Afternoon Tea Review: Mary Poppins at Aqua Shard

At the beginning of the year I’d never been for an afternoon tea but 2018 has seen me go for three different ones. My second afternoon tea of the year took me to Aqua at the Shard in London, which was also my first visit to the Shard, where I enjoyed a Mary Poppins themed afternoon tea.

It is held on the 31st floor where you are met by glass windows all around which gives you a wonderful view of London that lasts for miles. There are some tables situated in the window which we were lucky to be seated at. Mary Poppins afternoon tea is inspired by the books written by P.L Travers which Harper Collins have relaunched as well as a movie to be released later this year.

Once seated you are given a menu which comes on a gold framed mirror reflecting on Mary’s vanity and practically perfect reflection. On the table you will find crockery that has taken inspiration from Mary Poppins as you find a plate with a picture of Mary flying with her umbrella as well as cup with a picture of an umbrella.

There are two special tea’s which you can choose from which are:

Mary’s Tea – a floral tea with a blend of darjeeling, ceylon, keemun and rose petals

Bert’s Tea – a sweet and smokey tea with a blend of souchong, keemun, ceylon, vanilla flavouring and cornflour.

I opted for Mary’s tea which was lovely especially as I am someone who doesn’t like tea normally.

If you wish to add some fizz to your afternoon tea you are able to with some champagne which comes in a flute with a kite flying from the glass. You can choose to add some ‘medicine’ to your champagne as you are given the following options:

Rum Punch

Strawberry

Lime Cordial

Both my Mum and I decided not to add some fizz but we did see some people take this option.

A custom made stand is brought to your table with your savoury and sweet treats. The stand comes with an umbrella located at the top and then on the bottom you can find a pair of boots.

Sandwiches include:

Cackleberry farm egg & truffle

Dingley dell honey roast ham and mustard

Ploughman’s

Devon crab and cucumber brioche

You are also served mini warm crumpets which are a favourite of Mary’s with salmon and cream cheese

For sweet treats you will find:

‘Strike me pink’ sponge

Black cherry mousse covered in dark chocolate and a cherry on top in the shape of Mary’s hat

Mrs Corry’s gingerbread star

‘Back to the front zoo’ golden syrup tart

On a separate plate you will find some homemade scones with jam and cream which we took home as we were too full from from the sweet treats and sandwiches.