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It was in 1840 that the Duchess of Bedford shared her guilty secret of enjoying tea and snacks a few hours before dinner, setting a trend that would evolve to become a national tradition complete with a new set of afternoon tea etiquette rules. I think it’s such a warm treat to have a custom saying that is special to you around your space that you regularly see. The atmosphere is lively and diners err strongly on the smart side of the smart-casual dress code – although, truth be told, everyone will be too busy staring out the windows to take much notice that you’ve made an effort.
Pre-book your afternoon tea to guarantee seating in the hushed, old-school gilded dining room, decked out with thick gold curtains, whimsical tree-like Swarovski chandeliers and a roaring fire in the winter. Then, after adding the start of the flag, I piped the rest of the whipped cream on so that the blueberries were sat up slightly (As they are much smaller than the other fruit).
It’s no surprise that this menu changes seasonally depending on what’s growing, keeping in line with the brand’s ethos of using responsibly sourced produce.
But don’t fill up on these because it’s the cakes that steal the show: a white-chocolate bomb cracked open to reveal a fluffy apple mousse, a dense tarte tatin piped with mini cones of pink meringue and a choux bun oozing with caramelly crème pâtissière.If afternoon tea is the matinée performance, you might find yourself tempted to stick around for the late show too; as the pianist rolls out a gentle medley on the Steinway grand piano by the bar, it’s all too easy to let tea turn into evening drinks. Made exclusively for us by the renowned Fiona Cairns bakery, many of the cakes in our Entertaining range can be personalised with your own message. Shoemakers Foster and Son get a white-chocolate shoe horn and polish tin filled with a seasonal fruit trifle topped with Chantilly cream, while cigar aficionados James J Fox have a chocolate-and-hazelnut cigar tribute that comes in a smoky case. Cellarium, the sun-drenched café accessed through the Abbey’s stunning mediaeval cloisters, has a coronation afternoon tea available from March until the end of July. Bar manager Flavio Carvalho has devised a cocktail fit for the occasion; inspired by the King’s love of whisky and Darjeeling, the spirit is mixed with Cointreau, lemon, and English sparkling wine.
The original building’s roots stretch back even further, to 1689, and it’s since been home to various royal commissioners and bodyguards and even Shakespeare’s grandson before it became a place to stay in 1922.Accompany this with Champagne or go for an elderflower and jasmine cocktail – also available as a mocktail.
Pastries come in the form of buttery madeleines and vanilla mille feuilles, and if you upgrade the staff will tuck a bottle of Laurent Perrier Champagne in the hamper along with J Robuchon tea.Sandwiches are served with flavor twists such as egg mayo and truffle, more of which you’ll seriously consider forgoing the cakes for, and a tandoori take on coronation chicken. Le Comptoir Robuchon, named for the late French chef Joël Robuchon who earned 32 Michelin stars at his restaurants across the world, and opened by former members of his team, is where those seeking smart French food in W1 end up. Covent Garden Hotel’s coronation afternoon tea is one of the best ways to get ahead, or continue, the historic celebrations in the capital this summer. There’s a violet macaroon topped with bright edible flowers, cupcakes with mini pipettes to inject a fruity filling, salted caramel slices and little lemon tartelettes. We’ve sat down to countless cups of tea, finger sandwiches, scones and macarons to bring you our editors’ reviews of the best afternoon teas in London–from the traditional spreads to the modern interpretations that roll on into evening drinks.
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