Afternoon Tea
Get immersed in history
St. James’s Hotel and Club offers an historical themed 1840 Afternoon Tea, designed by Executive Chef William Drabble of in-house Michelin Star Restaurant Seven Park Place. Guests will be transported to Victorian times and taste classic cakes of that period, keeping its originality but with slight modern-day twist.
Afternoon Tea originated in 1840 when Anna Russell, the Duchess of Bedford and great friend of Queen Victoria, complained of a ‘sinking feeling’ and started inviting friends to join her at Woburn
Abbey for cakes and tea in the mid-afternoon. The ritual of Afternoon Tea quickly became established in upper class households and it wasn’t long before Queen Victoria became an advocate of the concept.
St. James’s Hotel and Club is keen to capture these traditions and Drabble has created a selection of sweet treats and sandwiches based on authentic recipes and favourites of Queen Victoria. He was inspired by recipes by the Head Chef at St. James’s Club in the early 1800s, Charles Elmé Francatelli, who then went on to be Chief Cook for Queen Victoria in 1840 and later became the General Manager of St. James’s Club.
The tea features highlights from Victorian times including a Tipsy Cake, soaked in sherry and served with custard, profiteroles, lemon drizzle cake, custard tart and a classic Victoria Sponge Cake.
Other dishes include Cheshire cheese scones, made with the oldest recorded British cheese, plain scones with jam and clotted cream as well as an array of traditional savoury sandwiches. All served on Victorian inspired Burleigh’s Blue Asiatic Pheasants crockery and washed down with a cup of an exclusive fine loose tea blend from The East India Company - created especially for the hotel – or for those in the mood for something fizzy, St. James’s Hotel and Club’s finest Champagne.
1840 Afternoon Tea costs £40.00 per person (including VAT) and is served daily from 3.00pm to 5.30pm in the chic Bistro or in the Club Lounge. For more information please call +44 (0) 20 7316 1620 or email restaurant@stjameshotelandclub.com.
1840 Package
St. James’s Hotel and Club offers an historical themed 1840 Afternoon Tea, designed by Executive Chef William Drabble of in-house Michelin Star Restaurant Seven Park Place. Guests will be transported to Victorian times and taste classic cakes of that period, keeping its originality but with slight modern-day twist.
Make your Afternoon Tea experience extra special with a welcome glass of Delamotte Champagne or Delamotte Rose Champagne.
This package includes:
- Welcome glass of of Delamotte Champagne or Delamotte Rose Champagne
- 1840 Afternoon Tea including a section of sandwiches, Scones & traditional Afternoon tea pastries
From £52.00 per person (including VAT)
- Please inform our staff about any intolerances or allergies. Not all intolerances can be catered with this afternoon tea but we will be delighted to offer you a special alternative.