Though London isn’t exactly short on Alice in Wonderland-themed afternoon teas – both the Taj 51 hotel and The Sanderson have also boasted their own version – we’ll never say no to another one. London’s appetite for Alice remains undimmed over 150 years after Lewis Carroll’s tales were first published, and boutique hotel The Franklin London is satisfying that appetite with their own charming Alice afternoon tea.
In partnering with the V&A Museum, The Franklin created an afternoon tea to delight the senses. It takes quite the journey, imagining what Alice would want after a hallucinogenic trip through Wonderland. They’ve landed on a course of delectable sandwiches, such as a crab bun with soy mayo, avocado, cucumber, and lime, and beetroot pita, with burrata and bresaola. I’m into it.
The Alice afternoon tea continues with a ‘Brownie Hat’, filled with pecan sablé, kataifi pastry, brownie sponge and soft pecan cream, and carrot caramel cupcake filled with orange sablé, caramel mousse and meringue, and topped with a white rabbit and a caterpillar. Forget snacking when you emerge from Wonderland, I could eat this lot any day of the week and be perfectly content.
Scones and red velvet cake round off the sweet treats, and Camellia’s Tea House have provided the tea selection, which includes blends they’ve developed especially for the hotel. Previously, guests could choose a package which guaranteed a spot at the marvellous exhibition but, since it’s now left the V&A, that would be a tad tricky. Still, we’re glad the option for the afternoon tea lives on. You can treat yourself to the champagne afternoon tea, if you’d prefer an altogether bubblier affair at £65. The afternoon tea is available now for £50 per person and you can book your spot here. Off to Wonderland we go!