When I realized we would be spending my birthday in London, I knew there was one thing I definitely wanted to do: have classic afternoon tea! It was my birthday, after all, so why not indulge, while doing something completely British at the same time?
To up the it’s-my-birthday-and-I-want-to-feel-fancy quotient, I chose the Orangery at Kensington Palace. (And only partly because that’s now where William and Kate live).
While we didn’t actually go into Kensington Palace for a tour (tea was quite expensive enough, thank you very much!) we spent a long time over tea and exploring the massive grounds at the edge of Hyde Park. In August, the gardens were pretty gorgeous, and I had too much fun taking a million shots of flowers, squirrels, and the lovely old English buildings.
(Hey, it was my birthday!)
The Orangery is a beautiful building set a little way from the main Palace. While we didn’t make reservations, meaning we had to wait for a bit, it was nice and sunny, so it wasn’t a big deal for us, although it’s something to consider with that damp English weather
. We went ahead and ordered the traditional Afternoon Tea service, complete with a variety of tiny sandwiches, scones and clotted cream, and an assortment of pastries. And, of course, tea is included. All of this for about 24 euros–each–so you will certainly pay for atmosphere as well.
It was the perfect birthday treat.
Especially since that was where we discovered clotted cream, and my life will certainly never be the same.
Which is exactly the sort of thing that should happen on a birthday, if you ask me. 
the full set up!
on retrospect, wearing a jean shirt maybe wasn’t the fanciest thing. 
we snuck a selfie! classy.
how gorgeous is the china? it has the little crown because it’s all on loan from the Queen.
my handsome tea date.
the front of the Palace.
This is the letter K for the A to Z Challenge!
Gosh the park grounds look gorgeous! So many beautiful blooms 🙂 I love English afternoon teas – we are quite the fan of them in Australia but it always feels like a real treat when you go! I think you look gorgeous in your denim shirt!
Thank you so much! 🙂 I tried to fancy it up a little…but you know what’s it like when you only have so many items of clothing in your suitcase! I love how decadent the teas feel, even when you just have a scone!
What a great way to enjoy your birthday…I would do the exact same thing…gorgeous photos!
I thought so too! Thanks so much! It’s easy to take gorgeous photos in a place like that 🙂
Kensington Palace and the grounds are gorgeous! What a great way to spend a birthday! x
I agree and recommend anyone spend their birthday the same way 🙂