The Orangery at Kensington Palace

On June 19 we visited Kensington Palace - home to Will & Kate.

Complete with stunning gardens

This way; follow me to the Orangery

Nikki Hilton's wedding was held here two weekends after we were there - pretty place for nuptials.

At Kensington Palace in 1704, Queen Anne had an elaborate greenhouse built in the style of an elegant palace to protect her citrus trees from the harsh frosts of winter. She also recognized that The Orangery’s beautiful garden setting and graceful architecture made it a perfect venue for fashionable court entertaining away from the hubbub of Whitehall. 

I adore this China pattern - teal and gold with pops of color.

Egg mayonnaise and cress bridge roll; cucumber and fresh mint sandwiches.

Jeff chose a meatier option

Orange-scented and currant scones served with Cornish clotted cream and English strawberry jam and amazing afternoon tea pastries. 

Langham, London

My first trip across the pond included the Queen's birthday parade (Trooping the Colour), staying at a swanky hotel (the Langham), kayaking the Thames, visiting Hampton Court, the inner circle of Stonehenge at sunset and the Royal Ascot, but no trip to London would be complete without tea!

Welcome to the Palm Court! Famed as the birthplace of Afternoon Tea.

Palm Court has been serving tea to the cream of London society since the Victorian era.

Starting with some bubbly! Beautiful Wedgwood china.

Menu created by Cherish Finden, the Global Chef Award winner 2015 & UK Pastry Chef of the Year 2012. This is my vegetarian version - Burford Brown free range egg and mustard cress; Cucumber with cream cheese and chives.

Jeff and I. The tea was an 1865 anniversary tea blend made with 150 ingredients celebrating the June 10 150th anniversary of the hotel - we had tea June 14. 

Special pastries for the 150th anniversary. Langham chocolate mousse with raspberry compote (made with soon-to-launch Langham Chocolate ‘No.150’), chilled rhubarb and custard verrine (like a moussey triffle), a 150th Anniversary cinnamon shortbread Langham tower, coconut and pineapple macaroon and a Lady Victorian sponge with strawberry and white balsamic jelly.

Tea was served on very large 3-tier stands.

Harrod's

 The Mad hatter with an live mouse in his teacup outside of Harrod's

I brought home so much team my luggage was 20 pounds heavier!

 Fortum and Mason

Rose garden Hampton Court

Lunch with scone on the Hampton Court lawn