Last Updated on May 24, 2024
A quintessentially English experience with a view at The Library, London Marriott Hotel County Hall
It’s afternoon tea week from 7th to 13th August this year. Almost as tempting as Christmas, every hotel and restaurant in London seems to be focussing on amazingly detailed and delicious teas and I was invited to visit The Library at County Hall, a stunning venue with arguably the best view of any afternoon tea, looking out over Westminster Bridge, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Who could turn that one down?
County Hall used to be the home of the Greater London Council – populated by civil servants and politicians, an austere place albeit one with a great view and a Grade II listing. When the GLC was abolished, the building was repurposed and the river-facing part is now home to the luxurious and beautifully appointed London Marriott Hotel, County Hall.
I’ve visited the hotel several times but the last time I enjoyed tea there was on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 when I was lucky enough to be invited. While I remember the tea, I have to confess my focus was on the river where there was a spectacular pageant taking place, including the Royal Barge with the Queen, Prince Philip and other members of the Royal Family huddled under umbrellas while we watched from the comfort of our luxurious hotel!
The Library at County Hall has to be one of the best-kept secrets for those wanting a very special tea. Whether or not there’s a Royal Pageant, the view is just incredible. Sitting in the traditional setting of the book-lined room, it’s easy to relax and enjoy this very special feast.
I always advise visitors to skip lunch if they are planning to eat afternoon tea. The offering at the Library, County Hall is really quite enough to have instead of any main meal. Our tea started with a glass of champagne while we picked our teas from the pretty jars of ‘rare and limited’ teas. Developed by Tea Maker of London, you can pick from a whole assortment of teas including assam chocolate spice which really did smell like a bar of fine chocolate and bora bora which reminded me of a tropical fruit bowl. We picked the house afternoon tea blend – a delicious and refreshing black tea.
A classic selection of finger sandwiches followed – tiny mouthfuls of deliciousness. Clarence Court ‘Burford Brown’ devilled egg mayonnaise on wholegrain bread, a BLT with sun-dried tomato bread, a mature cheddar ploughman’s with pickled onion on spinach bread and The Library Tea Cured Salmon by H Forman & Sons with pickled cucumber on beetroot bread. Rather surprisingly my own favourite (despite not generally liking egg) was the devilled egg mayo which was beautifully balanced and deliciously moist. A tiny butter brioche bun filled with prawns in a spicy coronation dressing finished that part of the tea.
Unusually, The Library tea includes a savoury scone – yeast and cheddar served with truffle cream cheese. I loved the idea, though I am not sure the truffle cream cheese was the right accompaniment. There was, of course, a classic sweet golden raisin scone served with Dorset clotted cream and Tiptree ‘The Library’ strawberry jam. Now, where does Dorset fit in the ‘cream first/jam first debate?
All three of the cakes were ‘Big Ben’ inspired. What we generally think of as ‘Big Ben’ is, in fact, the Elizabeth Tower, here in miniature taking the form of a hazelnut, caramel and chocolate cake.
Big Ben is, of course, the huge bell – here a rather smaller version in the form of a rhubarb and rose panna cotta that was fragrant and delicate with just the right amount of ‘sharpness’ from the rhubarb. It was a little tricky to eat though! The clockface was a silvery mouthful of deliciousness, a strawberry and basil cheesecake that offered the perfect taste of summer.
It was quite a surreal affair to be sitting looking out over the Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower eating my way through Big Ben themed cakes. But, in absolutely the best possible way – a decadent treat that I can recommend to all. There is a range of teas on offer, starting at £55 for their classic afternoon tea or £65 if you want a glass of champagne, perhaps the best-priced afternoon tea in a 5-star London hotel – and with a view to die for. Best of all, during afternoon tea week there’s 15% off too!
The Library at London Marriott County Hall
Westminster Bridge Rd,
London SE1 7PB
just asking, what is the price of afternoon tea at the library. my daughter and i will be staying there next week. thanks michael mcdonald plus /any suggestions?
When we went the tea itself was £55. If you want champagne then you pay extra for that. Bear in mind, you will be offered extra sandwiches and the whole tea is a ‘full meal’. We genuinely love London Marriott County Hall – I hope you both have a fabulous stay!