If you have only time and money for one “true London” experience in your busy itinerary, leave an empty slot for the most traditional experience in the UK: an afternoon tea.   Not much has changed since 1840s, when the 7th Duchess of Bedford, Anna, introduced the afternoon tea to the world. Following the trend of the time, dinner in her household was served unusually late, at 8 p.m., so she needed a way to quell the pangs of hunger at around 5.   Today, afternoon tea is a favorite tradition that everyone in England loves. Served in a three-tiered dish, the afternoon tea consists of little bite-size sandwiches, various cakes, and, finally, scones with clotted cream and preserves. Of course, it’s all accompanied with an assortment of teas. Every luxurious restaurant, hotel or cafe takes pride in their afternoon tea, and some even offer seasonal editions (such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas or Halloween), too.   The greatest part of an afternoon tea is that it’s the perfect opportunity to get together with friends or relatives, no matter the occasion. It’s something so iconic in English culture that you just cannot miss out on an opportunity to go to an afternoon tea while in London, especially considering the endless list of options that will cater to every taste and budget out there. We all know that traveling gets very expensive very quickly, so we’re here to offer you a round-up of the best afternoon teas in London for every budget!  

1. One Aldwych – Charlie and the Chocolate factory afternoon tea (£47 per person)

  Celebrate the most British tradition in a glamorous and elegant setting in the heart of London’s theater district, dive into your childhood memories, and live the fairytale all over again. Inspired by the beloved Roald Dahl classic “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” this afternoon tea’s every detail will bring you back to the good times when the trees were taller.   Indulge in the surprising salmon and beetroot macaron and cheddar scones with bacon toffee jam, and wash it all down with a lemon sherbet tea, swimming pool fizz or pistol punch cocktails—here, the surprises just never stop! This one-of-a-kind VIP experience starts upon your arrival and lasts till the last second—you’ll feel spoiled all along, and it’s such a great feeling! This afternoon tea is perfect for special occasions, dates or just a self-care Sunday. Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options are available, too, making it an amazing choice for just about anyone willing to pay £47 per person!   A selection of sweet and savory bites from the whimsical tea service at One Aldwych. Photo credit: Tony Makepeace  

2. The Rubens afternoon tea (£35 per person)

  If you’re looking for a lovely way to end a day full of sightseeing, we’ve got the best afternoon tea for you. What better place to enjoy this English tradition than the Palace Lounge overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace?   The Rubens at the Palace is beautiful and opulent, but not to the extent of being over-the-top. The atmosphere is very quiet and cozy, and staff is extremely friendly and all have a genuine interest in their customers.   Recently commended in the 2019 Afternoon Tea Awards, this afternoon tea will not disappoint. The talented pastry chef creates true dessert masterpieces, such as the gin and tonic macaron, earl grey and chocolate orange crown jewels, and lemon and elderflower cubes. This afternoon tea is both traditional and innovative—you will surely recognize true English flavors, but at the same time be pleasantly stunned with the twists of cooking techniques and presentation along the way.   We’re obsessed with the beautifully presented tea service at the Rubens. Photo credit: Greger Ravik  

3. The Delaunay Champagne Afternoon Tea (£29.75 per person)

  As soon as you enter the Delaunay, you feel as if you were in an art deco vintage hotel, with dark wood paneling everywhere and dimmed lights. Even though there’s a certain German influence in the cuisine and style, they keep their afternoon teas 100-percent English, with warm, freshly baked scones, an array of light cakes and patisserie and traditional sandwiches (egg, smoked salmon, ham) all replenished at your wish, of course. An amazing menu of first-class teas is always a bonus, too. With the service on point, and polite staff willing to accommodate any dietary restrictions you have, there is little left to desire.   This is the ultimate spot to come with your friends before a theater performance starts, because of its location. Just across the road from the Aldwych Theatre, this afternoon tea will not only leave you happy and satisfied, but also help you avoid embarrassing stomach grumbles during the play!  

4. Tea & Tattle (£19 per person)

  Tea & Tattle is not for those who are looking for frills and fanciness. It’s essentially very simple—starting with their philosophy and ending with their sweet interior design. However, it’s absolutely perfect for an afternoon tea!   Located just minutes away from Oxford Street and across from the British Museum, this little cafe is an excellent hideaway from the crowds of tourists, with a nonpareil charm and character. You don’t need to get dressed up for this spot, making it just so much more convenient and a better a choice! Add in a very attractive price for one, and you’ve got us sold.   In Tea and Tattle, you’ll be able to indulge in a bone-china pot of fresh-leaf tea , scones with clotted cream and jam, finger sandwiches and tasty cakes—all the classics. However, what really makes this afternoon tea stand out is its incomparable intimate and secluded ambience. Come here with your bestie and chat her ears off with all the juiciest gossip!  

5. The Fan Museum (£8 + £4 entry ticket per person)

  We saved the best for the last, and you are in for a big surprise—you certainly wouldn’t expect to find the best-value afternoon tea in London in this location.   Tucked away in Greenwich, the Fan Museum is neither well-known nor one you’d instantly think to visit when you hear about it. Housing a collection of fans from hundreds of years ago over two floors, the space is so limited that they can’t exhibit all the fans at once, so each month they swap them out for new ones. With the entry ticket at just £4, you will be lost between precious lace and ivory works in no time.   However, we’re here to lobby that you come to try their afternoon tea. Served in a small orangery, this afternoon tea is a true hidden gem. The hand-painted orangery itself is a work of art that feels like being in a fairy tale. Because of the very low price, there are no sandwiches in this afternoon tea, but the cakes and scones—it’s all about the sweets here—are light, airy and delicious. Dive into this sprightly adventure surrounded by beautiful pastel paintings, delicious aromas and dainty century-old fans—all for just £12!   Pastries at afternoon teaThe Fan Museum’s afternoon tea is a pastry lover’s dream come true. Photo credit: Scott Dexter

Hornblower Group announced it has acquired Australian travel group Journey Beyond. Adelaide-based Journey Beyond owns 13 Australian travel and transport brands operating throughout Australia. It comprises trains, marine vessels, 4WD touring vehicles, luxury camps and lodges, and aircraft. It includes The Ghan cross-country rail service. “As two organisations with expertise in the experiential travel space, Journey Beyond aligns perfectly within our business strategy. We look forward to growing the business operations the Journey Beyond team has built as the premiere experiential travel company in Australia,” said Kevin Rabbitt, CEO, Hornblower Group. The deal is thought to be valued at about $600 million. Journey Beyond joins US-based Hornblower’s portfolio which includes overnight cruises, land experiences and ferry and transportation services across 111 countries.

 

City Experiences announced today the launch of Venture Ashore, the largest independent cruise excursions provider in the world, delivering uniquely curated amazing experiences for cruise travelers led by professional guides in hundreds of ports worldwide. Venture Ashore cruising excursions are offered in 111 countries and counting with departures from over 500 ports of call worldwide featuring over 5,000 individual tours. 

 

Venture Ashore is the newest addition to the City Experiences portfolio of brands, and backed by Hornblower Group, supporting the company’s overall business strategy in becoming a global transportation and experiences leader. 

 

“We are thrilled to launch Venture Ashore and share with travelers our collection of tour offerings that will fully immerse you in the sites, sounds, tastes, passions and cultures in cruise destinations around the globe by creating personal connections and one-of-a-kind encounters,” said Rinat Glinert, chief operating officer, Venture Ashore. “We are all about building a community of like-minded travelers through developing unparalleled guest experiences that will create lifetime memories. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure, a bespoke private tour, or a fun way to explore a port of call with new friends, Venture Ashore has something for everyone.” 

 

Venture Ashore offers a wide range of tour offerings to satisfy a variety of groups, interests and budgets. Parties of 12 or more can take advantage of a dedicated groups service, with a team of personal specialists to support a seamless experience from start to finish for a unique and tailor-made itinerary. Venture Ashore also offers extensive private tours and features small group tours, varying by destination and demand, accommodating up to 25 people or as few as 6. Venture Ashore will provide guests with a worry-free travel experience with more flexibility and generous policies such as full refunds provided up to 24 hours prior to the excursion, 24/7 customer service and a “back-to-ship” guarantee.  

 

Venture Ashore also includes a newly created “Essential Collection,” a compilation of curated global tours that will deliver an unparalleled guest experience ranging from innovative culinary encounters to walking experiences. It is a collection of the most important things to experience in each destination to maximize your time ashore at a great value. 

 

Venture Ashore delivers an unrivaled global collection of extraordinary travel experiences for its guests fueled by innovative technology to deliver a personal, frictionless journey for travelers, advisors, and independent tour providers. The newly formed company will leverage City Experiences’ in-house developed, intuitive and feature rich operating system, AnchorTM, to deliver end-to-end experiences featuring new trip planner tools for guests as well as a portal for enhanced functionality including group tools, access to reports, new marketing tools and ability to secure U.S. bookings with a deposit for travel agents looking to support their clients. 

 

City Experiences represents a diverse portfolio of water- and land-based experiences in major travel destinations worldwide, offering locals and tourists alike a broad range of global experiences.

 

Hornblower Group includes a portfolio of brands spanning a rich 100-year history of creating extraordinary and memorable guest experiences. Today, the company’s footprint spans 111 countries and territories, and 125 U.S. cities, with more than 18 million guests served annually across offerings including water and land-based experiences, overnight cruise experiences, and ferry and transportation services.