Glass gets magical at the Mary Poppins themed afternoon tea at Aqua Shard

IN celebration of the wonderful tale of Mary Poppins, The Shard have launched a special themed afternoon tea to celebrate all things Mary Poppins at their sky-high restaurant Aqua Shard.  

The trademark Mary Poppins umbrella

The tea is a quaint tribute to the author PL Travers whose first literary success was the novel of Mary Poppins which was written in London in 1934. This July sees the relaunch of the five original Mary Poppins classics with brand new covers from HarperCollins Children’s Books, all of which are blown up to enjoy at the aqua shard.

Guests are transported into the magical world of the fictional nanny on arrival, where the story becomes a reality with waiters dressed in colourful pin striped suits and boater hats serving up an assortment of hot and cold drinks. On arrival I’m given a glass of champagne with a miniature kite attached to the glass flute to make it look like it was flying. I’m then offered the option of adding “medicine” to my drink which turns out to be a selection of three homemade liqueurs of of rum punch, lime cordial and strawberry that aim to add an extra flavour to the champagne.

I opt for the lime cordial “medicine” which is poured from an old fashioned medicine bottle into my drink giving it a zesty twist. Also on the menu is a raspberry and rhubarb ripple flavoured ice cream float on top of old fashioned lemonade, which is a perfect alternative for alcohol which is also a popular choice among children.

Champagne and special homemade liqueurs

Taking influence from a classic British afternoon tea guests can enjoy sandwiches, scones and cake. The menu is printed on a golden framed mirror and features premium treats such as miniature crumpets with smoked salmon and cream cheese, a cackleberry farm egg and truffle sandwich and Devon crab and cucumber brioche. Everything from the cutlery to the table decoration will take you down memory lane, with the iconic parrot head umbrella used by Mary Poppins as a parasol for the tiered plates on which the food is served. The statement table decoration mixed with the panoramic 360 degree view from the Shard will have you feeling as if you were in the tale yourself.

Colourful themed desserts

The desserts cleverly take their name name after significant moments in the novel and film with the Strike Me Pink Sponge named after a quote from the book and the Cherry Tree Lane mousse in the shape of Mary’s hat. In addition to these edible references, a variety of fresh scones are served out of the famous carpet bag that Mary Poppins carries.

With references and props accompanying the experience, the Mary Poppins afternoon tea is perfect for fans of the story or simple those looking to experience the charm of a British tradition with a quirky twist.  

by Katrina Mirpuri

The Mary Poppins Afternoon Tea will be served every day from 1.00-5.00pm in the triple-storey atrium of aqua shard. The afternoon tea is priced at £49 per person, or £66 with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne, and £72 with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Rosé. It is available until April 2019.

To book, please visit the website www.aquashard.co.uk or call 020 3011 1256 or