It’s no secret that in England, tea is a national obsession. We adore it so much that there’s a whole ritual dedicated to sitting down with a fresh brew and tasty mid-afternoon treat. But just because something’s simple, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be lavish – and the proof is in the pudding with Lancaster London’s classic afternoon tea.
Whether you’re kick-starting your hen or gathering your bridal squad for a pre-wedding pow wow, Lancaster London’s afternoon tea makes the ordinary extraordinary.
THE VENUE:
The hotel sits in the heart of the city, close to Oxford Street and Bond Street as well as Knightsbridge – making it the perfect finale to a shopping trip. With the green vistas of Hyde Park to the south, and views of the City to the east, the Lancaster London commands some of the best panoramas of the capital. All of which, of course, are best experienced with a delicious afternoon spread.
THE TREATS:
The hotel’s signature experience includes an array of sweet and savoury morsels. Start with traditional finger sandwiches including smoked salmon, egg & wild cress and cucumber. The wild mushroom and chicken and tarragon tartlets offer something a little more substantial, along with the satisfying crunch of perfectly baked pastry. Our favourite was the miniature Yorkshire puddings filled with succulent roast beef and horseradish cream – is it just us, or do miniatures somehow always taste better?!
Sweet treats include scones, served both with and without raisins alongside pots of homemade strawberry jam and rich Cornish clotted cream. Meanwhile there’s plenty on offer to satisfy sugar cravings with white chocolate and raspberry lollipops, a trio of macaroons in pistachio, passionfruit and raspberry, apple and honey cupcakes, seasonal fruit tarts and delicate caramel hazelnut tranches.
THE TEA:
The centrepiece of any afternoon tea is the brew, and Lancaster London has a terrifically diverse selection to muse over. While the Novus tea selection includes stalwarts such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey, opt for the exotic varieties to enrich your experience. A cup of refreshing White Pear & Ginger will leave you feeling recharged while the Organic Darjeeling from India is smooth, rich and offers a taste of true decadence (fittingly, it’s often referred to as the Champagne of teas).
But if you want the real deal, upgrade to the Champagne experience and sip on a flute of Laurent Perrier champagne, which also comes in a Rosé variant.
THE KHUSH VERDICT:
Whether you’re looking for a bridal shower venue, a location for an elegant hen party or you’re just hoping to score some serious brownie-points with the future in-laws, afternoon tea at Lancaster London is the perfect high tea experience.
Afternoon tea is available in the hotel’s first floor lounge every day from 2pm until 5.30pm. The signature experience is priced at £30 per person, £40 with a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne or £45 with a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne (Rosé).
www.LancasterLondon.com