Where to Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week with Champagne in London

Today marks the start of Afternoon Tea Week, so to celebrate, the Champagne Bureau UK has put together a guide of some of the best places to celebrate in London.

The custom of afternoon tea dates to the early 19^th century, when Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, would request a light meal between lunch and dinner to ease her hunger. Comprised of tea, cakes, and sandwiches, this afternoon interlude soon became a fashionable social event among the British aristocracy.

As the practice of afternoon tea evolved, so did its beverages. While tea remained the centrepiece, Champagne was introduced in the Victorian and Edwardian eras to add an extra layer of sophistication and indulgence to the experience.

Pairing Champagne styles with Afternoon Tea treats:

• Brut Champagne:
  Crisp and dry, Brut is ideal for balancing the savory elements of afternoon tea, such as finger sandwiches and delicate canapés. Its lively acidity cuts through rich fillings like coronation chicken or smoked salmon.
• Rosé Champagne:
  With its fruity, berry-forward profile, Rosé perfectly complements the sweeter parts of afternoon tea, especially scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, as well as pastries and fruit tarts.
• Vintage Champagne:
  More complex and nuanced, Vintage Champagne elevates the entire experience, offering depth and richness that pairs beautifully with the full range of afternoon tea treats, from savoury bites to sweet confections, for those seeking a truly special indulgence.

The Dorchester

Set within The Promenade’s beautifully redesigned interiors by Pierre Yves-Rochon, The Dorchester’s afternoon tea created by pastry chef Michael Kwan features delicate finger sandwiches on artisan breads, alongside exquisitely crafted pastries, showcasing the best of the quintessential British tradition.

Guests can choose to pair their afternoon tea with various styles of Champagne, from Brut, to Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, and Vintage options. In addition, house and grower Champagne is available by the bottle, ideal for larger groups wishing to indulge this Afternoon Tea Week.

The Georgian at Harrods

The Georgian originally opened in 1911 as London’s largest restaurant, making this historical venue the perfect location for celebrating Afternoon Tea Week this year. The menu features classic savoury bites, such as a cheese and caramelised onion tart and cucumber sandwiches, as well as sweet treats like an English strawberry and elderflower tart. These dishes pair wonderfully with Champagne, with the menu offering guests an extensive selection to choose from including Vintage, Blanc de Blancs, Rosé and Brut styles.

Swan at The Globe

At the heart of the menus at Swan is seasonal British produce, making this a lovely venue for honouring the British tradition of afternoon tea. With vegetarian and vegan menus available alongside the classics, there is something for everyone here – and the same goes for their Champagne list, which features a selection of Vintage and Non-Vintage styles, including Brut, Rosé and Blanc de Blancs options.

Searcys at The Gherkin

For those who wish to enjoy their afternoon tea alongside panoramic views of London, Searcys at The Gherkin is the perfect venue. The menu features a selection of savoury bites and sweet treats, including Jersey fruit and plain scones, served with Cornish clotted cream and fruit preserve, followed by indulgent pastries of Florentine chocolate tart, blackberry macaron and caramel choux.

Various options are available, from the ‘Champagne Afternoon Tea’, to the ‘Premium Afternoon Tea’, and ‘Limitless Sparkling Afternoon Tea’, all of which are accompanied by specially selected Champagnes to elevate the experience.

Sketch

At Sketch, guests can enjoy the celebrated afternoon tea offering in The Gallery, which features traditional bites like smoked salmon sandwiches and Battenberg cakes, but with a modern twist. To accompany the food, guests can choose from a selection of both house and grower Champagnes, with styles such as Rosé and Blanc de Blancs options featuring.

 

Image belongs to The Dorchester and Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use it.