I get Discover Britain magazine through my public library (via Libby), and this month's issue (August/Sept) had an article about 5 elegant afternoon teas in London. Unfortunately, I can't link to the article, but here are bits from it.
The Dorchester Starts at £95
The Dorchester on Park Lane, directly opposite Hyde Park, is one of London’s most recognisable grand hotels, and its afternoon tea, served in the elegant surroundings of its recently refurbished lounge, The Promenade, is quite possibly the most impressive in the capital, if not the world. A selection of daintily prepared finger sandwiches arrives accompanied by your choice of different teas from across the globe. Warm scones with clotted cream and preserves follow; then finally a silver platter of the finest cakes and pastries created by The Dorchester’s internationally renowned executive pastry chef.
The Stafford Starts at £70
Tucked away in a discreet corner of St. James’s, The Stafford — which won an ‘Award of Excellence’ at this year’s Afternoon Tea Awards — is one of London’s best-kept secrets. Built in the 17th century as an aristocrat’s home, it was later a private club (with royalty in its membership) and then a hotel, becoming The Stafford in 1912. In WWII its American Bar found favour among American and Canadian officers stationed here in search of a decent cocktail. During air raids, they would take shelter in the 8,000-bottle wine cellar below (it now also houses a museum viewable by prior arrangement).
Oblix at The Shard Starts at £61
The Shard, a 72-storey pyramid shaped tower reaching 310 metres into the clouds between London and Tower bridges, has become a defining feature of the capital’s skyline. Halfway up this futuristic looking glass-shaped structure lies Oblix, a restaurant, bar and lounge offering breathtaking views right across the city. The check-in procedure feels a little like arriving for a flight with airport-style body scanners in the ground floor entrance lobby and a high-speed elevator that whizzes you up to the 32nd floor so quickly you’ll think you’re taking off.
One Aldwych Starts at £70 (£50 for kids 12 & under)
Built in 1905 as the headquarters for the Morning Post newspaper, One Aldwych on the edge of Covent Garden is one of London’s more distinct buildings, which houses Art Nouveau elegance with a little Parisienne flair; namely Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea. Ideal for children, the interactive dining experience includes fizzy lifting drinks such as the crowd-pleasing water pistol punch that arrives in a glass teapot that looks as though it might explode at any given moment to warm-from-the-oven-scones, chocolate milkshakes, and candy floss. Of course, there is also an excellent selection of tea for the adults and a tasty offering of finger sandwiches and other savouries (with refills promptly offered) but the focus here is on the sweet things in life, which is just as Mr Willy Wonka would like it.
The Orangery at Kensington Palace Starts at £55 (10% discount for HRP members)
As a setting for afternoon tea in the capital, it doesn’t get more regal than The Orangery at Kensington Palace. It has recently reopened to the public, after extensive restoration, and now offers Royal Afternoon Tea – served with either a glass of Pimm’s or Ridgeview English sparkling wine – which can be enjoyed either in the elegant dining room or out on the terrace.