The Library at County Hall

Name: The Library at County Hall
Address: London County Hall Westminster Bridge Road, London, United Kingdom, SE1 7PB
Telephone: 020 7902 8000
Price range: £41 and over
Rating: 4.5

4.5

660 Reviews

£41 and over

British

Top tags:

Located in the London Marriott Hotel County Hall, The Library décor features the original oak bookcases stacked with the classics and adorned with busts of literary and historical figures. Indulge in history whilst enjoying spectacular views over the River Thames and Big Ben.
Award-winning Executive Head Chef Jamie Welch has created a new elegant menu for The Library featuring contemporary British dishes with a modern twist.
Freshly prepared by our creative pastry chefs, afternoon tea features reimagined classics including a delectable arrangement of cakes and pastries, sweet and savoury scones served with seasonal jams and clotted cream, and full flavoured finger sandwiches.

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No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

8 Dec 2023

19:00

Booked 17 times today

Experiences are available.

Private dining

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
£41 and over
Cuisines
British, Afternoon Tea
Hours of Operation
Daily 12:00–17:00
Phone number
020 7902 8000
Website
https://www.thelibraryatcountyhall.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Jamie Welch
Private party facilities
Toast the season with the introduction of a new quintessentially English menu in some of the most historic rooms within the former home to the Greater London Council. We opened our doors as The London Marriott Hotel, County Hall in 1998 and the building retains its original features to this day.
Private party contact
Hannah Smith: 020 3589 4330

Location
London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB
Area
Waterloo
Parking Details
Valet
Public Transit
Waterloo Station, Westminster Station
Additional
Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Christmas Day Afternoon tea
£95.00 per person
25 Dec 2023 only
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Pre-payment required for all bookings (non-refundable). A member of the team will contact you to confirm the reservation and take the pre-payment. For parties 5 and more please contact mhrs.lonch.festive@marriott.com Celebrate Christmas with festive inspired Afternoon Tea in our historical Library boasting views over the Elizabeth Tower and River Thames. Sit back and relax in this unique setting amongst the 4,000 plus original books from the former library of the Greater London Council. Indulge in our bespoke cakes, finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones, mince pies and a glass of Pommery Brut Champagne or mulled wine to celebrate the festivities.
Free-flowing Sparkling Wine Festive afternoon tea
£80.00 per person
15 Nov 2023 - 5 Jan 2024
Treat yourself to a Free-Flowing Sparkling Wine Afternoon Tea at The Library. For £80 per person you can tuck in to a delicious spread of finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, cakes and sweet treats and enjoy 1.5 hours of sparkling wine. We are excited to be hosting a festive inspired Afternoon Tea in our historical Library boasting views over the Houses of Parliament and River Thames. Sit back and relax in this unique setting amongst the 4,000 plus original books from the former library of the Greater London Council.
Champagne Festive Afternoon Tea
£75.00 per person
15 Nov 2023 - 5 Jan 2024
Champagne lovers, this is for you! A glass of Champagne with Festive afternoon tea and iconic views. We are excited to be hosting a festive inspired Afternoon Tea in our historical Library boasting views over the Houses of Parliament and River Thames. Sit back and relax in this unique setting amongst the 4,000 plus original books from the former library of the Greater London Council.

What 660 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.3Food
4.5Service
4.7Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

South West London
Great for scenic views

660 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Es war hervorragend wie immer. Wenn man da nicht hingeht verpasst man etwas.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
London
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
Overall4Food4Service5Ambience5
Wonderful experience for afternoon tea because of the location and quality of the food. Make sure not to have had breakfast that morning 😅.
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TB
TeddyBear
Minneapolis
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
My first and only High Tea was all and more of expectations. To honor my wife who loved tea parties and to celebrate the seasons of winter, I chose to enjoy a solo tea. It was a gift to myself and in honor of my wife. A wonderful choice.
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DA
DanetteA
San Diego
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Absolutely amazing experience having tea on the Thames with a view.
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LH
LeeyaH
San Francisco
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on 27 November 2023
Overall3Food3Service2Ambience5
Beautiful setting, but below average service and food. The server only came by to take order and deliver food. Never came by again to see if we wanted more tea or how everything was going.
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F
Freeda
London
2 reviews
1.0
2 reviews
Dined on 26 November 2023
Overall1Food1Service3Ambience3
The food was inedible - the sandwiches were particularly awful. For example the avocado was brown and tasted a week old 🤮 The cakes were made of cheap ingredients and starbucks or cafe nero cakes taste better. The flavour combination was overbearing. The tea i had (chocolate flavour) tasted synthetic. Disgusting
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DC
DiCh
London
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on 25 November 2023
Overall3Food2Service2Ambience4
Overpriced. Food not great. Service spotty. Overall, a real disappointment for a birthday celebration. The venue and location is gorgeous.
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M
Millie
London
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on 24 November 2023
Overall4Food4Service4Ambience5
The ambience was excellent and the service in general was good. We had opted for the free flowing bubbles afternoon tea, which wasn’t as free flowing as usual as we were in an area behind the main room. I have been many times before and the sandwiches are always good. I was disappointed to see that cheese scones had been removed from the menu again as it’s good to have a balance between savoury and sweet. Not everyone has a sweet tooth.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 18 November 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
At The Library at County Hall I had the very best experience at a restaurant I’ve ever had. The best service, the best quality food, and the best ambiance and views I’ve ever had in a restaurant. I simply loved it.
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AW
AlisonW
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 18 November 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
We had a lovely afternoon tea, with free flowing sparkling wine. The quantity of food and the service were great. It’s a lovely environment in the Library. Our table overlooked the Thames and Big Ben. We had a great day :)
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A
Abeth
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 18 November 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
I have been to the County Hall on multiple occasions but it was my first time at the Library for an afternoon tea treat for a friend visiting London. It didn’t disappoint! Both the regular and vegan afternoon tea options were unique and fabulously done, and best of all the service was just amazing. The waiter entertained my friend’s questions, and overall looked after us.
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SH
SuzanneH
Gloucestershire
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on 17 November 2023
Overall4Food4Service4Ambience4
Fabulous afternoon tea with great view of Big Ben. Festive menu was delicious and different. Definitely would recommend.
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LM
LindaM
London
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 11 November 2023
Overall4Food5Service5Ambience4
There was a small misunderstanding about one of our party who couldn’t attend which then caused a delay in us being served our tea and food, but overall the staff and service were great and we felt very special. Would recommend to anyone who wants afternoon tea with amazing views and good service.
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LF
LizF
Hertfordshire
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 11 November 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Fantastic service and delicious food all set off buy an amazing location with views across the river. The library itself is atmospheric and delightful.
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EB
EllaB
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 11 November 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
So much made this a lovely experience but the service by Gareth was second to none. So accommodating. Great value. Tasty flavours and the setting was perfect. If you like afternoon tea…this is a no brainer!
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WP
WilmaP
Glasgow
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on 10 November 2023
Overall4Food3Service5Ambience5
Lovely setting. Sandwiches really nice, as were scones and tea selection. However the cakes were a disappointment. The textures were all the same. Cakes were tasteless. The cheesecake one was soggy. Gave feedback to receptionist. Many other diners had left the cakes too.
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CW
CarlW
Greater Boston
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on 9 November 2023
Overall4Food3Service5Ambience5
Automatically adding 12.5% Service charge and then saying 'Gratuities at your discretion' is not quite right ?
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PW
PatsyW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 9 November 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience4
I would like to name check the lovely Michelle, who was our sever and navigated us through all the options for tea, making choices in our behalf that were perfect & for being wonderfully attentive with a charming & engaging manner, The Library is super cosy and set in a beautiful building
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NG
NathanG
Denver
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 9 November 2023
Overall5Food5Service4Ambience5
The Vegan offering was amazing and every item was great!
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MR
MeganR
San Diego
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 6 November 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
We had the most magical tea experience. Chandra was a magnificent server who never let our “free-flowing” champagne go empty. We received excellent recommendations on tea and the food was delightful
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MG
MattG
London
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on 5 November 2023
Overall4Food4Service1Ambience4
We really enjoyed the whole experience, the location and view is very good. The Library itself is a great little venue. The food was good, a little uninspiring on the vegan front, but overall good food. What let it down was the lack of service, we couldn’t find any staff and when we did see one we had to get up from the table to go over and get their attention.
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FB
FayB
Oxford
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 5 November 2023
Overall4Food4Service4Ambience4
Very good, would recommend. Only problem was trying to find the venue.
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MM
MattM
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 4 November 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Lovely venue, excellent staff. In particular Chandra and Nataliya. The manager was also very nice and helpful. The food was very good, and whilst you do not get a lot of sandwiches, that is fairly common with afternoon tea anyway. We had the bottomless sparkling wine package, which was topped up nicely For us and we certainly left feeling a little tipsy! Lovely ambience, with excellent soundproofing from outside, and a calm interior where you can hear yourself speaking easily. Highly recommended!
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AS
AlineSaleh
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 4 November 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
It was perfect! I highly recommend this place for everybody.
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TC
TaniaC
New York Area
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on 31 October 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
A most pleasurable afternoon tea, in a lovely, quiet setting, overlooking the Thames and Big Ben.
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T
Tomoppa
Tokyo
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 29 October 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
You can enjoy the best ''London'' views and very delicious tea. As the name "Libray" suggests, the interior atmosphere is also wonderful. The price is also very reasonable. I can recommend it with confidence. My visit was at dusk. I will never forget the beautiful view of Elizabeth Tower from the window. You explained that the black tea is really delicious and that the tea leaves are special, but maybe the way it is brewed is also special? The employees are also very nice. I'm not very good at English, but I appreciate your patient explanation.
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EB
EveB
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 28 October 2023
Overall4Food4Service5Ambience5
Afternoon tea with a view. We did the bottomless bubbles version and we felt it was good value and the staff were very attentive. The food was good although the scones seemed a little dry but everything else was great! Would recommend
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LT
LynneT
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 28 October 2023
Overall4Food4Service4Ambience4
Lovely views from the Library over the Thames for our afternoon tea. Choice of tea was lovely and the food was very good
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JG
JanetG
Yorkshire
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 26 October 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
Fabulous team who arranged an amazing window table for my daughter in law and I. Friendly, professional, smiley - just gorgeous. Oh and the food was superb too :)
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AK
AlainK
Edinburgh
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 25 October 2023
Overall3Food3Service4Ambience3
We have done many afternoon tea and this was the poorest. We didn’t take the remaining cakes that we could not finish as they were so heavy … the scones were disappointing. The sandwiches were fine but the salmon was so salted that I could bearly enjoying it.
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RD
RitaD
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 22 October 2023
Overall4Food4Service4Ambience5
Really enjoyed our Afternoon Tea with Champagne at The Library. Great location, excellent service and fabulous teas.
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PS
PriyaS
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 16 October 2023
Overall2Food1Service1Ambience3
Overpriced and would not recommend! Quality of the sandwiches are really poor, bread was dry and filling was measly. The cakes although looked nice are not cakes just mouse covered with different chocolates. Service was poor asked for tap water and did not receive had to remind staff. Did not get asked for more tea had to get the attention of staff. Considering it was not busy the service was slow.
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DH
DawnH
Kent
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 15 October 2023
Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
We did the free flowing afternoon tea and it was defiantly free flowing. Cakes were amazing and so nice to have a cheese scone and a fruit. A must for a more relaxed afternoon tea
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Gloucestershire
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 15 October 2023
Overall2Food2Service2Ambience3
This was my third time at Afternoon Tea at County Hall. I've always had a good experience which is why I continue to come back. This time the food was stale and unimpressive and the service was abysmal. We asked for vegetarian menus at the beginning and they quickly brought us out the main afternoon tea. We had a quick and rushed explanation of what we were eating and the server seemed annoyed when we asked him to repeat. I won't be coming back to County Hall after this experience. On top of everything else, the toilets were in a terrible state and seemed as if they haven't been cleaned for days. I would expect much more from a hotel restaurant and lounge.
1 person found this helpful
C
Clio1900
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 15 October 2023
Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
Lovely place for an English tea. Great service! We arrived half hour late thanks to the Circle Line getting cancelled, but we were seated and served quickly and attentively. The sandwiches and scones were delicious and the pastries too pretty to eat! Loved having tea inside a library!
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KP
KimP
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 14 October 2023
Overall5Food5Service5Ambience5
A Really a great experience!! The view was fantastic! Highly recommend!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Antonio
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on 13 October 2023
Overall5Food5Service4Ambience5
They have a great variety of teas and they were very good. I had the chocolate tea. The sandwiches and the scones were very tasty. the presentation was nice. The ambience was what I expected, with a view of Big Ben and it truly felt we were in a library. It was a little difficult to find. We did not know it was inside the hotel.
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VW
VtWerp
Washington DC
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 11 October 2023
Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
Incredible service and a nice, quiet and comfortable atmosphere. Would go again.
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e
estellem
Kent
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 8 October 2023
Overall4Food3Service4Ambience4
Overall , it was lovely, I was a little disappointed that we could not have extra sandwiches as most places will offer this.. Also I thought the service charge was a little hefty, I know most places will do this, but I expect good service to be the norm in an establishment like yourselves for the price in the first place.. we did enjoy our afternoon nevertheless
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OT
OpenTable Diner
San Antonio
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 7 October 2023
Overall5Food4Service5Ambience5
The location is great and offers views of Big Ben across the river. The noon tea with champagne was amazing. Our server, Chandra, was so attentive offering explanations on the menu, tea selections, & kept our champagne glasses full. Overall, The Library was a not to be missed experience.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
- Sealed or wrapped utensils used
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waiting staff wear masks
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Library at County Hall is rated 4.5 stars by 660 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

8 Dec 2023

19:00

Booked 17 times today

Experiences are available.

Google Map for The Library at County Hall

London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB

Additional information

Area
Waterloo
Hours of Operation
Daily 12:00–17:00
Price
£41 and over
Cuisines
British, Afternoon Tea
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress Code
Smart Casual
Parking Details
Valet
Public Transit
Waterloo Station, Westminster Station
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Jamie Welch
Additional
Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Non-Smoking, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.thelibraryatcountyhall.com/
Phone number
020 7902 8000
Private party facilities
Toast the season with the introduction of a new quintessentially English menu in some of the most historic rooms within the former home to the Greater London Council. We opened our doors as The London Marriott Hotel, County Hall in 1998 and the building retains its original features to this day.
Private party contact
Hannah Smith: 020 3589 4330

The Library at County Hall

Make a booking

Private dining

Additional information

Experiences

Christmas Day Afternoon tea

Free-flowing Sparkling Wine Festive afternoon tea

Champagne Festive Afternoon Tea

Menu

What 660 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising

Physical distancing

Protective equipment

Screening

FAQs

How is The Library at County Hall restaurant rated?

Is The Library at County Hall currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information