Don't shop 'til you drop
21st April 2009
...stop off for afternoon tea in these chic stores. Alexandra Fullerton takes time to check out some of the best.
Shopping at London's Liberty department store is always a decadent treat - the traditional beamed interior and fabulous mix of homewares, clothes, beauty and haberdashery have made Liberty (founded in 1875) one of the most relaxing shops in which to while away a day. Once your arms are aching from carting carrier bags the store's famous tea shop offers welcome respite. Decorated in Liberty's distinctive prints, "Tea" at Liberty (tucked away behind the accessories area on the ground floor) is the perfect sanctuary from shop floor madness. This year they won a prestigious Award of Excellence from The Tea Guild (click here).
The thought of Balfour Brut Champagne tea (with pink champagne, finger sandwiches, scones, and cakes) or a Liberty Cream Tea (with scones and organic strawberry jam) might make your mouth water, but the selection of over 40 loose teas sourced from around the world will excite true tassophiles. All are served with dedication and a reverence to the brew and, with a dedicated tea sommelier on hand to guide the customer's choice of cuppa, you can make sure that your pick will result in the ultimate tasty tea experience. Alongside classic Assam, Lapsang Souchong and Earl Grey some of the more exotic teas include Anastasia (a black tea with flower, citrus and orange blossom essences); St Petersburg (China tea with citrus, red fruits and caramel); Cherry tea from Japan and Jade Rings (a spicy, fruity green tea).
Those in need of refreshment while shopping in Selfridges' Oxford Street store should stop off at the Lower Ground Floor's Sienna cafe. A scrumptious selection of teas (including White Silver Needle tea and Gunpowder Green) are on the menu alongside Afternoon Tea (which includes a selection of finger sandwiches, fresh fruit scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve and a cake or pastry of your choice) and a classic Cream Tea with scones. Revived? You'll soon be ready to shop again...
Shop-based afternoon tea has spread further than London though. The Berkeley Hotel has joined forces with Harvey Nichols to launch their quirky Pret-a-Portea (featuring cakes and pastries inspired by the latest catwalk designs) in Edinburgh and Dublin this year. The best-dressed Dubliners can feast on delectable delights, including blueberry and lemon mousse (inspired by Lanvin's innovative colour-blocking), from 28th April - 2nd May. Then, from May 13th - 17th, Scottish stylistas can scoff sweet treats inspired by Christopher Kane and Christian Louboutin. If you can't quite afford a pair of shoes from the celebrity cobbler, a Louboutin cake must surely be the next best thing? Of course, all the cakes are accompanied by a range of tasty teas.
Fenwicks' branches in Tunbridge Wells and Windsor also offer the perfect post-shopping pit-stop. The Windsor branch, in King Edward Court, has tea on the menu at their first floor Café. Over at Tunbridge Wells the 1st floor Terrace restaurant serves traditional afternoon tea with scones, cakes and pastries - alongside three floors of fabulous fashion, home, beauty and toys to tempt you. But what with tea's fantastic antioxidant properties you can assuage your impulse-purchasing guilt by giving your health an extra boost while you recover from strenuous retail therapy.
A strenuous day of shopping topped off with afternoon tea - would could be more perfect?!
Liberty, Regent Street, London W1. 020 7734 1234 / www.liberty.co.uk
Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh: 0131 524 8350 / www.harveynichols.com
Harvey Nichols, Dublin +353 (0) 1 291 0488 / www.harverynichols.com
Fenwick, Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2SR. 01892 516 716 / www.fenwick.co.uk
Fenwick, 10 - 11 King Edward Court, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1TF. 01753 855 537 / www.fenwick.co.uk
Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1. www.selfridges.co.uk