Manas Bajaj
Google
I recently visited Petersham Nurseries Teahouse for afternoon tea, and while the setting was undeniably charming—lush greenery, a rustic yet elegant ambiance—the experience as a whole was deeply underwhelming.
To start with the positives, the tea selection was lovely, and the Prosecco was crisp and refreshing. The environment itself is peaceful, making it a pleasant place to sit and relax. However, that’s where the positives end.
The food was a major letdown. Both the savory and sweet offerings were extremely dry and stale, as if they had been prepared hours (if not longer) in advance and left out. The sandwiches lacked freshness, and the pastries—usually the highlight of an afternoon tea—were uninspiring and far from the standard expected at this price point. When you’re paying £70 per person (excluding service charge!), you expect freshly prepared, high-quality food, not something that tastes like an afterthought.
For the same price, there are plenty of 5-star hotels in London offering far superior afternoon tea experiences—with impeccable service, fresher food, and an overall more polished experience. Sadly, I would not recommend Petersham Nurseries Teahouse to anyone looking for a true luxury afternoon tea. The setting may be pretty, but the food does not justify the cost.