British afternoon teas are delicious, but they can be pricey, so if you’re going to splurge, make sure to get the best. And don’t forget to starve yourself – they’ll bring as many sandwiches and scones as you can squeeze in, and often seconds on cakes, too, so you may as well get value for money! It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon, and teas are becoming very trendy again, especially in London. The trendiest is probably the one at The Berkeley (see below), but you’ll see young, fashionable types at all of the places listed here.
Best for a garden tea
The Park Terrace, Mandarin Oriental
Pink hydrangeas, fragrant sweet peas, lush grasses – it could be a show garden at the Chelsea Flower Show, but this is Mandarin Oriental’s secret terrace. Hidden in the back of this sumptuous five-star hotel across from Harvey Nichols, The Park Terrace has just opened for summer.
With a view of Hyde Park over the hedges, it’s a picture-perfect setting for a blissful afternoon tea. And the food is picture-perfect, too. In addition to delicate sandwiches (rolled into a raindrop shape), cakes and scones, there’s lavender lemon curd, rose petal jelly, a strawberry macaroon with lychee and a chocolate boule with jasmine cream – all topped with frosted petals or flowers made from marzipan. Better still, it tastes as good as it looks. One of the most divine afternoon teas in London, catch it while you can.
Afternoon Tea, available until end of May, 3-6pm daily; park terrace open from 1 May to 30 September 2009. Price: £32
The Park Terrace, Mandarin Oriental, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA; +44 (0)20 7235 2000, mandarinoriental.com/London
Best for fashionistas
When Naomi, Gwyneth and Kate Moss get peckish during London Fashion Week, they pop over to The Berkeley Hotel (the-berkeley.co.uk) for its famous Pret-a-portea (from £35). Clothes hounds can sample biscuits, cookies and cakes inspired by the latest catwalk trends. The cakes taste as good as they look, and they tend to give everyone heaps to take home with you, too! Absolutely divine, dahling.
Best for ‘intolerants’ (wheat, gluten, dairy, etc)
Gasping for a cuppa and a cake after hitting the Knightsbridge boutiques, but can’t stomach the gluten overload? Settle down in at The Lanesborough, where you’ll be served a delicious full afternoon tea, with gluten-free delights such as cucumber sandwiches in date and walnut bread, scones with strawberry jam, carrot cake and mango mousse. A dairy-free version is also available. From £31, 24 hours notice required. (+44 (0)20 7259 5599, www.lanesborough.com)
Best for traditionalists
I haven’t tried it since the recent refurb, but The English Tea Room at Brown’s Hotel won this year’s Best in London award by the British Tea Guild. Read why here: http://www.tea.co.uk/guild_member.php?id=90
It costs from £35.
http://www.brownshotel.com/dining/english_tea_room.htm
Best for bargain glam
The Wolseley is popular with everyone from young media types to stylish grannies, and they’re full afternoon tea costs around £20. Not cheap, but compared to an average price of £30-35 for most London afternoon teas, it is a bargain. Smaller options, i.e. tea and scones, are available, too, for around £10.
http://www.thewolseley.com/Menu.aspx
By Jill Starley-Grainger, travel editor, travel journalist, web editor
