As an aspiring lady of leisure, I had my first taste of afternoon tea in a quiet cul-de-sac near Piccadilly, at the St. James’s Hotel & Club. What made it special was the themed twists they put on their very timeless menus. Afternoon tea should have a wow factor, and this one simply does just that.
A Little History
The origins of afternoon tea date back to 1840, when Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford and close friend of Queen Victoria, began hosting friends for tea, cakes, and finger sandwiches to stave off a late-afternoon hunger before the typically late dinner. What began as a personal tradition soon became a fashionable social event across British high society, eventually earning Queen Victoria’s stamp of approval. Today, its evolved into a beloved indulgence or excuse to celebrate special events like birthdays or baby showers. Expect small sandwiches, scones, pastries and even little cakes, alongside loose-leaf teas and perhaps a glass of sparkling Champagne. 
Tea at St. James Hotel & Club
Inspired by quintessentially British events like the Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot (world-class horse racing meets the fine dining), I donned my florals to try St. James’s Garden Afternoon Tea and loved every minute of it. Served inside the hotel’s Rose Lounge, you won’t find the same swaths of guests at some of London’s larger hotels. And as such, it’s seamless without being stuffy. The service is warm and personal from the moment you step foot inside.
So how did the afternoon play out? A glass of crisp Lanson Champagne appeared like clockwork. We then shared a fragrant pot of The Victoria Sponge black tea – a strawberry, vanilla-forward blend created exclusively for St. James’s Hotel by the East India Company. If you’re wondering, the tea menu spans the globe, from bold, malty Assam to the more smoky complexity of Chinese Lapsang Souchong.
Served on a three-tiered pastry stand, the savory course began with a lineup of crowd-pleasing sandwiches: egg mayo, smoked Scottish salmon, ham with mustard, and burrata with tomato and basil. Then come the warm scones, plain and fruit-studded, all wrapped in towels. Fluffy, not crumbly, they’re paired with a rich clotted cream and an essential dollop of jam. The scones were easily the highlight of our afternoon. And of course, the age-old debate continues: cream before jam or jam before cream?
The top of the three-tiered stand was reserved for the showstopping patisseries. Coming in as more art piece than sweet treat, it felt criminal to eat these floral-themed sweets. I’m still thinking about the Raspberry and Rose. Served inside an edible chocolate flower pot, the inside revealed a subtle rose-filling and vanilla cheesecake medley. There was also a lemon and elderflower cake topped with edible gold and a mango and chamomile choux. Really, you couldn’t go wrong with a bite of any of these desserts.
The Wimbledon Experience at St. James
Timed with London’s most iconic tennis tournament, the hotel is sporting a Wimbledon Afternoon tea experience next that features championship-inspired twists. Expect Lavazza coffee mousse shaped like tennis balls, Lanson champagne choux, and Sipsmith vodka trifle, a nod to the tournament’s major sponsors. Even if you don’t know the difference between a forehand and a backhand, it’s a playful celebration of British summer.
Verdict
Starting at £50, afternoon tea at the St. James’s Hotel & Club offers one of the best value luxury tea experiences in London. The tea is expertly brewed, the bites are creative, and the setting is a gorgeous retreat. Its central location makes it an easy choice after a morning spent touring around Buckingham Palace or strolling through Green Park. Treat yourself the next time you’re in London!
St. James’s Hotel & Club Mayfair, London
Website
Hours: Daily, 1:30pm – 5:30pm
Price: £50 | With champagne: £64
