On the hunt for the best afternoon tea experiences for autumn 2024? We’ve rounded up a tempting selection of hotels and boutique bakeries where you can enjoy this beloved British pastime in style.
From teeny-tiny sandwiches and picture-perfect cakes to melt-in-the-mouth scones with jam and clotted cream (or is that clotted cream and jam?), us Brits love afternoon tea. In fact, we love it so much, we’ve dedicated an entire week of the year to celebrating it. Here’s our pick of the best across the capital.
Embrace tradition at Royal Lancaster London
Prepare to spoil yourself with Royal Lancaster London’s indulgent afternoon tea. Boasting elegance with a hint of magic, the hotel has reimagined afternoon tea as we know it, presenting guests with an intricate fairy-tale twist. From delicately crafted sandwiches and warm baked scones to deliciously sweet treats and a selection of the finest teas that the hotel has to offer, this experience makes for a special day out with friends or family. Plus, the beautiful surroundings of Hyde Park are the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of indulgence. £45 per person Monday to Friday, £49 per person Saturday and Sunday. royallancaster.com
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Dine like royalty at Jumeirah Carlton Tower
Have you ever dreamt of dining like a royal? Inspired by the gardens at Highgrove House, this afternoon tea offers a seasonal, botanically themed menu that spotlights sustainability and celebrates the best of British produce. In addition to classic savoury sandwiches, enjoy pastries such as a rosemary, lavender and strawberry tart and a raspberry and mint pavlova, and a choice of cakes inspired by the royal family. £75 per person. jumeirah.com
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Immerse yourself in London at The Dilly
Piccadilly’s iconic hotel, The Dilly, has relaunched its London-themed afternoon tea menu, and it is an absolute delight. After choosing from a selection of delicious teas, coffees or even some champagne, you’ll be presented with a bright bus full of decadent delights. From St Paul’s Cathedral to Big Ben, each sweet treat resembles an iconic British landmark – as well as being a delicious concoction of flavours. While they all tasted divine, it was the pear and vanilla Tower Bridge chocolate that stole the show for me. Accompanied by delicate finger sandwiches and two scones per person, you’ll leave this experience feeling wholly satisfied and filled to the brim. £49 per person. thedillylondon.com.
Delve into literary history at The Academy
The Academy hotel’s literary and cultural connections to Bloomsbury are visible throughout the hotel’s unique and thoughtful design, and its culinary offering is no different. Mr Ma’s Afternoon Tea pays homage to one of the most important Chinese authors of the last century, Lao She, and his novel, Mr Ma and Son. A high tea experience with an Asian twist, the menu features a selection of Asian teas, Chinese egg tarts, sesame dough balls and macarons. Fear not, fans of traditional afternoon tea, as there’s some classic scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, too. £38 per person. theacademyhotel.co.uk
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Experiment with flavours at The Cavendish London
If you can’t resist Mayfair in summer, The Cavendish is an ideal choice for a spot of afternoon tea. Dating back to the mid-19th century, this hotel melds history with modernity, and the Mayfair Lounge and Grill within provides a luxurious and intimate setting that overlooks stunning Jermyn Street. Rather than focusing on a quintessential offering, the team at The Cavendish prefer to experiment with decadent flavours, with a menu featuring a brown butter canelé and spiced pear compote mousse, as well as vanilla, orange and cranberry scones. Instead of classic cucumber sandwiches, guests can choose between Atlantic prawns with prawn bisque butter or mushroom parfait with parmesan and truffle butter, among other unique options, all perfectly paired with a variety of premium teas. £75 per person mayfairloungeandgrill.com
Immerse yourself in heritage and nature at Westminster Abbey
Inspired by a new series of events in the historic gardens of Westminster Abbey, this special afternoon tea is ideal for lovers of all things culture and history. Westminster Abbey’s 900-year-old garden is thought to be the oldest in England and was once used for growing medicinal herbs and foods for the Abbey’s monks. New for 2024, the Creation Afternoon Tea will be served at Cellarium, set within the Abbey’s stunning medieval cloisters. A selection of elegant sweet and savoury treats has been expertly crafted to celebrate nature, and the upstairs dining area boasts a glass ceiling with magnificent views of the famous Abbey. £36.50 per person. westminster-abbey.org
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Delight in a tipple at JOIA Bar
If you prefer your afternoon tea with a side of gin, this is the spot for you. After a day of browsing at Battersea Power Station, head over to JOIA Bar in the Art’otel, where you can admire gorgeous skyline views while indulging in the hotel’s first ever afternoon tea. To accompany scones, sandwiches and an irresistible selection of sweet treats, the restaurant will also be serving its gin and tea o’clock cocktail, which features a combination of Plymouth Gin, pink grapefruit, peppercorn and earl grey, topped off with a dash of prosecco. It’s always five o’clock somewhere, after all. From £55 per person. joiabattersea.co.uk
