In a city where afternoon tea has become something of a ubiquitous English art form, it can be a surprisingly difficult to pick out the culinary kings of scones and sandwiches from the mere pretenders. There are too many tourist traps out there to mention, but luckily at The Balcon afternoon tea is everything it should be: elegant, delicious and a little bit special. The champagne flutes are filled high here and the sweet treats come with a sophisticated Parisian twist. Traditional finger sandwiches sit alongside three different varieties of scone served with Devonshire clotted cream and rose scented raspberry jam. And then the real stars of the show arrive – rows of immaculate Parisian pastries displayed on a gilded dessert trolley. The rose macaroon decorated with a delicate sugared petal is almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. Take your tea in the grand dining room or opt for an armchair or chaise lounge over in the Rose Lounge. Awash with vibrant pinks and floral furnishings, this is the ideal destination for a girls’ day out.