GREAT BRITISH Afternoon teas

The murmuring flow of ambrosial amber poured from freshly brewed tea leaves, the gentle chink of cup and saucer, and the soft clatter of cutlery on china are all elegantly evocative of the quintessential British afternoon tea.

‘Taking tea’ is a simple expression that belies its depths of complexity – not only in the historical sense, whereby different denotations point to Britain’s shifting sands of both time and social geography, but also in the breadth of afternoon tea experiences on offer today. Knowing where best to start can be an embarrassment of riches – our selection points to classic addresses synonymous with delicate finesse, as well as locations offering a different type of luxury encompassing recipes unique to the area, captivating interior settings, and fascinating heritage insights.

The Ritz, London

‘Tea at the Ritz’ has long become an expression synonymous with a classic afternoon tea experience in the capital. Its very utterance rolls pleasurably round in the mouth, much like the savouring of their finely cut finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and delicious pastries. Here the marble columns, panelled mirrors and Louis XVI-style decor of the Palm Court set the scene