15 hours Ago
London is home to afternoon tea spots around every corner all vying for attention, yet there’s one that feels like it may be one of London’s hidden gems when it comes to beautiful locations. Located within Covent Garden’s Theatre Royal in Drury Lane is the Grand Saloon, where you can take afternoon tea amidst beautiful surroundings with crystal chandeliers and opulent Georgian interiors. The theatre is well known for being London’s oldest theatre, dating back to 1663, although the current theatre was rebuilt on the site in 1809, marking the fourth time the theatre was rebuilt.
It means a theatre has existed on the site for over 360 years. You can take afternoon tea amidst beautiful surroundings with crystal chandeliers and opulent Georgian interiors. (Image: Sister London) Normally you would go into the main lobby and head up to the afternoon tea like many theatregoers would.
But currently the theatre is gearing up in preparation for its next production – Hercules – so if you visit before its opening in June, you may enter through the entrance on Russell Street. This afternoon tea is quite unlike any other I’ve had, with the experience beginning with a tour of the theatre where you’ll learn about its history and the notable people associated with it over the years. The experience begins with a tour of the theatre where you’ll learn about its history and the notable people associated with it over the years.
(Image: Sister London) After a short 10-minute tour you’re taken to the Grand Saloon, where you’ll be seated at one of the tables surrounding the bar with views overlooking Covent Garden. This afternoon tea takes its aesthetic cue from its rich performing history, with a theatrical afternoon tea divided into three “acts” for each course. The menu also consists of a pretty good selection of teas, along with coffees and hot chocolates, as well as the option to tack on extras like cocktails or a class of fizz if you’re celebrating.
This theatrical afternoon tea is divided into three “acts” for each course. (Image: Sister London) Beginning with the first act, “A Savoury Prelude”, we were presented with three savouries, first beginning with “The Hero” which was a sausage roll served with a piccalilli ketchup. We then moved onto “The Villain”, which was a senwood and thyme tartlet with chilli jam and nutmeg, before finishing with “The Femme Fatale”, which was a prawn cocktail with brown shrimps, avocado and salmon caviar, which was a personal favourite.
Beginning with the first act, “A Savoury Prelude”, we were presented with three savouries. (Image: Sister London) Act Two, named “The Sweet Dilemma”, came presented in a box made to resemble the royal curtains, first beginning with “The Lovers“, which was a round of freshly baked scones served with jams and clotted creams. As far as scones go, they were pretty good and still warm from being baked.
We then moved onto “The Queen”, which was a layered chocolate brownie topped with caramelised popcorn and gold leaf, before finishing off the round with “The Chorus”, which was a raspberry and biscuit macaroon with lemon curd. But the sweet treats didn’t stop there, with “The Finale” offering a classic Victoria sponge cake topped with crunchy meringue. Act Two, named “The Sweet Dilemma”, came presented in a box made to resemble the royal curtains.
(Image: Sister London) If you’re in the mood, you can always finish off the experience with a drink out on the balcony, with views overlooking Covent Garden. This afternoon tea has to be one of my top five, delivering on the experience factor on account of its location, heritage and theme, and it’s one that I’d recommend to anyone looking to experience an example of what London has to offer when it comes to afternoon teas. The Showstopping Afternoon Tea at The Grand Saloon in the Theatre Royal is priced at £68 per person or £78 if you want to add champagne, with afternoon tea served between 11pm and 5pm on Saturdays, and 12pm to 5pm on every other day of the week.
.
