Photo: IMDB
“Afternoon tea or high tea is traditionally taken at 4 p.m.—halfway between lunch at noon and dinner at 8 p.m.,” said BeautyMart cofounder Anna-Marie Solowij. “Matthew Williamson even created a custom afternoon tea menu inspired by his Spring 2015 collection for Balthazar in Covent Garden.” Celebrate the end of London fashion week—and rev up for Milan—with Solowij’s guide to tea, crumpets, and Moschino handbag-shaped cakes.
Claridge’s
“This Art Deco hotel is famous for its afternoon tea and offers a choice of teas and the traditional three-tier cake stand with finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and cakes. You can even go behind the scenes and join an afternoon-tea master class.”
For more information and reservations, visit claridges.co.uk
Sketch on Conduit Street
“They serve an alternative afternoon tea as part of a collaboration with the artist David Shrigley. Don’t forget to check out the space-pod loos—weird and wonderful.”
For more information and reservations, visit sketch.london/afternoon_tea.php
The Original Maids of Honour
“The Original Maids of Honour is named after a Tudor cake. It’s very old-fashioned, like something out of Miss Marple.”
For more information and reservations, visit theoriginalmaidsofhonour.co.uk
The Berkeley on Knightsbridge
“This hotel serves Prêt-à-Portea, inspired by fashion designs.” (Here, you’ll find edible, miniature replicas of Moschino’s Happy Meal handbag.)
For more information, visit the-berkeley.co.uk/fashion-afternoon-tea/
The Coach & Horses’ hidden gem
“There is a secret tea room in Soho above The Coach & Horses pub. It’s eccentric and retro, and though you won’t get the best cakes here, the atmosphere is very special.”
For more information, visit thecoachandhorsessoho.co.uk
Maison Bertaux
“Just around the corner [from The Coach & Horses] is Maison Bertaux, which does wonderful cakes and is a great old Soho institution. It’s a tiny French café on two floors and they frequently stage plays, as the owner’s sister is an actress.”
For more information, visit maisonbertaux.com
Assouline
“This bookshop on Piccadilly has a really lovely café for afternoon tea.”
For more information, visit assouline.com
Postcard Teas
“If you’re a tea aficionado, then go to Postcard Teas on Dering Street in Mayfair. Owner Tim D’Offay travels to Japan, China, and India to source interesting and delicious teas.”
For more information, visit postcardteas.com
High Tea of Highgate
“This is where the BeautyMart team goes for tea(m) meetings. It’s close to our office and has a great modern vintage vibe. We love the mix-and-match china teacups and saucers (tea should always be served in china cups), the Japanese teapots, the Ercol furniture, and, of course, the cakes!”
For more information, visit highteaofhighgate.com
BeautyMart breaks for a “tea(m) meeting”
