Last Updated on March 31, 2024
A Quintessentially English Experience – Tea at the Goring
When do you know that Christmas is on its way? An Advent Calendar, beautifully decorated shop windows, stunning Christmas lights perhaps. For me, there are a few things that make me think of Christmas straight away – a festive ballet, a Christmas afternoon tea and of course shopping for Christmas treats. And, while you might have The Ritz or the Savoy on your wish list, for a stunning traditional festive afternoon tea that’s impeccably English and wonderfully luxurious, you can’t do better than The Goring Hotel.
You may remember it came to fame as the place where Kate Middleton spent the night before her wedding. A stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, the Goring is an elegant 5-star hotel which is still family owned and run. Originally opened in 1910 by Otto Goring, it has held a Royal Warrant of appointment to HM the Queen for Hospitality Service and the Dining Room was awarded its first Michelin star in 2016.
Afternoon tea at the Goring is served in the pretty conservatory, currently all styled up with blue and silver Christmas decorations. It’s the perfect place to treat yourself for Christmas. One of the best things about tea at the Goring is that from the minute you walk up to the hotel, you know you’ll be looked after.
Sitting looking out over the immaculate garden is the perfect way to while away an afternoon. And, a glass of Bollinger rosé champagne is an excellent start to any afternoon tea – especially one in such elegant surroundings.
The champagne is a nicely rounded rosé that works well as an aperitif, especially with a little savoury amuse bouche. The tiny tart of crisp pastry was filled with a light chestnut mixture and a little cranberry jelly which cut through the richness of the pastry and the umami notes of the chestnut.
Our teas arrived – the Goring afternoon blend for me ( a mix of Assam and second flush Darjeeling) which is described as ‘a natural foil for scones and clotted cream’. My companion asked for the premier Darjeeling, which we learnt was also a second flush. The second picking of the year – with leaves that have matured through the monsoon season and so have a richer colour and stronger flavour, his was nevertheless a more delicate option. CEO Jeremy Goring himself, CEO of the Goring is the in-house master of tea and, in addition to the black teas we picked, there are green and white teas, oolong, a range of infusions or even coffee! Teas are served in traditional silver pots and sit neatly on a side table ready to be poured through strainers into the classic bone china cups.
The pretty tea tower was brimming with a mix of delicious classics and seasonal treats. We loved the finger sandwiches – turkey and cranberry, ham and mustard, egg mayonnaise, salmon and brie with bacon. The bread was fresh and each variety complemented the filling perfectly.
No afternoon tea is complete without a scone with cream and jam. The Goring scones are freshly baked and served with jams made from strawberries and raspberries from their own estate in Suffolk.
It is, of course, the top tier of the tea tower that always attracts the most attention. The Christmas pastries included a stunning chocolate ganache dome on a light, biscuity base topped with a gilded chocolate disk, the lightest of choux buns filled with creme patissiere and topped with gold leaf, a dainty fruit sponge and a macaron. And, of course, a mince pie with brandy sauce. Despite turning down second helpings of sandwiches and scones, we were both quite full, but somehow managed a mince pie each, liberally doused in the classic, custardy sauce.
I can’t think of a better indulgence for Christmas unless you happen to want a real splurge, in which case you might enjoy the ‘Ultimate Sleeping Beauty’ experience. Partnering with Fortnum and Mason and with Matthew Bourne, The Goring has a special festive celebration package running from now until January. With tickets to the ballet (you’ll be taken by private chauffeur), a Champagne Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason together with a special Sleeping Beauty hamper and an overnight stay at The Goring with breakfast at the Hotel the next morning and the option to indulge in a Sleeping Beauty breakfast martini at Fortnum & Mason’s restaurant in Jermyn Street. The Sleeping Beauty package is priced from £1,864 upon request through Fortnum & Mason’s Concierge service: concierge@fortnumandmason.com and valid for stays from 29 November 2022 – 15 January 2023.
The Bollinger Rosé afternoon tea is £90 per person – the perfect Christmas indulgence!
The Goring Hotel
15 Beeston Place,
London SW1W 0JW
Leave a Reply