Somewhere nice for a decent afternoon tea

[Wheelybug]

Inspired by the pretty tea cup thread ...

Have decided afternoon tea would be nice for my birthday so, can anyone recommend anywhere special, yet child friendly either in London or Surrey or Sussex or Hampshire ?

Thanks !

i don't know about child friendly but Browns is absolutely FAB

how quiet are the children?

I had a wierd experience in Browns invloving a suprise apearence from John Major -when he was PM -and I didn't eat any thing.

Maybe I should go back.

Sorry - that was probably the least helpful post ever on Mumsnet. Wait a miniute - I'll be back with a decent post!

did he jump out of the cake trolley?

well I liked it
helpful is overrated IMO

LOLOL at John Major leaping out of cake trolley

i have been to the The Ritz for tea and there were some fairly young children there

oh oh oh

that place opposite the science museum (forgets name...grr.)

oh I know ..the V&A

most GORGEOUS gorgeous room

lots of cake etc. Can get v busy. I like going there though for tea and cake.

I like a good tea and cake. Also national trust tea rooms are sometimes good. I will put my thinking cap on for you.

LOL Lynette - perhaps I won't select the 'John Major package' !

Quietness of child (only 1 so that's probably a bonus) - hmm... well I don't think particularly loud and relatively well behaved but I don't think I'd want to go somewhere I'd be worrying that she might not behave correctly (she's 3).

afternoon tea

Claridges is fabulous for tea - think older children would be fine there.

Have been to the Ritz Ruby, quite a few years ago but would prefer somewhere different but thanks !

Foxinsocks - I do want the whole package, tea and cake I agree is rather nice but it is best preceded by teeny sandwiches and there must be cake stands and perhaps some champagne.

thanks chonky - have heard claridges is good.

Lets not worry too much about child friendliness I'll make a shortlist and then DH can ring round and check !

oh dahling, you want CHAMPAGNE

why didn't you say so!

Dorchester also vair nice. More WAG types than Claridges though .

I've heard the afternoon tea at the Four Seasons is v v good.

the wolseley is v v nice

oh Foxinsocks I thought everyone took champagne with their afternoon tea....

Chonky - thanks for tip - think I am more of a claridges girl meself myself..snigger...

Ruby - I have dined at the Wolseley - agree it is nice and I believe they purport to being child-friendly although DH (who gets to dine there far often than me) doesn't belive me.

I've been doing it wrong for all these years Wheely! No more national trust tea rooms for me!

yes, I agree with hotel recommendations though I still think you can't beat a proper tea room

i would take a chance on The Wolseley

if you get chucked out, the Ritz is next door

The Berkley, Knightsbridge "Pret a Portea"
is fabulous, older children should be ok.

I took my Mum with my best friend and her Mum recently...we were very impressed.

Thansk all - will have a look at all these suggestions. Have to go off and cook dinner now (its not all tea cake and champagne you know...)

Thansk all - will have a look at all these suggestions. Have to go off and cook dinner now (its not all tea cake and champagne you know...)

The Wolseley, for sure.

So much nicer-and cheaper-than the Ritz!