Summer afternoon tea at Cellarium Café at Westminster Abbey

This week (August 12 – August 18) marks Afternoon Tea Week, and with so many afternoon teas in London vying for your attention it can be a tough choice to settle on a spot.

But if you happen to be in Westminster Abbey this summer, there’s an afternoon tea you can try that gives you views of the Abbey priced at just £36.

Cellarium Café is located within the former cloisters of the Abbey, which you’ll find in the Dean’s quarters away from the hustle and bustle of the main part of the Abbey.

Cellarium Café is located within the former cloisters of the Abbey. (Image: Emily Davison)

The Abbey dates to 755 and was rebuilt back in 1065, when it was consecrated by Edward the Confessor, with the knave being the only remaining part of the Norman structure.

The Abbey has been the centre point of many world events over the years, holding the recent coronation of King Charles III and the lying in state of Queen Elizabeth II.

So it’s quite a novel experience to have afternoon tea within such a profound landmark that has stood the test of time for over 1000 years.

Their current afternoon tea celebrates the 900-year-old garden of the Abbey, which was used by monks to grow medicinal herbs and food, and coincides with a calendar of summer events held within the garden.

Their current afternoon tea celebrates the 900-year-old garden of the Abbey. (Image: Emily Davison)

The current afternoon tea has been created by Benugo pastry chefs, with nods to nature from floral garnishes to decorative butterflies.

The afternoon tea comes served on individual tea stands finished with edible grass and butterflies, and you can also add a glass of Chapel Down sparkling wine.

You also get to choose between a selection of teas, along with coffees and hot chocolate too.

The savouries served for this afternoon tea included a cucumber, feta cream and tomato tapenade sandwich, truffle egg mayonnaise and red vein sorrel brioche roll, a hot-smoked trout, creamed horseradish, baby watercress, puff pastry vol-au-vent, and a pea and red onion tart with lemon ricotta.

The afternoon tea comes served on individual tea stands finished with edible grass and butterflies. (Image: Emily Davison)

All the savouries were very good, in particular I liked the variety on offer and that there was a varied selection other than just sandwiches.

This was followed by a freshly baked scone served with jam and cream and a selection of themed sweet treats.

For sweet treats we tried a passion fruit and chocolate tart finished with decorative flowers, as well as a white cholate and pistachio tart, both of which have a really great mix of flavours, although the white chocolate and pistachio was a personal favourite.

This was finished with a macaroon and a lemon drizzle cake served with lemon curd and lemon balm, which was also very flavourful and had a spongey light texture.

All in all I really appreciated the attention to detail with the afternoon tea, and combined with the scenic surroundings it’s a little slice of tranquillity within such a busy part of London, reminding you to look for nature that can be hidden in the most unsuspecting of locations.