The Best Jubilee Afternoon Teas in the UK
2 years ago
Because what says 'royal celebrations' better than tea and cake?
Our favourite monarch will be celebrating 70 years on the throne this year – and such a milestone deserves a truly grand celebration, indeed. Dial up the Britishness of your festivities this June with the nation’s favourite pastime: tea-drinking. Tuck into one of these delicious Jubilee Afternoon Tea menus sweeping across the UK, brought to life by the talented hands of some of the country’s finest hotels, restaurants and retailers.
The C&TH Guide To The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The Best Jubilee Afternoon Teas in the UK
Covent Garden Hotel
London
A classically British afternoon tea will be served at London’s Covent Garden Hotel throughout the royal celebrations this year. Guests can toast the occasion with a glass of Rathfinny Classic Cuvée or a specially-made ‘Lilibet’ cocktail as they tuck into a spread of traditional favourites. Expect coronation chicken sandwiches, homemade scones and a vast selection of specialty teas to sip on – but know that the sweets are the star of the show here. From violet macarons and opera cake (topped with a Union Jack flag, of course) to a classic Victoria sponge, this is British pudding at its finest. Available now, from £40 per person. firmdalehotels.com
Shangri-La The Shard
London
Shangri-La The Shard is going all-out for its celebrations this June. Alongside an interior transformation courtesy of McQueens Flowers, which includes a four-metre-tall sculpture and an immersive exhibition timelining the Queen’s reign, the hotel will be serving a Skyline Jubilee Afternoon Tea at the TĪNG Lounge. Diners can tuck into a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked sweet and savoury scones, and jubilee-themed desserts. Highlights include ‘The Pearl of the Queen’, a tonka, vanilla and strawberry gateaux, the ‘Jubilee Tart’ and a miniature chocolate and raspberry Shard building for two to share. Available from 19 April 2022, from £65 per person. ting-shangri-la.com
Cowdray Estate
West Sussex
Known for its sprawling gardens and lush wildlife, Cowdray Estate is a prime location for tea-sipping throughout the year – but this June, guests will have the opportunity to celebrate the jubilee with a special afternoon tea served with live jazz music and garden cocktails. Hosted in the estate’s Walled Garden, nestled next to one of England’s former Tudor Houses, afternoon tea will include finely cut sandwiches, mini scones served with jam and cream and Charlotte royales fit for a Queen. 3 June 2022, 1pm – 6pm, from £54.17 per adult and £12.50 per child. cowdray.co.uk
Hotel Café Royal
London
Throughout the summer, Hotel Café Royal will be celebrating the extraordinary reign of Queen Elizabeth II with a new royal afternoon tea experience, created by by the hotel’s new Executive Pastry Chef, Loic Carbonnet. Menu highlights include ‘sovereign sandwiches’ inspired by the royal residencies (smoked salmon for Balmoral and roast beef and horseradish for Buckingham), as well as sweets that reference the Queen’s iconic fashion through the decades. Think miniature shoes, hats and bags filled with shortbread, mousse and fruit compotes. Available from 26 May 2022, from £70 per person. hotelcaferoyal.com
The Landmark London
London
Five-star hotel The Landmark London is set to launch a special afternoon tea menu in its Winter Garden Restaurant, an eight storey glass atrium decked out in palms and sunlight. The Jubilee Afternoon Tea menu will feature multiple monarch-themed cakes and pastries, including a roly-poly topped with a purple hat, lemon curd meringue tartlets decorated with Union Jacks and a Victoria sponge stamped with the Jubilee Logo (and stuffed with Royal cream and English strawberries). As is custom with afternoon tea, guests can wash it all down with a piping hot cup of tea or a glass Laurent-Perrier Cuvée. Cheers to the Queen! 30 May – 5 June 2022, from £59 per person. landmarklondon.co.uk
Holy Carrot
London
Plant-based restaurant Holy Carrot has teamed up with Amelia Windsor to bring ‘a touch of royalty’ to its afternoon tea offering. The new menu features sweet and savoury treats that are plant-based, gluten free and refined sugar free, but indulgence remains front-and-centre. Highlights include chocolate cheesecake lollipops, lemon meringue tarts and miso caramel trifle, as well as fluffy scones with vanilla sour ‘cream’ and cherry jelly. Perfect for those with a sweet tooth. 2 – 4 June 2022, from £40 per person. holycarrot.co.uk
Great Scotland Yard Hotel
London
For a sensory twist on your dining experience, head over to Great Scotland Yard Hotel this jubilee season. The hotel has partnered with Floris London, the only appointed perfumer to Her Majesty The Queen, to create a new fragrance-led menu. Held in The Parlour, the Jubilee Afternoon Tea was created by Head Pastry Chef, Verónica Garrido Martínez, and was inspired by Floris London’s Platinum 22 Eau De Parfum (which in turn takes inspiration from the gardens in the Queen’s residences). Scent is translated into taste by an assortment of cakes and pastries – think notes of apricot, honey, primrose, violet and lime – as well as savoury finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones. 19 May – 29 August 2022, from £49 per person. hyatt.com
The Lane
London
For a dramatic performance befitting its postcode, look no further than Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The theatre’s afternoon tea hub, The Lane, is giving its Regency Afternoon Tea a makeover for the jubilee – complete with a new limited edition cocktail, The Queen’s Punch, taking pride of place on the menu. Designed in collaboration with renowned London-based baker Lily Vanilli, guests can expect sausage rolls with flaky pasty, warm scones with cream and homemade jam, and a slice of rich chocolate cake decorated with a cute little crown. 25 May – 18 June 2022, from £49 per adult and £35 per child. thelane.co.uk
Harvey Nichols
Various locations
British luxury department store Harvey Nichols is giving its stores the royal treatment for the upcoming jubilee celebrations, as it launches a limited edition Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea experience. Created in partnership with Nyetimber, the menu offers royalists the chance to scoff on a selection of classic sandwiches, quiche, scones and sweets (we’ve already got our eyes on the layered honey cake). Celebrate the occasion with a spot of tea, glass of Nyetimber fizz or the Lilibet, a brand new cocktail created in partnership with Ramsbury Single Estate to honour of Her Maj. 1 – 30 June 2022, various locations in the UK, from £35 per person. harveynichols.com
Corinthia London
London
Luxury hotel Corinthia is bringing in the bank holiday weekend with a new selection of royal delights. Created by the hotel’s new Executive Pastry Chef, Yago Arias Doamo (formerly of Claridge’s), the menu will feature a selection of classic finger sandwiches (with coronation chicken, of course), scones and special Jubilee cakes. Tuck into limited-edition sweet treats like elderflower Battenberg, mint and chocolate Palet d’Argent and a Victoria Sponge Gugelhupf, a celebratory take on Corinthia’s signature cake. A regal occasion, indeed. 2 – 5 June 2022, from £85 per person. corinthia.com
Pan Pacific London
London
An exciting new afternoon tea menu is blooming across plates at Pan Pacific London throughout the summer, courtesy of Executive Pastry Chef Cherish Finden. Book a table at The Orchid Lounge to get a taste of the Superbloom Afternoon Tea, inspired by the wildflower Superbloom installation at the nearby Tower of London. Paired with drinks from Gusbourne and the Rare Tea Company, the menu features a traditionally British tasting experience. Start with scones (decked out in jam and clotted cream, of course) and sandwiches filled with coronation chicken, salmon or cucumber, and then dive into the sweets. Alongside a tea and biscuit flavoured amuse bouche, candy floss and corgi shortbread, Cherish has created a top plate showcasing a Platinum Jubilee Superbloom installation. The four creations include the Queen ‘honey’ Bee, the Wild Rose, Lemon Meringue and the Tower of London. While there, guests will also have the chance to win an exclusive experience at Pan Pacific London by scanning a unique QR code. 11 May – 31 August 2022, from £72 per person. panpacific.com
The Grand
York
York’s leading five star hotel, The Grand, is celebrating the Jubilee with a boozy take on its classic afternoon tea. And what better drink to lead into a summer of celebration than with beer garden favourite Pimm’s? The Jubilee Afternoon Tea will offer a savoury selection of sandwiches and sausage rolls, as well as freshly-made scones and sweets. Highlights include salted caramel choux buns, custard tarts and (of course) a refreshing glass of Pimm’s. And if you’re thinking of making a weekend out of it, you can see our review of The Grand – with plenty of suggestions of how to spend your time – here. From £42.50 per person. thegrandyork.co.uk
Petersham Nurseries
London
If you’re in the heart of London’s West End this bank holiday, make sure to pay a visit to Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden – if not for the leafy interiors, then at least for its special Jubilee Afternoon Tea. Diners start with classic finger sandwiches (the more British, the better), before munching on scones served with cream and Petersham jam and a selection of sweet treats. Think raspberry chiffon cake, Victoria sponge, treacle and chocolate tarts and lemon custard on shortbread. Wash it all down with tea or a glass of fizz, and you’re all set. Available throughout the Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend, from £55 per person. petershamnurseries.com
Featured image: Covent Garden Hotel
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