Visit the Wallace Collection for afternoon tea that’s a very genteel English affair! There’s something very calming and serene about this rather lovely restaurant and cafe that is in the heart of this wonderful little museum. This voucher gives you the chance to discover this one of London’s best kept secrets…just don’t tell everyone!
A couple of minutes’ walk from the bustle of Regent Street and you’ll find yourself at Manchester Square an oasis of calm. Overlooking the lush green little park is a rather elegant building that dates from the late 18th century. Hertford House was the London townhouse of Sir Richard Wallace the benefactor of the Wallace Collection. On his widow’s death this grand residence and the entire collection was left to the nation for us all to enjoy.
And indeed anyone can take a wander around the series of galleries displaying some of the 5 500 artefacts in the extensive collection. Entrance is free and there are paintings porcelain and furniture pieces from the 13th to the 19th century to admire. Amazingly nothing is every loaned out and no article can ever leave the collection – a condition of the bequest by Lady Wallace.
Now you’ve had a chance to marvel at the masterpieces from the likes of Turner Rembrandt and Gainsborough admired the fine Sevres porcelain and lingered over the exquisitely crafted furniture it’s time for that most traditional of English affairs… Your afternoon tea will be served in the atrium restaurant.
The inner courtyard of the Wallace Collection was given a beautiful glass roof in 2000 with the idea of creating the outdoors indoors. It’s a lovely light and airy conservatory-style space that can be used all year round thanks to a clever underfloor heating/cooling system. Tables and chairs are nestled around sculptures and plants with a 19th century fountain recovered from the Wallace’s French chateau as the rather ornate centrepiece.
A superb setting then for your Wallace Collection afternoon tea. And to be in keeping with the bygone age colonial feel you can expect the the most delicate cakes sandwiches with the crusts cut off and fine loose let tea (or coffee). The highlight; has to be the homemade fruit or plan scones with Cornish clotted cream and preserves. As we said this delightful little museum is a real hidden gem in the middle of the capital that is sure to please.
