Experience Transat

Tea Time in London: Emanuel’s Quirky Pick

Share the article

Table of Contents

Tea time is still an important  British tradition

In The Portrait of a Lady, Henry James wrote “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” Though much may have changed in London in the last century, Londoners’ love of teatime has not diminished.

Emanuel, a Transat Sales and Service supervisor and our host to a series of quirky London adventures, considers tea time a must while in the city. There are all sorts of options that can be found in grand hotels, restaurants and cafes, but his favourite afternoon tea is served at the Barbican Conservatory.

Having tea in an out of the box spot

The conservatory is part of the Barbican Centre, the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Built in a part of central London that was destroyed by World War 2 bombing, the area was built over a decade and is now one London’s best examples of Brutalism, an imposing style of architecture that uses raw materials (like concrete) to create expressive, original shapes.

The conservatory houses over 2000 species of plants, trees and a small group of VIP residents that include turtles and koi carps. The experience of having teatime in this environment is enhanced by what’s being served: a great deal of the food is grown in and around the conservatory. Dishes include salmon bagel with dill grown on the rooftop or a ganache spiked with chilies peppers, which the conservatory has been growing since it opened in 1984.

Emanuel, Transat Sales & Services Supervisor ready for tea time at the Barbican Centre Conservatory

Tea Time in the greenhouses of the Barbican Centre Conservatory

Afternoon tea in England began in 1840 with Anna Russell, the Duchess of Bedford, as a way to sustain her upper class friends in the long stretch between lunch and dinner with dainty sandwiches, cakes and pastries. Which sounds like a thoroughly reasonable and refined custom to add to any and all London travel itineraries.

Barbican Conservatory: Silk St. Afternoon tea is served on Sundays at 12pm and 2.30pm. Reservations are mandatory.

Tea Time at the Barbican Centre Conservatory

Tea Time at the Barbican Centre Conservatory

Tea Time in the greenhouses of the Barbican Centre Conservatory

The comments and contributions expressed are assumed only by the author. The recommendations, intentions or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Transat AT Inc. or its affiliates. See terms of use of the Air Transat website.

The comments and contributions expressed are assumed only by the author. The recommendations, intentions or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Transat AT Inc. or its affiliates. See terms of use of the Air Transat website.

You may also like

A royal tour, hot on the heels of Prince Harry and Meghan’s hoopla-inducing May wedding. Here is our top 4 stops for London’s royal tour.
There are hundreds of Harry Potter locations across Britain worthy of a visit, but here’s a selection of the most accessible and magical.
Who says you have to spend a fortune to experience the British capital? Here are 5 cheap things to do in London that will convince you.
Our selection of eight historical sites in Europe perfectly embodies the continent’s vast and diverse heritage, from the traditions of the Roman Empire to the aftermath of the great world wars.

Travel with Air Transat