The Kensington hotel, one of London's most distinguished five-star properties, announces the launch of its new Afternoon Tea - an elegantly curated experience that pays heartfelt tribute to the quintessential rituals, flavours and simple pleasures of the beloved Great British Summertime.

Steeped in more than a century of history, The Kensington occupies a magnificent terrace of Grade II listed Victorian townhouses on Queen's Gate - the very road named in honour of Queen Victoria in 1859, and the grand ceremonial approach that leads directly to Kensington Palace. Since these elegant drawing rooms first welcomed guests in the Victorian era, Afternoon Tea has been a cherished ritual within these walls, a tradition that lives on in every freshly baked scone.

Priced at £85 per person, The Kensington afternoon tea celebrates British provenance, showcasing the finest local artisan suppliers and produce, from Chapel & Swan smoked salmon to Cornish clotted cream and Nyetimber English sparkling wine, presented with the style and warmth the South Kensington hotel is renowned for, thoughtfully crafted to encapsulate the seasonal rhythm and cherished moments of the British summer.

In true garden party fashion, guests begin with their choice between a Classic Pimm's Royale or a flute of Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine. A selection of traditional finger sandwiches follows, showcasing produce sourced from some of Britain's finest artisan suppliers: Chapel & Swan smoked salmon with chive cream cheese on brown bread; roast Wiltshire ham with English mustard mayonnaise; English cucumber with mint crème fraîche; and St Ewe egg mayonnaise with watercress on a brioche roll.

Freshly baked raisin and plain scones, made daily in The Kensington's kitchens, arrive warm, served with Cornish clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam. The afternoon concludes with a selection of handmade pastries evoking countryside picnics and English gardens in full bloom: a British raspberry and elderflower tart, a chocolate éclair with caramel cream, a rose and pistachio Battenburg cake and Eton Mess pavlova with strawberry and fresh mint.

Woven throughout this homage to British culinary tradition is a spirit of seasonal celebration. Alongside the signature pastry selection, guests can look forward to a complimentary surprise sweet - a rotating seasonal addition offered as a gift from the kitchen to mark the great events of the British summer calendar. From the strawberry-and-cream days of Wimbledon to the pageantry of Royal Ascot, each fleeting addition is an edible love letter to the defining moments of the Great British Summertime.

Perfectly positioned in the heart of South Kensington, The Kensington makes an ideal starting point, or a well-earned finale, to a day spent exploring one of London's most culturally rich neighbourhoods. Just moments from the hotel, guests will find the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum; world-class institutions that together make South Kensington one of the great cultural destinations on earth. Whether arriving after a morning immersed in the V&A's extraordinary collections or setting out to explore the wonders of the Natural History Museum, The Kensington's afternoon tea offers the idyllic setting to savour the elegance, ease and ever-present nostalgia of the Great British Summertime.

A credit card is needed to secure your booking. If you fail to show up for your booking or do not cancel your booking more than 48 hours in advance you may be charged the full offer price. Please note this is a 'book now, pay when you dine' basis. When a booking is made via the site, there is nothing to pay until you dine, so your card will only be charged if you fail to show up for the booking or you do not cancel within 48 hours.

If you have any dietary requirements we kindly ask you to advise the hotel at least 48 hours before your reservation to allow the chef time to prepare. Items on the menu are subject to change to cater to dietary requirements.

*Please note* a 12.5% service charge will be added to the final bill.