Last Updated on July 19, 2024

Indulging in Tradition, The Clermont Hotel’s Afternoon Tea Experience

Afternoon tea is one of life’s luxuries, a pursuit which offers an inviting escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. So, I was delighted to receive an invitation to go to The Clermont Hotel Victoria, to relax and savour a quintessentially English afternoon tea in their elegant Tea Lounge. The Clermont Victoria was once a railway hotel, It’s situated next to Victoria Station with easy access to mainline rail and to the Circle, District, and Victoria underground lines.

Originally designed by James Thomas Knowles, this historic Grade II listed building opened its doors in 1862 as The Grosvenor Hotel. Today it stands as a captivating embodiment of Baroque aesthetics enriched with the allure of French Renaissance influences, taking pride in showcasing its opulent Victorian heritage through its lofty ceilings, dramatic staircases, and dazzling chandeliers.

On arrival after taking in the hotel’s grandeur, we made our way to the light and airy Tea Lounge, a stunning room which boasts high corniced ceilings and grand sparkling chandeliers, with attractive air force blue painted panelled walls, marble-topped tables, pretty powder pink and lime green velvet cocktail chairs and banquettes and large arch-shaped windows that offer great views of Buckingham Palace Road.

Our friendly waiter served us a chilled glass of Lanson Père Et Fils Champagne, an optional addition to the tea menu for an extra £10, which I can highly recommend. Alternatively, you can choose a glass of Chapel Down sparkling wine or one of their Afternoon Tea cocktails for £5. We ate from the traditional afternoon tea menu, but for those who would like something a little different, they also serve a fanciful Wicked-themed tea which celebrates the highly successful Wicked musical which has been running in the nearby Apollo theatre since 2006, the perfect devilish, sweet pre-show treat for any musical fans.

Our tea arrived on a tiered tray, with a selection of classic savoury finger sandwiches, including dainty cucumber, delicious smoked salmon and cream cheese in rye, classic cured ham and wholegrain mustard in tomato bread, and creamy egg mayo and watercress.

Home-baked all-butter scones are a must for any bona fide English tea, served at The Clermont with strawberry and raspberry preserves and rich Cornish clotted cream lashings.

The cakes were very pretty and gloriously sweet …mini Eton mess with tiny turrets of meringue, dinky cream-filled Victoria sponge, rich chocolate and orange tart topped with fresh blackberries and cute macaroons. And of course, a pot of steaming hot tea… (or coffee if you prefer). There’s a choice of English breakfast, Darjeeling, green, fruit, mint or chamomile.

This is a lovely venue which exudes timeless elegance, and the tea is a wonderful way to spend a tranquil afternoon in the heart of London. The hotel is very well placed for exploring nearby landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, or a night at the theatre. Either way, Afternoon Tea at The Clermont Hotel is a fabulous treat for any occasion.