The best afternoon teas in London
… for every taste and budget
I love an afternoon tea. It’s so civilised – from the finger sandwiches, to the fluffy scones and delectable cakes, it’s my favourite treat on a visit to London. And yes, I always give in and upgrade to a glass of bubbles.
Ever since I became a mum, I looked forward to the point where my girls were old enough to go out to tea, and now, I think we’re finally at the sweet spot.
Last week, we celebrated being in town with much-loved sister, auntie and Northern Californian food writer, Frances Rivetti, (check out her website Southern Sonoma Country Life) with an afternoon tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair. This hotel – which puts on an especially good tea for children – is a lovely find tucked away on Charles St, Mayfair and has everything you want from an afternoon tea – traditional furniture, nice crockery and most of all, an excellent choice of cakes.
They have an old-fashioned sweet stall you can get a bag of humbugs from and children enjoy their own serving of afternoon tea, with milkshakes, while we adults went for pink champagne (same, same, really…)
The tea was excellent – starting with a smoking pink lemonade, we enjoyed cucumber sandwiches, traditional and chocolate scones, alongside cakes on a childhood theme, including their take on a Reese’s peanut butter cup, Parma Violet cheesecake, Battenberg and a Coca-Cola slice.
We even got to take home what we couldn’t eat – which was just as well because, thanks to the train strike, we got trapped on the motorway for hours and ended up eating our supplies to keep us going. It’s not all glamour, this travel-writing lark.
So, The Chesterfield is going on my Kerry-approved London afternoon tea list. For more information, visit chesterfieldmayfair.com
Here’s some more of my favourites:
The Goring Afternoon Tea
I have written about The Goring before, for The British Travel List – here – and also for Escape.com.au here - but their afternoon tea, particularly in the summer-time, is well-worth sampling. We visited when their Shetland Pony Teddy was up from the country, housed in his own stable, in the large garden of this lovely hotel near Buckingham Palace.
The tea, which then was Teddy-themed, consisted of finger sandwiches, delicious scones with Devonshire clotted cream and cakes and tarts, eaten on the pretty Veranda. For anyone wanting to visit soon, there will be a Festive Tea from November 26. Prices start at £90 per person and there’s a children’s option.
Visit thegoring.com
Claridge’s Afternoon Tea
Claridges is the place to go for a really special afternoon tea. We visited for a family celebration and it was one of those ocassions you never forget. Served in the foyer and Reading Room of this famous hotel in Mayfair, it’s very much a traditional tea, with finger sandwiches with fillings like smoked salmon and cucumber, followed by scones and cakes and pastries from their renowned kitchen.
They also have a children’s option. From November 7 they will be serving a Festive Afternoon Tea. Prices are £95 per person weekdays, £100 per person, weekends.
Visit claridges.co.uk
Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at The Aqua Shard
I haven’t tried this one yet, but is on my list because it’s just so irresistible. The Aqua Shard puts on a special Peter Pan Afternoon Tea with a whimsical menu inspired by the classic story. From Fairy Dust cocktails to Never Grow Up Punch and Adventure Tea, food includes Lost Boy sandwiches, Tick-Tock the Crocodile jelly, Hook’s Perish Cake and vanilla scones.
All served on a galleon, whilst “flying over London” in this sky-high restaurant, with amazing views. Afternoon tea from £52 per person.
Visit aquashard.co.uk
Afternoon Tea at The Wolseley
Finally, for an afternoon tea with all the ambience, but less of the shock to your wallet, The Wolseley on Piccadilly does a surprisingly-good value offering. I just adore The Wolseley in its beautiful building with domed ceiling and grand café-style feel.
They do an afternoon tea with all the trimmings, including sandwiches, scones and cakes, for £36 per person and if you only want the scones, a cream tea for £15.75 per person. They even share their scones recipe, to bake at home.
Visit thewolseley.com
The British Travel List is the sister newsletter to The Royal List. It is a weekly guide to my favourite places to visit and stay around the country. I am an experienced travel and lifestyle journalist who writes for British and Australian newspapers and magazines and I am passionate about British travel. For more of my work, visit kerryparnell.com