aromatic varieties and dive into a Parisian Afternoon Tea, complete with scones, smoked salmon sandwiches infused with Paris Marais tea and perfect pastries: or the Covent Garden Afternoon Tea with a delicate black olive soufflé, and ginger and lemongrass chicken ballotine with polenta.
Parisian Tea priced at £33 per person, Covent Garden Tea at £39.
Drake & Morgan x Sipsmith Afternoon Tea
Drake & Morgan at King’s Cross, The Folly, The Sipping Room, The Refinery Bankside, The Happenstance, The Anthologist & Devonshire Terrace. www.drakeandmorgan.co.uk
It’s time for a G & Tea! Leading cocktail bar group Drake & Morgan has partnered with Sipsmith Gin for the ultimate Afternoon Tea experience. Start with cocktails including a Gin Hot Chocolate, before tucking into sweet and savoury treats like mini fish & chips, Brick Lane salt beef bagels, hot chocolate brownie and strawberries and cream.
£49.95 for two.
The High Chai Menu at Cinnamon Bazaar
Covent Garden, www.cinnamon-bazaar.com
Acclaimed chef, Vivek Singh, has created a modern, Indian-inspired take on the classic afternoon tea. Inspired by Vivek’s roots in Kolkata, The High Chai menu at Cinnamon Bazaar brings fire and spice to the traditional tea-time spread. Finger sandwiches are replaced by fragrant treats likes the Kadhai spiced paneer roll and inventive Chaat bites, followed by sweet delights such as Shrikhand cheesecake.
£25 per person.
Staycation Afternoon Tea at St Pancras Champagne Bar by Searcys
St Pancras, www.stpancrasbysearcys.co.uk
Start your staycation with an afternoon tea in a suitcase! Available at Europe’s longest Champagne bar, the Staycation Afternoon Tea includes a selection of savouries, freshly baked scones, and decadent sweet treats, to be enjoyed with a glass of Veuve Clicquot or upgrade to a limitless pour.
From £39 per person.
Afternoon Tea at Searcys at The Gherkin
City, www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk
Putting the ‘high’ in high tea with its stunning 360-degree views across the City of London; enjoy a selection of mini savouries and sweet treats at Searcys at The Gherkin. Tuck into indulgent pastries overlooking the London skyline, all paired with limitless Moët & Chandon.
From £49 per person.
OUTSIDE OF LONDON
Churchill Afternoon Tea at Blenheim Palace
Oxford, www.blenheimpalace.com/visitus/cafes-restaurants/orangery
To celebrate the British Bulldog himself, The Orangery at Blenheim Palace has a dedicated Churchill afternoon tea to accompany its Winston Churchill exhibition. Beginning with his favourite champagne - Pol Roger Brut Réserve, the tea features savouries, homemade Buttermilk scones, alongside cakes and pastries, including one inspired by Churchill’s personal cook.
From £29.75 per person.
Birmingham, Bristol, Knutsford, Leeds, Sheffield, www.the-lostandfound.co.uk
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon at Victorian hideaway, The Lost & Found, for Tea & Tipples. Indulge in a selection of sandwiches and savouries, scones with lashings of jam and cream, and mini treats of brownies, Lemon posset and Victoria sponge cake, paired with a tipple from the inventive cocktail menu, or share with a bottle of prosecco.
From £18.95 per person.
Picnic Afternoon Tea at Horwood House
Buckinghamshire, www.horwoodhouse.co.uk
Stunning Grade II listed country house hotel, Horwood House is offering an al fresco picnic afternoon tea! Traditional sandwiches, delightfully buttery scones and decadent seasonal cakes are packaged up to enjoy within the hotel’s picturesque grounds, available seven days a week for bookings only.
£24.95 per person.
Champagne Afternoon Tea at The Pump Room
Bath, www.thepumproombath.co.uk
The iconic Pump Room is serving a new Champagne afternoon tea, complete with live classical music by England’s oldest professional trio. Tuck into savouries such as crayfish rolls and salt beef and gruyere cheese toasties, alongside a selection of scones and pastries, including signature Bath buns (naturally).
From £36.50 per person.
A taste of Luxury at Down Hall
Essex, www.downhall.co.uk
For a sensational summer treat, head to luxury Essex country house hotel, Down Hall, where Executive Chef Graham Noonan-Chatham has designed a traditional afternoon tea to enjoy in the hotel’s grand lounge or on The Terrace. Delicate finger sandwiches are followed by freshly baked scones and seasonal sweets of rhubarb and almond financier, orange blossom cheesecake, and lemon and lavender loaf.
From £30 per person.