Review: Afternoon tea at Waldorf Hilton, London
Jam then cream? Or cream then jam? As I sat down to savour the Waldorf Hilton afternoon tea, I pondered whether it was possible to have scones without someone raising the question?
review visit*
Although in the case of the scones at the Waldorf Hilton hotel in London, my first instinctive response was simply to say “more please!” (But then jam followed by cream, obviously*)
There’s no meal quite as civilised as afternoon tea. And there are few places which do it better than central London’s luxury hotels; the Waldorf Hilton’s own pedigree stretches back to Edwardian times, a mere 60 years or so after Anna Duchess of Bedford came up with the bright idea of a little something mid-afternoon to tide her over until dinner time.
Accompanied by a harpist, lit by chandeliers and surrounded by elegant white pillars all but reflecting in the highly polished parquet floor, I suspect she’d have felt entirely at home in the grand Homage restaurant.
Even the Royal Crown Derby fine bone china at the Waldorf Hilton afternoon tea might have been familiar.
Fortunately those of us not married to the aristocracy are just as welcome in this gilded setting – in my case joining a group of lovely bloggers to fuel up for a walk on London’s South Bank in style.
A choice of 12 teas awaited including green, white, oolong and some rather more unusual options such as the ‘nutty chocolate’, although I stuck with my own traditional choice of mint tea as – whisper it – I don’t like the taste of tea itself.
First things first though, did we want a glass of champagne to start? Did many people say no to that offer, I wondered? Our waitress smilingly confirmed that they didn’t.
And after a lemon and raspberry appetiser, in its own mini glass tankard, it was time to eat. Sandwiches can often be something of an afterthought, the attempt to pretend this is a proper meal rather than an excuse to eat lots of cake.
But while the fillings were traditional and the sandwiches as delicately crustless as you’d expect, there were plenty of little twists to make these stand out.
Oak smoked salmon came on blinis, while egg and cress was on a basil loaf, citrusy tuna mayonnaise on carrot bread, onion slice for the ham and a Mediterranean flavour for the coronation chicken.
Tempting though it was to take up the offer of another serving, I’d have regretted not leaving room for both plain and raisin scones plus cakes which followed on their tiered tray.
Macarons and an iced creamy sponge which made me think of a more sophisticated French Fancy, a deliciously sticky orange marmalade cake and the richest chocolate ganache cup with an edible flower to decorate – so rich, I reluctantly declared myself defeated.
If you fancy, you can also get cocktails from Good Godfrey’s bar to accompany – with several dozen bloggers to help lead along the South Bank, I very reluctantly had to decline that as well.
Judging by her smile when Claire from Tinbox Traveller tried her citrusy gin Whoopee, I was missing out.
Need to know: Waldorf Hilton afternoon tea
The Waldorf Hilton is on Aldwych in central London, a short walk from Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square.
The Waldorf Afternoon Tea costs £59 for adults and £35 for children, with upgrades available as well as plant-based menus.
Children are welcome, although I’d recommend saving it for older kids rather than introducing enthusiastic pre-schoolers to the expensive china and hushed elegance. Afternoon tea is served seven days a week from 1pm until 3pm on weekdays, 1.30-3.30 at weekends.
* A poll of those on my Facebook page and those sharing afternoon tea (including Maria from One Tiny Leap who’d never come across the controversy before) shows we’re winning out over the cream first brigade. Even if it was Devonshire cream…
PIN FOR LATER: LONDON’S WALDORF HILTON AFTERNOON TEA
Disclosure: My afternoon tea was courtesy of the Waldorf Hilton for the purposes of review – all opinions, including controversial ones about cream placement, are my own.
Images copyright MummyTravels
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Oh I love the idea of a harpist playing! How civilised! I am a jam first then dollop of cream kind of gal. Steve has invented his own style that he calls ‘The Northumbrian’. One half of the scone is jam then cream and the other half is cream then jam! LOL
Now that is a man who has all bases covered! Maybe we should try one in layer after layer as well, see if we can make the perfect scone? 🙂
Jam then cream…always! 🙂
#teamjam!
Ah, you don’t like tea?? Cathy! Still, it would be lovely to do this sort of thing aain. We’ll just need to call in advance to make sure they cater for non-tea lovers too 🙂
I know – my deep dark secret in a nation of tea-lovers. Fortunately there’s usually peppermint (or champagne!): and it would be lovely to do again, whatever the menu
Your secret’s safe with me (and 200k followers). 🙂 #citytripping
ulp… didn’t think that through!
Haha oh dear I laughed so hard when I read “Jam then cream? Or cream then jam? is it possible to have afternoon tea without someone raising the question”. This is so true.. we always have the same debate and of course, this is cream then jam :p
Noooooo another vote for the dark side 😉
I’ve only experienced one afternoon tea while in England but a friend hosted one while she lived in my town. She got me so hooked I deffffinitely want to experience more next time I’m in England!! I’ve visited hundreds of times and my English family never took us to experience one. The Waldorf definitely looks fancy and looks like a scene out of Downton Abbey! #CityTripping
You definitely should – I can just see you in one of your beautiful dresses enjoying it all. Top of the list for next visit!
Oh my! Cathy, I’m seeing you in a whole different light. You… DON’T like tea?! You are English aren’t you? 😉 Me… I LURVE tea!
This place is so adult and grown up! Love the idea of the harpist. I certainly imagine visiting here before popping to a show.
#citytripping
I know! One of the few things you should never admit to when you’re English (and I checked, definitely am apart from the Viking DNA my grandma insists we had. I’ll blame them, bet they didn’t drink tea)
I love Afternoon Tea. We did a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed high tea when we were in London last. These cakes look so delicious Cathy. #Citytripping
I read about that and was so tempted to do it – love afternoon tea with a theme (love all afternoon tea really)
I must say I do not consider the sandwiches an afterthought. Cakes are freely available. Really good fresh sandwiches that I haven’t made myself less so. Those look great! Mmmmmmmm.
Indeed, there are sandwiches (so long the staple of my workday lunch) and *sandwiches*. These are definitely part of the treat.
This sounds like an idyllic afternoon tea but agree with Jenny – how do you not like tea!
It sounds like the perfect place for this great British tradition
Haha – I knew I should never have revealed my deep dark secret. It’s the scent partly, I think, just have never enjoyed it.
This is alerady the second post I read about Waldorf Hilton afternoon tea within a week so I guess that really is a sign I gotta go there on my next trip to London. Those pictures are just so pretty and the food looks super yummy!!! #CityTripping
The universe is ordering you to 🙂 And thanks!
You don’t like tea?! With you on the jam cream front though #CityTripping
I know – strange but true, have never liked the scent/taste. Give me coffee any day (or champagne)
Haha Cathy, loved your subtle guidance re enthusiast preschoolers will give it a year or 2 then ! #citytripping
🙂 I can’t imagine relaxing and enjoying the ambiance while fearing my daughter would up-end all the bone china somehow!
Sounds like a very elegant afternoon, Cathy. #citytripping
Nope it’s not possible – that questions get’s raised every time! I think Im to blame ‘cos I’m a total weirdo and only have cream! 😉 #citytripping
Now that’s one I’ve never heard!
jam, then cream:) for me, at least:)
Definitely 🙂
Like this post. I have travelled to London, and on my next trip, I am definitely thinking of stopping there!
Thanks! If you’re an afternoon tea fan, it’s definitely worth checking out
Always jam, then cream. This looks delightful and best enjoyed without kids! #citytripping
Agreed 🙂
This was an absolute joy to read. You took me right back to that afternoon where it all started. Thanks so much for joining me and the other ladies, it made for a very special treat indeed.
Thank you – and for organising it all, a very special treat indeed
I agree with you – cream first! It’s really wonderful to experience a typical English afternoon tea and at the Waldorf Hilton – who wouldn’t say no to that? 🙂 I tried the afternoon tea at the Ritz Carlton in Kuala Lumpur -oh my, didn’t realise how mini sandwiches and scones could feel me up till I had to skip dinner that night, lol! Would love to experience it again 🙂 #citytripping
It is amazing how full it can make you – always looks like a few mouthfuls then suddenly you’re hugely full. I’ve tried tea at the Ritz so can imagine how delicious it would be in KL too
That afternoon tea looks sumptuous. I remember being taken to the Waldorf for dinner when I was a little girl, about 8, and being absolutely transfixed by the harp player in her floor length gown. Amazed to see a harp player there still. I also remember eating a Knickerbocker Glory that was almost as big as me! Lovely venue.
#citytripping
Oh that would be an amazing treat, I’m not surprised the memory stayed with you. I wonder if you can still get a knickerbocker glory – they featured heavily in my own memories of childhood meals out!
Wait, what? You don’t like the taste of tea? I didn’t like either tea or coffee until I moved to London and consumed so many hot chocolates that I began to resemble a whale. Plus everyone at work around me chain-drank tea like it was going out of style, so I learned to love it.
For me it’s always jam then cream, but as long as I get both I don’t mind. #CityTripping
I know – I am almost unique in England 😉 Fortunately I love coffee (and hot chocolate for that matter)
That is so fun that you were leading an Instagram walk! What a great way to start it with tea with a bunch of amazing bloggers. Very cool! I also didn’t know of the jam vs. cream debate — I’ll have to try it both ways next time.
You will – I wonder which you’ll prefer. And a very fun afternoon all round, starting in style then getting to wander London and take photos. My perfect day!
I love the look of the cakes and treats!! And it’s defo jam then cream 😉
C x
Absolutely! And they were delicious
This looks so nice! I love the harp music as well – what a lovely touch 🙂 I haven’t been to a proper afternoon tea yet but would love to experience this one day 🙂 #citytripping
There is nothing like a proper afternoon tea for a treat – I always feel immensely civilised. Especially when there’s a harp 🙂