Afternoon Tea Week Continues

Save on Four Fantastic Teas until August 31st

Visit AfternoonTea.co.uk to receive up to 30% off regular-priced teas in honor of Afternoon Tea Week.

The Berkeley (London) — Prêt-à-Portea features Spring/Summer 2017 fashions that have been made into biscuits, cakes and other sweets.  These include Dolce & Gabbana's midi dress, Gucci's Breton jumper*, Miu Miu's retro bikini and Mulberry's Pembroke bag.  Tea with champagne is priced at £52 per person.
www.the-berkeley.co.uk ✆ +44 2072 356000
Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL

Cinnamon Soho (London) — For a savory, Indian take on afternoon tea give High Chai at Cinnamon Club's Soho location a try. This affordable tea (£22.50 for two) includes bite-size portions of lamb slider and tandoori chicken with chutney sandwich accompanied along with delicious Masala spiced chai tea.
www.cinnamonsoho.com ✆ +44 2074 3716640

5 Kingly Street. London W1B 5PF

Hotel Café Royal (London) — Hotel Café Royal offers an award-winning glamorous and glitzy in the Oscar Wilde Bar, where Oscar Wilde himself once dined regularly. Dating back to 1865, the room has been restored to its original Louis XVI gilded splendor. Their tea was named the Best Traditional Afternoon Tea in the UK at the Afternoon Tea Awards 2017.  Afternoon Tea is available for £41.25 this month.
www.hotelcaferoyal.com/afternoon-tea ✆ +44 2074 063310
68 Regent Street , London, W1B 4DY

Warren House (Kingston-upon-Thames) — Enjoy afternoon tea in this Victorian Grade II listed home surrounded by beautiful gardens set on four acres.  If you are lucky (and the weather cooperates), afternoon tea can be taken on the outside terrace tables.  Afternoon tea is discounted to £20.25 per person in August.
www.warrenhouse.com ✆ +44 2085 471777
Warren Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT2 7HY

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Wet and Wild Rides

Where to enjoy the last days of summer

Lee Valley Water Centre (Hertfordshire) — Lee Valley is a white water slalom centre that was used during the 2012 Olympic Games and has played host to the 2015 Canoe Slalom World Championships.

The white water rafting session includes basic paddling skills, safety and how to conquer the same rapids used by Olympic canoeists. To say the least, I am far from a confident swimmer, but did manage to pass the activity assessment. This was just the beginning of the workout. Unlike traditional white river rafting where you pass one rapid after another, they have the ability to send you back through the grade 4 rapids you just completed (often times more than once).

Given the risk of tumbling in and the need to move quickly and work as a team, I came to appreciate that rafters needed to be at least 14 years of age to raft on the Olympic course. Other water sports include canoeing, a floating obstacle course, hydrospeeding, kayaking, paddle boarding and tubing.
www.gowhitewater.co.uk ✆ +44 3000 030616
Station Road, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire EN9 1AB

Liquid Leisure (Berkshire) — Liquid Leisure boasts Europe’s largest aqua parks and one of the most comprehensive cable parks in the world.

Our first time out, we made the mistake of going when the cable was running at regular speed. Being new to wakeboarding, I ended up spending the entire session just trying to make it around the first corner. On a return visit with the cable set at slow speed, we were much more successful - making it around the park multiple times.

Unlike snowboarding or skiing where you have to get off and go back up the lift, once you master getting off the dock and negotiating corners you can continue to go around the park on your own as long as you can stay on and within your allotted time.

Other activities include banana boat rides, paddle boarding, water skiing and zorbing.  If you get a bit cold or need a break, you can head to the hot tub or the heated glass room to warm up. They also offer on-site camping with lake views, shower facilities and even BBQ complete with a bar.
www.liquidleisure.com ✆ +44 1753 542500
Horton Road, Berkshire SL3 9HY

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Entertaining Food

Seven places where food and entertainment go hand in hand

Chin Chin Labs  (Multiple)— As Europe's first liquid nitrogen ice cream shop, Chin Chin Labs makes each scoop from scratch. In addition to their version of chocolate and vanilla, the menu changes weekly with creative flavors like Basil Chocolate Chip, Blueberry Marshmallow, Gin Fizz Sorbet and Pink Guava and Pepper Crack to name a few. If you are not adventurous to try these, the Brown-wich (Pondicherry vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two cookies) is an easy go-to favorite.
www.chinchinlabs.com

Fat Duck (Bray) — For true foodies or those that want to experience food as performance art, this Heston Blumenthal three Michelin star restaurant has been previously recognized as Best Restaurant in the UK and World. Each course is beautifully presented and made memorable as evidenced by the many diners taking photos. It is too bad that their lunch is now priced the same as dinner and on the expensive side.
www.thefatduck.co.uk ✆ +44 1628 580333
High Street, Bray, Berkshire SL6 2AQ

I Falafel (London) — While wandering Petticoat Lane Market, we were given a free, hot full-size falafel sample. This is apparently how they get you to join the queue. However, the line goes quickly with prep time of less than 20 seconds per wrap. So fast, I only managed to record the last seconds of my delicious order.
✆ +44 7479 865005
3-40 New Goulston Street, London E1 7TP

Inamo  (Multiple) — Inamo is considered London's only interactive restaurant where guests control their dining experience.  The digital projections on your table surface can be changed with a swipe of a finger, including selecting a tablecloth, ordering, watching the chefs and playing retro games.  The Asian cuisine meant to be shared includes award-winning fresh sushi.
www.inamo-restaurant.com

Jin Go Gae  (New Malden) — This local, family-run restaurant serves up authentic Korean BBQ grilled at your table. Order the two-portion marinated meats which include beef, chicken, duck, pork or squid. Your meal comes with traditional Korean small starters known as 'banchan', including kim-chi (spicy preserved cabbage), seasoned beansprouts and pickled raddish. No reservations are taken for lunch so prepare to queue.
www.jingogae.co.uk ✆ +44 2089 492506
272 Burlington Road, New Malden KT3 4NL

Milk Train (London) — Who can resist soft serve ice cream served on a cloud of candy floss*? After selecting from vanilla and green tea flavors hojicha and matcha, you can add extra toppings and sauces for a truly unique concoction. There is always a queue, but everyone ends up leaving a with a smile.
44 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9HA

Yo Sushi (Multiple) — Yo Sushi is an affordable and efficient sushi place. They have a wide selection of items and kids will enjoy watching the chefs make the sushi and selecting items from the conveyor belt as it goes around. Hot items such as dumplings can be ordered too.
www.yosushi.com


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Iconic London Shops

While Harrod's may be considered a 'must see' shopping destination, there are two other iconic flagship shops in London:

Fortnum & Mason — Founded in 1707, Fortnum & Mason located in Piccadilly is considered to be London's oldest department store. Fortnum's signature, luxury picnic hampers, which made their debut in Victorian times at Royal Ascot and Henley Regatta, are still popular today. The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon opened by HM The Queen is the perfect place to have a traditional afternoon tea and enjoy Fortnum's famous loose-leaf tea. Even if you are not a shopper, the colorful, creative window displays located throughout the store and stairwells are worth stopping in for.
www.fortnumandmason.com ✆ +44 2077 348040

181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER

Liberty London — It is hard to miss the Tudor revival building resembling a large home located on Regent Street. Indeed off the three large atriums, there are smaller 'rooms' (some even with fireplaces) that makes it feels as though you are wandering through someone's home. Since 1875, Liberty has been best-known for its in-house collection of print fabrics. Today, Liberty continues to collaborate with designers and has expanded its eclectic offerings beyond fashion to include cosmetics, home decor and jewellery*.
www.libertylondon.com ✆ +44 2077 341234
Regent St, Carnaby, London W1B 5AH, UK

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