Hello! I'm so looking forward to our RS tour of London next summer. (We were supposed to go this year for my birthday...) Does anyone know where the afternoon tea included in the tour will take place?
I want to make arrangements to have afternoon tea while several times while we are there. I have a list.
If you have a suggestion, I'd love to hear it!
Thanks,
Leanne
If you do a search (search box is at the top of the page) for Afternoon tea London, you'll likely find a list of past threads on the topic
Yes, I did a search before I posted. I don't see anything that states which tea spot the tour uses. Thank you
You could try emailing the RS Office and asking. It may be that they use a variety of places across their trips. If they can’t tell you, you could ask on your first day of the tour and then book your own experience after arrival.
While you say that you want to do afternoon tea several times, it can be very expensive (50 pounds a person or more at a fancy place) to do the full afternoon tea with sandwiches and baked goods; it is a lot of food. I’ve only gone to afternoon tea once (at Brown’s Hotel) in many years of travel and a year of living in London. It is a nice experience, but not one that is done on a frequent basis. If you are just looking for a cup of tea and a snack, there will be many places you can take a quick break (e.g., museum cafeterias, bakeries, etc.)
It might be worth a phone call to RS. Ask for guidance. They may not have a precise idea but perhaps they can say which are the major contenders. Alternatively, it could be totally the guide's decision. But still may be worth inquiring.
The expensive teas can take the place of dinner if done late in the afternoon-which makes the price seem more reasonable.
Thank you for the information. Yes, I'm aware of the expense and have planned accordingly. I'm trying to pare down my list. to 3. One before, one during, and one after the tour.
I plan on it being a meal. 😁
Email or call the RS office. Someone there should know the answer.
Secondly, I’ve enjoyed a number of afternoon teas as I’ve been visiting London since Nixon was in office. Must say on a recent trip loved my afternoon tea here:
https://www.orangepekoeteas.com/
I went to the store in Barnes which is an easy 30 minute train ride from Waterloo Station to Barnes Bridge Station. 10 minute stroll from there.
Should also consider having afternoon tea at the stunning Booking Office restaurant at St Pancras station. Hopefully it is still open.
Fortum and Mason does a pleasant afternoon tea but if you seek a more formal full blown experience go with the Oscar Wilde room at Hotel Cafe Royal on Regent Street.
We loved FM and will go back. Quiet, elegant, pianist, but you don't have to dress up.
Edited: business casual. Polo shirts and khakis are fine. I don't think that I would wear a t-shirt and jeans.
Leanne, if you have the time and are interested, I recommend stopping in the original Twinings shop
at 216 Strand. They have many varieties that are hard to find in North America. It's a great place to pick up a souvenir for yourself or a gift for tea lovers back home. Have a great trip!
Thank you for the suggestions! My list grows. Orange Pekoe looks amazing! I'll look into the other spot as well. I hadn't thought about Twinings, but will definitely check that out. Fortnum & Mason was on my list, but glad to know it's casual.
The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly
