How to choose where to go for afternoon tea?

With so much choice in the market, it can be difficult and overwhelming to decide where to go for an afternoon tea in London. Generally, most people see afternoon tea as a special occasion or something that you would only do a few times a year so whenever you are booking a new afternoon tea venue you want to know that you’ve made the right decision. Below are a few tips to think about when choosing a venue for afternoon tea.

What is the occasion?

Last year, Mr Afternoon Tea proposed to me in the Merrion Hotel in Dublin over afternoon tea. He had asked me which hotel I wanted to go to in advance and I decided on the Merrion not only because it looked wonderful but because there wasn’t a time restriction on time like some of the other five star hotels in Dublin. I didn’t know what would happen but can you imagine the pressure Mr Afternoon Tea would be under knowing the clock was ticking for him to pop the question. Moral of the story is think carefully about what it’s for and more importantly who is going. If you’re arranging a special birthday afternoon tea for someone who hates dressing up, then it’s unlikely they’ll be too impressed if you take them to a hotel with a strict dress code.

Price

Afternoon Tea prices in London can vary from around £20 right up to a whopping £65 per person. Whatever your budget, it is very important to consider your expectations before you book the afternoon tea. Not all venues offer refillable tea or sandwiches so if you book somewhere priced at £20 you’re not going to get as much food as somewhere priced at £45. Read the menu before visiting and if you do have questions gets in touch with the venue first. That said, I judge places based on their value for money and have had some excellent afternoon teas right across that spectrum of cost.

Location, location, location

If you’re like me and hate the tube you don’t want to be trekking across London in search for tea and scones. Before booking, double check where the venue is and how far away it is from the tube. Especially for tourists visiting London, places can be described as more central than they really are and can be tricky to get to. On the plus side – it means you’ll work up an appetite getting there!

Traditional versus modern afternoon tea

If you’re on holiday and visiting the U.K you might have an idea of what afternoon tea is and visualise a very traditional afternoon tea offering. Make sure you have a look at photographs before you go and read the menu. Plus it’s worth keeping in mind that some of the modern themed afternoon teas focus more on the appearance rather than the taste so worth reading reviews.

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