Where to have a civilised, yummy, and child-free afternoon tea in London?

[MuffinMclay]

Going in a couple of weeks with a Japanese friend. She's a bit of a sucker for famous places etc (I have to put my foot down with Harrods though, on principle).

Well - Afternoon Tea at the Ritz is very posh AND delicious. Went htere as a treat with my sister last year. Not cheap though......

I'm assuming the Ritz will be booked up weeks in advance. Don't have anything posh to wear either.
Price isn't a problem.

Fortnum and Mason do a to-die-for tea !!!

I don't think we booked when we went midweek.

If price isn't a problem, then buy something posh to wear!

Claridges is divine

Fortnum's gets my vote.

What about Brown's where the best people stay (eye watering prices though). Alternatively the Lanesborough Hotel on Hyde Park Corner. I would have liked to have suggested Fortnum & Mason's but the restaurants serving tea are out of action until September.

You can still get tea in one restaurant in Fortnum's but the Patio and the Fountain are being refurbished as part of the big refurbishment of the whole store.

The Ritz is amazing
book through lastminute.com
Only men have to adhere to a dress code (which is to wear a jacket IIRC) - women don't have to be so dressy

The Wolseley on Piccadilly is luscious and super-glamorous. It's best to book, though I've just walked in for tea once or twice (work not play unfortunately). It's fabulous for people watching - glossy vogue types, leggy Russians and the occasional celeb. The hazelnut maccaroon is yummy.

What about this?

Claridges or The Ritz - fab !

Feeling quite panicked now. I'm not glamorous enough for all this! I'll be about 13 weeks pg by then (all being well) and am at that annoying stage where none of my clothes fit, but it is far too early to wear maternity ones.

I love the look of the Berkeley, but think my Japanese friend would prefer something more traditional, less funky.
The Wolseley sounds way too glamorous and intimidating (Furzella I'm very jealous of a job where you are paid to take afternoon tea at swanky hotels ).

Tough decisions. Better make some calls and see what is available. Any more?

Last year we went to some chain hotel on Park Lane - can't remember which one - and it wasn't very good.

I do think £32+ for a few sarnies, scones and a piece of cake is a bit silly, really, but that is what she wants.

Fortnum and Mason - absolutely delicious aft Tea, beautiful environment - how civilised!
Also the Four Seasons (London) real WOW factor

No no no don't do the Ritz. Awful place, with its head so far up its own arse it doesn't know if it's night or day. I strongly advise anyone ever going there. Hideous place, stuck up staff and in the wrong century.

Tea at the Savoy is lovely though. Haven't been to Claridges but bet they do a great one too.

Is there a nice place for tea in the Oxo tower or anywhere else with a fab view?

Is it sofas and calm discreet atmosphere you are after - rather than Patisserie Valerie, for e.g?

If you were a member, the member's rooms at Tate Modern or the Royal Academy?

I have had cocktails at the Savoy - very nice - would be lovely for tea.

sketch is fab and super trendy, also the new haymarket hotel is lovely, also charlotte st hotel, the landmark has had some good reviews.

Wolseley, absolutely, you will both love it.
It's not intimidating, honest, just spectacular. I am not even slightly high-end, and always have a nice time there.

Too much choice! Going to make some calls and see what is available. I want a Saturday afternoon, so my choice may be limited by what is available. Think she'd love Fortnums.

Thanks everyone.

I'd second the Wolesley - you can have something simple (eggs benedict, burger and chips even) or something swanky. When I was there last time I saw David Walliams at a table with Dale Winton

Muffin, lol at your comment about my job - makes me sound like a high class hooker! Promise I'm not!

Here are the winners of this year's Tea Guild best afternoon tea in London.

claridges is so gorgeous though
keep expecting to see Poirot toddling round the corner...

Furzella - didn't think that at all! First thing that leapt to mind was that you must be a high-powered journalist, or something similar.

Do hookers have afternoon tea before getting down to business?