Afternoon Tea remains a distinctly English tradition, even if it’s a very, very rare and special treat for most of us these days.
Nowadays synonymous with the upper classes, and in particular the Queen, only the most distinguished of London’s hotels provide the right kind of surroundings in which to indulge the custom.
Well, one of Mayfair’s exclusive and luxury hotels to be more precise. After all, one can’t just go anywhere to sip fine tea, quaff sandwiches cut into perfect triangles, drench scones in cream and strawberry jam and squirrel away delicately crafted sweets. Silver service is a must.
One of our favourite spots is The Dorchester. Step through the grand hotel’s front doors and you’re immediately dazzled by the opulence of its legendary Promenade, a long hallway decked out with comfy sofas, ornate tables and giant vases stuffed with freshly cut flowers – all in that kind of “old money” style that screams taste, decency and authority.
Admittedly, the inevitable side effect of such an old-school setup is a slightly stuffy atmosphere – one that’s definitely not kid friendly.
That changes for one week at the end of October (Monday, October 29 to Friday, November 2). Regular service makes away for the altogether more animated Mad Hatter Tea Party.
Young dancers from The English National Ballet School dressed as Alice, The Mad Hatter, the March Hare and the Dormouse pirouette, plié and jeté among the tables.
And the theme doesn’t stop there. The tea includes Alice in Wonderland inspired cakes, pictured above, as well as delicious savoury finger sandwiches, homemade scones and pastries.
Served at 2.15pm and at 4.45pm daily, the price is £52 per adult (including a glass of Champagne) and £30 for children (aged between 5 and 11). £1 from every booking will be donated to Cancer Research.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Images are courtesy of The Dorchester)
