Are you a fan of the BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Matilda? Celebrate the man who created it all, Roald Dahl, on the 100th anniversary of his birth with a quirky afternoon tea at aqua shard in September 

Set foot into Charlie’s Great Glass Elevator and be transported into the imagination of Roald Dahl at aqua shard. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth (the world’s favourite storyteller was born in Wales on 13 September 1916), aqua shard, on Level 31 of The Shard, has launched a creative afternoon tea that encourages you to embrace childhood nostalgia. The menu is presented to you as a book, and all of the bespoke, sweet and savoury treats take inspiration from one of Dahl’s great works. 

Start with the savoury delights, including book favorites like Mr Twit’s bird pie, that came to life in the form of a buttery pastry with ‘birds leg’ breaking out of the top. Sophie and The BFG’s quest to Buckingham Palace is brought to life in a ‘breakfast’ sandwich with fried eggs and bacon in between colourful tomato bread fingers. The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me features with the Pelly’s favourite smoked salmon sandwiches which are topped with trout caviar.

The sweets are mouthwatering and start with The Witches chocolate mice, followed by a giant peach meringue filled with fresh peaches and cream. If that wasn’t enough, a white chocolate crocodile egg holds homemade gummy crocodile babies ready to burst out, and the Roly-Poly Bird choux bun is complete with an impressive colourful tail. Each tea goer will also receive a golden chocolate bar to take home. 

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Drink your tea with a side of DIY hot chocolate made with a melting chocolate spoon, or upgrade to a Champagne afternoon tea. Veuve Clicquot ‘Yellow Label’ Brut Champagne will be served alongside two new Champagnes: RICH and RICH Rosé, both uniquely designed to be served over ice with a choice of fresh ingredient such as Earl Grey tea, ginger, pepper and cucumber.

The menu was devised by executive chef Dale Osborne and head chef Pip Sandrey and everything is served on crockery depicting Quentin Blake’s famous illustrations. The afternoon tea and bar area will be transformed with colourful, transparent installations adorning the triple-storey atrium windows, and Quentin Blake’s depictions of much-loved illustrations of the characters from the stories.

The afternoon tea will be served Monday to Friday between 1-5pm, and will be priced at £45 per person, or £58 with a glass of Yellow Label Veuve Clicquot Champagne. The tea will be available until the end of September.

The Roald Dahl afternoon tea is available until 30 September 2016. Level 31 The Shard 31 St. Thomas Street SE1 9RY; aquashard.co.uk