A festive afternoon tea at Lancaster London

Christmas movies are all over the telly, and I’m way over my self-imposed quota of one mince pie a day – but as we all know, ’tis the season to be jolly and indulge…

After a busy morning of last-minute shopping today with my sister, there was nothing I wanted to do more than to eat and relax – and so we did, at Lancaster London. We were booked in for the Champagne Festive Afternoon Tea – a delicious and filling afternoon tea with a Christmas twist.

We were greeted with a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne upon arrival at the hotel’s Lounge Bar, before our lovely waiter Monir proceeded to explain about the afternoon tea: the three-tier stand features a tier of sweet treats and two tiers of savouries, which can be topped up if you’d like more.

The scones are freshly baked on request – they take six minutes in the oven, according to Monir – so once you’ve finished your sarnies, you just have to let the waiter know you’re ready for the scones. The soft and light scones, smothered in clotted cream, were one of my favourite elements of the afternoon tea.

Just before the afternoon tea was served, we were presented with an extensive and unique tea menu to choose from. I went for the Persian Pomegranate tea, my sister went for the Spicy Chai. The waiter brought us each our own pot with a hourglass timer to ensure we gave the teas an optimum brew. A lovely touch.

The savouries in the tea included smoked salmon (with grain mustard & honey cream cheese – really nice), cucumber, egg and cress sandwiches as well as a coronation chicken tartlet and roast beef filled Yorkshire pudding with horseradish cream.

As well as freshly baked scones, served with strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream, the other desserts included white chocolate and raspberry lolly pops (they have popping candy on top, and sort of explode in your mouth!), apple and honey cupcakes (yum), passion fruit and raspberry macarons, lemon fruit tarts and caramel and hazelnut tranche.

The afternoon tea experience in the cosy Lounge Bar was friendly and relaxed – it was the perfect way to continue the Christmas festivities.

Just five more sleeps…

The festive tea is on at Lancaster London until 11 January 2015. Find out more and book at www.lancasterlondon.com

Exclusive offer: get a free glass of fizz when you book Afternoon Tea at Lancaster London – simply quote ‘Luxe’ when booking or on arrival at the hotel