A dream come true!
I was asked to put together my dream tea trip to London. I did and my friend made it happen for me. Christine Krauss, of Your Vision Travel, took my vision and made it a reality.
I lead a group of 7 women I had never met before through England. We met mainly on Christian Tea Facebook pages. All we had in common was a love of Jesus and Tea.
We arrived Sunday on different planes but met up at Heathrow Airport and headed to our hotel.
We stayed at the Strand Hotel, it was fantastic. And also, just a 20-minute walk from Buckingham Palace. Our rooms were not ready so we decided to head separate ways until 3pm when we could get in our rooms. We had free time until our official welcome dinner at 6pm.
I went online before the trip and purchased tickets to Buckingham Palace. It was one of the last days to tour the palace for the season. And I was glad I purchased a head of time- there were no more tickets available that day. The presale tickets were around 32 Euros. Buying tickets to the palace is also the ONLY way to get to the cafe at the palace. And I wanted to have lunch and tea at the cafe.
I arrived at 6am in London and I made my tickets for 12:30, I wanted to give myself time if there was a delay in flights.
There are several options for tours of the palace. You can do a guided tour of the gardens, as well as touring the golden carriage. I selected the simple palace tour.
It was a beautiful day for a walk.
They said that the tour through the palace could last around 2 hours...I did it in 15 minutes. It was crowded and I really just wanted to get to the cafe. I wasn't able to take photos for insurance reasons, so I just looked at things and power walked through the crowds. I know people would say you paid 32 Euros and you just sped through, but yes, that is what I did.
I also was on a time crunch. I was meeting all the ladies back a the hotel at 3pm to hand out keys. The hotel was kind enough to store our luggage in a secure room for us.
The first place you were allowed to take photos, was this group photo of the Royal Family. Yes, I strategically stood where I stood.
The Palace Cafe was a covered portion of a porch/patio area.
There were lines for food. As you walked towards the check-out you could pick up individual sandwiches and drinks.
At the counter they had delicious looking cakes and pastries.
You could order hot drinks here from the cafe too.
Now I had read online that getting individual sandwiches and desserts was more economical, but I wanted the afternoon tea feel. So, I splurged and bought the afternoon tea tin for 50 Euros, it came with two teas tea. And you get to keep the tin too.
The tea was a strong black English Breakfast tea with milk.
It was tea for two...but I thought it was perfect for one. And I actually was so full, I didn't eat the scones, I saved them and had them for breakfast the next day.
It was so beautifully wrapped in paper. I thought it was scrumptious and I loved it all!! It was the perfect first afternoon tea for me as I had only been in London 6 hours.
Earl Grey fruit scones, with British strawberry jam and clotted cream
Guinness Red Velvet Sponge with Dark Chocolate Ganache, Raspberry and Rose Petals
Lemon Drizzle Loaf, Buckingham Palace Gin and Citrus Zest Icing
Spiced Carrot and Quinoa Cake, Salted Caramel Cream Cheese and Pistachio
Apricot Bakewell Tart, Raspberry Jam, Almond Frangipane and Lavender
Wiltshire Ham, sweet pickle and English mustard mayonnaise
Coronation spiced free range chicken, mango chutney, spinach
Isle of Skye smoked salmon, wild rocket and seaweed creme fraiche
Truffled free range egg mayonnaise, mustard cress, and black pepper
This is the view from the eating area. If you want to sit along the edge, you almost need to have someone save you a seat. Those seats go fast.
Behind me, you can see the cafe area, under the white tent like structure.
If you follow the patch away from the Palace and toward the exit, you come to their gift shop.
There is a really pretty pond on the property too.
The day I was there were thousands of runners for the Vitality 10k. The start line was at the palace. London was crazy that day!! We actually were not able to take our Tube to the hotel, because our Tube line was closed. There were runners everywhere and lots of detours were made. Yet. people were friendly and helpful with change in directions.
I could see in to the guards though.
I walked back to the hotel through St James Park. It was beautiful and quiet...the race was over, lol.
Another day I walked past the palace and there was hardly one there, it gave a nice view of the front of the palace.
Travel note- when heading some where with a different time zone, you want join their time zone. It really does work for avoiding jet lag. I was up for over 30 hours straight and I did great!!!
I recommend Buckingham Palace Cafe. It is just fun to say you had tea at the palace!! The food was good too. I just enjoyed the experience. I do wish you could just go to the cafe and not have to do that tour, but I get it, it is a way to make it special and more exclusive.
Feel free to contact me to lead you or your group in England.
I have a book you can order for the 7-day tour as well.
Why plan your trip to England, when it can be done by experts for you!
Let us make all the plans, remove all the guess work, book all the appointments, reserve all the rooms, confirm everything for you, and guide you seamlessly around England while enjoying tea and giving you free time to do your own exploration.
We’ve already done the hard leg work and recommend these fun tea adventures and ask you to try a new one with us- the River Thames Afternoon Tea cruise.
The days for each activity may change, but this is the itinerary we have planned.
This is a day by day journal of your tea trip to England. See exactly what is planned for each day and journal as you go. Keep track of key memories.
Enjoy afternoon tea on Brigit's Tea Bus, a river cruise down the Thames, at Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) , in Bath at the Jane Austen Regency Center, at Kensington Palace, and at Fortnum and Mason.
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
