West London Magic
 West London is home to artists, authors, actor's and fashionable society. All have long enjoyed the pleasures of the parks and heaths that relieve west London's urban sprawl. Noblemen built their palaces and planted gardens here, along the banks of the River Thames. To the south, fine viewpoints offer the opportunity to enjoy great countryside among the wooded hills that sweep across north Surrey.
But, there's nothing more typically English than afternoonn tea in London's West End, (or a nice cup of tea, as they say in England) and even more so than having a pint at the local pub believe it or not.
Ever since the Duchess of Bedford, one of Queen Victoria's ladies in waiting decided that a cup of tea, along with a few nice savory and sweet snacks, would tide her over between launch and dinner, and since then, the afternoon tea break has become a national pastime.
In West London, there are numerous places to enjoy your afternoon tea, including the posh Palm Court at the Ritz Hotel Piccadilly, to that well fortified position, of Britannia, Brown's. The English Tea Room at Brown's in Mayfair has once again received an Award of Excellence, by The Tea Guild, for their Top London Afternoon Tea 2008.
Here are just two or three hotels I recommend in West London:
The Classic Tea: The elegant Connaught Hotel on Carlos Street in fashionable Mayfair, has always hosted a spot on afternoon tea in the impressive drawing room, but with the recent opening of its sem-circular glassed in terrace, it has become the place to enjoy a cup of tea. The usual fare - cucumber and watercress sandwiches, scones with Devonshire clotted cream; and a triple tier of even more sinful desserts - is served on blue - patterned Limoges porcelain from 3:30 to 5:30 pm daily. The cost is about $36 US. 1 Carlos Place, Mayfair.
The Regal Tea: The Orangery, Kensington Palace. What better place to enjoy your afternoon respite than the glass-roofed, palm filled Orangery, on the grounds of Kensington Palace. Choose the traditional tea ($19) which includes cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches, scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam, Orangery cake and choice of tea; or upgrade to the "Sharing Plate" ($26), which features an array of English cheeses and wine.
The Orangery offers the usual teas, but for something different, why not try Tregothnan, England's first home grown tea, from an estate in Cornwall. Afternoon tea is served daily until 6 pm.
Also, I have recently learned that Claridge's is delighted to announce that they are now serving all of the Tregnothnan English Estate teas.
More coming.....
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