Afternoon Tea

Cliveden House

Afternoon Tea

Cliveden House

Cliveden House

Taplow, Maidenhead SL6 0JF, United Kingdom

Cliveden and the Crown Afternoon Tea is inspired by the remarkable figures and spirited exchanges that have shaped Cliveden House over its 350-year history. As the only British hotel to have hosted almost every reigning monarch since George I, including Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Queen Victoria, the House offers a truly royal setting. The menu draws on this rich heritage, with dishes such as Balmoral Game Pie, Prince Philip’s Beef Yorkshire Pudding and King Charles’s Garden Berry Tart, offering a playful yet elegant way to experience Cliveden’s legacy.

Afternoon Tea

CLIVEDEN AND THE CROWN AFTERNOON TEA – 68

Includes your choice of hot drink and our food selection.

CLIVEDEN AND THE CROWN AFTERNOON TEA WITH CHAMPAGNE – 88

Includes your choice of hot drink, our food selection and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Héritage Champagne.

A ROYAL TIPPLE

The Crown Jewel – 16
Mango purée, lime juice, chili syrup, wild idol alcohol-free sparkling
Iconic Gin & Dubonnet – 22
Iconic Gin & Tonic – 20

CHAMPAGNE

Laurent-Perrier Héritage NV, 750ml – 95
Laurent-Perrier Rosé Brut NV, 750ml – 130

ALCOHOL-FREE

Wild Idol Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine, 750ml – 75
Hildon ‘Delightfully Still’ Water, 750ml – 7.50
Hildon ‘Gently Sparkling’ Water, 750ml – 7.50

CLIVEDEN AND THE CROWN

In honour of Cliveden’s royal ties, having welcomed every reigning monarch since George I, this Afternoon Tea pays tribute to the House’s storied past. Each layer is inspired by favourites cherished by illustrious guests.

SAVOURIES

Queen Elizabeth’s Balmoral Game Pie – (E, G, M, Mu)
Balmoral Castle was Queen Elizabeth II’s Scottish holiday home. Family lunches there often included game meats, such as venison, baked in pies or pastry dishes. Although not always called a game pie, these were very much in the same spirit.

Prince Philip’s Beef Yorkshire Pudding – (E, G, M)
A salute to both King George III’s famed love of roast beef and Prince Philip’s love of cooking. The royals, including Prince Philip, were known to enjoy ‘Sunday roast’ dinners, which in British households included roast beef with Yorkshire pudding.

SANDWICHES

Scottish Smoked Salmon – (F, G, M)
Since the 16th century smoking has been used to preserve salmon in coastal Scotland, with techniques refined in the 1800s. By late Victorian times smoked salmon had become a delicacy in clubs, hotels, and royal dining, representing both British tradition and Scottish craft.

Coronation Chicken – (E, M, SD)
Coronation Chicken was created in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. This sandwich favourite was intended to be joyful, modern, and subtly exotic, as Britain looked towards post-war recovery, escaping the hardships of the previous decade.

Clarence Court Egg Mayonnaise – (E, G, M)
By the Edwardian era the art of the afternoon tea sandwich was firmly established among the upper and middle classes. While cucumber and salmon symbolised elegance, the egg sandwich represented comfort and practicality: a dish refined enough for a silver tea stand.

SCONES

Plain Scones and Fruit Scones with Clotted Cream and Jam – (E, G, M)
The origins of the word ‘scone’ are said to lie with the Scottish “scon” or the Dutch “schoonbrood”. Originally griddled barley or oat flatbreads, scones became common in the 19th century when baking powder transformed them into an afternoon tea staple.

CAKES

Queen Camilla’s Chocolate Biscuit Cake – (E, G, M)
Inspired by her early days at Ray Mill House in Wiltshire, where Camilla was known among friends for her informal teas, Queen Camilla’s favourite sweet treat was a glossy chocolate cake made with crushed tea biscuits.

Battenberg – (E, G, M)
This classic cake was created for the marriage of Prince Louis of Battenberg. His descendants changed the family name to Mountbatten and were part of the influential aristocrats and politicians connected to the house.

King Charles’s Garden Berry Tart – (E, G, M)
As fresh berries arrived from the kitchen garden on a fine summer afternoon, Highgrove’s estate chef was inspired to create a dish that embodied the King’s vision for the gardens. The result was a dessert that was beautiful, seasonal, and born entirely from the land.

Founded in 1812, the House of Laurent-Perrier has been defined by its pioneering role in innovating champagne throughout its history. In 2024 Laurent-Perrier was the first champagne House to be bestowed the prestigious Royal Warrant by His Majesty The King Charles III, signifying the brand’s esteemed status as a purveyor of champagne to the Royal Household.

ALLERGEN KEY: (C) Crustaceans, (Ce) Celery, (E) Eggs, (F) Fish, (G) Gluten, (L) Lupin, (M) Milk, (Mo) Molluscs, (Mu) Mustard, (N) Nuts, (P) Peanuts, (S) Soya, (SD) Sulphur Dioxide, (Se) Sesame Seeds

If you require allergen information, please ask a member of our team. A discretionary service charge of 12.5% will be added to your bill. All prices are inclusive of VAT.

CLIVEDEN AND THE CROWN PLANT-BASED AFTERNOON TEA – 68

Includes your choice of hot drink and our food selection.

CLIVEDEN AND THE CROWN PLANT-BASED AFTERNOON TEA WITH CHAMPAGNE – 88

Includes your choice of hot drink, our food selection and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Héritage Champagne.

A ROYAL TIPPLE

Iconic Gin & Dubonnet – 22
Iconic Gin & Tonic – 20

CHAMPAGNE

Laurent-Perrier Héritage NV, 750ml – 95
Laurent-Perrier Rosé Brut NV, 750ml – 130

ALCOHOL-FREE

Wild Idol Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine, 750ml – 75
Hildon ‘Delightfully Still’ Water, 750ml – 7.50
Hildon ‘Gently Sparkling’ Water, 750ml – 7.50

CLIVEDEN AND THE CROWN

In honour of Cliveden’s royal ties, having welcomed every reigning monarch since George I, this Afternoon Tea pays tribute to the House’s storied past. Each layer is inspired by favourites cherished by illustrious guests.

SAVOURIES

Samosa – (G, SD)
While they may not appear as a fixture at formal royal banquets, King Charles III has spoken of his fondness for Indian food and samosas have made regular appearances at receptions, community gatherings, and multicultural celebrations attended by the royals.

Plant Sausage Roll – (G, Mu)
The Royal Family’s approach to dining embraces plant-based dishes and meat alternatives in the name of health, harmony, and the preservation of the natural world. In recognition, this classic British favourite has been thoughtfully reimagined with a plant-based twist.

SANDWICHES

Cucumber – (G, Se)
Cucumber sandwiches are a quintessential part of formal afternoon teas, a tradition upheld by the royal family for generations. A staple that cannot be missed from any noteworthy event.

Pickled Carrot – (G, SD)
At Highgrove King Charles personally grows carrots for the royal household, showing that even the most humble of vegetables can earn a place at the royal table.

Hummus and Piquillo Peppers – (G)
Peppers have long added spice to royal dishes. Prince Philip favoured a red pepper sauce with his beloved salmon, Princess Diana preferred stuffed bell peppers, and, in 2009, Tabasco sauce even earned the prestigious Royal Warrant.

SCONES

Plain Scones and Fruit Scones with Clotted Cream and Jam – (G, S)
The origins of the word ‘scone’ are said to lie with the Scottish “scon” or the Dutch “schoonbrood”. Originally griddled barley or oat flatbreads, scones became common in the 19th century when baking powder transformed them into an afternoon tea staple.

CAKES

Dark Chocolate Cake – (S)
Inspired by her early days at Ray Mill House in Wiltshire, where Camilla was known among friends for her informal teas, Queen Camilla’s favourite sweet treat was a glossy chocolate cake made with crushed tea biscuits. We are pleased to present Cliveden’s plant-based take.

White Chocolate & Rhubarb – (S)
Used as a medicine during the reigns of King James I and Charles I, over time rhubarb became a popular ingredient. More recently, “Royal Rhubarb Crumble” was a feature of King Charles III’s Coronation, as were special tarts for the former Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Opera Carrot Cake – (S)
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II had a fondness for carrot cake, a humble yet refined classic.

Founded in 1812, the House of Laurent-Perrier has been defined by its pioneering role in innovating champagne throughout its history. In 2024 Laurent-Perrier was the first champagne House to be bestowed the prestigious Royal Warrant by His Majesty The King Charles III, signifying the brand’s esteemed status as a purveyor of champagne to the Royal Household.

ALLERGEN KEY: (C) Crustaceans, (Ce) Celery, (E) Eggs, (F) Fish, (G) Gluten, (L) Lupin, (M) Milk, (Mo) Molluscs, (Mu) Mustard, (N) Nuts, (P) Peanuts, (S) Soya, (SD) Sulphur Dioxide, (Se) Sesame Seeds

If you require allergen information, please ask a member of our team. A discretionary service charge of 12.5% will be added to your bill. All prices are inclusive of VAT.

Features & Amenities

Afternoon Tea Served

Monday to Saturday from 12:00pm to 2:30pm, and Sundays from 1:15pm to 4:30pm.

Nearest Station

Taplow, a 4-mile, 10 minute drive to Cliveden, and accessible via the Elizabeth Line.

Seating Areas

The Cliveden Dining Room

Dress Code

Semi-Formal

Special Dietary Needs

Vegan

Child Friendly

Yes, child friendly

Disabled Access

Yes, limited disabled access

Outdoor Area

Not available

Pet Friendly

All Pets Welcome

Make a Day of it

Make the most of your stay by exploring some of the area’s most iconic attractions, all within easy reach of Cliveden House. Windsor Castle and Frogmore House are just 20 minutes away, with Royal Ascot close by and central London within easy reach for a day out. For those looking to venture further, Highclere Castle is under an hour away and makes for a memorable visit.   Back at the House, guests can enjoy a range of experiences from family-friendly activities to foraging and clay shooting in the grounds. Whether you’re heading out or staying close, Cliveden offers the perfect base for a full and varied day.

Location

Taplow, Maidenhead SL6 0JF, United Kingdom

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