The new floral afternoon tea in London that's inspired by perfume

I tried an afternoon tea in a stylish London Grade II listed hotel that’s entirely inspired by a fragrance. <i>(Image: Emily Davison)</i>
I tried an afternoon tea in a stylish London Grade II listed hotel that’s entirely inspired by a fragrance. (Image: Emily Davison)

I tried an afternoon tea in a stylish London Grade II listed hotel that’s entirely inspired by a fragrance.

Located on Great Scotland Yard Road, the Great Scotland Yard Hotel is a stylish and chic setting inspired by its former use as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police.

News Shopper: The Great Scotland Yard Hotel is a stylish and chic setting inspired by its former use as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police.
News Shopper: The Great Scotland Yard Hotel is a stylish and chic setting inspired by its former use as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police.

The Great Scotland Yard Hotel is a stylish and chic setting inspired by its former use as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police. (Image: Emily Davison)

It’s located a short walk from Charing Cross Station and nearby local landmarks like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Trafalgar Square.

Served in the Parlour, their latest afternoon tea is in collaboration with perfume house Floris London and their Lily scent featuring notes of white tea, rose and ylang ylang.

News Shopper: Their latest afternoon tea is in collaboration with perfume house Floris London and their Lily scent.
News Shopper: Their latest afternoon tea is in collaboration with perfume house Floris London and their Lily scent.

Their latest afternoon tea is in collaboration with perfume house Floris London and their Lily scent. (Image: Emily Davison)

The afternoon tea has been created to celebrate Women’s Month, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Street Talk charity providing support for vulnerable women.

I was invited to try the new afternoon tea, and having never experienced an afternoon tea themed around a perfume, I was intrigued.

News Shopper: The afternoon tea has been created to celebrate Women’s Month.
News Shopper: The afternoon tea has been created to celebrate Women’s Month.

The afternoon tea has been created to celebrate Women’s Month. (Image: Emily Davison)

To begin with, we started by selecting our teas from the wide variety on offer, during my experience I tried a classic English Breakfast Tea along with a fruity Blackberry and Hibiscus tea which I rather enjoyed.

News Shopper: I tried a classic English Breakfast Tea along with a fruity Blackberry and Hibiscus tea.
News Shopper: I tried a classic English Breakfast Tea along with a fruity Blackberry and Hibiscus tea.

I tried a classic English Breakfast Tea along with a fruity Blackberry and Hibiscus tea. (Image: Emily Davison)

Savouries are served separately to sweets, and included a mix of sandwiches and baked savoury treats with traditional British touches.

News Shopper: The savouries included a mix of sandwiches and baked savoury treats with traditional British touches.
News Shopper: The savouries included a mix of sandwiches and baked savoury treats with traditional British touches.

The savouries included a mix of sandwiches and baked savoury treats with traditional British touches. (Image: Emily Davison)

For sandwiches, we tried three traditional options which included smoked salmon with caviar and horseradish, coronation chicken on brown bread, and egg mayo with chives.

News Shopper: Sandwiches included smoked salmon with caviar and horseradish, coronation chicken on brown bread, and egg mayo with chives.
News Shopper: Sandwiches included smoked salmon with caviar and horseradish, coronation chicken on brown bread, and egg mayo with chives.

Sandwiches included smoked salmon with caviar and horseradish, coronation chicken on brown bread, and egg mayo with chives. (Image: Emily Davison)

The savouries also included a lemon, courgette and rocket quiche along with a caramelised artichoke and cheddar Yorkshire pudding.

News Shopper: The savouries included a lemon, courgette and rocket quiche along with a caramelised artichoke and cheddar Yorkshire pudding.
News Shopper: The savouries included a lemon, courgette and rocket quiche along with a caramelised artichoke and cheddar Yorkshire pudding.

The savouries included a lemon, courgette and rocket quiche along with a caramelised artichoke and cheddar Yorkshire pudding. (Image: Emily Davison)

The sweet treats were themed around the top, heart and base notes of the fragrance and included freshly made scones served with rose jam and clotted cream, and pastries created to represent the notes of ylang ylang and white tea.

News Shopper: The Lily scent by Floris London features notes of white tea, rose and ylang ylang.
News Shopper: The Lily scent by Floris London features notes of white tea, rose and ylang ylang.

The Lily scent by Floris London features notes of white tea, rose and ylang ylang. (Image: Emily Davison)

I started by trying the rose and lychee mousse with a raspberry and pistachio base, and it has the texture of a mousse combined with a cheesecake and was light in both texture and taste.

News Shopper: The sweet treats were themed around the top, heart and base notes of the fragrance.
News Shopper: The sweet treats were themed around the top, heart and base notes of the fragrance.

The sweet treats were themed around the top, heart and base notes of the fragrance. (Image: Emily Davison)

I then moved onto the strawberry and white chocolate choux, which played on the more fruity notes of the fragrance along with the white tea notes.

Finally, I tried the most decadent out of the sweets, a nutty blend of ylang ylang, almond and honey served as a gateaux to represent the base notes of the fragrance.

News Shopper: The desserts included pastries created to represent the notes of ylang ylang and white tea.
News Shopper: The desserts included pastries created to represent the notes of ylang ylang and white tea.

The desserts included pastries created to represent the notes of ylang ylang and white tea. (Image: Emily Davison)

If you know someone who loves florals and fragrance, this afternoon tea should definitely be on your list of things to do this spring.

This special afternoon tea is currently on at The Parlour until June 2 with prices starting at £59 for the regular afternoon tea or £70 with champagne.

Slots are bookable weekdays from 12pm until 7pm.