Inside the New Montcalm Mayfair ‘Into the Garden’ Afternoon Tea Is a Love Letter to Constance Spry

Montcalm Mayfair Afternoon Tea

There’s something timelessly soothing about the ritual of afternoon tea the slow pour of steaming Earl Grey, the delicate balance of sweet and savoury, the quiet hum of conversation. At Montcalm Mayfair, that cherished tradition has just been given a poetic new chapter. Introducing Into the Garden Afternoon Tea a dreamlike culinary homage to Georgian gardens, botanical wonder, and the pioneering spirit of the great Constance Spry.

Spry, the trailblazing florist, author, and culinary innovator, revolutionised British entertaining in the early 20th century with her whimsical floral arrangements and daringly unorthodox ideas. Known for mixing hedgerow cuttings with fine china and for inventing the now-iconic Coronation Chicken, she redefined how beauty and food could coexist. Montcalm Mayfair’s new tea, served within the elegant surrounds of Lilli by Akira Back, brings her world vividly to life a garden of edible artistry and fragrant imagination.

Each element of this exquisite experience celebrates British creativity through a lens of history and storytelling. Guests are invited to savour an afternoon that honours the art of gathering, inspired by Elizabeth Montagu’s 18th-century Blue Stockings Society—a circle of women who met over tea to discuss art, literature, and ideas. This connection to female curiosity and refinement runs throughout the menu, where tradition meets modern flair. Expect indulgent touches such as Matcha Opera Cake, Dressed Crab Brioche Rolls, and a regal revival of Spry’s Coronation Chicken Sandwich crafted by Lilli by Akira Back’s Head Chef Roger Hutchinson.

For younger guests, a charming children’s menu adds an extra layer of playfulness, offering miniature sandwiches, sweet treats, and whimsical drinks. Meanwhile, tea aficionados will delight in the bespoke blends curated in collaboration with Camellia’s Tea House, known for their hand-harvested, botanical-infused loose-leaf teas that perfectly complement the garden theme.

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Set against a lush backdrop that nods to the site’s historic connection to the ancient Great Forest of Middlesex, Montcalm Mayfair exudes the calm sophistication of a modern English manor. Hand-painted murals, floral motifs, and an art collection of over 800 pieces curated by Culture A create a cocoon of culture and tranquillity.

Whether you’re a floral romantic, a lover of British heritage, or simply in search of an afternoon steeped in imagination, Into the Garden Afternoon Tea is a sensory escape that celebrates creativity, connection, and the enduring beauty of tradition.

The Into the Garden Afternoon Tea is available daily from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Montcalm Mayfair. Bookings for the Afternoon Tea can be made here.

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