I will be in London soon and would love to have English tea, I've noticed the prices quoted, the medium price seems to be 20 pounds--is this per person??? (seems expensive) or for two people?? <BR>Also, recommendations of places would help and is jacket/tie required?

Yes, it is expensive, and yes, it is per person. 20 GBP at the Berkeley, for example, even more - - 26 or 35 (includes champagne) at Claridge's. <BR> <BR>You're paying for all that fancy china, silver, fuss and bother. It's like a gondola ride in Venice - - overpriced, but it IS part of why you flew across that big ol' ocean, right? Still, if it's going to ruin your afternoon to spend do extravagantly, then just don't do it. <BR> <BR>One alternative is to try a place out in a quaint little place outSIDE London (if you're headed out anyway). We had a great tea in 1998, at the Crown Hotel in Old Amersham (where scenes of four Weddings and a Funeral were filmed). Even then, it was 9.95 a person - - perhaps a good deal less at places with less "movie fame". <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Whoops, I meant to add that fodors itself as a few words to say about going to tea - - http://www.fodors.com/features/d/001122_d_hightea.cfm - - about 11 months old now, but still a good overview. <BR>

If you want the 'real' English tea experience, go to The Ritz hotel - beautiful location, or perhaps Fortnum & Mason. Don't reckon on going out for a meal in the evening though - full English tea is quite a meal!

Hi <BR> <BR>I went to the Meridien on the Strand (yes it is spelled that way and thought it was lovely. <BR> <BR>30 pounds for Champagne tea. It was just me - sinking into my chair, laden with shopping bags and glad for the chance to rest my feet. <BR> <BR>It was a very sumptuous location but I was dressed comfortably - didn't notice anyone too spiffied up. (but that is your option of course) <BR> <BR>have fun! maybe I will see you there...

Errol, <BR> <BR>As previously mentioned, tea can be pricey in London. But if you approach it as a combination event (tourism/dining/ambience)you'll get your money's worth. There are 2 schools of thought when taking tea, you can go to the hotels where it's a bit more upscale (jackets/ties might be required) or you can go lower to the ground by going to local coffee houses for tea/coffee and cakes. But for what most people have in mind when doing tea you might want to head to the hotels. There have been many suggestions on this site about recommendations for tea, I have always been a big fan of going to Brown's. But only just recently discovered a smaller, more intimate and locally attended place called The Maids of Honor (out by Kew Gardens). I like them both very much and hopefully you'll have a sense of adventure when finally choosing your place to experience this fabulous ritual.

My favorite place for tea is Brown's Hotel, you sit in big overstuffed sofas and chintz chairs and people keep bringing you more things to eat. It's a warm, elegant, and comfortable atmosphere -- not bustling. You can spend a couple of hours if you want, and you are likely to be surrounded by a number of locals and business people, not all American tourists like at The Ritz. We usually have breakfast that day, then no lunch and don't eat again until something light after the theatre that night at about 11:00, so although it seems like a splurge it really almost replaces two meals.

I have been several times to Brown's Hotel and have enjoyed it very much. <BR> <BR>Also I like the Palm Court at the Waldorf. On Saturday and Sunday afternoon, they have dancing. There are many senior citizens that attend and it's wonderful to watch them dance. It's like being in a genteel, by-gone era. My mother and I still laugh at one woman we saw who kept jerking her poor escort around the dance floor. The poor fellow could barely walk, much less dance. Jacket & tie are required.

I agree with all posts which note that afternoon tea (between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.) is a supplement to dinner. I have had afternoon tea numerous times and have NEVER had dinner that evening. As you note, at 20 to 25 GBP per person, it is not the drive-thru window at Taco Bell, however, such outings are nearly ceremonious in some of the grand salons. My testimonials: <BR> <BR>THE SAVOY - not nearly as staid as one would assume; rather comfortable in the Thames Foyer. I always wear jacket and tie, but have noted that the Savoy has tended to relax the dress code in the last few years. Good service and selections. <BR> <BR>CLARIDGES - personal favorite, pax Britannia grand room. More elegant and opulent than the Savoy. Small and undersatated. Dress code defacto. <BR> <BR>THE RITZ - the most over-the-top afternoon tea experience. The decor all pink, gilt, and chandeliered. Combination of locals, ladies, and those who can hardly wait for the Concorde to return to the skies. Service exceptional, selection not as spectacular as others. Toughest reservation in town---weeks in advance. <BR> <BR>RICHOUX - a lesser location, but not pretending to be one of the aforementioned. Richoux is a chain all around London (Mayfair on Audley---my favorite, Picadilly, Kinghtsbridge, St. John's Wood) and a damn good one. Food at Richoux I have found to be exceptional, service very good. If I lived in London, this would be my "hangout." Afternoon tea is about 15 GBP and I always feel is a good introduction to the ceremony of tea, without the commitment to a grand salon. <BR> <BR>For any of the above, dinner is out. Have a cup of coffee and a roll around 8:00 p.m. at a Caffe Nero. You see, tea and no dinner is actually more economical than breakfast/lunch/tea/dinner.

we real english people drink tea out oflarge mugs, (and several mugs a day at that). toffs drink out of bone china and tell the americans that it is a fine old english tradition. it is not, it is an upper class colonial tradition. Go to any small cafe around soho etc, and have a greasy bacon sarnie as well. Better still, treat yourself to a full english breakie.

But don't you get it, Stuart? We want to believe that all Brits do this tea thing every afternoon and we want to do it as well. So what if it is an upper class colonial tradition. Don't you see that we all want to be upper class colonials? Please don't shatter any more of our illusions. Just like we want to think that all Venetians take moonlight gondola rides, and all Parisians go to the top of the Eiffel tower regularly.

Julie-Maids of Honor are the little cakes they serve there-and I was told that no one else makes them! I loved that place, went there with a friend who lives around the corner,by the Gardens..I thought the name of the place was Yuenes or something like that, glad you mentioned it, my daughter is going to be in London over Thanksgiving week and she has to have tea and Maids of Honor~ttfn~ C

English tea is definitely over the top and a wonderful experience and can be pricey. I think $45-$50 is about the going per person price but worth every penny IMHO. If you want some of the experience but not the price tag, there is a cute little place call Orangerie (sp?) in the Kensington Gardens area. It is wonderful in the summer and has patio tables to sit outdoors. Much less formal ans items are priced a la carte rather than a perperson price so you can spend as little or as much as you like. I really enjoyed this esperience last time I was there, but I had done a formal "tea" before. If you can't afford the hotels, try this which is a nice change of pace but a diffferent experience. Another cheaper and much more locale and less touristy experience is to go to Hudson's on Baker Street. It is the restaurant attached to the Sherlock Holmes museum and serves a great tea as well. IMHO "tea" is all about decadence and an experience though. I love doing it and have done tea here in the States at the Drake in Chicago where I live and in NYC as well!

I'm glad to hear there are some alternatives for those of us who do not have the budget to visit the uppercrust hotels for tea. Anyone else know of cheaper alternatives with the "experience"?

Cheapo, I'm with you! Try the tea room in the food court at Harrods.

For loads of atmosphere with no requirements regarding how much or how little you order, go to the Basil Street Hotel or The Cadogan for a spot of tea. It is perfectly acceptable to simply order a pot of tea or a cream tea consisting of tea and scones. I look forward to both places when I am in London. <BR> <BR>linda

Errol, <BR> <BR>Our experience at The Ritz was unforgettable. Beautiful room, lovely music, attentive service, delicious food. <BR> <BR>You can reserve your afternoon tea on line. <BR>

Errol, <BR>You may only have High Tea in London once so I say splurge and do it right! <BR>There is NO comparison to High Tea at Brown's. <BR>It is THE place to have High Tea. It's like going back in time to the days when High Tea was common everywhere over there. <BR>Can't remember what it cost us when we were there but it was worth EVERY penny. <BR>It's really NOT to be missed !!

I must admit that I was disappointed in High Tea at Brown's. Maybe after reading a few posts praising it I had it too built up in my mind. I'm with those that really enjoyed the Ritz. Great place to people watch, as well as excellent service and food. I guess I would say Brown's is a little more cozy, but the Ritz IMHO is better overall.

Any of the grand Hotels do great teas. Which one is probably a matter of personal taste. Browns, Claridges, Savoy, etc - all are fine. But if you are only going once it should be the Ritz. You need to book way ahead - weeks even now with tourist numbers way down. <BR> <BR>Most folks thinks it is only toruists who "do" high teas -- but actaully more of the diners are Londoners or folks up from the country for a shopping weekend. <BR> <BR>As for dress code - you don't absolutely need a tie for many of them (some are very strict tho') BUT this is a special ocassion so dress up - you will fit in better. if you have a jacket but no tie - most of the Maitre d's have loaner ties available. Tip them well ;-)