The team’s mission at King Street Townhouse is for you to become a regular. It is reflected in the quality of the cuisine, wonderful service and chic comfort of the hotel. In this spirit, Chef Danny Lockwood changes up the Afternoon Tea menu every few weeks, so if you do become a patron, you can enjoy a slightly different experience each time.

The overall vibe is glam library. There are plenty of nooks for confessionals or bigger plush seating areas for celebrations.

Sip Laurent Perrier Champagne, if you wish, whilst perusing the loose-leaf tea menu, a selection from fine tea house Newby. There are all the usual suspects, like English Breakfast and Earl Grey, along with some more exciting brews like the refreshing strawberry and mango black tea.

There are two options – Afternoon Tea and the High-Tea. A common misconception is that Afternoon Tea and High Tea are the same, however Afternoon Tea features sandwiches, scones and patisserie, whereas High Tea comes with warm savouries. By origin, the latter doesn’t have sweets, but this varies venue to venue, so always check!

If you would like to go down the traditional route, you can enjoy all the trappings of Afternoon Tea, sandwiches, scones and of course, patisserie. For those who enjoy more savoury cuisine, the High Tea, with a selection of warm canapes and ending in a cheese board.

The traditional Afternoon Tea is presented on an elegant three-tier stand. Sandwiches are on the bottom plate, then scones with clotted cream, and finally on the top is the patisserie selection.

There are some refreshingly different choices in the classic sandwich line-up. The beef pastrami, mustard and gherkin on rye was a welcome addition to the lineup as well as the chicken and bacon Ceasar on cereal bread.

On the Vegetarian menu, there was a hoisin duck finger sandwich that tasted so convincingly of duck, I double checked it was Vegetarian (!) The Coronation cauliflower filling is inspired, rich curried mayonnaise mixes with sultanas, this was my personal favourite.

The scones are baked to perfection, fluffy on the inside with just a little bite, with one each of sultana and plain.

The patisserie is the exact right amount – not too much or too little and you can finish them without feeling over full. The malt chocolate torte manages to be rich and light all at once. The carrot cake is moist and nutty. A quality macaroon should have a crisp but delicate shell with just a little chew in the meringue. The rhubarb and ginger macaroon passes with flying colours! My personal favourite was the lemon, blueberry and lavender cake. It looks like modern art piece, all beautiful cake with carefully placed purple and pink gels. It tastes like your favourite ever lemon drizzle cake with just a hint of lavender.  

If you just love canapes, the High Tea is must try - think luxury beige buffet. Smoked salmon is perched on herby crème fraiche on top of a fluffy blini. There’s a delicious pork, apple and black pudding mini pork pie. Then, last but not least, a cheeseboard featuring an array of locally sourced cheeses and complimenting crackers.

The friendly waiting-on staff will ensure you are well fed and watered throughout the experience.  And you will leave already thinking of an excuse to return, so their carefully crafted plan has worked.