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Summertime Indulgence: Luxury Afternoon Tea At Claridge's
Indulge in Claridge’s summer Afternoon Tea as seasonal pastries and fine teas capture timeless British elegance in Mayfair.
A tradition that stretches back more than 120 years, Afternoon Tea at Claridge’s has become a British institution. Today, every element has its own story to tell – from the beautifully designed jade teacups to The Foyer & Reading Room that sets the scene. This is a place that has hosted monarchs and Hollywood royalty, where every detail pays homage to the hotel’s heritage – while the finest seasonal flourishes create an ever-evolving experience.
Timeless in Mayfair
Claridge’s is synonymous with timeless glamour – with a contemporary spin – and a traditional Afternoon Tea here promises to transport guests to a golden age. There’s the Lalique door panel that has opened onto elegant afternoons since the 1930s. Later, the 1990s saw Thierry Despont (re)introduce art deco motifs: the geometric patterns, rich fabrics and silvery mirrors you see around you today. And presiding over it all, the striking Dale Chihuly light sculpture. Also known as the ‘Gilded Dawn Chandelier’, each one of its 800 pieces of glass are painstakingly hand-cleaned in the middle of the night – reflecting a tea service defined by style.
David Downton, Artist In ResidenceClaridge's is Claridge's and everywhere else is everywhere else.
A taste of summer
Every element of Afternoon Tea is tied to the changing seasons, from the beautifully arranged flowers, designed by the in-house floristry team, to the carefully curated flavours that unfold across sweet and savoury creations.
Summer sees teas take a floral turn, with some of the most sought-after single estate teas bringing lychee, peach and apricot notes to the table. While finger sandwiches brim with classic pairings: Severn & Wye smoked salmon with lemon and dill, and English cucumber on mint-infused cream cheese.
After savoury comes sweet, as pillowy scones are served with the hotel’s own secret-recipe jam. To follow, artfully crafted pastries by Executive Pastry Chef Thibault Hauchard and his team showcase summer on a plate, from delicate tartlets in soft, natural shades to airy cakes bursting with all things bright and beautiful. With a quartet of picture-perfect patisserie made daily from season-capturing ingredients, each summer Afternoon Tea sitting puts a fresh spin on this refined ritual.
Limited edition experiences
Moving to the rhythm of the seasons and the city, extra-special Afternoon Tea editions mark treasured moments on London’s cultural calendar. It could be a tribute to Wimbledon that serves up a game, set, match of fresh summer fruits. But while menus change and flavours shift, the traditions that distinguish time at Claridge’s remain the same.
The tea collection here has been curated by acclaimed tea connoisseur Henrietta Lovell, of the Rare Tea Company, and includes blends from Himalayan slopes to 14th-century Cornish walled gardens. Behind the scenes, our tea sommeliers carefully measure your chosen leaves, twice infusing at the perfect temperature before examining shade and aroma.
Sandwiches and patisserie arrive on contemporary plating, rather than tiered stands, allowing each culinary creation to shine. While the signature jade chinaware is crafted for Claridge’s by Bernardaud, in Limoges, where a unique mix of spring water, quartz and kaolin-rich clay is said to be the secret behind its fine porcelain. And of course, instrumental to the experience is the musical duo that weave together jazz-era classics and just-released tracks to create a truly memorable soundtrack.
Service with style
For many, high tea in London means Claridge’s – where impeccable service has been honed over generations. From your dedicated tea sommelier to the talented chefs behind the pass, every carefully considered detail creates a warm and welcoming experience.
It could be the addition of a perfectly chilled glass of Billecart-Salmon Brut, giving the afternoon a dash of extra sparkle. Or the miniature, but no less magnificent, children’s Afternoon Tea edition – with a menu that doubles as a colouring book, and where ‘tea’ becomes velvety Claridge’s hot chocolate.
Simon Attridge, Culinary DirectorWe slice 57,792 loaves (lengthways) per year for Afternoon Tea service alone. To us, the perfect sandwich is a delicately balanced two-thirds bread and one-third filling.
The Maybourne Collection
Beyond Claridge’s, Mayfair neighbour and Maybourne sister hotel, The Connaught, offers its own twist on tradition. Jean-Georges at The Connaught is a bright and beautiful spot for a summer Afternoon Tea, with a glorious terrace that wraps around Carlos Place. Taste adventures begin with exotic teas, before finger sandwiches reflect Jean-Georges’ passion for bold, Southeast Asian flavours. Meanwhile, The Berkeley in Knightsbridge is home to another sense-stirring fusion, as rockstar pâtissier Cedric Grolet presents Goûtea – giving the French tradition of sweet snacking a best-of-British spin.
An invitation to indulge
Whether it’s Afternoon Tea in Mayfair’s heart or Parisian-inspired days overlooking Hyde Park, dining across Maybourne is an experience to savour. With the tip of a top hat, our doormen warmly welcome guests, neighbours and visitors alike. Reserve a coveted table in advance to experience the enduring elegance of Afternoon Tea, by Maybourne.
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