Fans from around the world in search of the ultimate British afternoon tea needn’t look any further. Join chief food critic Richard Vines for a cuppa at some of London’s top spots.
Bloomberg Quint | September 2019
Keep your ion the science afternoon tea over at The Ampersand Hotel because it’s out of this world. Taking inspiration from their neighbour, the Science Museum, these guys have been mixing foodie chemicals to create an afternoon tea you’ll remember. Expect rhubarb and orange petri dish jelly, chocolate and coconut half-moon cake, and maybe even a dinosaur dark chocolate fossil hidden within some chocolate ‘soil’.
The Handbook London | August 2019
A boffin-themed afternoon tea at the nearby Ampersand Hotel is a popular pre or post-museum stop-off, so you’ll need to book ahead. Children will be wide-eyed at the petite planet-shaped cakes, petri-dish jellies and edible fossils, all served on a rocket shaped cake stand.
TimeOut London | July 2019
After touring the Science Museum, visit the neighbouring Ampersand Hotel for a creative afternoon tea inspired by the museum, including a kid-friendly version. Kids can eat off petri dishes, crunch into edible fossils, drink potions from test tubes and bite into delicious cake planets for pudding.
Culture Whisper | June 2019
Not far from the Natural History and Science museums in South Kensington, Ampersand Hotel offers an award-winning Science Afternoon Tea. This fun interactive experience, held in the artful Drawing Rooms, sets the table with glass beakers, tubes, and Petri dishes.
National Geographic | May 2019
Tucked away in South Kensington, this chic, laid back, family-friendly hotel is perfectly placed for family excursions to London’s popular museums and parks. The Science Museum, The Natural History Museum, The V&A and Hyde Park are a short walk away, making it an ideal hub to crash out at after a day out in the capital.
MSN | April 2019
South Kensington is oddly short on brunch options. Happily, Apero, a chirpy Mediterranean restaurant in the vaulted cellars of pretty boutique hotel, the Ampersand, is here to fill the gap. It’s calm and relaxed, and surprisingly reasonably prices.
Spectator Life | March 2019
In the museum district, The Ampersand is an overlooked treasure. Perfect for larger groups, the interconnected suites and kitchenettes make for a great retreat from the crowded exhibitions across the road. Kids are kitted out with mini bathrobes and an assortment of sweet sci-fi treats at the children’s science themed afternoon tea.
The New Zealand Herald | February 2019
Ampersand Hotel’s Science Afternoon Tea is another of London’s themed offerings which cater for vegans. The extensive, explosive meal was put together in collaboration with the nearby Science Museum.
The Londonist | January 2019
Take the kids to the Science Museum in South Kensington at half-term then head to the nearby Ampersand Hotel for its themed afternoon tea which allows them to dust for mini dinosaur biscuit ‘fossils’ beneath chocolate soil.
The Times | October 2018
This quirky hotel has fun interiors with velvet and ornithological wallpapers, a High Tea inspired by the nearby Science Museum and a restaurant set in a completely renovated 19th century vault. May the Ampersand mark the beginning of your new love affair with London.
British Airways | September 2018
Set in the gorgeous light-filled (and velvet armchair-scattered) Drawing Rooms at The Ampersand hotel, the hotel’s new take on the famous Science Tea is…a grown-up twist on the Science Museum-inspired menu.
Country & Town House | August 2018
Situated a temptingly close walk from some of the capital’s finest designer boutiques, the Ampersand hotel in South Kensington is the perfect location for the keen shopper.
Sphere | August 2018
If school science had been as great as the Science Afternoon Tea at the Ampersand we would have got way better grades.
easyJet Traveller | June 2018
Inspired by homespun and nostalgic dining experience, The Ampersand Hotel’s Italian restaurant Apero ha launched a new weekend brunch menu that is the epitome of family feasting.
Luxury Lifestyle | April 2018
Inspired by its South Kensington neighbour, the Science Museum, afternoon tea at luxury hotel The Ampersand may come served on a classic three-tier stand, but the rest is anything but traditional. The Ampersand’s swish interiors and perfectly toasted scones will keep even the most sophisticated tea-drinker happy.
Time Out | March 2018
This boutique hotel, which is perfectly placed for exploring London’s Museum Mile, is quiet and intimate but also laid back and intimidating – which makes it an ideal choice for families.
The Telegraph | February 2018
Afternoon tea conjured ideas of civilised enjoyment and relaxation. Science on the other hand generates visions of the periodic table, inconceivable equations and black holes; in essence things that are difficult to get your head around. Combine the two and you get a science-themed afternoon tea complete with a mint and chocolate planet shaped mousse with spacemen and almond short-bread dinosaur and fossil chocolate box.
The Handbook | October 2016
The mahogany seating in Apero, white tiled cellar walls, and bare brick nooks make for a simple but elegant brunch stop before exploring the areas museums.
The Independent | September 2016
The rooms are worth a visit in themselves. Individually styled (with suites possessing their own private balcony, perfect for watching the sun set over the London skyline from), the design aesthetic emanates from the surrounding area of London – particularly the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum – with all 111 rooms having designs revolving around botany, music, geometry and ornithology (ours focused on astronomy).
Wonderland | July 2016
Its arty décor is inspired by the nearby museums, it has a pretty tea salon plus a Mediterranean-themed restaurant.
The Times | October 2018
Fresh, welcoming and carefully considered, the interior defies Kensington stereotypes by being fun and exuberant rather than formal and old-fashioned. The restaurant, Apero, is worth a visit in its own right.
The Sunday Telegraph | September 2014
Is that not the most amazing looking tea? An incredible-looking and tasting tea, featuring such delights as white chocolate scones, hazelnut walnut and chocolate cake with a chocolate dinosaur (yes, a dinosaur) and a raspberry cake planet. It’s tea from another dimension.
The Guardian Online | March 2014
Guests can visit Apero, the hotel’s modern Mediterranean restaurant, or perhaps while away the night in the ‘wine room’, sampling some of the fine wines stored in the hotel’s cellar. There are 111 rooms, including a wide selection of studios and suites – a perfect base for those staying in the city.
Condè Nast Traveller | March 2014
We looked for a catch, but couldn’t find one: the location’s fantastic, the bedrooms are sleek and stylish, with more flamboyant décor in the drawing rooms; and the staff are young and willing. An added bonus is the basement bistro, which has a real neighbourhood buzz, and a Mediterranean tapas-style menu created by the head chef, Chris Golding.
The Sunday Times | February 2014
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