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Enjoy history with a bit of sweetness
Warren House Hotel’s Picnic Afternoon Tea is an enchanting gastronomic experience set amidst the stunning natural beauty of their garden. Each element of this unique offering is hand-crafted with utmost love and attention to detail. From the hand-made tables offering a rustic charm to the delicately baked pastries that melt in your mouth, the Picnic Afternoon Tea is a testament to Warren House Hotel’s commitment to excellence. It’s an indulgence that calls you to unwind, savour, and cherish the moment in a picture-perfect setting.
We, Warren House Hotel, offer a delightful Afternoon Tea experience that combines tradition, elegance, and a touch of history. The origins of Afternoon Tea can be traced back to the early 19th century in Britain, when the Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell, initiated the practice of enjoying a light meal with tea in the afternoon to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. Since then, Afternoon Tea has become an institution, and we proudly continue this tradition.
Tea consumption increased dramatically during the early nineteenth century and it is around this time that Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford is said to have complained of “having that sinking feeling” during the late afternoon. At the time it was usual for people to take only two main meals a day, breakfast, and dinner at around 8 o’clock in the evening.
The solution for the Duchess was a pot a tea and a light snack, taken privately in her boudoir during the afternoon. Later friends were invited to join her in her rooms at Woburn Abbey and this summer practice proved so popular that the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for “tea and a walking the fields.” Other social hostesses quickly picked up on the idea and the practice became respectable enough to move it into the drawing room. Before long all of fashionable society was sipping tea and nibbling sandwiches in the middle of the afternoon.
Occasionally you will see hotels serving a ‘high tea’. Traditionally, the upper classes would serve a ‘low’ or ‘afternoon’ tea around four o’clock, just before the fashionable promenade in Hyde Park. The middle and lower classes would have a more substantial ‘high’ tea later in the day, at five or six o’clock, in place of a late dinner. The names derive from the height of the tables on which the meals are served, high tea being served at the dinner table.
Many visitors from overseas still imagine that we are a nation where, in the words of the well-known song, ‘at half past three, everything stops for tea’. Sadly these days Afternoon Tea is usually only an occasional luxury for the British; a birthday treat in a country house hotel, or a welcome break from a hectic days shopping ‘in town’. Luckily visitors are still able to indulge in a little bit of British tradition for themselves.
One fascinating piece of history connected to Warren House Hotel involves Lady Paget, who was once an owner of this magnificent establishment. Lady Paget, known for her refined taste and love for hosting social gatherings, made Warren House a hub for elegant tea parties during the first half of the 1900s. These gatherings became legendary, with Lady Paget inviting her friends and acquaintances to indulge in delectable treats and engage in delightful conversations over steaming cups of tea. Lady Paget’s influence and grace resonated throughout the house, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to be celebrated today.
Please Note
Wifi/Internet
Wi-fi is complimentary and available throughout the hotel, please connect to the “Warren House”, network and follow the instructions on the screen.
Car Park
- Our carpark is available to our guests on a first come first serve basis.
- Warren House Hotel will not be held responsible for any damage, stolen cars.
- Please refrain from parking in any of the disabled (unless you are a blue badge holder) and reserved parking bays at the front of the hotel unless informed otherwise – a penalty of £100 will be issued.
- Please refrain from parking on our lawn – a charge for grass damage and labour will incur.
Gates
Kindly please retrieve a stamped gate pass from front office when leaving the hotel, external gatekeepers at either end of the private road are operational.
Location
Warren House Hotel is situated within the private residential area of coombe hill. Please be mindful of our neighbours and keep noise to a minimum especially between 10pm-7am. Cars are to be driven at 5mph maximum speed limit.
- A 2-minute walk to Richmond Park. View location
- A 4-minute drive or 15 minute walk to Norbiton Rail Station. Get to Waterloo station in under 30 minutes.
Afternoon Tea
We offer a classic and champagne afternoon tea every day from 12:00 – 5:00pm. Our quintessential afternoon tea is themed according to the season and history of the hotel. Enjoy our afternoon tea in our restaurant, terrace or as a picnic (48 hour notice required) in our gardens.
Lunch & Dinner
- All Day Dining 12:00 – 9:30pm
- A La Carte 12:00 – 9:30pm
- Cheese / Chocolate Fondue (48 hours advance notice) 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Lunch and Dinner can be served on the terrace (12pm – 8pm), please use the QR Code on the table to place an order.
Smoking
Our bedroom, hotel and garden/grounds have a strict No-Smoking and Vaping policy. Please use the allocated smoking area at the front of the hotel. Smoking and Vaping is prohibited in our bedrooms. A £200 penalty fine will be applicable if breached.
Photography
Professional Photography and droning is not permitted within our property or grounds without prior approval from management. You may use your mobile devices to take photos and videos, we would love to see your content feel free to follow, tag and hashtag us @warrenhousehotel #warrenhousehotel.
Unauthorised professional photography is prohibited. Please enquire with reception for our “Photography Submission form”
Restrictions
- Timings
- Our Lawn is accessible from 8:00am – 8:00pm
- Our Fountain / Terrace is accessible from 8:00am – 10:00pm
- Strictly No smoking
- No Pets
- No External Food is permitted
- No Music or amplification of music is permitted
Breaching any of our company policies, which have been listed above will incur a penalty of up to £1000 per breach
- Timings
- Our Lawn is accessible from 8:00am – 8:00pm
- Our Fountain / Terrace is accessible from 8:00am – 10:00pm
- Strictly No smoking
- No Pets
- No External Food is permitted
- No Music or amplification of music is permitted
Breaching any of our company policies, which have been listed above will incur a penalty of up to £1000 per breach.
Book Our Afternoon Tea
Booking Policy
We will need your card details to secure your booking. We will not take any money unless you cancel 72 hours before the event.
Please be aware there is a 72 hour cancellation policy
A cancellation fee of £30 per person will be applied.
Please note our restaurant terrace is closed due to renovation work. Guest can access our garden with alternate route, please ask hotel team on your visit.
How Our Afternoon Tea Can Be Enjoyed
Our Afternoon Tea is available to be enjoyed in multiple different forms;
- Outdoors
- Indoors
- As a Picnic
- Collection
- Delivery
What's Included?
Come and savour our sumptuous and quintessentially English tradition; Afternoon Tea. Delicately prepared selections of finger sandwiches are accompanied by exquisite pastries, bite size cakes and sweet treats, and of course finished with a side of warm, freshly-made scones and a generous serving of our homemade preserves and clotted cream. Choose from a wide selection of loose leaf traditional and fruit teas perfectly brewed to exacting standards, or add some sparkle to the occasion by opting for our Champagne Afternoon Tea.