Afternoon Tea Awards 2025 - 'Award of Excellence'

This season, Origin Kensington at the Royal Garden Hotel welcomes guests to experience a thoughtfully curated Afternoon Tea that celebrates the richness of British culinary heritage with a fresh, contemporary perspective. Showcasing seasonal ingredients and elegant craftsmanship, the experience invites guests to slow down and savour one of London's most iconic traditions in the heart of Kensington.

Awarded Two AA Rosettes, Origin Kensington is renowned for its modern British cuisine, championing quality local produce with refined simplicity. Afternoon Tea begins with a selection of premium loose-leaf teas, expertly prepared at the table, before guests enjoy an assortment of handcrafted savouries. Delicate finger sandwiches include Smoked salmon with cream cheese, preserved lemon and chive served in a buttery croissant, Norfolk coronation chicken with raisin, and Cucumber with chive cream, accompanied by a Clonakilty black pudding and apricot sausage roll and a Caramelised shallot and Graceburn cheese tart.

No British afternoon tea is complete without freshly baked scones. Guests can enjoy both traditional buttermilk and orange and morello cherry scones, served warm with Rodda's Cornish clotted cream, house-made strawberry and lime jam, and tangy kalamansi curd.

The experience concludes with a vibrant collection of handcrafted pastries, each balancing classic flavours with contemporary techniques. Highlights include a Raspberry & lychee tart, Bourbon biscuit & chocolate ganache, Blueberry & yuzu macaron, and Vanilla & cherry choux bun with cherry confit.

Overlooking the leafy expanse of Kensington Gardens and just a short stroll from Kensington Palace, Origin Kensington provides an elegant setting to enjoy one of Britain's most enduring rituals. Combining relaxed sophistication with warm hospitality, it offers a quintessentially London experience for visitors and locals alike.

Whether marking a special celebration, catching up with friends or enjoying a leisurely weekend in the capital, Afternoon Tea at Origin Kensington offers a memorable way to experience modern British dining.

Available Thursday to Sunday, from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM, Afternoon Tea is priced at £45 per adult and £25 per child. Guests may enhance the experience with a glass of English sparkling wine or a signature cocktail for an additional £12. Plant-based and children's menus are also available.