Tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace

I am so sorry to hear that. I enjoyed lunch and a glass of wine in the Orangerie on my first solo trip to London years ago after visiting Kensington Palace. I guess I'll stop telling people to check it out. Thanks for the heads up.

We just went there last week, and although I have never been there before, I was also a bit disappointed. I enjoyed the tea and the scones, but did not care for any of the sandwiches or the pastries. I've had much better food at tea in the States. I was also disappointed by the quantity, because for the price of the tea, we were both hungry soon after.

Ah, thanks for sharing that info. We had planned to having tea at The Orangerie in five weeks, but those plans are now dashed. No need for a disappointment.

Yes, thanks for sharing your experience. I will cross the Orangery off my list for my December trip and go elsewhere.

I was disappointed when the crypt cafe at St-Martins-in- the-Field switched from fresh scones to all cold,refreshments. The Orangerie may be ok for lunch?

Oh noo...I have such great memories of the Orangery. I too will stop recommending it. Thanks for the heads up.

I, too, was looking forward to having afternoon tea at the Orangery. I am going in April, so will have to cross them off my list. So disappointing.

All the Teas on line looked boring. Go to Choccoywoccydoodah near Soho for fabulous cakes and chocolate in their café.

The Mad Hatter's Tea at the Sanderson does look like fun! Much better than very thin sandwiches with the crusts cut off and tiny scones! I'll have to try it when I go back to London! Visitors need a Tea to be a special event!

The most disappointing aspect of this thread is reading how many people are deciding to avoid the Orangey simply due to a couple of disappointed posters.

I've no idea idea what it's like but it's somewhat of an overreaction

Nice dainty sandwiches are the norm for afternoon tea. It isn't lunch ... it's afternoon tea, a small meal to keep you going until dinner, which could be at 7:00 or 8:00pm (or later) in a lot of households. My sister-in-law in the UK used always to whip up a batch of scones for afternoon tea in what seemed like 7 minutes and they were always small beauties. She spent one Christmas with us in Montreal and nearly froze to death. I have a picture of her making scones in our kitchen, wearing a big sweater and with a cozy fur piece around her neck.

I agree Ramblin On - seems like total overreaction.

The tea at Highclere Castle was wonderful. 25 pounds each, so many sandwiches and desserts it's hard to finish. The quality of the food was impeccable. Great glass of Champagne and, of course, tea. Gracious service in the Coach House. Not in London, but if you are touring the castle, I highly recommend. An extravagence, but so glad we did it. You must prebook with your visit to Highclere.

We had a wonderful afternoon tea at The Wolseley (Piccadilly) when we were last in London. Wonderful service and wonderful food - fresh sandwiches, melt in your mouth scones, and yummy pastries. Tons of food, too much really. Added a glass of champagne and it was perfect! Highly recommend! (27.50 pounds or 38.50 pounds with champagne - turned out to be our dinner, so didn't feel bad about cost! Probably similar to cost at the Orangery.)

My sister and I were planning on going there next June, and I don't want to abandon it based on one post. Other recent experiences that can corroborate?

Thanks Emma! My sister was more interested in the 'palace' aspect, but she might be persuaded.

Reviews are predominantly positive on Open Table as well:

http://www.opentable.com/the-orangery-at-kensington-palace

I highly recommend the tea at the Wallace Collection.

FWIW, the current National Geographic Traveler magazine mentions The Orangery as one of three spots for scones in their London mini-guide (Best of the World issue, December 2016/January 2017).

On a personal note, this past September, DH and I very much enjoyed our High Tea experience at The Orangery. His required gluten-free variations (for celiac) and mine was the traditional selection with five finger sandwiches, two scones, a macaron, a slice of cake and a mousse. The food was fresh, delicious and plentiful (and the service memorable) --- just as I had remembered from a previous visit. Sorry to hear that several other posters were disappointed with their experience.

I wouldn't avoid it from one or two opinions. We have always had great Afternoon Teas there. If you look at the reviews on Open Table they are all good.