The Brits love a good cup of tea whether it’s a breakfast cuppa or mid-morning tea. However if you’re feeling fancy, here are our top places to go Instagram-crazy and enjoy a proper Afternoon Tea.
1. On a London Routemaster bus
What could be more fun than a bus tour in a vintage London double decker bus?
Adding an afternoon tea to the tour. BB Bakery launched an afternoon tea with a difference in April 2014, which takes in The London Eye, Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, The Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus, Nelson’s Column, Downing Street and more as you sip tea and eat macarons, mini cupcakes, sandwiches and more! It’s £45 for adults, £35 for children (aged 6-11).
2. Tea and politics at the Houses of Parliament, London
As an optional add-on to the popular ‘Blue Badge’ guided tours of the Houses of Parliament, afternoon tea is now being served in the elegant Terrace Pavilion of the House of Commons, with views over the River Thames.
The tea serves up treats such as citrus-marinated Scottish salmon with cream cheese, lemon curd and chive on a mini bagel and Valronha chocolate delice. See the website for availability; tea costs £27 in addition to the cost of the admission ticket.
3. Tea on a steam train on the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway near Edinburgh, Scotland
With seats available on the newly restored buffet car dating back to the 1960s, visitors on board a lovingly-restored steam locomotive can indulge in afternoon tea.
The journey lasts just over an hour and ten minutes and there is much more to see at the site including Scotland’s largest railway museum, less than an hour’s drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow. Afternoon Tea is £10 per person with a train ticket (which is £9 for an adult).
Keep your eyes peeled for teas themed around special events or anniversaries, as many restaurants and hotels celebrate such occasions with a creatively conceived afternoon tea – from Wimbledon to Wonka, the possibilities are endless for shaping cakes and designing accompanying cocktails (tea-time, of course, is swiftly followed by cocktail hour).
4. Pret-a-Portea
The Pret-a-Portea at London hotel The Berkeley is a fave for fashionistas: every season the hotel launches a new afternoon tea that takes its inspiration from the latest catwalk styles.
From Miu Miu handbags to Christian Louboutin heels, with Prada coats and Victoria Beckham dresses all delicately playing a double role as cakes, macaroons and mousses, it’s almost too good-looking to eat. Almost (£41 per person).
5. Chesterfield Mayfair
The Chesterfield Mayfair offers traditional afternoon teas, as well as vegetarian and gluten teas. They are also worth checking out for themed teas – when Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical opened in 2013 they launched a delightful Wonka themed afternoon tea (no longer available, but look out for other themed teas); coming up in summer 2014 is a honey-themed Afternoon Bee, as well as a Gentlemen’s Tea in time for Father’s Day in the UK.
For more information visit www. visitbritian.com