So I feel like I need to start this post by asking that important question, how are you? It’s been rough for everyone so I would love to hear how you’re coping in lockdown, what your top tips and tricks have been for surviving isolation and also just how you are feeling! I am definitely having good and bad days but in general I am just very grateful for my families health and our incredible health service here in the UK.
Today I wanted to make an escapism post as I personally have really enjoyed reading all the ‘what is the first thing you’ll do after lockdown’ content online recently! When thinking about the one thing I cannot wait to do after this lockdown is finished, the same thought kept coming up and that was to take my Mum out for an afternoon tea. Afternoon tea is a bit of a special mother-daughter experience for us both, we have always looked for special afternoon teas wherever we have travelled to and like to try out both traditional and weird and wonderful ones!
Our absolute favourite was the Charlie and the Chocolate factory tea at the One Aldwych in London. The hotel itself was amazing (I am very excited to go back and visit their amazing spa!) but the tea was just epic, mince pie flavoured candy floss and delicious cakes and scones (and the best turkey sandwiches ever)
In general I don’t like to go back and repeat experiences but as we went to the Christmas festive tea I think we can risk returning for a celebratory champagne afternoon tea to start the year again (I think we can all agree all the time up until now hasn’t counted!) I think it’s a great time to start planning a few special things you will be doing after the lockdown ends (even if that isn’t for a long time yet)
One way you can do this is to buy gift vouchers for experiences that you can redeem whenever you want to, it’s a way to support the economy by keeping businesses going during this difficult time and it’s a lovely way to have something exciting to look forward to, I think it would make a gorgeous present for someone who has maybe missed their birthdays or a special event during lockdown and a way to spend some time with your loved ones that you’ve not being able to see this year.
You can also take advantage of extra special offers through booking services like SquareMeal, through the website you can check out hundreds of afternoon tea options all over the country with reviews and overviews of the experience listed on each experiences page. You can also collect SquareMeal reward points that can redeemed after you collect 500 points against amazing brands like Bloom & Wild, RayBan and Jo Malone! It’s such a great way to get a little more for your money!
I thought I would share the top 5 afternoon teas I am looking forward to trying in the next year too:
- The Pump Room Afternoon Tea, Bath / Located above the Roman Baths, I’ve long wanted to spend the weekend in Bath experience the baths and no trip would be complete without a quintessential traditional afternoon tea.
- The Art of Travel afternoon tea at St Pancras by Searcys / London. I often travel(led) through St Pancras and it’s such an up and coming area (growing up in London it was definitely an area we were told to avoid!) but now it’s full of amazing shopping and great hotels, plus some incredible afternoon tea options. I think this would be a really lovely option before travelling on the Eurostar for a weekend in Paris (I cannot wait to get travelling again!)
- Theatre ‘Not Afternoon Tea’ at OXO Tower Brasserie / London. Ok a themed musical afternoon tea? Sign me up now! I absolutely live for the theatre and so I will 100% be combining a visit to a show and this tea for an amazing London trip as soon as we can! I am a big Wicked fan, it just speaks to me but I have to admit, I shed a tear at the Lion King (I clearly emotionally invest in the shows I watch)
- Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea at Sanderson / London. One of the first themed afternoon teas and one I still haven’t tried! My Mum is the worlds biggest Alice in Wonderland fan so this is one I cannot wait to surprise her with when lockdown is over!
- Cinnamon Bazaar / London. Both my Mum and I love Indian cuisine and I am very into the idea of mixing 2 of our favourite things, the Indian ‘spring rolls’, pistachio cake and cinnamon macarons already have me drooling…
So that’s my first ‘what I can’t wait to do when lockdown is over’ but now I want to know, what will you be doing as soon as our new normal starts? I hope you are all keeping safe and remember to follow me on social media and let me know how lockdown is treating you!
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