The Orchard Room in Bloom: A new botanical afternoon tea blossoms in St James’s Park

The Conrad London St James has launched a new seasonal edition of its InfiniTEA Afternoon Tea. Served in the intimate Orchard Room that’s tucked away past the hotel’s plush bar, The Orchard Room in Bloom selection follows a botanical theme, drawing on the (usually!) gentle warmth of British summer.

The surroundings are appropriately verdant as we are led to our table, where places are set with Wedgwood Wild Strawberry bone china and gold-plated cutlery whose teaspoons are in the shape of leaves. On the table are little vases bursting with dahlias, snapdragons and other blooms that give a quintessentially English feel. The menu is similarly fresh, taking the flavours, colours and aromas of warmer days in a cottage garden as its cue. 

The experience begins with a vibrantly red, cold Hibiscus Infusion from Nazani Tea, which offers an earthy yet citrus counterpoint to the rich cornucopia of treats presented on a traditional tea stand. Later, we are served a warm Nettle Infusion that’s subtle and refreshing between courses, hitting almost like a palate-cleansing sorbet.

A seasonal selection of finger sandwiches includes Organic Egg, Truffle and Watercress and Cucumber and Mint, the combination balancing richness and crispness. Next are three savoury bites, diminutive but not insubstantial. The English Pea and Mint Tart is an apt if not quite perfectly executed combination of seasonal flavours, while old-fashioned Coronation Chicken is served with apricot in a miniature brioche roll. Last in this section is a Smoked Salmon and Lemon Éclair that occupies a higher strata, bringing briny tartness in gorgeously light choux pastry.

Scones – often the less exciting moment at afternoon tea but certainly not here – come in four varieties: Jersey Butter, Raisins, Dark Chocolate Stracciatella and Blueberry Lemon. All are soft and fluffy, avoiding the heaviness that the bake can risk. The Blueberry Lemon are a revelation, complemented perfectly by the The Orchard’s own lemon curd. There’s also raspberry and rose jam, a pleasing twist on the traditional preserve, and of course Cornish clotted cream.

The pâtisserie is where the The Orchard Room in Bloom really comes into its own, capturing the English garden with a variety of delicate sweet treats decorated with tiny pansies and dried cornflower petals. We first try the Raspberry and White Chocolate English Rose, a luxurious mousse in the shape of the flower. The Cornflower and Blueberry Cheesecake is juicy, glazed in glossy purple, and the Sunflower Honey Cake, satisfyingly solid in contrast, is served with a honeycomb tuile and bee pollen that pays tribute to the all-important insect. Finally, there’s an Apple, Pistachio and Basil Slice with crisp, green balls of Granny Smith and bright basil leaves arranged on layers of pistachio and basil cream – deliciously unusual.

Afternoon tea remains a popular experience at hotels across the capital, though it’s an indulgence that can feel it goes too far – but not so at The Orchard Room. The Orchard Room in Bloom manages to achieve decadence that’s delicate rather than overwhelming, even in the heat of the summer, in an ambience that’s awash with light and foliage. A real treat.

Food Desk
Photos: Jodi Hinds

The Orchard Room in Bloom afternoon tea is available from 25^th July 2026 at The Orchard Room, Conrad London St James, 22-28 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH. For further information or to book, visit the hotel’s website here.