Mad Hatters tea at The Sanderson

You can’t really go wrong with a quintessentially English Afternoon Tea, can you? Neat little triangular sandwiches, delicious cakes, refreshing tea and pinky fingers in the air. Actually, after a while it all gets a little dull. Thankfully, the inventive folk over at The Sanderson have something a little more exciting and luxe in store for you, if you’re willing to take a little tumble down the rabbit hole and watch things get curiouser and curiouser. 

The newest incarnation of their iconic afternoon tea is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, the Mad Hatter’s Tea really brings Alice in Wonderland to life in a pretty and whimsical way. I absolutely adore the book and really appreciated the high attention to detail, everything was spot on. The menus are hidden inside vintage books and the crockery has been created by innovative design collective Luna & Curious, who have made lovely teapots adorned with kinds and queens while sandwich plates feature a menagerie of animals, birdcages, carousels and ticking clocks. 

The pretty, dainty sandwiches are delicious but the deal highight is the pastries. The homemade strawberries and cream mushrooms look incredible and the ‘Tick Tock’ Victoria Sponge clock was one of my favourites. Make sure you don’t miss the wonderful Phillipe Starck cake trolley which features “Jelly Wonderland”, a selection of fruit jellies made in Victorian jelly moulds. The selection of tea is very impressive as well, as a tea connoisseur I was spoilt for choice. 

I’ve been to a fair few afternoon teas in my time and this is by far the most fun. If you haven’t been before, you really must follow the white rabbit.