London - Afternoon Tea Questions
Mar 25th, 2006, 03:15 PM
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London - Afternoon Tea Questions
Are there places that a well behaved 7 year old could go to experience afternoon tea with his parents? The tea room near my home in Maryland that serves "traditional" British afternoon tea...frowns upon children. So I was wondering if that is something found throughout London.
Is there an afternoon tea dress code?
Is there an afternoon tea dress code?
Mar 25th, 2006, 06:57 PM
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A well-behaved child (by other people's standards - not your own) would be welcome anywhere tea is served.
There is no dress code for the meal - but if you're going someplace nice - vs just a casuale cafe - I would definitely not do jeans and sneakers.
There is no dress code for the meal - but if you're going someplace nice - vs just a casuale cafe - I would definitely not do jeans and sneakers.
Mar 25th, 2006, 07:08 PM
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Nlingenfel-- how much was the tea at Harrods? I think it would be great to experience tea there....I did not buy tea there, but bought some other nice things that I greatly enjoyed.
Have you had tea at Fortnum and Mason? Their tea is excellant....I do not know if they offer a tea service, though.
Have you had tea at Fortnum and Mason? Their tea is excellant....I do not know if they offer a tea service, though.
Mar 26th, 2006, 02:03 AM
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I recommend Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee located a couple of minutes from the London Bridge on Southwark St. They have a web site. It is absolutley some of the best teas and scones I have ever had!!!
Mar 26th, 2006, 03:52 AM
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This is wonderful advice that you all have provided!
Harrod's is definitely on my "go to" list (I'm just finishing off reading the "Shopoholics" series of books by Sophie Kinsella & think that I have a bit of the main character in my blood.) When I found out we'd be spending about 6 days in London, Harrod's was about the 2nd listed on my personal "to do" list. I didn't realize they served tea. Thank you so much for telling me tht Nlingenfel!
I'll plan on a skirt with sandals for myself on our tea day and advise my husband and son to wear dockers & a collered shirt that day. Thanks for the dress code advice nytraveler!
Luvlucy - I'm adding the Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee to my itineray right now! I'll also add a bit of a budget in for the purchase of some tea to bring home with us.
Harrod's is definitely on my "go to" list (I'm just finishing off reading the "Shopoholics" series of books by Sophie Kinsella & think that I have a bit of the main character in my blood.) When I found out we'd be spending about 6 days in London, Harrod's was about the 2nd listed on my personal "to do" list. I didn't realize they served tea. Thank you so much for telling me tht Nlingenfel!
I'll plan on a skirt with sandals for myself on our tea day and advise my husband and son to wear dockers & a collered shirt that day. Thanks for the dress code advice nytraveler!
Luvlucy - I'm adding the Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee to my itineray right now! I'll also add a bit of a budget in for the purchase of some tea to bring home with us.
Mar 26th, 2006, 04:29 AM
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This may be a minor point to some, but. . .
To me there is a big difference in the overall experience as to whether you are sitting at a regular table and chairs like for a meal and having tea, or in a casual "drawing room atmosphere" of sitting in sofas and big overstuffed chairs in a conversational grouping while the tea and snacks are served from a cocktail table in front of you. That is the atmosphere at Brown's Hotel -- and so worth it in my opinion. I'm unclear which other places have that same feel, but personally it's the type atmosphere I'd seek out to make it a special experience.
To me there is a big difference in the overall experience as to whether you are sitting at a regular table and chairs like for a meal and having tea, or in a casual "drawing room atmosphere" of sitting in sofas and big overstuffed chairs in a conversational grouping while the tea and snacks are served from a cocktail table in front of you. That is the atmosphere at Brown's Hotel -- and so worth it in my opinion. I'm unclear which other places have that same feel, but personally it's the type atmosphere I'd seek out to make it a special experience.
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Mar 26th, 2006, 05:05 AM
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Browns hotel has just reopened after extensive refurbishments. I haven't been yet, and do not know if the afternoon tea is as it used to be (as Neopolitan describes). A well-behaved 7-year old would be welcome anywhere for afternoon tea. There are lots of threads on this forum about afternoon tea.
Harrods may be a good idea. It's on the 4th floor, where the toys are; your son will enjoy that!
Harrods may be a good idea. It's on the 4th floor, where the toys are; your son will enjoy that!
Mar 26th, 2006, 05:16 AM
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To be blunt I guess I never quite understand that question "child friendly". I've never been anywhere that a well behaved child wasn't welcomed. Have you? I'm just trying to picture it. (Well, I guess there are a few upscale restaurants in the world that may specify "no children". Browns certainly isn't one of them.
On the other hand if you mean, will people get upset if my kid runs around the room screaming at the top of his lungs, then the answer is -- no he won't be welcomed.
There were a number of well behaved children at Brown's when we were there for tea. The older patrons stopped to smile at them as most of them were so cute all dressed up.
On the other hand if you mean, will people get upset if my kid runs around the room screaming at the top of his lungs, then the answer is -- no he won't be welcomed.
There were a number of well behaved children at Brown's when we were there for tea. The older patrons stopped to smile at them as most of them were so cute all dressed up.
Mar 26th, 2006, 05:52 AM
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After reading Neopolitan's comment about children, I went back and re-read my local tea room children rules. They will not seat any child under five and do not allow infants. That's what have must have stuck in my head about them frowning on children and not being child friendly. When we moved to the area we live in now, my son was 3...so it just must have stuck since then. He would now be allowed to go there.
By the way, if anyone is ever in Maryland, just north of Baltimore, I would highly recommend our local tearoom, teabytwo.com. My husband & I went there (without our son) for Valentine's day & it was fabulous!!
Except for when he was an infant, he has never yelled in an eating establishment (even then, one of us would grab him and rush him away from the patrons to quiet him down). He never gets up and runs around a food establishment (that's saved for a nice run about in a playground).
A question about Harrod's. I just went to Harrods.com and downloaded their store guide. I looked at the 4th floor, where there seems to be about 4 different eateries. Would we be going to the Georgian Restaurant for afternoon tea, if we choose to experience tea there?
By the way, if anyone is ever in Maryland, just north of Baltimore, I would highly recommend our local tearoom, teabytwo.com. My husband & I went there (without our son) for Valentine's day & it was fabulous!!
Except for when he was an infant, he has never yelled in an eating establishment (even then, one of us would grab him and rush him away from the patrons to quiet him down). He never gets up and runs around a food establishment (that's saved for a nice run about in a playground).
A question about Harrod's. I just went to Harrods.com and downloaded their store guide. I looked at the 4th floor, where there seems to be about 4 different eateries. Would we be going to the Georgian Restaurant for afternoon tea, if we choose to experience tea there?
Mar 26th, 2006, 06:07 AM
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I just did a bit of internet searching on tea at Harrods in the Georgian restaurant. Most sites state that it's "Suitable for anyone over the age of 18" and "There is a smart dress code for the restaurant". However, since Nlingenfel indicated that there were children there with their parents and she and her sister were in slacks and a sweater, I guess we'll be okay?!?
Mar 26th, 2006, 08:25 AM
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I cannot imagine that there are no children in the Georgian restaurant for tea. It's right next to the toy department. To tell you the truth, I have a 7-year old son, and he would much prefer 'Planet Harrods' to the Georgian restaurant, but anywhere where he can have cakes would be acceptable to him. With smart dress code they mean no shorts, vests, that sort of thing. They have a kind of dress code for the whole store; no backpacks, no torn clothes. A friend of mine was once refused entry for wearing a t-shirt that showed her belly. It really doesn't mean that you have to dress up. (I was once a 'guest shopper' in Harrods; filling out questionaires after shopping, checking out different departments. And they paid me for this too, in Harrods vouchers, but still!)
By the way, just opposite Harrods, corner of Basil Street, is a pattisserie Valerie where they do nice cakes and tea. Not traditional afternoon tea, as you are looking for, but still a nice place to stop for a bite or drink.
By the way, just opposite Harrods, corner of Basil Street, is a pattisserie Valerie where they do nice cakes and tea. Not traditional afternoon tea, as you are looking for, but still a nice place to stop for a bite or drink.
