Rubbish! The Coach is not a gay pub, even though gay people go there. The age range is large, as is the mix of locals vs blow ins. I agree that it is not high end, but it is a real pub and it even has a nice chap that tinkles the ivories, playing old-fashioned standards like My Old Man and Pack up Your Troubles. I'd recommend anyone who likes a pleasant drink in a non-threatening and REAL atmosphere should go.

Blow Ins! Goodness.

I have actually taken yankee fodorites to the Coach and Horses. They survived (But we were at the shallow end).

I thought the poster was referring to Comptons, which really is no place for a maiden aunt.

CW - a regular in the Coach. But not in Comptons.

I had Afternoon Tea today at the Cavendish Hotel, which is on Jermyn Street and just round the corner from the Ritz.

It was only £10 per person when booked via the site below and I'd really recommend it. We had several cups of tea, some delicious scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, three different types of dainty sandwiches, a selection of cakes and two sorts of choccie truffles. We couldn't eat it all and took a few scones home with us as they provided 6 for the three of us :)

http://www.afternoontea.co.uk/index....=197&Itemid=16

I would also recommend the Atheneaum Hotel (whose afternoon tea has won several awards) which is around £25 for a similar amount / type of food but the room is much prettier.

Thanks for the website- looks like a great value

For info; I've checked my credit card bill and tea at Fortnums was £84 for two. ( I could have bought a gramme of coke or a tom for that!)

That's more than I'd happily pay - but it did cheer mum up no end. Not that mum would have liked a sniff of cuff or a tom....

Good of you not to peer at the bill and gasp, with your mum there and all.

I have had tea at both the Orangerie and Claridge's and can recommend them both. But they are totally different experiences. The Orangerie is in lovely surroundings overlooking Hyde Park, Kensington Palace and the gardens. The service is very casual, bordering on brusque, the food is good, the price is good and you don't need to dress up.
Claridge's, on the other hand, is a very posh affair. The price is high, but you get every penny's worth. The tea room is gorgeous, there is a pianist who plays quietly throughout the tea, the servers are terrific and help with suggestions since there are more than 30 kinds of tea. Everything is served beautifully and the sandwiches and sweets are continually replenished without you having to say a word.
You do need to dress, but it is that kind of experience. And if you go, don't forget to use the public washrooms to the left of the lobby. The ladies' room is gorgeous and an attendant files a stunning basin with water and hands you a towel so you can wash your hands.
Then stroll through the streets in the area to see the elegant old homes and shops.

Two different experiences; both wonderful.

Enjoy.

Oh my goodness....so many dfferent opinions stated above and all the distinctions about the names of teas. I always heard that 'high' is not the 'posh' tea, but rather a substantial supper-like meal and that afternoon tea is the one that gets you all the wee sandwiches, scones, cakes, etc. In any case, a nice cuppa with something to eat with it is delightful in the afternoon . I was disappointed in the Ritz because, as others have noted, it seemed full of Japanese tourists and was quite rushed in comparison to other places. Browns is my ideal place - but now that I've heard they've remodeled it may no longer be where I might run into Miss Marple up for a day of shopping. Whenever I am in London, I take myself to Fortnum & Mason for tea. I don't know why it pleases me so, but it does and I'm sure that there are plenty of tea places in London to suit just about every taste.

Thank you for all the great suggestions