Betty Blythe Food Pantry

If you’ve ever seen the film Cold Comfort Farm, you may have fallen in love with the quaint little English tea room where Stephen Fry makes his improper advances on the young Kate Beckinsale.

That fictional tea room is just the sort of civilised corner we would like to see more of in London and not just on occasional retreats to the country.

There are, of course, several quaint nooks in the city in which to enjoy low-key afternoon tea traditions; one is Conduit Street’s Sketch, another is the Candid Galleries café in Islington. But for a more secluded treat, there’s the Betty Blythe Fine Food Pantry in West London, which is named after an early Hollywood actress famous for sporting a rather risqué on-screen wardrobe, and one of the first of her time to perform nude scenes.

Although there are no ladies in the all-together here, just as appealing is the little bijou café that provides lunch, general supplies for the pantry and the best cupcakes in town. Tea is served in proper teapots with attractive crockery. Cake is plentiful. It could stop there and already be a success.

But the owner’s secret weapon is her events space in the basement, where she hosts children’s parties and hen parties with a difference. The main room is an orderly, vintage-inspired space with dark wooden furniture, lined by two brickwork alcoves decked out with a few dainty embellishments.

For the older ladies among us, vintage-loving hen groups will be delighted with the evening events, which include refreshments and styling advice on make-up, hair and clothing looks inspired by different eras. For younger girls, there are bespoke children’s tea parties, complete with tea, sweet things and a chest of drawers filled with dressing up goodies.

Prices for a party with eight children start at £84. If you don’t have any daughters, get some, and book them in. What’s more, Santa himself will be visiting Betty Blythe in December – kids’ bookings are available online.

For a celebration of twee in pretty, feminine surrounds, not forgetting a glamorous line-up of staff in matching outfits and red lipstick, Betty Blythe should be your next stop-off for afternoon tea.

Betty Blythe Fine Food Pantry
73 Blythe Road
Shepherd’s Bush
W14 0HP

Tel: 020 7602 1177

www.bettyblythe.co.uk