Afternoon Tea .....

[Dancing Queen]

It's quite an uphill walk Em, ok if you are fit though

[Manoverboard]

It's quite an uphill walk Em, ok if you are fit though

About 1:6 I'de say

[AngieT]

Sorry about that Em but I can't resist the Fat Rascals - probably because I'm fat & a rascal myself! Good idea about a Bettys concession on ships - maybe we should start a petition! Enjoy your tea at Reids - the walk is quite steep but the exercise will mean you can eat all the cream scones without any guilt!

[Dancing Queen]

No idea Moby, OH walks it, I take a taxi, I don't believe in doing things the hard way

[Boris+]

I think I'm just about fit enough - can't stand a slow round of golf, prefer jogging on a nice long par5. I managed the walk up the Briksdal Glacier somewhere between a really brisk walk and a jog pace in places ..... will that do?

However, it's a good excuse for more walks with steeper hills!

Thanks for the advice about the hill.

Em

[Manoverboard]

Halfway up the hill on the left hand side is a lovely park and then the Governer's Old House if you have time to kill ... or need a rest

ps ... or try your luck in the Casino at the Casino ( Pestana ) Park Hotel, also on the left

[Lollie]

More a coffee person myself but we did go to the Ritz for Champagne Afternoon Tea. It was lovely but I have to say expensive and whilst maybe a 'to do' thing I wouldn't rush back. I hear Claridges is better but am also informed that Brown's do a great tea, yet to try that but we have enjoyed evening meals at their Bluewater and Victoria restaurants... tip if you are thinking of going there check out their website, we downloaded 20% off of food and drink vouchers each time.

[sunsetsail2night]

I have enjoyed afternoon tea at the Ritz - particularly enjoyed the pianist. I agree that AT at Raffles is very special. Each time we left the table to choose more food, our table was reset with clean cutlery and china and a fresh pot of tea. Two ladies asked if they could have a 'doggy bag' - needless to say they were British! The waiter called the supervisor who told them "no".

If you ever come to Morecambe, afternoon tea at the art deco Midland Hotel is very good and you can enjoy the view across Morecambe Bay to the Lakeland hills. I'd be pleased to escort you.

Brenda

[Jan Rosser]

I must have missed this thread when it started then realised why - I was on a cruise My mouth has been watering - can't wait to try Gill's suggestion of lemon curd on scones

My most memorable afternoon tea was in the Burj al Arab in Dubai - started with champagne and continued with a vast choice of teas or coffee and delicious food but it was soooo expensive - I can't believe I did it again a few years later and paid even more I went with different friends the second time and it was rude to refuse to accompany them wasn't it

The tea menu was amazing and included one called "gunpowder tea" - smoky taste apparently.

The service was impeccable as you'd expect and the hotel itself was pretty amazing too - bit too much gold for my taste though

[Gill W]

The best afternoon tea I ever had was on the Spirit of Chartwell, during our Thames river cruise for our 30th wedding anniversary in 2011.

The cakes were simply amazing.

It's a shame that the Spirit of Chartwell couldn't find a permanent berth on the Thanes and had to go to Portugal.

Think Orient Express on the water - it was a great experience.

[Boris+]

Hi Jan,

Yes, lemon curd on scones is superb - but we had an afternoon tea (it was a tea and a half!) in Stratford on Avon - and we had a choice of scones. We selected pineapple scones and when they were served they were accompanied by cheese scones too.

We love afternoon tea onboard, but what we had in Stratford on Avon was outstanding. I only went there to get my watch repaired, and thinking that the afternoon tea wasn't going to be much to write home about I had a nice sandwich for lunch - mistake number one!

It was only at a Best Western hotel (what do I mean 'only'!), but it was superb.

Em

[Mo2013]

We're going to London next year for a hen do for my niece. It's for the older ladies of the family and we want to do afternoon tea during our visit, so I am interested in venues for afternoon tea in London. I think my sister had identified the Ritz, and Harrods too. It would be helpful for any reviews from any of you for afternoon tea in London.

[Meg 50]

we went for afternoon tea on Bateaux London the other day. Complete with a Hen Party all wearing specially printed tops!!

http://www.bateauxlondon.com/

[Mo2013]

Thank you Meg. I shall give my sister the link. It looks great but it's not my decision.

[GillD46]

I think probably the very best Afternoon Tea we have had, and we've had a few now, was at the Vineyard at Stockcross en route to Gatwick when we were flying off for my 60th, It was truly scrumptious. Thre were the usual, and unusual finger sandwiches, two scones each - sultana and orange I think - with clotted cream and 2 different preserves, then a wine box EACH consisting of 5 or 6 tiny cakes, so intricate and soooo delicious. The tea drinkers amongst us chose from an extensive menu of teas, while I had a mint infusion which was wonderfully refreshing. We added in a bottle of Tattinger between the four of us. The cost £22.50 pp excluding the bubbly.

[Boris+]

Hi Mo,

Try F&M - and they also do a rather nice 'mother and daughter' thing.

Em

[Jan Rosser]

Tea at the Burj started with a warm slice of Beef Wellington - bit unusual we thought but then we had delicate sandwiches and savoury pastries followed by a cake stand with warm scones and preserves and then another cake stand containing a variety of cakes and sweet pastries. I don't think we ate another thing all day - I just remember everything being so perfectly made but at almost £80 per head I think it had to be I know we were paying for the location but as I said previously I did it again two years later and honestly didn't begrudge a penny of it - my motto is you only live once - go for it

[GillD46]

I quite agree with you, Jan. Sounds fab.

[emjay45]

I have enjoyed afternoon tea at the Ritz - particularly enjoyed the pianist. I agree that AT at Raffles is very special. Each time we left the table to choose more food, our table was reset with clean cutlery and china and a fresh pot of tea. Two ladies asked if they could have a 'doggy bag' - needless to say they were British! The waiter called the supervisor who told them "no".

If you ever come to Morecambe, afternoon tea at the art deco Midland Hotel is very good and you can enjoy the view across Morecambe Bay to the Lakeland hills. I'd be pleased to escort you.

Brenda

I’m sorry Brenda I have to agree with MOB. We did the excursion to Raffles for high tea on this years World cruise. We were expecting a leisurely experience. It was anything but. It was massively oversubscribed by P&O. We were in huge queues and as two or more people came out so 2 or more were allowed inside. We were a party of 5, so even when we reached the top of the queue, we couldn’t go in until there was room for us. As one passenger put it we were all on a ‘conveyor belt’. It was not what we were expecting and I certainly wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. I don’t know when you did this Brenda, but you were obviously luckier than us.

[Mo2013]

Thank you to those who gave me your suggestions

[Boris+]

Daft question - if you have a absolutely wonderful afternoon, and then put weight on as a direct result, will we also be required to encourage you to drop that weight off again?

Em

[Silver_Shiney]

We always have afternoon tea in the Crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields - but then, we ain't posh!

[Boris+]

Hi Alan,

I thought for a moment you meant the Crypt at St Nicholas (I think) in Bristol! I can't see us going there again until (if ever) we had a granddaughter!

Em

[Silver_Shiney]

Hi Alan,

I thought for a moment you meant the Crypt at St Nicholas (I think) in Bristol! I can't see us going there again until (if ever) we had a granddaughter!

Em

I don't know that one! I won't be investigating any time soon, either, as it's a very steep climb back to the office for there

[sunsetsail2night]

emjay - sorry you had such a bad experience at Raffles. Must admit it was a few years ago when I went but it was a very leisurely tea - only the one sitting. It wasn't a group visit, perhaps that makes a difference. No doubt it is much more commercial these days and the experience I had has long gone.

Brenda