London and Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire, England
May 15–22, 2022
We’re taking TeaTime on the road in 2022 and heading across the pond so you can be steeped in English tea wares, history, and traditions and learn recipes for delectable tea fare. This weeklong trip will begin and end in London, with travel to the picturesque English countryside.
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations in London and Derbyshire
- Breakfast daily at hotels in London and Derbyshire
- Private coach transfers to/from all retreat activities and to/from Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire
- Tea tasting and classes with Jane Pettigrew
- Tours of Victoria & Albert Museum, Chitra Collection, Spode Museum, and Wedgwood Museum and Factory
- Baking class with Chef Ross Sneddon at The School of Artisan Food
- Dinner with Chef Ross Sneddon at The School of Artisan Food
- Six afternoon teas
What’s Not Included
- Airfare/travel to/from London
- Airport transfers
- Most dinners and lunches
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations* in London and Derbyshire
- Breakfast daily at hotels in London and Derbyshire
- Private coach transfers to/from all retreat activities and to/from Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire
- Tea tasting and classes with Jane Pettigrew
- Tours of Victoria & Albert Museum, Chitra Collection, Spode Museum, and Wedgwood Museum and Factory
- Baking class with Chef Ross Sneddon at The School of Artisan Food
- Dinner with Chef Ross Sneddon at The School of Artisan Food
- Six afternoon teas
*Accommodations are shared with another participant. Please let us know the name of your roommate when you register.
What’s Not Included
- Airfare/travel to/from London
- Airport transfers
- Most dinners and lunches
For participant, everything listed for “Single Occupancy” is included.
What’s Included for +1
- Hotel accommodations with participant in London and Derbyshire
- Breakfast daily at hotels in London and Derbyshire
- Private coach transfers to/from all retreat activities and to/from Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire
- Victoria & Albert Museum tour with group
- Pottery tour and afternoon tea in Staffordshire for the same day as participant
- Group dinner with Chef Ross Sneddon at The School of Artisan Food
What’s Not Included for +1
- Airfare/travel to/from London
- Airport transfers
- Group afternoon teas in London
- Tea tasting and lectures with Jane Pettigrew
- Chitra Collection tour
- Baking class with Chef Ross Sneddon at The School of Artisan Food
- All other dinners and lunches
Have a question about this retreat? Contact us.
Sunday, May 15
Arrive in London and get settled into The Milestone Hotel, a luxury, five-star hotel featured in TeaTime’s January/February 2020 issue. The hotel is located in the Kensington neighborhood, adjacent to Kensington Palace and Gardens and close to Royal Albert Hall. We’ll have a proper afternoon tea at the hotel so you can meet TeaTime editor Lorna Reeves, London-based contributing editor Jane Pettigrew, and your fellow tea travelers.
Monday, May 16
As our day begins, Jane Pettigrew will give an overview of British tea history, followed by a tasting of six rare teas she has selected exclusively for us. This will prepare us well for our private tea-themed tour of the Victoria & Albert Museum. Enjoy lunch on your own in the museum café and peruse other exhibits at your leisure. Later, we’ll partake of an elegant afternoon tea together at Claridge’s.
Tuesday, May 17
After breakfast, Jane Pettigrew will continue the discussion of Britain’s important historic role in the global tea trade as well as British tea traditions. A private coach will take our group to visit the Chitra Collection of exquisite tea wares, where we’ll enjoy an exclusive guided tour. We’ll take in a bird’s-eye view of London as we enjoy an early afternoon tea at Ting in The Shard, the tallest building in the city.
Wednesday, May 18
Have breakfast and then check out of the hotel before boarding a private coach that will take us north to Derbyshire. We’ll wind through tiny villages and picturesque landscapes before we check into the charming Hotel Van Dyk. In the evening, we’ll have a very special dinner at The School of Artisan Food in Nottinghamshire and will be joined by our instructor, Chef Ross Sneddon. The meal will be prepared from local produce and meats, much of it grown on the adjacent Welbeck Estate or on other nearby farms.
Thursday, May 19
One group will spend the day at The School of Artisan Food for a hands-on afternoon-tea baking class with Chef Ross Sneddon that will feature many of the recipes he uses at The Balmoral hotel where he serves as Executive Pastry Chef, such as a range of scones, French macarons with lemon cream, filled choux pastries, and delicate chocolate and hazelnut sponge cake. The other group will spend the day in Stoke-on-Trent exploring the Spode Museum Trust Heritage Centre and the Wedgwood Factory and Museum before having afternoon tea at the Wedgwood Tea Room.
Friday, May 20
Groups will switch activities, with one going to The School of Artisan Food and the other to Stoke-on-Trent.
Saturday, May 21
After breakfast, we will return to London and to The Milestone Hotel, stopping to explore the village of Woburn in Bedfordshire. (Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, is credited with inventing the practice of afternoon tea circa 1840, and the current Duke and Duchess of Bedford still reside at Woburn Abbey. Sadly, the abbey itself is closed to visitors while it undergoes a massive renovation.) If you’re hungry, you might want to grab a quick bite of lunch, but you’ll want to be sure to save room for the closing afternoon tea we’ll have together in London in Fortnum & Mason’s stunningly beautiful Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, where we’ll toast our amazing week together.
Sunday, May 22
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before your noon checkout.
Accommodations in London
Located in the Kensington neighborhood of London, adjacent Kensington Palace and Gardens and close to the Royal Albert Hall, The Milestone Hotel is a five-star historic hotel that’s steeped in British style and charm. Each room features fine fabrics, fresh flowers, antique furnishings, and rare artwork.
We have a limited number of rooms available for the evening of Saturday, May 14, if you plan to arrive in London a day early. To include one of those rooms in your package, place “Hotel add-on for Saturday, May 14” in your cart for checkout. We also have a few rooms for Sunday, May 22. If you wish to extend your stay, you can include one of those rooms by placing “Hotel add-on for Sunday, May 22” in your cart for checkout.
We will do our best to arrange for double-occupancy rooms with two beds, but due to the uniqueness of the hotels where we will be staying, we cannot guarantee separate beds. If there are not two beds, guests will be provided with two sets of linens on one bed.
Accommodations in Derbyshire
The charming Hotel Van Dyk is conveniently located about 5 miles from The School of Artisan Food.
We will do our best to arrange for double-occupancy rooms with two beds, but due to the uniqueness of the hotels where we will be staying, we cannot guarantee separate beds. If there are not two beds, guests will be provided with two sets of linens on one bed.
Who You’ll Meet
- Lorna Reeves, editor of TeaTime magazine
- Jane Pettigrew, TeaTime contributing editor, award-winning author and tea educator, and founder and director of studies for the UK Tea Academy
- Chef Ross Sneddon, Executive Pastry Chef of The Balmoral in Edinburgh, Scotland
Booking
Half of the retreat cost (50%) is due at booking. The remaining balance of the retreat cost is due by March 1, 2022. Your reservation will be confirmed upon receipt of initial payment, which is nonrefundable. We accept payment by American Express, Visa, and Mastercard, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. Trip prices are in U.S. dollars.
Travel to and from London
Guests are responsible for getting themselves to London and to The Milestone Hotel on Sunday, May 15, 2022, when the retreat commences. Guests will be responsible for getting themselves from The Milestone Hotel to their airport or their next destination on Sunday, May 22, 2022.
Costs
The price of the trip includes all hotel accommodations, afternoon tea six days, all breakfasts, all tours, a full-day baking class at The School of Artisan Food, lectures, a tea tasting, and private coach transfers to/from retreat activities. It does not include airfare or ground transportation from or to the airport.
Single occupancy, double occupancy, and participant plus one guest rates are available.
Your credit card will be charged by Hoffman Media, the parent company of TeaTime.
Cancellation
Since the trip is nonrefundable, we suggest buying trip insurance through a company like Travelex. You can also check with your credit card company to see if they provide travel insurance.
If you don’t purchase travel insurance, you agree to indemnify us against any charges that might have otherwise been covered by your insurance. You further agree that we are not responsible for any costs of cancellation or costs related to COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, there may be limitations relating to activities. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result of changing circumstances. Please know that we are working closely with our partners in England to plan and execute a safe retreat for our guests, but there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 when traveling. By booking this retreat, you acknowledge and assume these risks associated with travel.
If a mandatory quarantine for visitors is in effect for travel to the United Kingdom during the retreat, the retreat will be cancelled, and your money will be refunded in full. If quarantine is required of you due to not meeting entry standards such as a COVID-19 vaccination, you are responsible for adhering to the United Kingdom’s quarantine regulations and will not be offered a refund. You are responsible for following all travel protocols to enter the United Kingdom. These may include proof of vaccination, a health visa, and/or a negative COVID-19 test. (We will help you navigate this process, so don’t worry.)
We reserve the right to cancel this retreat if fewer than 10 participants have signed up by March 1, 2022. We will send an email confirmation to all participants when this number has been met. If TeaTime initiates the cancellation, we will refund all payments. Please note that we will be monitoring travel advisories related to the COVID-19 pandemic closely.
Can I extend my stay at The Milestone Hotel?
We have a limited number of rooms available for the evening of Saturday, May 14, if you plan to arrive in London a day early. To include one of those rooms in your package, place “Hotel add-on for Saturday, May 14” in your cart for checkout. We also have a few rooms for Sunday, May 22. If you wish to extend your stay, you can include one of those rooms by placing “Hotel add-on for Sunday, May 22” to your cart for checkout.
Is breakfast included?
This retreat package includes daily breakfast at the London and Derbyshire hotels.
I want to bring my travel companion, but they don’t want to participate in the baking class or the London tea activities. What can they do?
We offer a “participant plus-one package” for this very reason! This package allows you to bake and participate in all retreat activities while your travel companion explores London and Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire on their own. As a part of this package, hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, Victoria & Albert Museum tour, transportation with group to Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire, a pottery tour and afternoon tea in Staffordshire for the same day as you, and welcome dinner at The School of Artisan Food are included for your plus-one companion. Plus-one packages are limited.
Are children able to attend this retreat?
All participants must be 16 years old or older to attend this baking retreat.
Are the baking classes hands-on?
Yes, baking classes will be hands-on in a professional cookery school kitchen.
What should I plan to wear at the cookery schools?
Please wear comfortable, close-toe shoes. We recommend you dress in comfortable, layered clothing as the temperature in training rooms can vary. Please do not wear long or loose jewelery. Long hair should be pulled back. Aprons will be provided for in-class use.
What should I plan to wear for afternoon tea?
The four venues at which we will be having afternoon tea in London recommend “smart casual attire.” Women should feel free to wear dresses, skirts, or slacks, and men may wear sports jackets, if they wish. Hats are not required. Please avoid wearing jeans, T-shirts, torn garments, sneakers, or flip-flops.
Can special diets be accommodated?
Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available for most afternoon teas and group meals, if mentioned at least 30 days in advance. Vegan options might be available but cannot be guaranteed. Baking classes are not gluten-free.
How much physical activity can I expect?
Although we will have a private coach for most of our activities, walking will be required for tours and other sightseeing. Participants should be able to walk approximately ½ mile in less than 15 minutes and/or to climb a flight of stairs without extreme shortness of breath or other physical ailments. While in the baking classes, participants should be able to stand for long periods of time.
If I book a double-occupancy package, will the hotel room have two beds?
We will do our best to arrange for double-occupancy rooms with two beds, but due to the uniqueness of the hotels where we will be staying, we cannot guarantee separate beds. If there are not two beds, guests will be provided with two sets of linens on one bed.
Is this retreat better suited for professionals or home bakers?
Our retreats are geared for passionate home bakers, but professionals are always welcome.
What will we be baking?
Chef Ross Sneddon will guide us in preparing many of the recipes he uses at The Balmoral hotel where he serves as Executive Pastry Chef—a range of scones, French macarons with lemon cream, filled choux pastries, and delicate chocolate and hazelnut sponge cake.
What will the weather be like in England in May?
On average, highs in May will be in the low 60s (Fahrenheit), with cooler nights. It’s always a good idea to dress in layers and to have a rain jacket handy.
Will we have any free time in London?
You will have free time in London each evening after our afternoon teas to explore on your own, catch a concert at nearby Royal Albert Hall, or take in a show at one of the many theatres. And in case you still have room for dinner, we will equip you with our list of favorite restaurants.