Afternoon Tea at The Shard

If you are ever in London, it is difficult to not to notice the three-hundred metre shard of glass and metal that pokes through the city skyline at London Bridge. It is certainly an impressive sight, and with Valentine’s Day almost upon us, there has never been a better time to visit one of the most famous, and tallest, landmarks in Europe. If you feel like you sometimes struggle to take your date’s breath away, the view from the top almost certainly will.

Virgin Experience Days offer a trip to the top for the romantics out there, although you can always treat a friend if you’re feeling generous. As part of their Afternoon Tea Package for Two, you’ll be whisked three-hundred metres into the stratosphere to experience The View from The Shard, before coming halfway back down to earth for a civilised afternoon tea hosted by GONG, the Shangri-La’s in-house Chinese bar.

The view from the top is simply spectacular. As a Londoner who traverses the corridors of the city on a regular basis, it was great to see my home from a different perspective. Spotting different landmarks from dizzying heights, we sipped on a glass of rosé champagne to celebrate the occasion. Fortunately for us it was a fairly clear day, although the rain clouds in the distance were a spectacular show from Mother Earth. After an hour of of rubbing shoulders with the crowds of tourists, it was then time to descend into a slightly more relaxed environment.

With an equally impressive view from the 52nd floor, the afternoon tea experience at GONG was instantly a success. First up, another glass of champagne (it is a special day after all), followed by a fantastic selection of in-house teas. Playing it safe, and avoiding some of the more exotic options, the “Gong Afternoon Tea” was a great choice; subtle flavours with a hint of oriental spice.

As the afternoon started to disappear, the plates were now on the table and so it was time to eat. The sandwiches for the first course were delicate, although the Stilton blue cheese, caramelised walnuts, and cucumber option certainly packed a punch. Next up, the Earl Grey-infused scone was beautifully subtle in flavours and provided a perfect second course. To finish off proceedings, a selection of decadent cakes, with the “Tirami Su” Tart a personal favourite; a delectable combination of coffee and mascarpone.

Finishing up our sweet treats, our attention then turned to the bar. An oriental-inspired cocktail list contained plenty of reasons to come back for another visit, but my eyes were immediately drawn to their modern twist on the classic Old Fashioned; rum, whiskey and bourbon all perfectly mixed with a plum overtone. Valentine’s Day is all about creating memories and our trip up The Shard was certainly becoming a memorable one. Sipping our drinks as we gazed out from the highest bar in Western Europe, we couldn’t help but feel slightly on top of the world…

*This post was written in collaboration with Virgin Experience Days