Today I am grateful for another visit to the V and A Museum and Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason.
The Victoria and Albert Museum (often abbreviated as the V&A) in London is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects. It was founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. We have visited the V and A Museum a couple of times. It is so huge you could spend days and days there just absorbing all the beautiful exhibitions.
In the afternoon we went to Fortnum and Mason for afternoon tea. This was so special.
Photo from Fortnum and Mason.com
Fortnum and Mason has quite an interesting history which you can read about here:
Founded as a grocery store, Fortnum’s reputation was built on supplying quality food, and saw rapid growth throughout the Victorian era. Though Fortnum’s developed into a department store, it continues to focus on stocking a variety of exotic, speciality and also ‘basic’ provisions.
The store has since opened several other departments, such as the Gentlemen’s department on the third floor. It is also the location of a tea shop and several restaurants.
Another interesting fact about Fortnum and Mason is they have a bee hive on the roof! You can read about them here:
Bee Hives at Fortnum and Mason
The store and afternoon tea were very special. I felt I had escaped the hustle and bustle of London for a few hours.
When tea becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things. Where is beauty to be found? In great things that, like everything else, are doomed to die, or in small things that aspire to nothing, yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in a single moment?
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Until next time
