Cream Tea @ V&A - a few questions
 

A few years ago we wanted to have refreshments at the V&A but didn't -- too intimidated by crowds at counter (what DOES one order?) and lack of seating.
I wanted to soak in the ambiance, not chat with some unknown table mate about her grandson in Idaho.

Now, a new chance to do it right..so I've done the basic research:

I know I'll have the cream tea (scone, clotted cream, jam) but which tea -- English Breakfast or Earl Grey?
ALSO, my big question, what time is likely to be least crowded?
I'm guessing not "elevenses" or lunch or 4pm tea time or ...

Most on-line photos I've viewed have shown the Gamble Room so that's probably the largest?
But the Morris Room is perhaps most desired?

I do appreciate your advice and I'm sure it seems like I'm overthinking this hour of my life!

'Traditional' British tea times (whatever those are) are irrelevant. Think of it as a museum snack bar to feed the thousands of visitors from all over the earth that visit the V&A every day. I would expect lunch time to be busiest but like any food outlet in very busy places, crowds come in waves that may be difficult to predict.

OK -- the rooms are very pretty but it IS essentially a cafeteria with decent food. The crowds ebb and flow all day long. There is no magic time. It will not be an 'afternoon tea' experience in any way. You can get a scone, clotted cream and pot of tea -- but it is still self service on a tray like any cafeteria. If it was me, I'd pop in to the three rooms just to see them (they are gorgeous) . . . and then leave the V&A and have an afternoon tea at Muriel's Kitchen next to South Kens tube station https://www.murielskitchen.co.uk

I think a scone and clotted cream at the V&A is just fine, and as much as I want to eat in the afternoon. However, if you want a full "tea", in the Morris room, with guaranteed seating, you can have that any Friday with a reservation.

Go here and scroll down: https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/va-cafe/

I drink coffee with my scone so can't help with the tea, although I would think the Earl Grey would be a better choice for the afternoon. Breakfast tea is called that for a reason.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...690c262dd9.jpg
Scone and Malbec at V/A. Nice William Morris print tray. The scone was really delicious. Wine too. Thin,aristocrat 🍹

I'll have what Thin's having...make that Prosecco though.

Thanks to all who posted helpful info!

Feb: There are a bunch of cafes in the V&A. Most are just typical museum cafeteria food. The Friday tea thursdaysd linked is different. It is sit down, in a lovely room. Reservation only. The menu is curated by a food historian. We had the proseco, too, although I'm pretty sure that isn't historical. ;)

Ear Grey is quite a strong, distinctive flavour.

>>There are a bunch of cafes in the V&A. .<<

Not sure what you consider 'a bunch' . . . but not really. There is the main 'Main' cafeteria-style cafe (the one mostly discussed in this thread) with the three rooms for seating and the set Friday afternoon teas in the Morris Room. (the special afternoon tea makes Fridays even more crowded in the Main cafe since 1/3 of the seating is set aside for the set tea). There is the small outdoor garden cafe in the central courtyard. And the newer Courtyard cafe inside the Exhibition Road piazza. (haven't been to the new one so have no idea re the food there.)

The main cafeteria also has two plain "corridor" seating extensions if you can't find space in the historic rooms. (You don't have to worry about winding up in someone's photo there, lol.)

>>You don't have to worry about winding up in someone's photo there, lol.<<

:)

I'm a big tea drinker and Earl Grey is the only tea I dislike. It's got a strong scent and is quite weak with a (to me) smoky flavour. I like Irish Breakfast and Darjeeling but if you are not sure, I'd ask for English Breakfast. It's a basic, nice tea that is often served when there are only one or two options. If you are there with someone else, you could ask for a 'pot of tea for two', usually available but not always. Or get two different teas, in pots for one and try them both.

My guess is between 12 and 2 would be the most crowded but it's always been busy when we've visited.

Kay

Okay, maybe three is a bunch to me. :lol: It seemed like a bunch. We searched all over looking for the Morris Room and kept seeing cafeterias. The Friday tea, as I keep reiterating, is different...

The Morris room is part of the cafeteria - there are three historic rooms in a row, you have to go through the Gamble room to reach it.

As thursdaysd says - if you were in the 'cafeteria' the Morris Room was right there, as were the Gamble and Potnyer rooms.

There is no cafeteria adjacent to the Gamble, Poynter, or Morris rooms at the V/A.

There is a corridor with various food and beverage kiosks for your selection. Some kiosks sell hot food, some tea & scones, wine, some sell salads and pastries.

Beyond the corridor is another seating area. This area leads to the staircase and the toilets. This seating area is not decorated like the other dining rooms.

After you fill your tray, you head to a cashier who takes your money.

Thin,aristocrat 🧻

>>There is no cafeteria adjacent to the Gamble, Poynter, or Morris rooms at the V/A.

There is a corridor with various food and beverage kiosks for your selection. Some kiosks sell hot food, some tea & scones, wine, some sell salads and pastries. <<

Yes - we do know that. Those stations - hardy 'kiosks', are what we are calling a 'cafeteria'. You get trays and go to which ever counters(s) you want to order from -- and carry your food on the trays to wherever you can find a seat. it is, and is called, a 'cafe', but is very cafeteria-esque. There is no table service, etc.

Sigh. That is what we are calling a cafeteria. Your definition may vary. (Posting at the same time as janisj.)

I specifically used quotation marks around 'cafeteria' because some people seemed to think its a table service 'cafe'. (psst -- you called it a cafeteria too ;) )

To clarify, I was merely trying to explain it is a very casual/cafeteria-like venue with really pretty historic rooms (plus a not-so pretty modern seating area)

Just popping back to report on a lovely morning at the V&A, 11 November Monday.
We were visiting an English friend who suggested going for tea first, at 10am when the museum opened.
I ordered the cream tea and to my relief, had to make no decision re what kind of tea.
(Whatever they gave me was very good.)
I told the counter girl that I had never done this before and she sweetly replied
"well, you've come to the right place!"
And I did add that glass of prosecco to celebrate.

After tea, we worked our way back to the main lobby and actually were in the gift shop
when the 11am silence began. Everyone stood in silence and the cashiers came out
from behind their registers and stood with visitors until the time elapsed.

Then, on to view Queen Victoria's sapphire coronet and we counted our blessings as
we had read it would be unavailable the following day, 12 November, for display installation.
Sometimes a hapless tourist can get lucky!

I am grateful for the advice and encouragement given on this thread;
it was a memorable morning.

Thanks for reporting back! Glad you enjoyed my favorite museum.

Thanks for letting us know how it went, glad you enjoyed it. Scones, jam and cream with a cup of tea is always great, particularly if the scones are melt-in-the-mouth. It's usually called Devonshire Tea in Australia and seems to have gone out of fashion, heaven knows why. In Sydney, a young Japanese couple sat at a table next to us and spent quite a while studying the menu and whispering to each other before hesitantly asking, how do they order what we had? It was so nice to be able to help them.

I saw a couple of Queen Victoria's tiaras at Kensington Palace last year and could have stayed for hours just admiring.

Kay

The jewellery at the V&A is gorgeous, I saw the tiara a couple of weeks ago. I must say I was pretty impressed with Beyonce's butterfly ring too.
This is it; It's on my Christmas wish list :-)

And the Mary Quant exhibit was fun. Such a great museum.