Afternoon tea — sandwiches, scones, pastries, and a pot of tea — was supposedly invented by Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, in the 1840s. She needed something to stave off “a sinking feeling” between lunch and dinner. The habit caught on. It has never stopped.
The Grand Hotel Version
The Ritz, Claridge’s, The Savoy, and Fortnum & Mason all serve afternoon tea in their most splendid rooms. Prices range from £60 to £100+ per person. Book months in advance, particularly on weekends. Dress codes apply. The experience is theatrical and, at its best, genuinely lovely.
Neighbourhood Alternatives
For something less ceremonial and more wallet-friendly, London has excellent tearooms in every neighbourhood. Bea’s of Bloomsbury near the British Museum, the National Café at the National Gallery, and Kensington Palace’s Orangery are all worth knowing.
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