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There is nowhere better in the world to enjoy the quintessentially English custom of afternoon tea than London, the most vibrant and exciting capital city in the world. London has the most amazing selection of venues where you can indulge yourself and partake of anything from the most time-honoured afternoon teas to the newest twists on tradition.

Tea can be a late lunch or an early supper, in which case high tea fits the bill perfectly, with savoury items to add a bit more substance. You may be looking for a conventional afternoon tea of scones with lashings of clotted cream and fruity jam, luscious cakes, and finger sandwiches—without crusts, and there has to be cucumber. Perhaps you fancy a more savoury repast, or are searching for a tea designed with the carnivore in mind, or where there is whisky, gin, beer, or sake as well as tea to drink. Not forgetting that tea is often a family outing, there are plenty of venues which will appeal to parents and children alike. Maybe you are after a variation on a theme, whether it be an afternoon tea bus tour of London, an Alice in Wonderland–inspired afternoon tea, or a tea where your pooch can enjoy his or her own delicious doggy tea.

Whatever your taste, London can provide it all, and in an array of interesting and exciting locations. After all, the afternoon tea experience is not just about the food you eat and the tea you drink, but also about the space and place; in this city, fashion and style have had a powerful influence on afternoon tea. You can enjoy your afternoon tea in buildings steeped in history, from Georgian townhouses, resplendent in modern décor, to chic and buzzy bars. From elegant drawing rooms and opulent lounges in the grandest of hotels to French-style brasseries and the top of an iconic red London bus, there is somewhere to suit everyone, every budget, and every occasion. There are venues with spectacular views, others with light and bright conservatories, and even one, favoured by royalty, with a terrace overlooking a glorious private garden.

Whether you want to linger and chat with friends, have a business meeting in relaxed surroundings, commemorate a birthday or anniversary, collapse after a day’s shopping, or indulge in a pre-theatre high tea, the capital can provide the ideal location. Do not despair if you are venturing out of London, for you’ll find some selected places not far from the capital where you can enjoy an equally good afternoon tea. Afternoon tea is the perfect way to mark those special dates in the calendar, from Valentine’s Day to Mother’s Day, Easter to Halloween, and through to Christmas.

Then there are the great British annual social events, like Wimbledon week, the Chelsea Flower Show, and the Henley Royal Regatta; many of the venues in this book offer themed teas which celebrate these particular events. This guidebook is here to help you make your choice.

How afternoon tea started

Tavistock, Devon, staked its claim as the birthplace of the cream tea back in the early 11th century. The Benedictine Abbey had been looted by the Vikings in 997 AD, and a century later the monks rewarded the labourers who worked to restore it with a meal of bread, clotted cream, and strawberry preserve. The Devon cream tea proved so popular that the monks continued to serve it to passing travellers long after the builders had left.

It is uncertain whether Anna Maria, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, partook of scones and cream, but according to legend, it was she who was responsible for the invention of afternoon tea as an ‘event’ in the 1840s. The story goes that she was so hungry in the long gap between lunch and dinner at 9 o’clock in the evening that she ordered her maid to serve tea and cakes at 5 o’clock to alleviate her gnawing hunger pains. It was not long before afternoon tea became de riguer in London society.

As for the drink itself, high society also played their part in making tea central to the ritual. Tea was given the royal seal of approval by Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese wife of King Charles II, who brought a chest of tea with her as part of her dowry in 1662. Queen Victoria’s Prime Minister, William Gladstone, captured the very essence of tea when he wrote these words in 1865: ‘Relaxing, refreshing, stimulating, or warming, there is little to compare with the comfort and delights of a steaming pot of tea’.

There is a certain magical, even mystical quality about tea, not least of all because of the amazing influence the tiny leaf exerts on everyday life. A cup of tea is the best reason in the world to stop for a break during the day. Life’s rites of passage would not be the same without tea, and the variety of leaves is such that every mood and taste can be catered for. As the world’s most popular drink, tea crosses all the boundaries of history, nation, culture, and class. At some time in their lives, most people, even the smallest children, acquire a ‘taste’ for tea, a habit that they rarely relinquish. The combination of a beautifully presented afternoon feast and freshly brewed leaf tea served in porcelain or bone china cups is a marriage made in heaven and an experience to be savoured.

The 21st century has seen afternoon tea gain an unprecedented popularity, with London serving as the mecca for the revival. Across the capital, venues in abundance create wonderful, often innovative menus, serve exquisite food and drink in perfect surroundings, and rely on the expertise of professionals to ensure you enjoy the best experience possible. Many of the venues have won prestigious awards, confirming their dedication to high standards.

No longer the preserve of ladies on a shopping trip or families celebrating a special occasion, afternoon tea has become a favourite pastime enjoyed by anyone and everyone, an up-to-the-minute sociable thing to do. The synergy of design, fashion, and food has had a wonderful impact and resulted in an exciting new genre, with afternoon teas on offer suited to every generation and to people from all walks of life. If you are a visitor to the capital, what better time-honoured British tradition could you choose to experience, and for the local, what better excuse could there be to leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind for a few hours? Afternoon tea is about treating yourself, your friends, and your family, either informally or in luxurious style, so find a venue that strikes your fancy and enjoy yourself.