By Ben Cooper
In recent years, the English institution of tea has made something of a comeback – in the process clawing back much of the ground it lost to its ‘sexier’ international counterpart, coffee. So, from lavish London grande dames to ravishing rural retreats, we’ve selected our pick of six of the UK’s best places for afternoon tea...
1. The Langham, London
Lots of hotels do afternoon tea in London; lots of hotels pronounce that they have the ‘oldest afternoon tea in London’. But The Langham’s claim – that 140 years ago it was where fashionable Londoners first came to discuss the issues of the day over a pot of tea and a sandwich – certainly seems to hold up. Served in the cavernous Palm Court, it’s obviously a lavish affair, although it’s the fine details (think duck egg mayonnaise with mustard cress and raisins soaked in Louis Roederer champagne) that really shine through.
Afternoon tea at The Langham – from £42.00 per person – is served from 2pm to 5pm, with high tea from 5pm to 6.30pm; call 020 7965 0195 to make a reservation.
2. Holbeck Ghyll, Lake District
Holbeck Ghyll seems to be always getting a mention somewhere on Red Online. As with its wedding and dining credentials, while the offering is excellent, it’s the views – out across Lake Windermere and the Lakeland Fells – that really the make it one of the UK’s best places for afternoon tea.
Afternoon tea at Holbeck Ghyll – from £14.95 per person – is served daily from 2pm to 5.30pm; call 01539 432 375 to make a reservation.
3. Brown’s Hotel, London
Brown’s Hotel is a former winner of the Tea Guild’s award for best afternoon tea in London, and this year is one of four Red Escapes’ hotels to be amongst the winners (the others being The Langham, The Dorchester and eventual winner, Claridge’s). With teas picked by the hotel’s dedicated tea sommeliers and a mountain of finger sandwiches, pastries, and cakes served up in the ever-so refined atmosphere of The English Tea Rooms, we can certainly see why it’s picked up the plaudits.
Afternoon tea at Brown’s – from £38.00 per person (or £47.50 with a glass of Taittinger) – is served between 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday or 1pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Call 020 7518 4155 to make a reservation.
4. The Balmoral, Edinburgh
Time-honoured Edinburgh afternoon tea spot The Balmoral is another of our favourite hotels with a Michelin-starred restaurant, so you can be confident that when it comes to rustling up a couple of sandwiches and a few scones, it should be able to handle it. Like its Rocco Forte stable mate, Brown’s, it’s certainly not cheap, but served in The Drawing Room – with views out across Princes Street – it’s a special setting.
Afternoon tea at The Balmoral – from £23.00 per person (or £37.00 with a glass of Bollinger) – is served daily from 2.30pm to 5.30pm; call 0131 556 2414 to make a reservation.
5. Bovey Castle, Dartmoor
The appointment of Swedish executive chef Roger Olsson – formerly of The Savoy Grill, The Square Restaurant, L’Oranger and Pied a Terre – was a big statement of intent of Bovey Castle’s gastro ambitions. Like Holbeck Ghyll up in the Lakes, though, if the afternoon tea’s good, it’s the setting that really wows: you can choose between a high-backed chair in front of the fire, or the Dartmoor scenery for company.
Afternoon tea at Bovey Castle – from £15.50 per person (or £19.50 with a glass of champagne) – is served throughout the afternoon; call 0844 474 0077 to make a reservation.
6. Chewton Glen, New Forest
From the moment you pull up in front of its grand, red brick facade Chewton Glen just radiates ‘afternoon tea’ and Englishness. Our tip? For a seriously indulgent day, start off in the morning with a treatment in the award-winning luxury spa before moving through for their fabulous afternoon tea. In the summer you can even take it out on the terrace overlooking the croquet lawns. All very civilised.
Afternoon tea at Chewton Glen – from £25 per person – is served daily from 3pm to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 3.30pm to 5.30pm, Saturday and Sunday; call 01425 275341 to make a reservation.
Posting Source: http://uk.travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-3361331
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