Afternoon tea obsession

"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." Henry James

This morning, instead of working, I have been mostly shopping online for vintage tea sets - triggered by a facebook update from Katy Potts. Her website sells wonderful china teapots and cups - a perfect wedding gift for my vintage-loving friend Elizabeth, if I could stretch to more than a miniature espresso set!

Elizabeth is enchanted by the sophistication of a good old-fashioned English tea party. A forties-style garden gathering with G&T served by the pot awaits us Hens in August when her dad's lawn will be transformed with colourful bunting, picnic tables and pretty vintage china. It's an experience being sold for £17pp at Tea Party, a gorgeous north London venue fit for any girly get-together.

Hen party finery in Finchley, at Tea Party

London's tearooms range from high-end to hidden gems with an Alice in Wonderland themed experience at The Langham, to Sohos Secret Tea Room. Top of my list to try is Beas of Bloomsbury who are hiring out afternoon tea hampers for sunny picnics in the park (£15pp tea@beasofbloomsbury). Their deliciously naughty cupcakes smack of retro glamour and are served up on pin-up girl inspired china platters.

Devour a racy pin-up platter
at Beas of Bloomsbury

For those of us residing outside the Capital the traditional tearoom rules. The Polly Tearooms in Marlborough has a reputation won over several decades and an authenticity that surpasses any trendspot (High Tea for two £19.95). For a high-end (literally!) experience, head to the top of the UK where The Balmoral Edinburgh serves a wonderful champagne afternoon tea (£37pp). First class table service, Bolly and an endless finger buffet? It's a combination so divine you might just forget to catch your flight back, as my friend Marina and I nearly did at the end of our Scottish gastrotour last month!

Patisserie at its finest in the Polly Tearooms, Marlborough

For more ideas on where to go for afternoon tea, try: http://www.afternoontea.co.uk/. Or find out more about buying the vintage prettiness to host your own, at: http://antiques.lovetoknow.com/Antique_Tea_Cups.