Step into the magical world of Willy Wonka with a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea.
From spectacular sandwiches to out-of-this-world cakes and smoking fizzy drinks, Citizen Enfants’ experience of the month presents kids with one of London’s tastiest tales. Find out why this marvellous, immersive dining experience is your golden ticket to a thrilling afternoon.
What is the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea?
This is no ordinary afternoon tea. Yes there are sandwiches and scones, but the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon tea at One Aldwych is so much more than just lunch with clotted cream and jam. Tucked away in the basement floor of this five-star hotel just off the Strand in London, visitors are transported to the magical world of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory. Upon entry, the ‘sorting machine’ will decide if you are a ‘good nut’ or a ‘bad nut’ (remember this didn’t turn out too well for Veruca Salt!) but one flick of a lever from the staff and everyone who visits is sure to be told they are, in fact, a ‘good nut’. Turn around to see the marvellous sweetie bar with its eye-catching display of jars of gobstoppers and jelly beans. These aren’t to try but a mouthwatering sign of what’s in store as you journey towards your experience.
Start with a classic sandwich selection with favourites such as coronation chicken and egg mayonnaise alongside some delicious savoury macarons. Ham, cheese, and cucumber ‘splendid sarnies’ are served to little guests as they tend to be a bit more suitable for children’s palates. All washed down with your choice of tea (there are several to pick from include chocolate noir and caramel) and a hot chocolate topped with a mountain of cream for children.
Next, it’s on to the traditional afternoon tea favourite of scones with cream and jam – but with a twist. Alongside plain, you’ll find raison and fudge scones and fruity ‘snozzberry’ jam. Then it’s time to get stuck into the delectable delights everyone has been waiting for: the ‘scrumptious sweets’. It’s the delight on children’s faces that you’ll want to capture as the carefully constructed mini treasure chest of exquisite little cakes is brought to your table. Each guest has their own selection including fizzy lemonade posset, ‘hair toffee’ mouse, all enhanced by the large candy floss on a stick. Our favourite? The caramel chocolate milkshake (mixed by waterfall). Ever wondered why a waterfall is the perfect chocolate mixing device? “The waterfall is most important! It mixes the chocolate! It churns it up! It pounds it and beats it! It makes it light and frothy! No other factory in the world mixes its chocolate by waterfall!”
Just as the book did, this afternoon tea aims to be the stuff of dreams for children and it certainly lives up to its fictitious inspiration.
Who is it for?
Do you like sweets and chocolate? Then this is for you! Fans of the classic Roald Dahl book will love the constant clever references to Oompa Loompas and characters such as Augustus Gloop, but even if you aren’t that familiar with the story, you’ll still get swept up in the fun of magical looking food and drink. The performance from the staff is as entertaining as they excite you for what’s to come while quoting lines from the book. Children will love the crayons and themed worksheet and with its space to draw, quiz and word search.
From the colourful china on the table to the purple menu, everything fits perfectly with the playful theme. You’ll even find the covers of various editions of the original book framed in the toilets.
The Highlights
The ‘fizzy lifting mocktails’, in three fruity flavours; strawberry, passion fruit and berry, arrive at the table with dry ice presenting a smoking creation Wonka himself would be proud of.
What To Wear
This cosy indoor experience is perfect for a cool autumn day out. There is no particular dress code, but if little ones wanted to dress as a character from Charlie and the Chocolate factory they certainly could and the extremely attentive would be sure to play along.
Where is it?
The Afternoon Tea experience is located in the basement of One Aldwych Hotel, 1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ. The nearest train stations are Waterloo and Charing Cross or catch a tube to nearby Covent Garden.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?