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TeaInLondon.com
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Day 1 * Monday
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The Grange White Hall Hotel is conveniently located on Montague Street, literally around the corner from the British Museum. With its Georgian architecture and private landscaped gardens, the Grange White Hall provides sumptuous comfort in Bloomsbury, one of the world's most fashionable neighborhoods. There are two tube stations within easy walking distance, just across Russell Square. This is a fantastic location!
You will be met at the hotel by Denise. We will have a meet and greet with 'Elevenses', and then it's time to get your camera's out as we are off on a half-day sightseeing tour of London ~ the most visited capital in the world. Sarah, our guide, will introduce us to the major sites - Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace . . . and much, much more. This will be a private guided tour
The day finishes with Afternoon Tea and shopping at Fortnum and Mason, the "Queen's grocer".
The Fortnum & Mason Food Hall has been in the same shop in Piccadilly for 300 years and is a shopper's paradise. The tea department is on the ground floor and you can find antiques on the third floor. We will enjoy our Afternoon Tea in the Fortnum & Mason St. James's Restaurant, where sofas and armchairs are configured in a very English arrangement, tables are laid with white linen tablecloths, and large paintings of sea and landscapes adorn the walls.
After tea, we will be returned to our hotel, where it is early to bed for a good night's rest, sprinkled with sweet dreams about our first day in one of the world's most exciting cities. Tomorrow morning, we wake up in London!
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Day 2 * Tuesday
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Full English Breakfast at hotel.
Today we will leave the hustle and bustle of London city life behind and journey through the English countryside to Bedfordshire, the village of Woburn, and the great Palladian mansion that is Woburn Abbey.
This grand house is home to the 15th Duke of Bedford, but 150+ years ago it was home to the 7th Duke of Bedford and his wife, the Duchess Anna Maria. It was here at Woburn Abbey where the tradition of Afternoon Tea began.
Our special Time for Tea visit to Woburn will include a guided tour of the Abbey and gardens; a special "Duchess Anna Maria Afternoon Tea"; a stop at the gift shop; and sightseeing (and more shopping!) in the nearby village of Woburn, described in guidebooks as "a Georgian town of village proportions." The village is noted for its fine architecture, individual shops, tea rooms, and the countryside and parkland that surround it.
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Day 3 * Wednesday
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Full English Breakfast at hotel.
This morning we embark on a private bespoke guided walk through the streets of the City of London where tea trading in Britain began. The walk covers the main historical locations in 400 years of the tea trade.
We will visit the site of London's first modern tea shop; see where the East India House, the greatest tea company the world has ever known, and its warehouses stood; walk down Mincing Lane (famous for its tea auctions) . . . and more. There will be several other noteworthy stops along the way.
Once you have seen the places it is time to see the faces, so our afternoon stop is the National Portrait Gallery for a one of-a-kind exploration of some well-known British tea figures including Samuel Johnson, Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, Catherine of Braganza and others. Denise created this pictorial tour which is exclusive to Tea in London.
Today's Afternoon Tea location is a surprise! We can assure you that it will be a "first" for everyone!
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Day 4 * Thursday
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Full English Breakfast at hotel.
Today's journey takes us into the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, to Kensington Palace, a royal residence since 1689 and former home of Lady Diana, Princess of Wales and the birthplace of Queen Victoria.
The self-paced audio tour of Kensington Palace is superb. Explore the splendid State Apartments and the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. Feel free to then stroll through Kensington Gardens.
Later we proceed to the Victoria & Albert Museum for a private tea tour created exclusively for Tea in London. The V&A is a huge museum, showcasing the applied arts of all disciplines, all periods, all nationalities, and all tastes. The V&A is completely devoid of pretension.
You will have some time following the tour to browse other parts of the museum that might interest you.
Finally, a Grand Finale Farwell Tea at The Ritz brings our day to a close. This is probably the most popular tea venue in London. The setting is stylish, sophisticated and elegant; the food delicious; and the service impeccable. Eat as much as you like, and do not feel guilty about indulging . . . you have already walked off whatever calories you might consume!
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Day 5 * Friday
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Full English Breakfast at hotel.
You will have this final day in England all to yourself to visit (or re-visit) and explore London's vast and varied historical palaces, gardens, museums, shops . . . and tea rooms! Where would you like to go today? The British Museum? St. Paul's Cathedral? Westminster Abbey? Harrods? All of London is at your disposal!
Optional full-day Tea Masterclass - additional charges apply.
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