One of our young ambassadors, Annabell Lamba (a self-confessed afternoon tea addict), samples the offer at the Circle Restaurant and gives her verdict below.

Do you put milk in tea first? Is it clotted cream or jam on your scone? Or dare I say it, both? All very important questions carefully considered when my fellow Young Ambassadors and I enjoyed Afternoon Tea at the Hippodrome’s Circle Restaurant earlier this month. As an avid fan of afternoon tea (well – who isn’t?), I was really looking forward to seeing what one of the UK’s most popular theatres had to offer.

The most quintessential of English customs, afternoon tea, is typically intended to help fill the gap between lunch and dinner, but also the perfect treat before a matinee performance at the Hippodrome.

We visited the Circle Restaurant on a Saturday afternoon which made for a tantalising atmosphere as many customers were dining before the afternoon performance. You could really feel the buzz of excitement and contentment as people dug into this delicate treat.

Priced at £19.50 per person, the Hippodrome afternoon tea includes: scones, strawberry preserve and clotted cream, a delicious selection of homemade finger sandwiches and beautiful sweet treats including macaroons and chocolate profiteroles served with a choice of tea or freshly ground coffee. You can even celebrate in style with a glass of Prosecco or Champagne.

So what’s different about this afternoon tea experience? Having been a connoisseur of afternoon tea for many years I was instantly captivated by how it was presented within a beautifully shelved tier stand, making all those around you look on in awe, wondering if they had time to indulge before the performance. This was the very definition of the wow-factor. The staff were friendly, attentive and quick to assist with any dietary requirements which was really reassuring – being a veggie this is always a bit hit and miss.

Overall the contemporary setting of the Circle Restaurant, the selection of dainty sweet bites on offer and the relaxed atmosphere made for a great afternoon and definitely a venue I would consider in the future.

So, if you fancy indulging in a spot of Afternoon Tea, be sure to check out the Hippodrome’s Circle Restaurant for an elegant start to your theatre experience.