To celebrate Afternoon Tea Week, running from August 14th to 20th, here we round up some of our favourite places to indulge in the traditional British past time.
The Gore offers a traditional British afternoon tea with all of the favourites – think cucumber sandwiches, freshly baked scones with jam and cream, and a selection of mini cakes and tarts. There is also the option of Taittinger Champagne Afternoon Tea for an extra special afternoon, and even better, the hotel is offering 25 percent off for the month of August. An iconic address for afternoon tea, The Dorchester offers one of the most elegant settings in London to spend an indulgent few hours with cakes and champagne. Enjoy a selection of the hotel’s delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones, and summery pastries and desserts, including the deliciously fruity Raspberry lychee rose mousse, Peach Melba, and a Strawberry champagne tart. To complete the experience your afternoon will be accompanied by the soundtrack of the hotel’s resident pianist. For those looking for something more unique than traditional tea and scones, head to The Franklin hotel for their very special Frida Kahlo afternoon tea, which also includes a ticket to the V&A’s current exhibition, “Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up.” Guests can enjoy the flavours of Mexico, with bean and chilli sandwiches, Mexican delicacies such as Flan De Cajeta and churros with a chocolate dipping sauce, and all while sipping on tequila cocktails expertly shaken by the hotel’s award-winning mixologist. For those who want to get out of the city, head to the Dorchester Collection’s luxury country house hotel and spa in Ascot, Coworth Park. The hotel recently won the title of Best Traditional afternoon tea at the 2018 Afternoon Tea Awards for its delicious and seasonal menu, which celebrates the changing landscape of Coworth Park’s stunning 240 acre estate and gardens. For summer, the Meadow Afternoon Tea offers a light and fresh selection of classic combinations such as pickled cucumber with mint cream cheese sandwiches, Poppy seed and Lime Drizzle Cake, and an indulgent Milk Chocolate and Salted Caramel Choux. Head to the heights of The Shard for a trip down memory lane as aqua shard launches its new Mary Poppins Afternoon Tea inspired by the childhood story and film. The new menu will include a selection of creative cakes and sweet treats as well as Mary Poppin’s favourite – crumpets –served warm with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Mary’s famous ‘Carpet Bag’ will contain freshly baked scones and homemade plum and raspberry jams, and champagne will be served with ‘medicines’ in the form of three homemade liqueurs to create your own Kir Royale style cocktail.
Vintage Afternoon Tea at The Gore, Queens Gate
Traditional afternoon tea at The Dorchester
Frida Kahlo at The Franklin, Knightsbridge
Award winning afternoon tea at Coworth Park
Mary Poppins Afternoon Tea at aqua shard
