"Drink Tea in Wonderland While everyone and their mother (and aunt and grandmother) are on the waiting list to have afternoon tea at Brown's or Claridge's some time next April, head to Soho for the no-longer-a-secret-but-still-unknown tea room inside the Coach & Horses pub. Once you arrive, you'll be shown the way under the bar and up a flight of stairs where, just like Alice, you'll find yourself in a quaint square room in which teas, biscuits, and the like—all made fresh daily—are served in mismatched vintage china. Sit back, relax, and be a part of the "secret" show. You should reserve ahead, but a day or two will do."

"The Emporium for Heritage and Eclectic Designs It’s no coincidence that walking around Liberty feels as if you’re exploring someone’s grand home; the department store’s founder, Arthur Lasenby Liberty, wanted to create that very feel, and so in 1875 settled on a Tudor-style building that featured a jumble of interconnecting rooms. A wooden staircase at one end connects the six floors, and there's a paper room sellsstationery in the store’s iconic floral Liberty print, fashion and beauty halls, a cafe, and multiple brandedtreatment rooms. Still, it's the florist's shop outside that seems to provide the main draw; as any passing tourist will attest, its colourful array of blooms is highly Instagrammable."

"It's pronounced "Wool-zee," and it's a former showroom for the smart old cars that bear its name. Now a restaurant, it's been restored to its original 1930s glamour with a gorgeous art deco slant. If you want a true taste of old Mayfair and St James—from the days when the streets were full of men in top hats carrying canes, and everyone had a gentleman's gentleman—then a smart breakfast or lunch at the Wolseley can take you back in time. The food is classic British—and yes, that means there's grilled kippersand kedgeree on the menu, as well as other retro dishes such as chicken Kiev—and the service is fabulous. Anything with eggs is a must—the souffle is particularly brilliant—and they also do a marvelousafternoon tea."

"It’s impossible to ignore the hulking 1950s architecture of the Tate Modern, slap-bang in the middle of the most-walked part of the South Bank. A visionary refurb of this former power station has resulted in an artistic behemoth with multiple gallery spaces (containing both free exhibitions and ticketed exhibitions), including the fantastic Turbine Hall for oversize installations. Outside, the Millennium Bridge leads over the Thames to the City and the great domed St. Paul’s Cathedral."

"Breakfast in Bed at The Ritz Few things in life feel more luxurious than breakfast in bed. Especially when that breakfast is served with fine china and sterling silver. During my recent stay at The Ritz London , I was in no hurry to leave the comfort of my exquisite room, plush bed, and oversized robe with complimentary Ritz slippers. My healthy breakfast was delivered with expeditious service, and the morning consisted of sipping my latte, reading the paper, and taking in the garden views outside of my window. These kinds of details are what a Leading Hotels of The World property is famous for."

"When in London: Have Tea Situated in a cellar at the very grounds of Westminster Abbey Cathedral in Central London , is the very delicious Cellarium Tea Room. Rather you are in London for one day or one week, I would advise you make tea your first priority. You'll never feel like you're actually in England until you have a proper afternoon tea, and this place is the place to go!"

"A gloriously eccentric venue, Sketch isn’t a restaurant so much as a collision of ideas, design, food, and frivolity in a large Mayfair townhouse. Its Parlour serves all day breakfast and then evening cocktails in an ambience that’s less Alice in Wonderland and more seriously deranged Hatter. The Gallery is designed by artist and comic genius David Shrigley, meaning that your afternoon tea withone-of-a-kind pastriesand cakes comewith a side order of wit and a pinch of bitter satire. Upstairs, the Lecture Room and Library delivers a Michelin-starred tasting menu, while there’s breakfast, brunch, and cocktails in the Glade. A trip to the bathroom involves sitting in your own individual egg; try not to be put off by the carpet of red wax oozing down the stairs on your way in."

"Tea as It Ought to Be I'm partial to the old-school charm of the afternoon tea at Brown's Hotel, with its dark wood paneling, the piano, and overstuffed setees underneath the window. Perfect for a fall or winter afternoon. The tables are as they should be, low and laden with crisp heavy linen, lovely tea cups and heavy silver pots. The tea selection is extensive. The elaborate 3-tiered stand is laden with tiny chocolate desserts, scones still warm from the oven, and a variety of crustless sandwiches. Most importantly, there are crocks of fresh clotted cream and homemade strawberry preserves. Soon after finishing your last pastry, the staff rolls by with the cake trolley and offers you a slice of sponge or fruitcake. When you can't possibly finish another bite, you sit back on the sofa and soak up the atmosphere. Fading afternoon light, rain falling outside the window, a cup of tea and all is right with the world again."

"An Elegant Afternoon Tea Ah, The Langham for tea? Excellent choice. You've dressed up, of course, and the top-hatted gentleman nods his approval before opening the door to a most glamorous afternoon tea. Tea in the Palm Court is an elegant affair. A jazz pianist provides perfect accompaniment to the clinking champagne glasses and china teacups. The discrete, well-trained staff floats among the tables delivering tray after tray of delectable sandwiches, cakes and scones. A tea sommelier stands at the ready to help you choose the perfect blend. You while away the afternoon piling feathery scones with clotted cream and preserves, sipping tea from Wedgwood cups and enjoying the the relaxed luxury of afternoon tea in Palm Court. Just when you think you can't eat another bite, the dessert tray arrives bearing sweets almost too beautiful to eat. Almost."

"Do you fancy tootling around London on a classic double-decker bus whilst sipping tea and eating pastries? Of course you do. BB Bakery adds wheels and a French twist to the tradition of afternoon tea. A uniformed driver zips past London's iconic sights as you enjoy your tea. ...the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Hyde Park and more. Book early and get a seat on the top deck for the best view and don't forget to raise a cup to the Queen as you roll past Buckingham Palace. It's only proper."