Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Where is the best afternoon tea in London ??

Search

Where is the best afternoon tea in London ??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 27th, 2019, 07:47 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where is the best afternoon tea in London ??

Have looked at many hotels in London for afternoon tea for November, all look beautiful and roughly the same price,
have you been and what did you think ??
happydays99 is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2019, 08:15 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Brown's Hotel

The Wolseley

Thin🤴

Last edited by Pepper_von_snoot; Feb 27th, 2019 at 08:23 PM.
Pepper_von_snoot is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2019, 10:32 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,871
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Any will be great. From the Ritz, to the Goring, to the Marriott County Hall (terrific river views from the tea lounge), to the Wolseley, to the Jubilee Tea Lounge at Fortnum & Mason, to the Langham, to Claridges, to the Shangrii-La in the Shard (Gobsmacking views!) to the Savoy, to Brown's

(I've had afternoon tea at all of the above - the Ritz and F&M several times each)
janisj is online now  
Old Feb 28th, 2019, 03:41 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I loved both the Savoy and Goring, F&M not as much, though the others with me enjoyed it greatly. I also took my niece to a Mad Hatters themed afternoon tea, which was kind of fun...😃
geetika is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2019, 07:31 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 6,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Staying in Kensington in October. Best tea nearby?
socaltraveler is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2019, 10:37 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I would go to the cafeteria in the V & A for tea. It is free to get in. You can get some tea and scones and sit in the William Morris room. Will only cost a few quid.

Afterward, you can buy a lovely bookbag in the gift shop.

Thin
Pepper_von_snoot is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2019, 12:14 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,871
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
socaltraveler: What sort of thing are you looking for? For instance the V&A is perfectly fine -- (I eat there most times I visit the museum). But it IS really just a cafeteria in an historic setting. There is absolutely no 'Afternoon Tea Experience' at all. You carry a cup of tea and scones on a tray into the various seating rooms and hope to find a seat. If you merely want tea/scones/whatever that is one thing, if you want posh afternoon tea - that is a totally different animal.

I wouldn't worry about a place being near where you are staying -- You will be out and about sightseeing so you could have tea anywhere. If it is one of the posh tea venues mentioned up thread -- they mostly must be booked well ahead. One place right in Kensington tough is the Orangery at Kensington Palace.

janisj is online now  
Old Feb 28th, 2019, 12:54 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Wallace Collection; very nice afternoon tea in the courtyard - it's covered, not outside. Lovely museum too...
Tulips is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2019, 07:27 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 6,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for all the information. How far ahead would you recommend booking?
socaltraveler is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2019, 07:41 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,871
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
It depends on which venue - places like the Ritz, Claridges, the Shangri-La set aside a lot of time slots for guests staying in the hotel, so booking a 2 or 3 months ahead is often necessary. Other places 2 or 3 weeks is usually fine.
janisj is online now  
Old Mar 1st, 2019, 04:33 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Afternoon Tea + what you will need to fill up after!

If you are looking for high tea like a local - saunter through Mayfair and Piccadilly to Fortnum and Masons - it may not fill you up but you are only a stone's throw from Chinatown if you get my drift. Also I would skip the tea and head over to South Kensington for a delicious crepe at the Kensington Creperie - again move like a local and enjoy the atmosphere near museum mile. Or if you want to really keep it real venture north to Ladbroke Grove and get one of the best kebabs ever at Fez Mangal - I think I probably telling you what I enjoy as a born and bred Londoner more than recommending afternoon tea
isleofwightorg is offline  
Old Mar 1st, 2019, 07:07 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 6,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not the OP but I do thank you all for your recommendations. I did notice that British Museum serves an afternoon tea; we are not the posh hotel type so perhaps we will stop in there for a cup on our museum exploring day. Certainly plenty of options to explore.
socaltraveler is offline  
Old Mar 1st, 2019, 07:56 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
<<If you are looking for high tea like a local >> High tea is something different to afternoon tea. High tea means dinner, shortened to just “tea” as in “I’m just having my tea” means “I’m just having my dinner”.
Odin is offline  
Old Mar 1st, 2019, 03:26 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Another vote for Brown's, but the Ritz is also good and would suffice. Brown's is a bit homier.
Underhill is offline  
Old Mar 1st, 2019, 05:15 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I did a lot of research and endless watching of YouTube videos concerning this, since my granddaughter is a vegan. We are going to try B Bakery in Covent Garden; I hear they also have a river cruise and a bus tour in which they serve tea. Can anyone chime in on any other places that has both vegan (and regular) afternoon tea?
Bellarosa70032 is offline  
Old Mar 1st, 2019, 05:49 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,871
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
If you contact (in advance) any of the high end venues the will cater to dietary requirements.
janisj is online now  
Old Mar 1st, 2019, 05:52 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,871
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Originally Posted by Underhill
Another vote for Brown's, but the Ritz is also good and would suffice. Brown's is a bit homier.
The Ritz is ANYTHING but 'homey'. I personally don't go to London for 'homey' - I go for over the top posh.
janisj is online now  
Old Mar 1st, 2019, 07:08 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 37,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hmm tried replying the way I usually do and I can't. Let me try this. Just wanted to say the I really like Fortnum and Mason and it's just a nice way to end the day.

I couldn't post a quick reply I had to do it a different way. Issues?
crefloors is offline  
Old Mar 1st, 2019, 07:21 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,871
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Crefloors: that is a glitch with this particular thread and has been reported. They are 'working' on it.
janisj is online now  
Old Mar 1st, 2019, 07:51 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
We were in London in September and had a lovely afternoon tea at Ham Yard Hotel. I didn't want to spend a fortune and we also didn't have nice clothes to dress up in. Some venues I looked at have a strict dress code but not at Ham Yard. The dining area is lovely, service was good and we enjoyed the food. The waitress offered to box up what we couldn't finish. Just an aside - the owner of the hotel designed the Wedgewood china used for afternoon tea.
https://www.firmdalehotels.com/hotel...afternoon-tea/

We did have afternoon tea at The Ritz years ago and the room where it is served is absolutely beautiful. Cost though, is 2 or 3 times what Ham Yard charge for similar food and drink.

Kay

Ka
Ham Yard Hotel afternoon tea
KayF is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -