Best Family Friendly Afternoon Teas in London
So it’s the simple things in life that matter right ? Well I have a feeling that at least 50% of the planet can’t make a really good (builders in my case) cup of tea, so with that in mind, I’m sharing tips from the top people in the business. Fortnum’s of course.
Here is a simple digest of what works.
- Fill the kettle with fresh water from the tap. Yes, your grandmother was right: water that has been boiled already will affect the taste of the tea.
- As it approaches the boil, warm the teapot by rinsing it out with hot water.
- Treat the teapot to one rounded teaspoon (yes, or caddy spoon) of tea leaves for each person and one extra spoonful ‘for the pot’. That’s the orthodox rule, though many these days find it a little strong. You’re in charge here.
- Just before the kettle water boils, pour into the pot. It doesn’t need to be stirred.
- Leave to infuse for three to five minutes, depending on taste. Serve, using a tea strainer.
Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea at the Chesterfield Hotel, Mayfair
This season (from Monday 21st November) The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel will be celebrating the sparkling lights and festive delights of Hyde Parks Winter Wonderland with afternoon tea inspired by the magic of Christmas. Begin with a warming shot of mulled wine before making a choice of their tea from one of the hotel’s 18 loose leaf teas which will include a special Chesterfield Christmas blend full of aromatic spices.
A selection of delicious finger sandwiches will complement the sweet treats which include: Mulled wine macarons, Christmas tree chocolate pot, Cranberry and vanilla cheesecake, Red Velvet cupcake, Salted caramel and chocolate parcel and if you’re not full by now just thinking about it, a Clementine mousse snowball as well.
Address: 35 Charles St, London W1J 5EB
Tube station: Jubilee, Piccadilly & Victoria lines – Green Park Station
Opening Hours: 1:00pm – 5:30pm daily
Reservations: +44 (0) 20 7491 2622 or meetch@rchmail.com
Prices : tbc
The Berkeley London Designer Afternoon Tea
The Berkeley’s legendary designer afternoon tea, Prêt-à-Portea, is inspired by the themes and colours of the fashion world. The menu of mouth-watering delicacies with a fashionista twist is transformed every six months to follow the changing seasons in fashion.
Address: Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL
Tube station: Piccadilly line – Hyde Park Corner
Prices: from £45 without champagne, and from £52 with champagne
Opening Hours: 1.45pm – 5.30pm Monday-Thursday / 1pm – 5.30pm Friday – Sunday
Reservations: through the Berkeley Hotel webpage
Dress Code:
Elegant smart casual; no shorts, vests, sportswear, flip-flops, ripped jeans or baseball caps.
BB Bakery’s Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
B Bakery specialises in Afternoon Tea with a French Twist – L’Afternoon Tea. Enjoy Afternoon Tea either at their glamorous Tea Salon, Brigit’s Bakery, in Covent Garden or on the move on the unique B Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. Or why not on the River Thames on the B Afternoon Tea Boat Tour?
Another option is to enjoy Afternoon Tea at home, in the office or in the park with our B Afternoon Tea Delivery and B Afternoon Tea Picnic. They offer gluten free, vegetarian and halal Afternoon Teas to suit everyone.
Address: Pick up at 12:30pm and 3pm from 8 Northumberland Avenue
Pick up at 12pm, 2:30pm and 5pm from Victoria Coach Station
Reservations: book online on the bbbakery bus website. https://pay-here.co.uk/BBbakeryBus/
Opening Hours: daily departures at 12pm, 12:30pm; 2:30pm, 3pm and 5pm.
Prices: £45 for adults and £35 for children under 11 years
Browns are offering a festive traditional afternoon tea throughout December, The English Tea Room will be serving the award-winning Traditional Afternoon Tea with a festive twist, to the accompaniment of the resident pianist playing well-known Christmas carols.
Prices £55 per person Monday to Friday, and £65 per person on Saturdays and Sundays (served with a glass of Ruinart NV Champagne) Served with a glass of Ruinart NV Champagne – £65 per person | Served with a glass of Ruinart Rosé Champagne – £68 per person. It will be served from 12 noon – 5.30pm Monday to Sunday
Starting on November 26th the Four Seasons Amaranto Lounge will be serving a Festive Afternoon Tea, accompanied by their resident pianist playing seasonal melodies. It will be served daily between 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm from November 26th to January 2nd (excluding Christmas Day) the festive afternoon tea includes a complimentary glass of champagne per guest.
Prices £55 per person excluding service charges.
The Ritz, Christmas Afternoon Tea
The legendary Afternoon Tea in The Palm Court takes on a special festive theme this year accompanied by carol singing (excluding Christmas Day). On Christmas Day, Father Christmas will visit with presents for all the children, at the 11.30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm and 5:30pm sittings of Christmas Afternoon Tea.
Every adult will receive a glass of Champagne and every child a Ritz teddy bear (yeay!). Christmas Afternoon Tea is served from Saturday 26th November to Friday 30th December 2016 at the 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm sittings.
Prices at £75 per adult / £49 per child (up to age 15).
To Book, call the Reservations Team on +44 (0)20 7300 2345or email dining@theritzlondon.com
The tradition of taking tea and that little bit of something between lunch and dinner has long since been a feature at Fortnum & Mason. Their tranquil Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon was opened by HM The Queen and has since become a stylish destination for the most traditional of afternoon teas. If it’s a super special occasion you can even say it with champagne by having your own special message printed on the label of a bottle, and have it hand delivered to your table. Now that’s what I call a treat.
Address: 181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER
Days and times: Monday to Saturday 12-7pm; Sunday midday to 6pm
Cost: £44 – £48 dependent on choice of tea
Creative Bus Stop 