The London Landmarks Afternoon Tea has replaced Town House at Kensington Hotel’s famous record-breaking Tale As Old As Time tea. And whilst the new tea doesn’t have the same whimsical delight that Disney naturally inspires, it is an ode to a city so revered, that it is very difficult not to fall in love with the adorable miniature versions of famous landmarks.
Town House is the signature restaurant at The Kensington hotel and is spread across three classically designed drawing rooms, serving locally-sourced, seasonal modern British cuisine. Nestled in the heart of one of London’s most desirable neighbourhoods, Town House features stylish décor, hand-picked furnishings and open fireplaces, and sunny window-seats overlooking South Kensington’s tree-lined avenues.
Kensington Hotel Afternoon Tea Review
Our tea experience began on a sunny winter afternoon, the beams of sunlight penetrating the large windows into the townhouse, dazzling against the mirrored London Eye stand that was holding the treats we were about to devour. We began with English Breakfast tea and a moreish hot chocolate with marshmallows, toasted with Perrier-Jouët, Grand Brut NV Champagne, and then began with the smorgasbord of tiny sandwiches and savoury delights before us.
The entire new menu at Town House is a celebration of London, with the start of the tea including a deliciously comforting cockney staple Steak & London Ale Pie and a Colston Bassett Stilton & Broccoli Quiche, alongside a delectable bite-size Crab Cake with Tartare Sauce & Caperberries. Highlights of the sandwich selection include Smoked Salmon, Lovage Pesto & Cream Cheese on Brown Bread, Egg and Cress Brioche Roll using eggs from Heritage breed Copper Marans hens, and a Coronation Chicken Sandwich on Brown Loaf.
Iconic London Landmarks Feature in the Cakes
The new Afternoon Tea takes inspiration from London’s most recognisable and historic landmarks, with the dessert and sweet-treat section taking guests on a tour of the capital’s most famed structures. Architectural triumphs such as The Gherkin crafted from White Chocolate with a Dark Chocolate Ganache feature, as well as The Shard made of Carrot Cake & Milk Chocolate.
Alongside an iconic London Telephone Box imagined in Rhubarb Mousse and Big Ben-inspired Lemon Curd Tart, the new London Landmarks Afternoon Tea menu is complete with London’s quintessential treat, Scones served with Heather Hills Strawberry Jam & Clotted Cream.
The Afternoon Tea is served alongside a bespoke map of London illustrated by Eleni Sofroniou, which the waiter takes you through before you begin the tea experience – just in case you’re a visitor who isn’t as familiar with the landmarks as us locals! Guests are able to keep the beautiful map, which highlights landmarks including Kensington Palace and The Tower of London as well as archetypal spots such as Covent Garden and Big Ben.
The London Landmarks Afternoon Tea Menu costs £42 per person, or £54.50 with a glass of Perrier-Jouët, Grand Brut NV Champagne.
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Catherine Lux is a food and travel contributor at AGLAIA, and a luxury lifestyle blogger documenting her life on her blog, Lux Life London. With Lux Life London having a large focus on travel and food, she loves nothing more than long-haul flights, excellent restaurants, and relaxing with friends in the coolest places in town.
