Afternoon tea, with a touch of Bridgerton

Pastel colours, trailing wisteria, roses climbing verandas, handsome period houses and afternoon tea:

the perfect setting for a debutante and her suitor to exchange a few loaded glances over tiny sandwiches and cakes on a silver stand. It is very easy to fall for the look of Bridgerton, and to wish you could step straight into it. Those meticulously composed, gloriously indulgent scenes take a few liberties with the realities of the period, including its plumbing and personal hygiene. Still, we wouldn’t turn down an afternoon in those surroundings.

The Lanesborough, beside Hyde Park, has partnered with Netflix on a Bridgerton-inspired afternoon tea, with menus taking their cue from the series. The menu described in the original 2026 report paired traditional cucumber, tuna and salmon finger sandwiches with

a special Bridgerton tea blend, scented with fruit and rose petals,

and miniature pastries with names such as “The Lady in Silver” and “Benedict’s Masquerade”. If those references mean nothing to you, it may be time to catch up with the latest series. Champagne, a cocktail or a mocktail could be added to the tea, with the price depending on the drinks selected. In the spirit of Lady Whistledown, we should point out that this is rather more Queen Charlotte’s budget than pocket money. But those rooms...

London has no shortage of hotels and restaurants serving afternoon tea, so there are other ways to find the atmosphere without quite the same bill. The Ivy restaurants offer a smart alternative, with handsome interiors and those tiered silver stands that make the whole ritual feel wonderfully ceremonious. The Ritz, Corinthia and The Savoy belong to the same grand tradition, each with its own take on the occasion.

If, like Eloise, you are a little more restless,

and react to all that formality as she might to an unwanted introduction, Brigit’s Bakery takes afternoon tea on the road in a red double-decker bus. The tour described in the original report departs from Victoria Coach Station, combining sandwiches, small cakes and tartlets with views of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Royal Albert Hall, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. Check the selected departure and route when booking.

The museum that came alive on the small screen

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