Afternoon tea at the Buckingham Palace Garden Café is considered worth it for the unique experience, stunning garden views, and reasonable prices for the setting, operating only during summer (up to Sept 28, 2025). It offers high-quality food, including a popular "tea in a tin", and is ideal for marking a special occasion with a quintessential British feel.
Is it better to visit Buckingham Palace in the morning or afternoon?
Best time to visit the Buckingham Palace
Weekdays are typically less crowded, especially during the early morning or late afternoon slots. It is easier to enjoy the exhibits and explore at a relaxed pace. There's also less competition for tickets and smaller crowds at the Changing the Guard.
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.
BEST Afternoon Teas in London || My Honest Rankings for 2025
How much does afternoon tea cost at Claridges?
Sample Menus
Traditional Afternoon Tea is priced from £95 per person, Champagne Afternoon Tea is priced from £110 per person, and Rosé Champagne Afternoon Tea is priced from £125 per person.
Anyone headed to the UK should definitely book an afternoon tea. It's such a quintessentially British meal and the options are immense. You can take afternoon tea in gardens, in tearooms, on rooftops, even aboard moving buses. Check the options in your destination, I really don't think you can go wrong!
The Captain's Inspection will take place at 3pm at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, on days when Changing of the Guard does not take place. This formal inspection ensures the highest standards are always maintained.
Buckingham Palace is the grand, official London residence and administrative HQ of the monarchy, used for state events, while Kensington Palace is a historic, more intimate royal home in Kensington Gardens, known for housing "lesser" royals and featuring Queen Victoria's history, offering year-round public access to certain parts and gardens, unlike Buckingham's summer-only interior tours. Buckingham is grander and central to national ceremonies, whereas Kensington feels more like a historic apartment complex with beautiful grounds.
You must arrive 15 minutes before the entry time printed on your ticket. When you arrive, you will pass through an airport-style security check. You cannot take photographs within Buckingham Palace. Eating and drinking aren't allowed inside the Palace, with the exception of bottled water.
Which is better, afternoon tea at the Ritz or Claridges?
Neither The Ritz nor Claridge's is definitively "better"; they offer different experiences, with The Ritz being grand, iconic, and busy (a quintessential bucket-list moment), while Claridge's provides a more relaxed, quietly elegant Art Deco setting with consistently excellent food and service, often favored by regulars for its superior atmosphere and less pressured feel, though both are top-tier. Choose The Ritz for pure spectacle and tradition, and Claridge's for a more refined, less touristy, truly delicious tea.
Afternoon tea at The Shard, primarily at Aqua Shard or Ting (Shangri-La), starts from around £70 per person for a themed experience like Peter Pan at Aqua Shard, while Ting's classic afternoon tea begins around £78-£79, with options for champagne or cocktails increasing the price, potentially to £90+ per person. Expect to pay extra for champagne or premium packages, with prices varying based on the specific offering and time.
Ever wondered what the 3 Finger Rule Dress Code is all about? It's a straightforward concept that's super handy when it comes to choosing the right outfit, especially in India. Simply put, this rule helps you determine the ideal sleeve length by measuring three fingers from your shoulder.
The 70/30 rule in fashion is a wardrobe strategy suggesting 70% of your closet consists of timeless, versatile basics (jeans, neutral tops, blazers) and 30% is for trendy or statement pieces (bold colors, unique patterns, statement accessories) to add personality and keep looks fresh without chasing every trend. It balances longevity with current style, ensuring most of your wardrobe remains relevant while still allowing for fun, expressive items that elevate your everyday staples.
Did you know that King Charles's favourite tea is Darjeeling, which he drinks with honey and milk as part of his late breakfast? Darjeeling tea is known as the "champagne of tea" and has a delicate taste with notes of wildflower honey and muscatel.
Fittings of the dress posed difficulties because Diana had developed bulimia and dropped from a size 14 to a size 10 in the months leading up to the wedding.
Why did Meghan Markle throw a cup of tea in the air?
At one point, she “threw a cup of tea into the air” in frustration. The author suggested that Harry “partly fuelled” her frustration as he “trawled social media” for critical comments, with both then demanding that staff take action to remove negative press.
