Nothing is as quintessentially English as afternoon tea. It is certainly an elegant pastime – just a few hours of revelling in a spread of cream teas, scones, sandwiches, and pastries. Its origins are fascinating – with the industrial revolution and the onset of longer working hours, the standard supper time kept getting pushed further. With the widening gap between lunch and supper, Duchess Anna of Bedford would get peckish during the evening hours. So, she began the trend of snacking at 4 p.m. to quell her hunger pangs.
The afternoon tea, featuring elegant small eats and champagne, came into vogue among the royals, aristocrats, and landed gentry. The practice endured and even spilled over into other parts of the world. The tradition remains deeply cherished in the country. As Henry James profoundly proclaimed in the 1880 novel ‘The Portrait of a Lady’: “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”.
As a custodian of European culture and the royals’ legacy, Kensington not only has a rich history of the practice but also boasts some of the city’s grandest spots for high tea. Read on to discover the best places for afternoon tea in Kensington.
1. Science Afternoon Tea at the Drawing Rooms in the Ampersand Hotel
The Ampersand’s Science afternoon tea evokes the inventive and exploratory wonder of the Victorian era through an immersive experience. Inspired by the neighbouring Science Museum, the Ampersand won “Best Themed Afternoon Tea" at the 2018 Afternoon Tea Awards. Contemporary furnishings such as the bold red armchairs, turquoise-blue carpeting, and modern light fixtures accentuate the ornate beauty of the powder-blue Victorian room. In the decor, there is a strong juxtaposition between modernity and tradition, which is highly reminiscent of the era it represents.
While the famous Science Museum has startling simulations and allows guests to participate in experiments, the hotel’s drawing room serves as a salon de thé with fantastical, science-themed offerings. Visitors can dust dinosaur-shaped cookies and eat out of petri dish plates. An iconic add-on is the “science teapot tails,” where guests can enjoy bubbling and smoking cocktails, strongly evocative of the archetypical chemistry lab. One can unwind with a cocktail flight during Darwin’s Draught. For children, there is an exclusive “sci-fi” themed afternoon tea that features chocolate spacemen and rocket-shaped cake tiers.
2. Number 16
A luxury boutique hotel, Number 16 presents a premium high tea experience featuring an eclectic range of teas, bubbling champagne, and sandwiches. The tea can be served in their thickly wooded garden, vibrant drawing room, or quaint library, housed in a mid-Victorian building. The drawing room’s pastel pink walls are complemented by the boho-chic patterned armchairs, and the rich green of the library walls is enhanced by bright-white curtains and matching green furniture.
Chicken and bacon with rocket; smoked salmon with chive and cream cheese; goat's cheese with sundried tomatoes; and egg mayonnaise with capers and cornichons are some sandwiches on the menu. Among the desserts, baked strawberry and custard tarts and rhubarb and white chocolate macarons shine through.
3. The Kensington
Tucked away in a Georgian townhouse, The Kensington's afternoon tea is described as “fine art.”. The stately tea room possesses sculpted white walls, marble pillars, and the trademark Georgian architectural symmetry. With beige furniture, light wooden floors, and a simple fireplace, the lounge has an understated elegance, subtly offset by a few portraits of modern art.
The Kensington’s afternoon tea is an ode to London’s artistic and architectural marvels. In addition to the typical savoury sandwiches and scones, there’s the iconic dessert menu – all the sweet treats are models of the greatest masterpieces of the era. On a London Eye-shaped cake tier, one is presented with coronation chicken sandwiches and an egg and cress roll. For desserts, guests can enjoy the Big Ben-shaped lemon tart; the red phone booth-shaped mousse; The Shard, made with carrot cake; and The Gherkin, made of white chocolate and cocoa ganache.
4. The Orangery at Kensington Palace
Over the course of several changes and inclusions in Kensington Palace’s architectural history, a chief addition was the Orangery by Queen Anne in the 18th century. Her love for orange trees led to the creation of a fine greenhouse, an arena for court entertainment, and eventually a site to enjoy an elegant high tea. Now revamped, the interiors are equipped with white Corinthian columns, ornate carvings, statues of deities, and intricate pillars. With sleek blue furniture, copper light fixtures, and dashes of greenery, the Orangery boasts stunning views of the majestic palace and harbours an atmosphere of regal romanticism.
At the Orangery, guests are treated to the authentic Victoria’s sponge, lathered with jam and cream. The menu also features sumptuous finger sandwiches and a range of ten flavoured teas. Premiere sparkling wine is an enviable bonus, particularly on a bright summer day.
5. The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum recently unveiled their afternoon tea experience, which would take place in their prized Anning Rooms. The concept is “inspired by nature.”. The stunning rooms have been imbued with contemporary influences. The rooms encompass a reception, a restaurant, a dining room, a lounge, a bar, and a study. The sketches of renowned palaeontologist Mary Anning adorn the walls. The dining room is plastered with lively wallpaper, featuring designs of fruits and flora.
In partnership with established British cafe Benugo, premium pastries and scones dedicated to the beauty and resilience of nature are on the menu. The coronation chicken sandwiches, cucumber finger delights, and cherry tomato tarts have been receiving rave reviews. Themed desserts, including dinosaur-footprint macarons and ammonite cookies, add a playful touch to the otherwise sophisticated affair.
6. Baglioni Hotel
Nestled within a splendid Milanese trattoria with a glorious view of Hyde Park, Baglioni Hotel presents the ultimate afternoon tea experience with an Italian twist. Lavishly decked in dark wood panels, gold leaf fixtures, and intricate mosaic flooring while aglow with sparkling chandeliers, the restaurant is certainly a beauteous palazzo.
For drinks, Baglioni offers tisanes and innovative teas with unique flavours such as vanilla, rhubarb, and orange. Premium prosecco is also on the table as a mandatory Italian indulgence. The menu is an eclectic harmony of British and Italian influences – classic sandwiches such as egg mayonnaise and smoked salmon are paired with Italian desserts such as panna cotta and Sicilian cannoli.
7. The Bentley Hotel
The Bentley Hotel is a luxury franchise in London, boasting sumptuous elegance and unhindered extravagance. Exquisite sofas of vivacious colours, marble-topped tables, gold-speckled wallpaper, and chandeliers adorn the lounge and peridot. They overlook the hotel’s manicured gardens and are consumed by an abundance of natural light.
Classic sandwiches, including Cotswold chicken, smoked salmon, and cucumber with cheese and mint, are on the menu. The desserts, which are handcrafted by some of the best pastry chefs in the country, include macarons, panna cotta, passion fruit bars, and chocolate brownies. Exclusive champagne can be added to zhuzh up the distinguished affair.
8. The Milestone Hotel
The Milestone Hotel’s afternoon tea is fit for royalty. Perched opposite Kensington Palace, the dining room boasts staggering garden views. The room is built with majestic wood-panelled interiors and hosts plump sofas, antique books, and a traditional fireplace. Decked in opulent scarlet tapestries and bejewelled in gold furnishings, the atmosphere is brimming with Victorian regality. The unparalleled kingly ambience earned the Milestone Hotel an Award of Excellence in 2023 and 2024 at the Afternoon Tea Awards.
There are a range of afternoon tea menus: the standard afternoon tea; champagne afternoon tea; royal afternoon tea; royal rosé afternoon tea; and the Cattier Blanc de Blanc afternoon tea. The eats and a pot of tea remain consistent across all menus, with sandwiches, French pastries, cakes, scones with cream and jam, and 90 loose-leaf teas to choose from. The more expensive menus have premium additions:
- The champagne menu features the addition of a glass of champagne and costs £98 per person; - The royal menu, worth £200 for two people, furnishes half a champagne bottle; - The £210 royal rosé menu provides half a bottle of rosé champagne; and - The Cattier Blanc menu, worth a whopping £300 per person, supplies an exclusive bottle of Cattier Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru.
The high tea is an undeniably elegant affair. It has all the pomp and grandeur of an august celebration, draped in a shroud of quiet sophistication. Spoil yourself with the ultimate royal treatment and stop by the treasured postcode for afternoon tea.
