How to feast like a king
The best coronation afternoon teas, treats and stays
As the coronation approaches, here’s my pick of royal-themed teas and events, to whet your appetite.
Highgrove Gardens tour and cream tea, Gloucestershire
Starting off with the ultimate, enjoy a cream tea at King Charles’ country house, Highgrove. His Gloucestershire home is continuing to open its famous gardens through the summer on select dates from April to September. You can take a tour of the gardens, followed by afternoon tea in the Orchard Room.
Visit highgrovegardens.com
Royal afternoon tea at Cliveden House, Buckinghamshire
I’ve mentioned Cliveden before, but the beautiful historical home, not far from Windsor, is also a spectacular place to enjoy afternoon tea. It has hosted every British monarch since King George I and you can enjoy a Great Royal Gardens afternoon tea, to celebrate the coronation. The menu was inspired by flowers in the Kings’ Royal Gardens and includes products from Sandringham’s farm, such as the magnolia and honey cake. Yum.
Visit clivedenhouse.co.uk
Coronation beer from Windsor & Eton Brewery
For a royally-approved beverage, raise a glass of the new coronation beer from Windsor & Eton Brewery. Return of the King is their first fully-organic beer brewed in Windsor, using barley from the Royal Farm and English hops. Pre-order here. You can also take a tour of the brewery.
Visit webrew.co.uk/events/
Royal afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace, London
The Rubens at the Palace is the closest hotel you can get to Buckingham Palace, so it’s celebrating its royal links with a coronation afternoon tea. With sandwiches, pastries and scones, you can also have it delivered to addresses in London. As well as the tea, the hotel is hosting a special coronation Indian feast with entertainment on May 4, followed by a Lanson Champagne dinner on May 5.
Visit rubenshotel.com
Sleep Like a King at the Hyatt Regency Churchill, London
For a royal treat, the Hyatt Regency Churchill is running a Sleep Like a King package from May 1 – 10. You can enjoy a VIP check-in in the Regency Club Lounge, before heading to a Regency Suite. Dine on a coronation dinner for two, with a menu inspired by King Charles’ favourite dishes and end the evening with drinks at The Churchill Bar and Terrace. To book, call +44 20 7486 5800 or email guestpersonalisation.hrlondon@hyatt.com
Coronation icing workshop and afternoon tea at Biscuiteers, London
For a fun day’s activity, book into a Coronation Icing Workshop and afternoon tea at the Biscuiteers Icing Cafes in Notting Hill and Belgravia. They have a School of Icing for budding bakers to perfect their royal icing skills (pun intended), plus special coronation afternoon teas and pastries.
Visit biscuiteers.com
Coronation afternoon tea and dinner at The Goring, London
Another hotel with celebrated royal links, is The Goring, which I have written about before. The only hotel to have been granted a Royal Warrant is serving a coronation afternoon tea, with its usual finesse. Plus, it is running a limited-edition Coronation Tasting Menu in the Dining Room.
Visit thegoring.com
The Coronation Box street-party hamper
For those who want to dine like the King at home, Forman & Field gourmet delivery service has launched a street-party hamper for the coronation. Designed to showcase the King’s favourite food, it includes items such as, smoked salmon royal fillet tartare infused with Martini; wild mushroom risotto scotch eggs, sausage rolls filled with welsh lamb, a pot of Coronation Chicken and the “King of Puddings”. A hamper for two costs £99.95, including delivery.
Visit formanandfield.com
Book a coronation stay at The Guardsman
Another hotel on the doorstep of Buckingham Palace is the exquisite The Guardsman. It’s offering a four-night package, The New Guard over the coronation weekend and throughout May. The New Guard includes four nights in a Guardsman Room, a Royally Good Afternoon Tea (or picnic) and a Palatial Feast consisting of a set-menu dinner inspired from A Royal Cookbook – the approved cook book from the Royal Household.
3D coronation cake at Pennyhill Park
Finally, how about a 3D coronation cake from the head chef at Pennyhill Park. This lovely hotel and spa in Surrey is a great place for a weekend away - I visited here many years ago. The cake was created by executive chef and Bake Off: The Professionals finalist, Sarah Frankland and will appear on afternoon tea menus at the hotel and other Exclusive Collection hotels, including South Lodge in Sussex, Lainston House in Hampshire, The Manor House in Wiltshire, Fanhams Hall in Hertfordshire, and Royal Berkshire.
Visit exclusive.co.uk
My guide to what’s on over the coronation weekend, is coming soon.
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