You have been so kind and helped me sort out our trip. I took index cards for each of our “must visit” places. Still adding ideas and comments. Sunday we are doing the 4:00 theater. We already purchased our tickets. Which makes more sense - British Museum - high tea - theater? Or Victoria and Albert, tea, theater. Suggest some middle of the road priced tea places please. Harrods is too much. Our home base is Tower Bridge area. We are walkers and tubers so respect your advice.
Posted by
Land of La
8674 posts
Which theatre?
Will help us provide an answer.
Also what in terms of £’s do you consider “middle of the road” price for afternoon tea.
The use of tubers had me laughing as I thought of potatoes….but I did know you were saying you used the London Underground.
Lastly there is a difference between high tea and afternoon tea. https://www.thespruceeats.com/afternoon-vs-high-tea-difference-435327
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4862 posts
Keep in mind that afternoon tea is generally served from 3-5 pm. Some places will begin service earlier than that, but you would likely need a reservation for around 2 if your show starts at 4. And at a place within a short distance from the theatre. Afternoon tea is not something to be gobbled down quickly in a few minutes.
Posted by
Washington DC
27122 posts
The upstairs restaurant at the British Museum serves afternoon tea. Another poster wrote very recently that she has checked and tea is available as early as noon. I'd recommend a reservation. The tea at the British Museum was nice. I think I paid about £40 (not this year). You may be able to find the current price on the museum website. Afternoon tea tends to be a lot of carb-heavy food, so unless you are traveling with ravenous, growing teenagers, it's possible you don't need to order the full tea for everyone in your group. Perhaps a simpler cream tea (tea and one or two scones) for one person would work.
Posted by
east coast, United States
208 posts
I was the poster who wrote about tea at the British Museum. Per their website, yes, they open early (11:30a) and serve afternoon tea then. We are going to try and book it for noon, and book as soon as we enter the museum. You can see info on it here:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/visit/food-and-drink/great-court-restaurant
plus, there is another link to follow that will show you the menu and price.
When I did this with my family (4 people) back in 2017, we asked if we could order two teas for the four of us, and they were ok with it. If they still run it like back then, it is a lot of food, but very enjoyable.
Posted by
OP
38 posts
Splendid idea old chap (eyeroll, I’m practicing). We are from Elverson, PA, western suburb of Philadelphia.
When are you going?
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
6323 posts
You can have a wonderful afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason without breaking the bank. It's £35 if you choose the one that is in the Courtyard. Just don't get the tea served in the Diamond Jubilee Salon as that is about twice the price. :) https://www.fortnumandmason.com/afternoon-tea
Here is the menu for the £35 afternoon tea: https://www.fortnumandmason.com/media/fortnums/blogpost/pdf/REX_Afternoon_Tea_July_2023_V1.0.pdf
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4862 posts
Note that the F&M tea in the courtyard doesn't start til 2:30 pm
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
3761 posts
You may want to move afternoon tea to another day. To me, it just doesn't fit in with your schedule. You need something more substantial to serve as lunch, instead of lots of cakes and little sandwiches.
You may want to experience another tradition....Sunday Roast, which will give you a lunch to sustain you through the rest of the day and your evening at the theatre. Many pubs and restaurants do a good Sunday Roast. Quite obviously, Sunday is the day to do this, as it's not offered other days. If you choose a location close to one of the museums, you could do the lunch, then pop into the museum for a couple of hours, then get to your theatre.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1006 posts
Yes it would help to know which theatre for recs.
You could def do an afternoon tea before the theatre at 4 if it was all close by. Afternoon tea is usually a very filing meal although sugar, carb and caffeine heavy. It tends to leave you on a bit of a high, especially if you chuck in a glass of Prosecco.
Posted by
east coast, United States
208 posts
Schelljudjer - if you were replying to me, old chap ;) , I'm the "cat" (Cathy) part of my screen name. But, no worries! I could be mistaken in referring to you as old chap, as well. Lol
Glad to see another local (to me) poster on board! I, do, indeed know Elverson. We always go right through there when we want to pick up the turnpike in Morgantown to State College, Pittsburgh, or other points west. We live in Gilbertsville.
My dd and I are heading out on Sept. 11 (that date just sunk into my brain yesterday, cue eerie music), leaving Mr. joncatmantim1 to hold down the fort.
If you didn't already see my other post, I put out a (mostly) finished itinerary a few days ago, asking for final tweaks/advice. I don't know if it would help you, but might give you more ideas.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/one-last-time-an-itinerary-critique-please