Afternoon tea at The Waldorf in London
If you’re meeting up with friends in London why not give yourselves a treat. Here’s one I can recommend: afternoon tea at the Waldorf Hilton in Covent Garden.
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Usually when I’m visiting the capital I am dashing between trains, hotels and events without a minute to spare. This time was different. A group of us were invited to afternoon tea at the Waldorf Hilton in Covent Garden. Who could resist?
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Afternoon tea at The Waldorf
Who hasn’t heard of The Waldorf? Its reputation as one of London’s most luxurious hotels in the heart of the West End precedes it.
What better location to meet up with these lovely ladies: Franca from A Moment with Franca, Kaz from Ickle Pickles Life and Travels, Cathy from Mummytravels, Maria from One Tiny Leap, Nell from The Pigeon Pair and Me, and our chief organiser Zena from Zena’s Suitcase.
As soon as we were greeted by the impeccably smart doormen and walked into the crystal chandelier decked lobby we were transported far away from the hustle and bustle of the streets outside.
The air was filled with the sound of piano music and the aroma of fresh flowers. It was a welcome shock to the senses that soothed us ready for the decadent experience to come.
The attentive doorman escorted us past the grand piano and lounge bar to the cloakroom were we shed our weighty weekend bags and coats.
Tea in the West End
The Homage restaurant is set back from the front of the hotel, down a corridor that feels like the entrance to a private members club.
It has played host to stars of stage and screen who have treaded the boards of the nearby theatres and the fans desperate to see them. It’s quite a thrill to think that Elizabeth Taylor and Pavarotti once sipped tea and savoured homemade delicacies in among the Homage’s Edwardian pillars and gilded walls.
Our table was ready with seven settings of Royal Crown Derby crockery on a crisp white table cloth.
The champagne flutes were quickly charged with bubbles and our amuse bouche of lemon custard and raspberry mousse was served in glasses not dissimilar to dainty little beer mugs.
It was the perfect starter, light and full of flavour, leaving us wanting more.
Before the champagne had totally gone to our heads the friendly waiter asked us to choose from an array of black teas, white teas and infusions.
I couldn’t resist trying the exclusive Waldorf Tribute Blend. This was a black tea with ‘a combination of malty, peak 2nd flush Assam tea with a hint of the evocative, smoky Lapsang Soughing tea’. It was rich and delicious.
An afternoon tea menu with a twist
The tea arrived just ahead of china plates arranged with crustless sandwich fingers and oak smoked salmon blinis.
While the selection of sandwiches was traditional – tuna, ham, egg mayonnaise and coronation chicken – their ingredients had an interesting twist to tantalise our taste buds.
The breads were made with carrot, basil, onion and Mediterranean flavours.
While we ate there was light strumming from the resident harpist (weekends only) and interludes of recorded music from the roaring 20s. It matched perfectly with the refined mood of the venue and allowed gentle chatter which was pretty much non-stop on our table.
Just when I was starting to feel surprisingly full the ‘main event’ of the afternoon tea arrived: a three tiered cake stand piled with warm plain and raisin scones, Devonshire clotted cream and jam, macaroons, a cream slice complete with an edible Waldorf Hilton logo, a zesty orange cake and an elaborate chocolate mousse cup.
I sadly didn’t have room to test all of the pastries but what I did was mouth-watering. Who knew delicate bites like this could be so filling?
There was one final treat for us before we departed for what was an extremely busy weekend in the capital – a cocktail from The Waldorf Hilton’s bar, God Godfrey’s.
I settled on a Whoopee which is a gin-based drink with elderflower and citrus fruits. It was delicious, smooth and refreshing. If only we’d had time for another!
When is afternoon tea served?
Afternoon tea is served from 1pm until 4pm Monday to Friday and 1.30pm to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Can children come to tea at The Waldorf?
I wouldn’t hesitate to return with Mr Tin Box to dine as a couple or with a group of friends. However, I’d probably leave our girls at home for the sake of preserving the beautiful crockery and ambiance.
Having said that, children are welcome to join you.
How much is afternoon tea at The Waldorf?
Afternoon tea prices starts at £49 per person Monday to Thursday and from £53 per person Friday to Sunday.
Summing up afternoon tea at The Waldorf Hilton
Meeting friends for afternoon tea at The Waldorf Hilton in London is a special treat you won’t regret booking and the perfect pre-West End show experience.
Looking for more special treats? Here’s where to find other afternoon tea experiences.
Time for more adventures in London with kids?
Take a look at these guides to fun in and around the capital for all budgets:
- easy and cheap weekend itinerary for visiting London with kids
- where to see the best views of London
- how to get free West End theatre tickets
- day trips from London
- tips for visiting London with a toddler
- things to see on the South Bank
- things to do in Windsor
Disclosure: we were guests of The Waldorf Hilton and received a complimentary afternoon tea.
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It all looked very lovely. It’s nice being able to get dressed up and have a fancy day every once in awhile.
Aw it looked amazing , I was so sad to miss it but these lovely things all come at the same time don’t they?
So true! We’ll have the arrange tea sometime soon 🙂
I definitely think this afternoon tea is a must for anyone on a visit to London. The food, the atmosphere and the wonderful company make for a very special afternoon at The Waldorf I think. Lovely post and lovely memories as well Claire, thanks for coming along
Thank you so much for the invite! We have to plan to do it again sometime!
Just round the corner from 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, a perfect pre theatre venue #CityTripping
Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays recently posted…AMSTERDAM STREET ART
I am still a little envious of your cocktail – am extra treat on top of a treat here 🙂
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Review: Afternoon tea at Waldorf Hilton, London
What a lovely event. #MondayEscapes
Awww this sounds such a afternoon tea and with such wonderful people. Sad to have not been there with you! Definitely tempted to go to the Waldorf – I’ve not had their afternoon tea before. Thanks for linking #citytripping
If you get a mo it’s lovely!
Afternoon tea is my absolute favourite meal and this one looks fabulous! Accompanied by a gin cocktail – that’s the style! Love the little chocolate cup. What a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends – perfect! #MondayEscapes
The cocktail was lovely and a little bit deceptive. I had to remind myself it was alcoholic 🙂
Woa! How fun! How decadent! I would love to do this! What a nice treat. #citytripping
It was a lovely treat and definitely something I’d go back and do again!
I love London and try to go there every year, I haven’t yet made it to the Waldorf Hilton yet. Should definitely go there next time! 😀
#MondayEscapes
It is such a stunning and quintessentially British hotel – definitely worth going next time you’re in the capital!
This looks absolutely divine!!!! Would love to visit one day. From #MondayEscapes
I can definitely recommend it!
This looks great Claire, bet you had a lovely time catching up over the champagne and all those goodies! With chilli weather well on its way, afternoon tea feels very topical 😉 Today I was just going through our pics from Sanderson and their mad hatter afternoon treat. How child friendly you reckon Waldorf is? #citytripping
They do offer lots of family packages at the Waldorf. I wouldn’t say this particular afternoon tea was designed for kids but I know from Zena, who has been before, that they do offer child-friendly events
How lovely. I miss real good scones and proper tea. looks like a nice lunch.
The scones were amazing! Such a lovely treat
What a lovely tea. We make a point of having afternoon tea somewhere special whenever we travel. I will definitely make a point of trying out the Waldorf Hilton the next time we are in London. Thanks for sharing your experience! ( I am totally drooling over the scone with the jam and Devonshire Cream.)
It was wonderful! I could have eaten two but wouldn’t have had room for the other treats 🙂
I love going to tea and this one looks divine. So glad it lived up to expectations. #CityTripping
looks lovely and so fancy! #mondayescapes
It was a real treat! 🙂
Looks delicious! I would love to try that amuse bouche and the scones! So great that you got to meet up with fellow bloggers. It sounds like it would be a lot of fun.
Bryna | Dotted Line Travels recently posted…Itinerary: 8 Days in Newfoundland
Ooh what a perfect child-free treat with friends! I love the sound of catching up with a glass of bubbly and a few dainty sandwiches and scones. I see btw that you don’t follow the Cornish or Devon way of eating your scone… you just mix the cream and jam all together!
LOL! It’s more Cornish than Devon to Mr TB’s disgust 🙂
What a wonderful afternoon tea. Will put the Waldorf Hilton on my list of places to try afternoon tea, maybe without the boys! #MondayEscapes
Nicky @GoLiveYoung recently posted…Walking the Wales Coastal Path on the Gower Peninsula
LOL! Yes, I might take the girls in about 10 years 🙂
Wasn’t it a fabulous start to the weekend? Looking back at the pictures, I’m regretting not trying harder to eat all of it. Like you, I couldn’t manage all the cakes and now I wish I’d tried the macaron and orange cake! Lovely to see you, as always. #MondayEscapes
Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) recently posted…Five things I learned about the cruise ship MSC Preziosa
I just wrote about my whirlwind long weekend in London and I regret not having an experience like this. How fun!
It was a lovely, luxurious experience to tag onto the weekend. I must take time for more of this type of thing when in London 🙂
Never done afternoon tea, but wanna try next time in England!
beatravelling recently posted…The Doha Airport Hotel, Airside
You must! It’s so British and such a lovely experience 🙂
Aww this looks delicious! As you know I love a good afternoon tea and I’m going to have to add this to my London list for next time I’m there! Lovely to finally meet you in person last week btw K xx #MondayEscapes
Yes! Fab to meet you and Emma too. This has ‘Ladies What…’ written all over it 🙂
I’ve never experienced a posh afternoon tea, it all looks very dainty and pretty! #MondayEscapes
It was very refined and such a fab experience while in London!
This isn’t another London gem that has become very popular. Nowhere else quite like it! #mondayescapes
I agree. It is such a luxurious place and I loved the 1920s decor.
It sounds like it was a very elegant afternoon tea. It’s always nice to have some time off from the kids to spend with friends. #MondayEscapes
Allison recently posted…Apple Picking at County Line Orchard
Yes! It was a really treat both for the time and the fine dining 🙂
This is part of London life I really miss! You’re right, my trips to the capital these days are always done at lightning speed, so nice you could sit down with some company and actually enjoy it!!
Exactly! I loved Traverse but this trip felt so much more relaxed. I think it was this being the first stop that set the tone!
How lovely to see all these faces together. Looks like you had a blast! What a very lovely place and I like the idea of popping here before catching a show. #MondayEscapes
TraveLynn Family – Jenny recently posted…THE ASIA INTERVIEWS – Milana’s Travels chat about KOH SAMUI, Thailand.
When I finally get round to booking a West End show this is where I want to go beforehand!