Afternoon Tea in the Heart of Mayfair
The Palm Court offers award-winning English Afternoon Tea on Park Lane. Beautiful Art Deco surroundings take you back in time to a bygone era of style and elegance.
Discover our Exotic Teas
Explore our unique collection of exotic teas - freshly brewed and brought to you from global tea-growing regions for the best flavours and quality, including South Africa and the Wuyi Mountains in the Fujian Province in China.
For a classic option, choose one of our black teas such as Chocolate Chilli Black Tea, Passion Fruit Black Tea or Berry Tea. Alternatively, discover more relaxing options, such as our soothing peppermint tea leaves from Egypt, or a floral and silky Chamomile Tea.
Enjoy our very own Sheraton Grand English Breakfast Tea - with poignant, rich, malty flavours, delicately grown and harvested in the beautifully picturesque, Assam.
Our exotic teas are served with our Afternoon Tea.
Afternoon Tea - A Brief History
Afternoon tea is recognised around the world as being something traditionally British. Nobody knows the exact origins of the Afternoon Tea but one lady features in all theories, Anna, Seventh Duchess of Bedford (1783-1857), lady in waiting to her majesty, Queen Victoria.
Traditionally, dinner was not served until 8.30 or 9.00 in the evening and the Duchess often became hungry, especially in the summer when dinner was served even later. Every afternoon, she experienced a "sinking feeling" and requested sandwiches and cakes between 3pm and 4pm in the afternoon.
Soon others followed the duchess' lead. In 1842, a well-known actress named Fanny Kemble heard of Afternoon Tea, and began to invite some guests to join her. Soon all of fashionable London was sipping tea with a variety of sandwiches on the side. The custom of "taking tea" in the afternoon had become well established, along with a complex set of rules and etiquette.
Afternoon Tea Gift Vouchers
Why not treat your family and friends to a one-of-a-kind Afternoon Tea experience at The Palm Court?
Enjoy traditional service, British tradition and Art Deco atmosphere at The Palm Court. Experience our Afternoon Tea while relaxing with our live pianist!