Afternoon Tea with a View at the Iconic County Hall

This afternoon tea is served in the historic Library at County Hall, once the Members' Library of London’s County Council. Surrounded by oak bookcases stocked with literary classics, enjoy views of the River Thames, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben.

Traditional Afternoon Tea

A perfect way to spend an afternoon in one of London’s most iconic settings. The cakes, inspired by the stunning views of Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower, are just the start. Pair them with freshly made sandwiches and warm scones, straight from the oven.

Sparkling Afternoon Tea

Enjoy all the traditional afternoon tea delights paired with a refreshing glass of English sparkling wine.

What's On the Menu?

Finger Sandwiches & Tarts:

• Pickled Cucumber, Whipped Cream Cheese and Dill on Wholegrain Bread
• The Library Tea Cured Salmon by H Forman & Sons, Caper Butter on Beetroot Bread
• Coronation Chicken, Mango Chutney on Caraway Bread
• Clarence Court ‘Burford Brown’ Truffled Egg Mayonnaise, Chives on Butter Brioche Bun
• Caramelised Onion & ‘Rosary’ Goats Cheese Tartlet

Scones:

• Golden Raisin - Dorset Clotted Cream, ‘Tiptree’ The Library Strawberry Jam
• Sweet Basil- Tiptree Lemon Curd

Pastries:

• Elizabeth Tower - White chocolate, Passion Fruit & Raspberry
• Strawberry & Basil Roly Poly
• Summer Berry Fruit Tart
• Citrus Curd & Blueberry Crumble
• Rhubarb Delice

Did You Know?

Afternoon tea was first introduced by the Seventh Duchess of Bedford in the early 1840s. The Duchess created the tradition to fill the long gap between lunch and dinner, initially with tea and light snacks. What started as a private ritual soon became a social event, as she invited friends to join her for tea and conversation. This practice quickly gained popularity and became a cherished tradition across London's elite society.