One of my favorite daily rituals is enjoying a hot cup of tea. For me, it’s one of life’s little luxuries. It’s something special I do for myself every morning, before my busy day begins. It really makes me feel nurtured.

But I haven’t always started my day this way. This ritual has its origins in an experience I had in 2014 when my husband and I spent a week in London for our anniversary. While we were there, I had one of my favorite travel dining experiences of all time—a traditional British afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason, the gourmet grocer to the British Royal Family.

Fortnum & Mason is a purveyor of fine foods, one that has been around for more than 300 years. Housed in a historic structure on London’s famous Picadilly Road, F&M features a fresh food hall where they carry a wide variety of gourmet groceries, including organic fruit and vegetables, cheese and charcuterie, florals and fresh bread, wine and spirits, and more.

There’s also a tea and specialty food floor that features all kinds of delicious treats, including their amazing loose leaf teas and their famous custom hampers overflowing with an assortment of tea biscuits, fancy jams and jellies, gourmet chocolates, Turkish Delight and other fancy treats. 

Three additional floors house beauty products, housewares, and a variety of dining establishments, including a restaurant, a wine bar, and an ice cream parlor. But my favorite place at F&M is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. And that’s where my husband and I treated ourselves to a traditional afternoon tea.

Upon arrival, we were welcomed into a large, formal salon with carpeted floors and cream-colored walls inset with beautiful hand-painted silk panels. Large round tables were set with white linens covered with fresh cut flowers and Fortnum & Mason’s signature pale blue, white and gold china. 

We were seated and offered a menu featuring dozens of different tea options. Fortnum & Mason is serious about tea, and I’ve yet to source a better brand. We elected to have the traditional afternoon tea, which included our choice of loose leaf tea steeped at our table, along with delicious tea sandwiches, scones, strawberry champagne jam and clotted cream, and an assortment of delicate pastries. And, of course, the white glove service was impeccable. I was so inspired by the experience that, upon returning home, I decided to use some of the items I’d purchased at F&M to recreate this experience for my friends.

First, I planned a menu inspired by our experience. I wanted my tea to include all the elements I’d enjoyed at F&M, but with my own twist, to include finger sandwiches from Joan’s Catering, and my favorite pastries and scones from Fresh Market.

On the day of the party, I picked up the food, along with some fresh flowers, and then I gathered all the items I’d need to set the table, including some cute initial mugs from Anthropologie that I’d purchased for my friends. I decided to use simple cream plates, small wood spoons and linen napkins I already had. Then I set the table.

My friends were delighted with the tea! They enjoyed trying the different options—I served Green Tea with Apples and Assam Superb Tea, along with milk, lemon slices, rough-cut brown sugar and white sugar cubes. We spent a nice couple of hours catching up, and then the ladies each took their mug home as a keepsake. 

This was the first time I’d ever tried to recreate a travel dining experience, and it really inspired me. Since then, I’ve hosted several other parties, brunches and dinners inspired by my travels. You can check out my Instagram feed to see photos of my travels and the decorating projects and events they inspired. I’d love to hear what you think. In the meantime, enjoy!

Until next time!

Stephanie