Afternoon Tea is a must, a rite of passage, a quintessential “London” experience. And knowing that you cannot possibly live, visit, or pass through London without it, every cafe, hotel, and restaurant has their own take on the afternoon affair.
In this guide, we share our favorite afternoon tea experiences in London to suit every taste.
Luxury Afternoon Tea
The Savoy is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city, with one of the most ideal addresses, so it’s no wonder their afternoon tea lives up to their reputation. The Thames Foyer is glamorous and the perfect setting for the ultimate lavish afternoon tea. Splurge and definitely have the rosé bubbly.
- Vegan-friendly
- Prices Start at £75 per person
- Every day from 1.00pm to 5.45pm
- Book Your Afternoon Tea
- Book A Stay At The Savoy
Classic Afternoon Tea
As the oldest hotel in London, Brown’s Hotel offers an extensive amount of history under one roof and you can’t get more classically London than this. Just think you’ll be sipping tea under the same roof that Rudyard Kipling wrote The Jungle Book.
- Gluten Free options
- Prices Start at £55 per person
- Book Your Afternoon Tea
- Book A Stay At Brown’s Hotel
Quirky Afternoon Tea
Sanderson’s Mad Hatter’s Tipsy Tea – if you’re opting for something less traditional and certainly more unique, head to the after-hours version of afternoon tea at the Sanderson. It is indeed as advertised, a tipsy tea, serving up a cocktail flight of four deliciously prepared “tea” inspired drinks. But it’s not all about the booze, the dishes are equally as tasty and the experimental flavors will have you full to the brim by the time it’s over!
- Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy Free
- Prices Start at £48 per person and £35 per child (£58 on celebratory days and bank holidays)
- Monday – Saturday 12.30pm until 4.00pm; Sunday 1.00pm until 5.00pm
- Book Your Afternoon Tea
- Book A Stay At The Sanderson Hotel
Girly Afternoon Tea
Sketch is the infamous all pink London tea spot. You almost can’t visit the city without a sneak peak into their space pod restrooms. It is certainly the most Instagrammable of tea locations, but their playful dishes and offbeat decor make it more than just an experience to snap photos of. You’ll leave delightfully satisfied with a full camera roll and a full belly.
- Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut allergies
- Prices Start at £85 per person
- Every day 11.30am until 4.30pm
- Book Your Afternoon Tea
Outdoorsy Afternoon Tea
Set in the midst of Clifton Nurseries, within a gorgeous greenhouse with full paneled windows, Quince Tree Cafe is one of those places where you’ll have to pinch yourself to remember that yes, you’re still in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world. It’s a simple and basic afternoon tea, but it’s actually one you could have in the middle of the afternoon, and not ruin supper.
- Prices Start at £48 per person and £35 per child (£58 on celebratory days and bank holidays)
- Open Monday – Saturday 9.00am until 5.30pm; Sunday 10am – 4pm
- Book Your Afternoon Tea
Travel Lovers Afternoon Tea
Step up your afternoon tea game with the ultimate travel lovers’ afternoon tea at Mr. Foggs Residence in Mayfair. This Tipsy Tea takes you back in time to to the 1800’s win the era of Phileas Fogg, the protagonist in the 1872 Jules Verne novel Around the World in Eighty Days. Give your afternoon tea a bit of a kick by ordering the gin cocktails served in china teapots.
- Prices Start at £44 per person
- Monday – Saturday 12.30pm until 4.00pm; Sunday 1.00pm until 5.00pm
- Book Your Afternoon Tea
Do you have a favorite afternoon tea spot in London? Please share with our readers in the comments section below!
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We Are Travel Girls Contributor Caroline Bernthal of TheBelleAbroad.com
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Victoria says
Hey, I’ve been to afternoon tea in the Savoy too. It’s such a beautiful experience! And, it’s an excuse to dress like a lady! Not that I don’t anyway… Betty’s Tea Rooms in Harrogate and York are wonderful too. They don’t have the grandeur of the Savoy, but it’s a beautiful setting nonetheless. Harrogate is a town in Yorkshire with Royal status. It has some beautiful scenery, gardens, nearby to York Minster, Bronte County, and the Yorkshire Dales. I’ll go in the spring/summer as it’s pretty bleak with the weather now to get some good photos, and I’ll submit something on Harrogate. Maybe even so a post on Northern England for you. I enjoyed reading this and I have some new places to check out when I move to London!
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks so much for the tips Victoria! Glad you enjoyed the article and have some places to visit next time you are in London!
Serena says
Love the article! Not sure if you got the chance to try The Wolseley near Green park station. It’s a local favorite (at least when I was living there haha). Also suggest the Ritz, really fancy and also fortnum & mason, good tea but really expensive.
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks Serena, I love The Wolseley! Its also a great spot for breakfast too!
Catherine says
Great guide to a range of different themed afternoon teas – there really is something for everyone in London! I’ve had afternoon tea at Browns and really enjoyed it as it was very traditional and I would say quintessentially British. My favourite though is at the Langham; it’s very polished but more understated than some of the super fancy hotels and you can often spot celebrities hiding in there!
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for sharing your own favourites Catherine! Afternoon tea is one of my favourite weekend activities, can’t wait to be back in England to enjoy one soon! XO, Becky