A new take on tradition: Top afternoon teas with a twist
Afternoon tea has been an English institution since the mid 1800s, when the tradition was begun by Duchess Anna Maria, wife of the 7th Duke of Bedford, at Woburn Abbey.
Today, this social tradition is as fashionable as ever with more twists and interpretations on the classic High Tea than you can shake a stick at. Here, VisitEngland rounds up its favourite themed teas of the season.
A golden ticket to delicious teatimes at the Chesterfield Mayfair
This month, The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel is launching a new afternoon tea inspired by Roald Dahl's much loved book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which opens as a new stage musical in London this summer. Already famous as one of London's best places for afternoon tea, having received the Tea Guild's Award for Excellence for an 'Outstanding Afternoon Tea' three years in a row, The Chesterfield Mayfair's new offering takes guests on a journey through the sweet, colourful and chocolatey world of Charlie and friends! Upon arrival at the hotel guests are welcomed with a shot of a Fizzy Lifting drink to set the scene with a lingering sparkle on the tongue. Guest can then choose from 8 loose teas, including a special Willy Wonka tea. To end the adventure each diner finishes off with an everlasting gobstopper, a candy cane and lollipop - the ideal selection of sweets to eat your way home! Available until September, the afternoon tea costs £32.50 per person, plus service charge.
For more information, visit chesterfieldmayfair.com
Say it with flowers - floral afternoon tea at One Aldwych
Step into spring with a Floral Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych. To celebrate 100 years of the Chelsea Flower Show, One Aldwych has put a fresh and fragrant twist on the quintessential afternoon tea. Spend a leisurely afternoon catching up with friends and family and sample creamy vanilla panacotta with violet leaves, light white and dark chocolate marquise with orange blossom jelly and flavoursome jasmine smoked salmon on a bridge roll. Priced at £26.50 per person or £35 per person to include a glass of Champagne or a Floral Martini.
For more information, visit onealdwych.com
Coronation-themed tea at Fortnum & Mason that's fit for a Queen
To mark the 60th anniversary of The Queen's Coronation, Fornum & Mason (The Queen's official grocer) is offering a special Coronation Afternoon Tea until 9 June, featuring some of Her Royal Highness' favourite treats. Spoil yourself rotten in their Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, where you can choose from a range of teas selected by Fortnum's tea taster. The afternoon tea menu includes finger sandwiches, scones and cakes from the Highgrove Cake Carriage. You can request meat, fish, dairy or gluten-free options. The new afternoon tea is priced at £80 for two.
For more information, visit fortnumandmason.com
Tea with a slice of politics at the Houses of Parliament
This summer sees the introduction of afternoon tea as an optional add-on to the popular 'Blue Badge' guided tours of the Houses of Parliament. Tea can be taken in the elegant surroundings of the Pugin Room in the House of Commons, a historic room with fine views over the River Thames. The House of Commons chefs have created a tempting array of savouries including citrus marinated Scottish salmon with cream cheese, lemon curd and chive on a mini bagel, and free range egg mayonnaise with watercress on wholemeal bread. Room should be saved for the sweet course which includes sultana scones with strawberry jam and Devonshire clotted cream, and Valronha chocolate delice. The afternoon tea option is only available as an add-on to selected guided tours on Saturdays between 1 June and 24 August, and on the first four Thursdays and Fridays in August. There are three sittings, at 14:00, 15:45 and 17:15.
Bookings can be made by visiting parliament.uk/visiting
High(est) Tea on the 32nd floor at Paramount
High tea is taken to a whole level at Paramount, the restaurant and bar at the tip of Centre Point. Ascend 32 floors and enjoy its all-new high tea - the highest in London, no less - with 360-degree views of the capital. Whether with leaves (£28) or with bubbles (£42), high tea at Paramount is a welcome respite from the buzzing, chaotic streets below - take a quick pit-stop between shopping or enjoy a more languid, all-afternoon affair. Paramount's range of teas and coffees is extensive, with nine varieties to complement its afternoon fare, including Jasmine Pearls - hand-rolled and scented with fresh jasmine flowers for a rich, round taste - and Organic Bohea Lapsang, with its smoky, liquorice-tinged flavour. Those that want to toast at the top can do so too with a flute of Champagne.
For more information, visit paramount.uk.net
Tea, Cake and Rockin' Rolls at The Royal Horseguard
From the 24 - 30 June 2013, embrace your inner rock star and celebrate The Rolling Stones 50th anniversary and the beginning of the music festival season with the 'Rolling Scones' afternoon tea at the Royal Horseguards in London. The tea includes savoury 'rock n' rolls' and sandwiches, 'brown sugar' pecan pie and 'angie angel cake' and 'rolling scones'. Taking centre stage will also be 'Keith's coconut macaroons', 'babylon babas' and 'lickin lips cakes' based on the band's famous logo. Priced at £35 per person.
For more information, visit guoman.com
Hit an ace with Wimbledon themed tea at the Royal Garden Hotel
Park Terrace Restaurant at the Royal Garden Hotel will be marking the arrival of the world's most famous tennis tournament with a Wimbledon Afternoon Tea, featuring 'Murray's mint macaroons' and 'Chocolate blueberry roulade'. The Wimbledon Afternoon Tea is available 24 June to 7 July from 2 - 5.30pm every day at £24 per person, or £34 with a glass of Champagne.
For more information, visit royalgardenhotel.co.uk
Join a Mad Hatter's Tea Party at The Sanderson
Tumble down the rabbit hole and enjoy the wonderful world of Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson Hotel. Menus are hidden inside vintage books, and napkins wrapped with riddles, while teapots adorned with kings and queens and sandwich plates featuring zebras, birdcages, carousels and ticking clocks play host to wondrous fare. Dainty sandwiches on homemade bread including the smoked Cumbrian ham with wholegrain mustard on sun dried tomato bread; and cucumber and chive cream cheese on spinach bread. There are classic home baked savoury and sweet scones with herb butter and fruit preserves. Available daily between 12:30 - 5:30pm, £35 per person.
For more information, visit sandersonlondon.com
To discover more English delights, visit visitengland.com
