What could be a more perfect venue for a quintessentially British tradition than in 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 refreshes its 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 responds to the going-ons of the world. Previous afternoon tea offerings, for example, have drawn from details of King Charles’s upbringing (to commemorate his coronation) among other sources of inspiration.
As part of Westminster Abbey’s Fraternité, a season of events exploring and celebrating the history between the UK and France and their national churches, Westminster Abbey and Notre Dame, the Cellarium are soon to start offering a French-inspired afternoon tea in homage to the Notre Dame in Paris. Guests can expect a mix of sweet and savoury treats crafted by Benugo pastry chefs to pay tribute to the iconic Parisian cathedral, and of course, the French Capital’s world-renowned patisserie. Think pan bagnat, a French sandwich that’s a speciality in Nice, macarons, crème patisserie tart with fresh fruit, mini chocolate orange tart, and mini opera cake.
As part of their Fraternité programme, Westminster Abbey will be hosting the world-touring Notre Dame de Paris, The Augmented Exhibition from February 7 to June 1. The immersive exhibition will transport guests through the long history of Notre Dame in Paris, using a touch-screen tablet given to guests to explore key moments in the church’s history as they walk through the exhibition.
Find out more about the afternoon tea here.
Find Westminster Abbey on Dean’s Yard, SW1P 3PA.