‘Afternoon Tea Week 2015′ is running from 10th-16th August this year and to celebrate its launch I was invited to St Ermin’s Hotel near St James’ Park for a glass or two of fizz and the St Ermin’s Summer Afternoon Tea. St. Ermin’s Hotel is part of the Autograph Collection, Marriott International’s exclusive portfolio of upscale, independent hotels, and it has a wonderful balcony overlooking the front of the hotel where we were being served.

St Ermin’s chef Adam Handling’s signature summer tea (£35 a head) is a sumptuous spread with savouries and sandwiches including a pork and black pudding sausage roll, and salt beef with horseradish, cucumber and cream cheese and smoked salmon and caviar sandwiches.

Deliciously crumbly freshly baked scones were served warm with clotted cream and homemade jams.

A selection of sweet treats included a citrus Yuzu posset, a strawberry macaroon, a moist  lemon & rose petal drizzle cake and a chocolate and raspberry tea cake. The normal tea has unlimited fizz but we were drinking an Innocent Bystander Victoria 2014 Rosé Moscato which was a lovely match for the sweeter elements. I ordered a cup of Oriental Sencha tea from specialist tea suppliers Newby Teas which was brewed at too high a temperature for my taste-about 70 degrees is appropriate.

I think everyone should go and have an afternoon tea to support Afternoon Tea Week. If you’re not sure where to go try the St Ermin’s for great value or see my review of the Scents of Summer Afternoon Tea at The InterContinental in Park Lane for something more high concept. Another option is to go to Afternoontea.co.uk which is a relatively new website offering all the best deals on afternoon teas and an ability to book directly from the website.