Editor’s blog: My quintessentially British afternoon
Wednesday, 1 August 2012 1:33 PM
Where to start?
In the spirit of celebrating all that is great about London as it enjoys its moment in the global spotlight, I decided to pay a visit to one of the capital’s oldest, and most glamorous, institutions – Harrods – for a champagne afternoon tea. What could be more quintessentially British?
Few places conjure up images of opulence, decadence (and let’s face it, a spoonful of excess) quite like Harrods. Opened in 1849 by Charles Henry Harrod, the Knightsbridge store attracts around 15 million customers every year. These days it is owned by the Qatari royal family who bought the store for 1.5bn in 2010.
With one thing on my mind I made my way to the Georgian Restaurant on the fourth floor – almost as famous as the store itself.
After perusing the tea menu, I opted for Rooibos which was poured delicately through a silver strainer into my Harrods china cup. The tiered afternoon tea tray looked almost too good to eat and whilst I sipped champagne I made a start on the freshly-cut sandwiches. I soon got distracted by the dainty cakes, however, and decided to make them my priority before I got too full!
Some of the treats on offer included Harrods milk chocolate and passion fruit delice, tangy apple macaroons and a light fruit cake. Delicious. The only disappointment was the scones which could have been lighter.
After my quintessentially British afternoon, I managed to make my way home, plonk myself on the sofa and cheer on Team GB, who I’m sure never set their eyes on such indulgences. Oh well, I’m supporting Great Britain – in my own way...
By Sarah Gibbons
I experienced a champagne afternoon tea with Go See Do – a new experience day website. If you don’t fancy indulging yourself, why not opt for a flying lesson? Visit their website for more information.
