Tea in High Places: London

“Tea to the English is really a picnic indoors” wrote Pullitzer Prize-winner and author of The Colour Purple, Alice Walker. After a recent publicity stunt by London tourism chiefs Visit London, it seems we have dispensed with the charade once and for all. Tea-drinkers young and old celebrated the famous British tradition of afternoon tea al fresco, perched high above some of the best-known and loved sights in London last Wednesday, May 20, 2009. From a chaplain taking his tea on the roof of Westminster Abbey to the decidedly dangerous peak of the Monument within the City, afternoon tea was taken in some decidedly different places.

We have a long tradition in this country of tea-drinking. Ever since the British East India Company first imported teas from the Far East in the early seventeenth century, we’ve been guzzling our way through the stuff at a phenomenal rate. The practice of the afternoon tea dates from much later, during the mid nineteenth century, and is experiencing a resurgence in popularity as an alternative to a more expensive lunch or dinner. Not to be confused with high tea, from which it differs infinitesimally and therefore crucially, afternoon tea is a much simpler affair and originally didn’t include meat sandwiches nor cold meat pies. Ordinarily a combination of light finger sandwiches, scones and pastries, quality fine teas, always loose, never bagged, are the backbone of any good afternoon tea.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said, “There's nothing like the great British cuppa and the tradition of taking afternoon tea has to be one of the greatest pleasures in life.” Indeed it is. But Victorian author Henry James was perhaps more eloquent when he wrote “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” Where he perhaps errs is that an hour is quite clearly never long enough. Here I give you my top five places to take tea in London, and thankfully all of them allow you to take more than hour.

 

Original-i-tea – The Langham
Reputedly the birthplace of the afternoon tea tradition 140 years ago, Palm Court at The Langham offers five-star service and superbly sourced sandwiches. Choose from blue-fin tuna and pickled cucumber; smoked Scottish organic salmon with horseradish and watercress; and Castle of Mey Beef with Savora mustard. Suitably supported by home baked scones, miniature French pastries and English classics including mille feuille, Victoria sandwich, Bakewell tart and chocolate gateau. Served daily between 3pm and 5pm, £33 per person.
The Langham, 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA. Tel: +44 (0)20 7965 0195 www.palm-court.co.uk

High Tea – The OXO Tower Restaurant
With one of the finest views in London high above the River Thames looking towards St Paul’s Cathedral, this is modern tea with a view. On offer are a variety of Tregothnan Estate teas and sweets including a honey brûlée served with Earl Grey tea milkshake and clotted cream scones served with Kea plum jam. Served daily from 3:30pm until 5:30pm, £25 per person.
OXO Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, South Bank, London SE1 9PH. Tel: +44 (0)20 7803 3888

Art Tea – The National Dining Rooms
Within the treasured National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, Oliver Peyton’s restaurant and in-house bakery is the perfect complement after time spent with Titian. Finger sandwiches include cream cheese and cucumber and ham and mustard, while a buttermilk scone comes with clotted cream, Peyton & Byrne ‘English Preserves’ and a selection of cakes and pastries. Served daily, £14.50 per person.
The National Dining Rooms, Sainsbury Wing, The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN. Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 2525

www.thenationaldiningrooms.co.uk

Kip O’Tea – Claridge’s
You don’t have to stay at Mayfair’s leading five-star hotel to enjoy their famously impeccable afternoon tea. Enjoy an array of finger sandwiches, savouries and pastries, light, crusty scones and rich Devonshire clotted cream with a choice of 30 teas in sumptuous surrounds. Served daily at 3.00, 3.30, 5.00 or 5.30pm, £33 per person.
Claridge’s, Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR. Tel: +44 (0)20 7409 6307

www.claridges.co.uk 

Top Tea – Brown’s Hotel
Crowned Top London Afternoon Tea 2009 by the Tea Guild, The English Tea Room afternoon tea is served daily to the accompaniment of live piano and consists of 17 teas, including Brown’s own blend, along with a selection of sandwiches, pastries, fruit and plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, as well as a selection of freshly baked cakes. Two tea sommeliers are on hand to help test your taste buds. Served weekdays 3pm to 6pm and on the weekend from 1pm to 6pm, £35 per person.
Brown's Hotel, Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BP. Tel: +44 (0)20 7518 4155