What could be a more perfect venue for a quintessentially British tradition than one of the capital’s most iconic and oldest landmarks? In Westminster Abbey, where British monarchs have been coronated, married, and even buried since 1066, guests can have an afternoon tea that they won’t forget.
Found within the Abbey’s medieval cloisters is the Cellarium Cafe and Terrace, the setting for Westminster Abbey’s afternoon tea. A somewhat hidden gem tucked away from the busy streets of central London, the Cellarium is a calm, bright hideout that offers breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea menus.
The cafe is set over two floors and boasts a stunning glass roof so you can gaze up at the Abbey’s impressive spires and Medieval architecture as you make your way through your tower of sandwiches and treats. The Cellarium is part of the 14th-century fabric of Westminster Abbey and was where the monks kept their stores of food and drink. Today it continues in the tradition of hospitality as the Abbey’s on-site cafe.
But what’s actually on offer when you have afternoon tea at Westminster Abbey? The menu changes often, with an offering that depends on seasonal offerings and special events taking place. Previous afternoon tea offerings, for example, have drawn from details of King Charles’s upbringing (to commemorate his coronation) and French patisserie tradition, among other sources of inspiration.
Creation Afternoon Tea at Westminster Abbey
The current afternoon tea offering draws from the abbey’s incredible history, with a particular inspiration found in the gardens. Tieing in with Westminster Abbey’s summer series of events, Creation at Westminster Abbey, the afternoon tea celebrates nature and “the historic hidden gardens of the 1,000-year-old royal church”.
On offer for guests is a dazzling array of sweet and savoury treats crafted by Benugo pastry chefs. These range from the red onion tart with lemon ricotta and pea shoots to the passion fruit and chocolate tart, as well as assorted macaroons, lemon drizzle cake with lemon curd and lemon balm, viola flower homemade scones, and much more. Stunning food in jaw-dropping locales – what more could you ask for?
Find out more about the afternoon tea here. Get tickets to Westminster Abbey here.
Find Westminster Abbey on Dean’s Yard, SW1P 3PA.