London’s best afternoon teas for 2025
From budget to blowout, here’s my pick of the best treats
I’ve written about my love of afternoon tea many times before and so, was delighted to write a piece recently, for Escape.com.au on London’s best afternoon teas, for all tastes and budgets. Published last weekend, read the full list here.
There’s something really special about getting dressed up and visiting one of London’s loveliest hotels, to indulge in three courses of treats. A traditional afternoon tea usually consists of finger sandwiches, scones and then cakes and pastries, accompanied by a tea menu and an upgrade option of bubbles. For those who haven’t had one before, here are my top tips:
Do: Try different teas as you go along. Don’t just pick English Breakfast Tea – ask for advice and try a different tea for sweet and savoury courses.
Don’t: Eat lunch beforehand. Afternoon teas are huge, so work up an appetite first and then you’ll really enjoy it.
Do: Ask for a doggy bag. I’ve regularly taken cakes home with me and enjoyed them the next day.
Don’t: Feel obliged to upgrade with bubbles, but conversely, I usually do…
Do: Take your kids – but only if you think they’re old enough. I took mine too soon and they over-ate and felt ill. We returned a year later and they loved it.
Don’t: Think all afternoon teas are extortionate. There are some good value teas out there – try tea at The Tate Modern, for £30 or The British Museum, for £40. Read more about London’s secret budget afternoon teas, here.
For a taster of my selection, read on:
Special occasion: Claridge’s
Art Deco Claridge’s in Mayfair, was voted the best hotel in Britain, at The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards. It is famous for its sophisticated afternoon tea in The Foyer and Reading Room and you can upgrade with a glass of Laurent-Perrier.
Traditional afternoon tea, £95, claridges.co.uk
Magic for kids: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, One Aldwych
This is by far the best-fun afternoon tea for children – and adults – I’ve tried. In a tea salon, underneath the stylish five-star Covent Garden hotel, it’s full of magical delights like fizzy lifting drinks, snozzberry jam and fluffy-floss. Upgrade with Deux Fois Brut Champagne, or a Juicing Room cocktail. Read my full review of the tea, here.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea, £50 for children and £70 for adults, onealdwych.com
Best-value five-star hotel: The Dilly
Situated right in Piccadilly, The Dilly has an excellent-value, fun London-themed afternoon tea, inspired by the city’s landmarks, served on a double-decker bus. Upgrade with a Pommery Louis English Sparkling wine.
London afternoon tea, £49, thedillylondon.com
Bridgerton blow-out: The Lanesborough
For something really special, treat yourself to a Bridgerton afternoon tea in the Regency dining room in Knightsbridge’s sumptuous The Lanesborough hotel. Upgrade with Moet & Chandon Brut or a Friends to Lovers cocktail, inspired by Penelope Featherington.
Bridgerton afternoon tea, £89, oetkercollection.com
Posh shopping spot: Fortnum and Mason
Fortnum and Mason in Mayfair is known as the “royal grocer’s” and its Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon was opened by the late Queen in 2012. You can upgrade with a glass of Fortnum’s Grand Cru, or a sparkling tea. There’s a traditional afternoon tea, a savoury one, or a High Tea (savouries instead of sandwiches).
Traditional afternoon tea, £82, fortnumandmason.com
Best bargain: The Wolseley
The Wolseley, in Mayfair, is one of London’s most beautiful restaurants, but also home to a bargain afternoon tea. If you don’t have room for three courses, its cream tea offers scones, jam and cream, plus a choice of tea, for £19.50, or the Classic Afternoon Tea, is £46.50. You can upgrade with a glass of Pommery Brut Royal.
Cream teas from £19.50, thewolseley.com
I love an afternoon tea, and I might be in London in the autumn. Thanks for this rundown!