One of my favorite British traditions is afternoon tea in London. The ritual began in the 19th century when Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford, got friends together for tea and cakes. Her gatherings sparked a trend that became a tradition in England.
Afternoon Tea in London
While the popularity of afternoon tea has ebbed and flowed over the years, the ritual is currently booming in the UK capital.
Hotels and restaurants across the city vie for coveted awards for the best afternoon tea in London. They work hard to distinguish their offerings and stand out from the competition.
I’ve written about several famous London afternoon teas in the past. The fashionista Pret a Portea at The Berkeley is great, as is the award-winning afternoon tea at The Lanesborough.
The beautiful afternoon tea at The Goring always wins me over, and the Chinese tea ceremony at Teanamu is both unique and creative.
Recently I went to 3 more places for afternoon tea in London. The first was The Wolseley, a famous restaurant on Piccadilly right in the heart of the city.
The large dining room was bustling, and the service was brusque at best. But there was a wide selection of teas available and the cakes and finger sandwiches on the layered platter were delicious.
A few weeks later I had afternoon tea at Dukes hotel in St James’s. The hotel is tucked away around a discreet corner, and the tearoom is intimate and bright. There’s even a terrace for al fresco enjoyment.
My Earl Grey was served in a large silver teapot, and once again a tiered tray of sweets and savories was furnished.
This week I had a complimentary afternoon tea at Blakes Hotel in South Kensington. I’d never been to the hotel before, and I loved how its low-lit intimate reception area immediately transported me to a bygone era.
The dark woods, tables topped with thick tomes, and chirping birds in wicker cages all did the trick.
This afternoon tea in London was served outdoors in the garden. It was the perfect place for a summer afternoon tea. The service started with champagne (they were generous with the refills) and individual plates of sandwiches.
Tea arrived with the cakes, one of which was chocolate and one Madeira. Then came a plate full of scones, jam, clotted cream, and fresh strawberries.
It was a great warm-weather afternoon tea in London. But even if the weather had turned bad, the quiet downstairs dining area with its small rooms and intimate ambiance would have been the perfect alternative.
When winter comes to London—and I know it will—I might just have to go back. In the meantime, I’ll be on the lookout for other great places to have afternoon tea in London.
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