Last Updated on July 23, 2026
An exceptional and luxurious afternoon tea
5.0 out of 5.0 starsThe Langham has been serving afternoon tea since 1865 and, based on our recent visit to try out their latest themed tea, long may they continue to do so. This summer they are offering a Strawberry Afternoon Tea (available until 2 August) in their glamorous Palm Court. The hotel has teamed up with fourth-generation strawberry growers J Myatt and Co Ltd at Mockbeggar Farm in Kent, where they are ripened naturally on the vine.
The first item to arrive on our table was a mini crate of perfectly ripe Kentish strawberries alongside a pot of thick crème fraiche to dip them in. This was a surprising and refreshing way to begin our tea.
Tea at the Palm Court can, of course, be taken “teetotal” or there’s the option to add a glass (or two) of bubbles. We felt compelled to go for the Champagne and our spirits were soon lifted by glasses of chilled and sparkling Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut.
Next up were the savouries, a plate of four finger sandwiches and a tiny tart. Sometimes variations on classics can be pointless, but all the tweaks worked here. Top marks to the chef for converting my companion to cucumber sandwiches after a lifetime of disappointment. The Langham’s luxurious version mixed elderflower and Champagne-pickled cucumber with Stracciatella and Kohlrabi. Meanwhile, the Aged Sirloin sandwich was made even more delicious by the addition of black truffle, golden carrot, mascarpone, Parmesan and sorrel. I could go on. We are talking about superior sandwich-making here.
There is a long list of leaf teas by Jing to choose from but sadly no Lapsang Souchong. In its absence I decided to try the Darjeeling Second Flush, which the tea menu described as containing notes of Grape, Alpine Flowers and, irresistibly on this occasion, Strawberry Leaf. It was light and refreshing. My companion picked his usual favourite, the Earl Grey, gentle on the bergamot.
We both loved the traditional tea service at The Langham, the fine bone china and weighty, highly polished silver tea pots. Best of all, halfway through proceedings our waiter swept everything away and brought us a second pot of tea each and fresh cups and saucers.
A lifetime of exposure to British teatime meant that we were both expecting the scones to follow the sandwiches. The Palm Court way of doing things is sweets then scones. We decided to go with the flow and were pleased to report that a change of order in no way spoiled our afternoon.
A beautiful array of dainty desserts arrived on a classic cake stand and alongside them the pièce de resistance: a Sharing Cake. My companion’s dessert fork dived straight into the Pavlova by Brigitte. “I’m destroying it,” were his exact words. Well done to Brigitte for producing this delicious concoction of whipped cocoa nib Namelaka, Vanuatu 66% cremeux wedged in between walls of crunchy light meringues.
All thoughts of pacing ourselves had been abandoned by this point, and we quickly moved on to the trio of treats on the cake stand. My favourite was the Like a Bellini, a riff on the famous cocktail combining a peach compote with a topping of Laurent Perrier foam. A close second, and my companion’s top choice, was called the Intensely Vanilla and it really was a full-on vanilla experience: Madagascan vanilla ganache, soaked sponge and mascarpone vanilla cream all sitting on an excellent almond sable. Perfectly apt and also enjoyable was the Made in Kent: crunchy biscuit topped with more of Myatt’s perfectly ripe strawberries.
There was still no sign of the scones. Instead, a delicious surprise appeared: two small cones of richly flavoured strawberry ice cream, clearly freshly made.
Our sympathetic waiter suggested we take a well-deserved break and instructed us to put our hands up when we felt ready for our scones. I didn’t time our breather, but once we’d rebuilt our appetites and could resist no longer, we summoned the scones. At the Palm Court they arrived warm under a dramatic heavy silver cloche. They were, of course, lovely.
The Palm Court at The Langham is a smart and extremely comfortable place to while away an afternoon. There are no windows onto the outside world, so one can easily lose track of time and the real world, while eating course after course of teatime treats and sipping Champagne, all accompanied by music from the grand piano. The service is impeccable too. Afternoon tea at the Langham costs £85 or £100 with the addition of a glass of Champagne. Highly recommended.
Afternoon at the Palm Court at The Langham
The Langham, London
1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA
Telephone: 020 7636 1000
Looking for something in a different part of London? For those near Victoria, we recommend The Goring Afternoon Tea
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