Christmas Afternoon Tea at Strand Palace Hotel – London

Posted on by Fee Hudson

The usual story, saw it on social media and thought we would give it a try! The Strand Palace Hotel has transformed its afternoon tea room in to an ice palace for the Christmas season, serving a themed afternoon tea that comes with entertainment on a weekend.

A photo of a pink mocktail in a tall glass stood on a white table cloth. Behind can be seen a white teapot and milk jug.
Welcome mocktail
Afternoon tea place setting. A white plate with a silver paper napkin and knife and fork, behind is a white cup and saucer with a tea strainer in it. Stood up behind it is a blue menu with a silver snowflake on the front.
A green cocktail sat on a white table cloth in front of a blue menu with a large silver star.
Gin based cocktail

What to expect:

The themed afternoon tea is served in a side room off the main bar and restaurant, Haxells. The room was decorated like a winter wonderland in blues and whites.

Afternoon tea starts with a cocktail (a mocktail version is available) and then the main event served on a snowman shaped stand.

The tea sitting is accompanied by entertainment, when we were there it was the Ice King who juggles and dazzles with magic.

The Menu:

Savoury – Turkey and Cranberry Mayonnaise Sandwich, Cheddar and Tomato Brioche Bun and Honey Smoked Ham and Wensleydale Wrap.

Sweet – Coconut and Citrus Snowball, White Chocolate and Vanilla Christmas Tree Cakesicle and Mini Gingerbread People.

Scones – Traditional Scones with Cranberry, Raspberry Jam and Clotted Cream.

Teas – Palace Earl Grey, White Peony with Rosebuds, Organic Chamomile Flowers, Covent Garden blend, Pure Organic Spearmint and Palace Breakfast.

A children’s menu, vegan, vegetarian and gluten free are also available.

An 11 year old girl with her hair tied back and tortoise shell glasses is wearing a red and white Christmas jumper. She is holding a triangular shaped cake pop decorated with white chocolate and blue icing.
An 11 year old girl with her hair tied back and tortoise shell glasses is wearing a red and white Christmas jumper. She is sitting next to a large cake stand in the shape of a snowman that is taller than she is. She cake stand is stacked with sandwiches, mini cakes and scones.
An 11 year old girl with her hair tied back and tortoise shell glasses is wearing a red and white Christmas jumper. She is holding a slice of chocolate Swiss roll with white chocolate antlers and a red chocolate ball.

Is it child friendly?

It is definitely child friendly and they were great about bringing Pip extra cocktails as she doesn’t like tea. There were a mixture of diners at the same time as us that ranged from adult only groups to families with very young children. The Ice King was great at keeping everyone entertained whether he was at your table teaching a magic trick or we were watching from afar.

Dress Code:

The Strand Palace hotel is a very nice hotel so while there isn’t a dress code it is worth making sure that you are at least smart. If you want to dress up in your Christmas best then go for it!

An 11 year old girl with her hair tied back and tortoise shell glasses is wearing a red and white Christmas jumper and a black coat. She is sitting on a small sofa under an archway of white branches and fairy lights.
The seating area. there is red banquette seating with a small square and a small round table. Each table also has a white armchair and is set for afternoon tea with a white tease and blue and silver menus.

Location:

The Strand Palace Hotel is on the Strand near Covent Garden.

We visited in November 2023 when Pip was 11.

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