En Voyage_Issue#11_Flickbook

This British pasttime has made a fashionable comeback over the years and can now be
enjoyed in thousands of hotels and tea rooms right across Britain and beyond.
For some, it is the perfect way to treat someone special, a romantic treat or a family gettogether
perhaps. But it is also an excellent way to relax and unwind, so that’s why we have
compiled a list of our favourite afternoon teas, from a classic London experience and nontraditional
spreads, to hidden gems dotted around the country.
THE GARDEN TEA
AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, LONDON
Price: £42pp or £55pp with Champagne
This summer, the Four Seasons Hotel at
Park Lane has collaborated with the Chelsea
Physic Garden, which is the oldest botanical
garden in London and was originally
established in 1673 by Apothecaries to grow
medicinal plants. In true traditional style, the
tea starts with sandwiches, scones and jams
made from the finest ingredients grown
in the garden. However, it’s the pastries
that are the true stars of the show and all
take inspiration from the different areas of
the Chelsea Physic Garden, including the
perfume section, British native plants and
the beehives. Indulge yourself in a ‘beehive’
pastry, which combines oats, honey,
blueberry and almonds. An almond cream
hides a liquid honey centre surrounded
by an oat biscuit and blueberry jelly.
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND
HOTEL, GUERNSEY
Price: £22.50pp
As we move into the summer months,
why not enjoy an afternoon tea al fresco
in the hotel’s sun-drenched terrace, while
also taking in the stunning views of the St
Peter Port harbour and the neighbouring
Bailiwick islands? Start by choosing from
the extensive list of teas, from the various
traditional, flavoured and aromatic, to the
fruit and green teas, before tucking into
the scrumptious savoury treats. As well
as the classic finger sandwiches, a firm
favourite among islanders is the chicken
and mayonnaise circular sandwich rolled in
nuts. Freshly baked scones are also served
with rich Guernsey butter, strawberry jam
and clotted cream, and who could forget the
array of delicately made pastries – superb!
FITZBILLIES, CAMBRIDGE
Price: £18pp
For nearly a century, this tea room and
bakery – identified by its art deco wooden
façade – has kept Cambridge in sticky
pastries. Its squidgy Chelsea buns are
legendary. In recent years, Fitzbillies has
been given a spruce makeover by food
writer Tim Hayward and his wife Alison
Wright. The pair have expanded its cake
selection to include friands, florentines
and the lesser-spotted Japonaise – a
praline meringue sandwich (a bit like an
XL macaron). Pop in for a full afternoon
tea experience, which features a selection
of finger sandwiches, sultana scones
with strawberry jam and clotted cream
followed by three cakes from the bakery,
but just be sure to try those syrupy Chelsea
buns – the recipe is still a secret.
SS GREAT BRITAIN, BRISTOL
Price: £25 per adult, £15 per child
For something a little different, why not
experience a Victorian afternoon tea on
board Bristol’s iconic SS Great Britain? Set
within the elegance and sophistication of
the first-class dining saloon on Brunel’s
pioneering steamship, you can tuck into tiers
of classic sandwiches filled with smoked
salmon and cucumber, fruit scones with
Somerset butter smothered in clotted cream
and preserve, and cakes including Victoria
sponge and lemon drizzle which are all
baked on board by the ship’s resident baker.
You can choose from a 2.30pm or 4pm
sitting. Tickets include day access to the
ship so they advise you arrive a couple of
hours before the start to explore the ship
and to take full advantage of your ticket.
VICTORIAN AFTERNOON TEA
ON THE SS GREAT BRITAIN
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