London recommendations.

Check out London Walks we have used them twice , history of the area is exceptional , pub tours are a great tour. Each day they have different choices so you'll have to check as to what is offered on your days and the times you can go. They are really professionally done, not expensive , rain or shine they are at their meeting place.

Ditto London Walks. www.walks.com. Although I've not gone on any, friends have enjoyed Eating London Food Tours. I know they've been reviewed TripAdvisor. You might also read the londoneater.com food blog and create your own tour of reviewed restaurants, cafes and markets. Emma is correct, a budget price is needed to make proper recommendations for tea. Enjoy your 3 days in May.

Thanks All!

We are not on a limited budget for the tours and tea. We are looking for the best food/ tea at the tea, more so than a famous place. So, any place, at any price, that consistently serves the most delicious food and tea, is what we would like.

Also, we would like to find excellent PRIVATELY - guided tours for both the literary and food tours. Usually, we do group tours, but on this occasion would like to find tour guides who cold design and lead us through on our own. We are a group of five.

The food tour should be someone who's a real foodie. The literary should be someone who's a lit lover.

Thanks again. I look forward to your recommendations.

For the food tour, you might try Celia Brooks. I've taken her Borough Market tour and her Marylebone tour. She is ver knowledgable and does a nice job with her tours.
http://www.celiabrooks.com

Fresh ingredients.
Fresh baked goods.
Made from scratch.
NOT dry, stale, out of a box or tin.

I'll pay happily for the above but don't want to go somewhere that serves mediocre food because they are guaranteed tourists.

Tourists or not, the best afternoon tea I've had (tea and food, including the best clotted cream I've had anywhere) was at Claridge's. If you go, don't miss the ladies' toilets. Everything was impeccable (food, service, tea, atmosphere) and I'd not hesitate to return. The menus are online.

I have enjoyed all the London Walks guided walks I've taken. These are not something you have to book in advance, should you decide you want company after all.

If you want a private guide, I'd get a Blue Badge guide, no question.

Check out "eating London" , have done their food tours twice now in Rome and the ere wonderful. Great reviews from everyone!

the Sanderson Hotel, offer a much more modern "take" on tea.

They offer a much more "modern" take on everything.

Trick number one - find the place. Trick number two - try to use the lifts. Trick number three - work out how to enter your room. Trick number four - see if you can close the curtains and switch on the lights.

http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/londons-best-loos

To be fair, Pepita, you didn't specify private guides at first.

If you're looking for a guide, check out Harry Norman. Great guide.

You're right. I should have written a clearer original post.

Thanks for all of the leads!

We have always enjoyed having tea in the Georgian Room, at Harrods dept. store. It is on the 4th floor. It is a very pretty setting. Someone entertains with the piano also. It is recommended that you make reservations. You can do that on-line. We have also eaten in their picturesque food court. We enjoy their fish and chips, at the fish bar. You sit on a bar stool and can take in the scenery.

Many thanks!

We used Sean Kelleher for a small group walking tour 2 days ago and would highly recommend him. Extremely knowledgeable and entertaining while willing to take whatever time necessary for you to enjoy your visit