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One of the lasting legacies of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has to be our new–found fondness for afternoon tea. This Summer (and beyond) we’re indulging in everything from traditional elegance to post–modern irony, secure in the knowledge that Her Majesty rarely misses a daily tea–time treat.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady worked for the royal family for 15 years and during that time he served afternoon tea pretty much every day on the dot – sometimes in spite of the local time zone. For instance, while touring Australia the Queen still observed her GMT afternoon tea slot, even though it was 5am down under. Which is why McGrady found himself making scones in the early hours of an overseas tour.
Her Majesty is also said to be fond of tuna mayo sandwiches (though we doubt it tastes much like anything you’d find in today’s supermarkets). And one of her favourite treats are jam pennies (tiny circles of lightly buttered bread and strawberry jam), which she has eaten for tea since she was five years old. In McGrady’s day the jam was home–made from Balmoral strawberries, of course.
Most importantly, Her Majesty favours the Cornish method of eating scones: jam first, dollop of cream on top. They reverse the jam/cream arrangement in Devon. This difference in traditions has caused many an online disagreement. But then, where would social media be without a pointless argument?
The capital’s restaurants and hotels offer a fabulous variety of tea–time treats, including many with an international twist. And often a glass of champagne. Which is not surprising, as the Victorians liked a glass of sherry or claret with their seed cake.
But the trump card of the afternoon tea is that it fits like a glove with a weekend city break or an overnight stay, dovetailing with all the shows, events and sights that the city has to offer. So why not explore the capital’s afternoon menus and what’s on, as well as those excellent Central London Hotel deals?
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough for me”
CS Lewis
Maison Bertaux
28 Greek Street, Soho W1
One of the most loved and long established tea rooms and patisseries in London. It’s tiny and it’s a legend. The pastries are freshly baked every day, and they have been savoured by the famous and the bohemians of Soho for 140 years. From Virginia Woolf to Alexander McQueen, its appeal just goes on and on. Open every day, 9.30am to 6pm. Worth a pilgrimage.
Scoff & Banter
350 Oxford Street, W1
Behind busy Oxford Street is this cosy retreat, which opens 1pm–7pm every day for all–day afternoon tea. Sweet and savoury treats to suit all tastes – gourmet, glutton or minceur.
Mr Fogg’s G&Tea afternoon tea
48 Newman Street, Fitzrovia, W1
Lots of unusual champagne and gin cocktails here, served in teapots. Sandwiches and scones too. Relaxed and satisfying tea–time experience.
Sushi and Fizz Afternoon Teas
134-136 Wardour Street, W1 & 11-14 Hanover Place, WC2
Soho and Covent Garden provide the settings for this alternative afternoon tea. Fresh sashimi and maki rolls, gyoza. An hour of bottomless bubbly too.
Westminster Garden Party
June 2–5, 1pm–9pm
The Wellington Gardens, 71 Vincent Square, SW1
There’s a Royal Jubilee garden party in Westminster over the bank holiday from Blue Orchid London and its Wellington Gardens. Celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, whether you’re a guest at the Wellington Hotel, a local, or a visitor. Just minutes away from Victoria Station, Buckingham Palace and Tate Britain. Wood–fired pizza, pastas and salad, decadent desserts and Jubilee cocktails. £27.50 per person.
Parisian Afternoon Tea
Mariage Freres
38 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2
Restaurant specialising in tea gastronomy plus a tea museum in London’s vibrant Covent Garden. Mariage Freres offers an extensive tea menu, including bourbon vanilla and raisin scones, served with fragrant tea-infused jelly. Savouries and patisserie as well. Experts on hand to help with tea choices. Irresistible.
Grand Saloon Afternoon Tea
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
“Decadent and delicious” afternoon teas in this historic theatre with its Grand Saloon, all green marble and pink walls, plus chandeliers. Among the top 20 afternoon teas according to Vogue. Sausage rolls, madeleines, pink lemonade tarts… plus a terrace that overlooks Covent Garden piazza.
Leadenhall Market
Jubilee Celebrations, Royal Walking Tour
Gracechurch Street, London EC3
One of the City’s most photogenic historic market halls, Leadenhall Market’s 35 boutique shops, all day dining, restaurants and bars will be filled with purple crown bunting and themed flowers for the Jubilee. Plus every Wednesday evening throughout June you can hear the story of the monarchy’s links to Leadenhall, from the 12th century, right up to the present day. Tickets £7 per person, 6.30pm till 8pm.
Superbloom at the Tower of London
June 1 to September 18
This Platinum Jubilee year the Tower of London boasts Superbloom, when its famous moat is transformed into accessible fields of wildflowers. Stay in nearby Tower Suites London, with its boutique apartments and rooftop bar with sweeping views of landmark London.
The Ivy Chelsea Garden
195-197 King’s Road, SW3
Said to be the more relaxed, younger version of The Ivy proper, it’s a green and pleasant spot for afternoon tea. Macarons, red velvet cake, scones and finger sandwiches served daily, 3pm–4.45pm. Jubilee Afternoon Tea menu from June 2 to 5.
Laduree Covent Garden
There is a (heated) terrace and balcony here that overlooks the grand piazza, as well as delightful tea rooms painted in soft pastels, and furniture in the style of a long dead French monarch. But it’s the macarons that people go crazy for. Also the sandwiches, scones and patisserie as well.
The Petersham Covent Garden
Floral Court, 2 Floral Street, WC2
This afternoon tea comes with the added incentive that it raises funds for an organisation (1000 Bamboo Villages) that aims to restore 2 million hectares of ravaged land in Indonesia. Offshoot of Richmond’s famous Petersham Nurseries.
Blue Orchid Hotels London Indian Film Festival
June 23 to July 3
BFI, South Bank
The UK and Europe’s biggest annual South Asian Film Festival on the South Bank. Independent cinema, panel discussions and masterclasses. Word premiere of Dobaaraa from acclaimed director Anurag Kashyap, starring Taapsee Panuu (a time jumping plot twister).
Lyaness at Sea Containers
20 Upper Ground, Southbank SE1
Mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana is famous for his cocktails, and now you can drink them with your afternoon tea at 4pm. Scones with clotted cream and blueberry lemon thyme jam. There is also a gin based drink with honey and apple, or fizz with rum, rose and galangal.
Fortnum & Mason
181 Piccadilly, W1
Iconic teatime institution. Famous the world over for perfectly cut sandwiches, fresh-baked cakes, and famous teas - served in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon (opened by Her Majesty the Queen, no less, in 2012). Teas include Jasmine Dragon Pearls and Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. Also “tearistas” to help with the tea choices.
The Wolseley
160 Piccadilly, W1
Once a plush car showroom on Piccadilly, now serving all–day continental food and proper afternoon teas, from millefeuille and eclairs, to macarons and Battenberg. Monograms on everything. Old school charm, and there’s a champagne afternoon tea.
Royal Time At The Tower
Tower Suites, 100 Minories. EC3
There are Royal treats aplenty at Tower Suites on Minories in the heart of London. Enjoy a Royal Platinum Jubilee VIP rooftop package; savour champagne and fine food while you relax in a private cabana with family and friends and watch history take shape as you celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
Or opt for The Royal Treatment, when you can share luxury spa treatments with someone special, as well as enjoy a uniquely curated Royal Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea.
Finally, there’s the Royal Jubilee Afternoon Tea at the Tower: cream teas, indulgent pastries, finger sandwiches and a wide range of teas, as well as time to tour the Tower of London’s Superbloom transformation – the historic moat turned into a spellbinding field of flowers.
St Paul’s Cathedral
June to December 2022
“St Paul’s, the Monarch and the Changing World” looks at the social, political and technological changes in Britain, from George III and Queen Victoria to Elizabeth II. Material from the Cathedral archives including photos and paintings.
Fleets
44 to 46 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4
Bar/restaurant just a stone’s throw from St Paul’s Cathedral. Craft beers, cocktails and wines, burgers, small and bottomless brunch every Saturday 12pm to 4pm.
Charterhouse Open Gardens
June 23 and July 14
Charterhouse Square, Barbican EC1.
Not just a historic building in Farringdon (dating back to 1371), The Charterhouse has seven acres of rarely seen private gardens that will go on show to the public on two separate evenings in June and July this year. Tickets cost £10, food and drink can be bought at the venue. Open from 5.30-8.30pm.
City Beerfest
July 7
City Beerfest is produced in partnership with the Worshipful Company of Brewers and it raises money for the Lord Mayor’s charitable Appeal. There are 45 different brews on offer, plus street food and New Orleans inspired music. All in the historic surroundings of Guildhall Yard.
Claridge’s Bar
49 Brook Street, Mayfair W1.
150 years of elegant afternoon teas from Claridge’s, plus Claridge’s Bar has created no less than five cocktails for the Platinum Jubilee, as well as recreating the ‘Windsor Rose’ which was first served on Coronation Day in 1953. Follow the link for a sketch of the Queen’s coronation dress for children to colour in, too
La Clique
Cavendish Square
Until July 3
La Clique brings back its popular mix of circus, new vaudeville and burlesque: “sexy, funny, and dangerous.”
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