The five star St James’s Hotel & Club is celebrating the coming of spring with a new Afternoon Tea menu inspired by the flora and fauna beginning to blossom after the long winter.

The ‘Arrival of Spring’ Afternoon Tea will offer a selection of executive chef William Drabble’s expert creations, all inspired by the emergence of new life as the seasons change. Guests will be presented with sweet bites including a raspberry and rose choux; a ‘bouquet of flowers’ - comprising a lemon cake filled with lemon curd and mousse; a ‘flower basket’ featuring dark chocolate cremeux, preserved cherries and cherry gel; and white chocolate and orange bavarois topped with an edible white lily.

Two types of scones - a traditional version with strawberry jam and clotted cream, and a lavender–scented scone served with butter - will also be served alongside savouries including miniature sandwiches of egg mayonnaise with mustard cress on white bread, cream cheese and cucumber on white bread and smoked Scottish salmon with black pepper on brown bread; and homemade sausage roll using Gloucester Old Spot pork reared in Cumbria.

Guests will enjoy teas from The East India Company; while those looking to truly luxuriate in the afternoon can opt for a glass of Philipponnat NV Champagne to accompany their sweet and savoury selection, priced at £59. A specially-created cocktail - the Bee Mine - features limoncello, white vermouth, agave syrup, lemon juice prosecco foam and basil. 

Illuminating the corner of Park Place, tucked away in the heart of St James’s, St James’s Hotel & Club is a small but perfectly formed bolthole with just 60 guest rooms and suites. The hotel enjoys a history of welcoming illustrious guests including Winston Churchill, Henry James, Ian Fleming, Sean Connery, Liza Minelli and Samuel L. Jackson - alongside chef William Drabble’s continued Michelin success since the restaurant’s opening in 2009 - making the Althoff Collection hotel the perfect marriage of heritage glamour and understated contemporary luxury.

The ‘Arrival of Spring’ Afternoon Tea is priced at £45 (£59 with a glass of champagne).