Tea at Claridge's

When it comes to tea, Claridge's is like Michael Phelps at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with the amount of awards it's won. For four consecutive years - 2006 up to and including 2010 - it won the Tea Guild's Award of Excellence. In 2006 and 2011, it won another Tea Guild award: Best Afternoon Tea. This is impressive, yes? Even more so when you acknowledge the amount of other hotels - all of extremely high quality - in London which offer afternoon tea. Claridge's really is the shining star among the cluster in terms of success.

There are over 40 different types of tea to choose from at Claridge's, and each sub-list falls under its own category. These include India and Ceylon, English, Oolong, Rare Worldwide Teas, and Perfumed Teas. It's a real chance to branch out your tea palate and try something different. The tea services themselves are a little different, too - no silverware. It's all simplistically-decorated china pots and saucers of green and white thick stripes.

There are three different types of afternoon tea for you to salivate over:

Classic Afternoon Tea: (£40 per person) – includes tea, finger sandwiches, scones and pastries.

Champagne Afternoon Tea: (£51 per person) – includes tea, champagne, finger sandwiches, scones and pastries.

Seasonal Afternoon Tea: (£55 per person) – includes tea, champagne, finger sandwiches, scones and pastries as well as a seasonal treat, could be Easter, Christmas, Valentines themed.

During late spring (May 19th - May 27th), the Chelsea Flower Show comes to town. For this, Claridge's will bring on their rose champagne, sweet sandwiches and floral pastries - something that proves to be a very flavoursome experience indeed.

Give them a call or make a reservation on the website.

Tea Times Daily: 3pm, 3.30pm, 5pm, 5.30pm