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For me, England has at all times been synonymous with one factor. No, not royalty or sports activities or fish and chips; for me, it is at all times been afternoon tea.
If I’ve discovered something through the years and my (many, many) visits to London, it is that not all afternoon teas are the identical. Sure, the same old trappings (the new tea, the finger sandwiches, the scones, the candy treats) are commonplace in any good afternoon tea. But London is aware of tips on how to do a really memorable afternoon tea, with a number of boasting actually artistic themes that solely add to the general expertise.
I’ve made it my mission over the previous a number of years to check out as many themed afternoon teas in London as doable in an effort to convey you a information to the easiest of them. (It’s a tough job, however somebody has to do it!)
The finest themed afternoon teas in London
I will not deceive you: This record was VERY troublesome to compile, not least of all as a result of many of those themed teas change continuously (therefore why this submit is up to date fairly continuously!). Mostly, although, it is simply robust to select a favourite as a result of they’re all performed so properly!
Here, then, are my picks for the most effective themed afternoon teas (which might be nonetheless supplied) in London, in reverse order.
10. B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Central London
It’s debatable whether or not this one actually suits into the class of “themed afternoon teas,” however I’m together with it just because it is so distinctive. The unique “afternoon tea bus” is placed on along side B Bakery (AKA Brigit’s Bakery in Covent Garden), although there are different firms that now supply an identical tea bus tour.
All of those teas have you ever driving a transformed double decker bus round central London as you sip your tea and eat your scones. You’ll journey in an enormous loop across the metropolis, passing London icons like Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Harrods, Oxford Street, and Hyde Park.
There’s a recording that accompanies your tour so you realize what you are taking a look at out the bus home windows, and the pastries particularly are actually tasty.
The professionals: It’s a enjoyable technique to see a little bit of London, and also you get to go dwelling with a memento journey mug (because you’re on a transferring bus, your tea is not served in regular tea cups!).
The cons: London site visitors will be tough, so there may be a lot of stopping/beginning – so watch out when attempting to unfold the jam in your scones! The buses even have very weak air con, so be ready for it to be heat in case you catch London throughout a warmth wave like I did. I additionally discovered it troublesome to listen to the recorded information due to course everybody on the bus was chatting over their tea!
Who this tea is finest for: A pair on a day-date, or a gaggle of lady associates searching for a enjoyable time out. I additionally suppose it is enjoyable for solo vacationers, for the reason that bus tour portion is cool even in case you’re by yourself. (Note although that in case you’re reserving the B Bus direct, you may have to name to e-book a solo desk.)
Price: The B Bus begins at £45 per grownup, although I could not discover seats for lower than £56. Seats on the highest deck are costlier, and seats on the “VIP” entrance tables begin round £66 and might go as much as £72 per grownup. (Though I’ll say that sitting on the entrance desk was actually cool!)
Length: 1.5 hours, with a number of tour occasions day by day
Good to know: They can cater to vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free diets, however can not accommodate nut allergic reactions. They additionally do a gin bus tour, which is their typical afternoon tea mixed with gin cocktails. You positively NEED to e-book forward for this one, as they typically promote out – you possibly can e-book a seat right here (Viator) or right here (direct).
There’s additionally this afternoon tea bus tour, in case the unique is bought out.
9. Shakespeare-themed tea
Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe, South Bank
If it is a lightly-themed tea with an excellent view you are searching for, you possibly can’t actually beat the afternoon tea at Swan, the restaurant hooked up to Shakespeare’s Globe theater. The tea right here is loosely-based on Shakespeare’s work (after I went, it was A Midsummer Nights Dream themed, however at the moment has a Romeo and Juliet theme), with an illustrated menu and bespoke tableware*.
The meals features a collection of savory sandwiches, fruity scones, and a handful of candy treats, and I additionally added on a themed cocktail. (You also can do that as a savory-focused “Gentlemen’s Tea” in case you do not love the sweets.)
I additionally ended up successful the seating lottery on this one – my desk seemed out over the Thames and had a view of the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral!
The professionals: The views are nice, and that is probably the most reasonably priced themed afternoon tea on this record.
The cons: The meals is just lightly-themed, and I did not discover most of it to be notably memorable. In reality, I did not even end all of my sandwiches.
Who this tea is finest for: First-time guests to London who need to go to a day tea whereas exploring probably the most common elements of town (the South Bank) on the identical time.
Price: £42.50 for normal tea, and you may add themed cocktails for a further cost.
When: 2-hour seatings, supplied day by day between midday and 5 p.m.
Good to know: If you’ve got dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and many others.), allow them to know at time of reserving, as they might not be capable of accommodate these requests on the day. Booking forward is beneficial, and the tea is served within the restaurant space of the Swan.
8. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea
Indigo at One Aldwych, Covent Garden
I went to a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed tea final summer time (described within the subsequent part of this submit), however the one at One Aldwych is unquestionably the must-do. Tea is served within the trendy Indigo restaurant (you may even get seated on a balcony-like part), and has, in my view, a number of the best-themed afternoon tea meals in London.
The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea is served in two programs: the savories, adopted by the sweets. In true Willy Wonka style, a number of the bites are somewhat bizarre (in a great way!), just like the tomato/beef marshmallow and the savory scones served with bacon jam I had on my menu. There’s even a chocolate milkshake that the menu says is “mixed by waterfall.”
The tea choice is ingenious, too, together with a chocolate tea made with coco nibs. You also can add a “Fizzy Lifting Drink” to your tea, that are cocktails that are available little glass teapots full with dry ice for a smoking impact.
The professionals: The meals shouldn’t be solely actually imaginative, but in addition actually good! I preferred all the sandwiches, and particularly cherished the chocolate financiers on the sweets facet. I additionally appreciated that all the pieces from the tea picks to the cocktails had been Wonka-themed. And they supplied free refills on all the pieces, too, together with the meals.
The cons: The sweets are all REALLY candy (I imply, it comes with cotton sweet, although, so this should not be a shock). I additionally was a bit bummed that the sweets aren’t introduced out till you end the savories – I wish to alternate candy and savory at afternoon tea, and the photographer in me was unhappy I could not take images of all the pieces collectively!
Who this tea is finest for: Couples searching for a enjoyable date, a great place for a ladies’ outing, and in addition appropriate for households.
Price: £70, or £85 with champagne or a Fizzy Lifting Drink (cocktail)
When: Seatings are for two hours; bookable solely Wednesday-Sunday.
Good to know: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus can be found, however they ask that you simply allow them to learn about dietary necessities 48 hours forward of time.
6. Wicked afternoon tea
The Clermont, Victoria
This Wicked-themed tea is obtainable on the stunning Clermont lodge, which is linked to London’s Victoria Station simply steps away from the Apollo Victoria Theatre, the place you possibly can see the Wicked musical on stage. The tea takes place within the lodge’s cozy Tea Lounge, which truly has pink and inexperienced chairs – it would not get far more on-theme!
The tea itself options the same old tea trappings of sandwiches and scones, alongside Wicked-themed candy treats and added liquid nitrogen for dramatic impact. You also can add on considered one of two themed cocktails (The Wicked and The Good) for simply £10 – we ordered considered one of every, and they’re each incredible!
The tea meals right here is pretty common, although the themed drinks are distinctive and actually good.
The professionals: The theme is theme-ing, from the fizzy drinks to the Wicked-themed desserts. And the Tea Lounge is cozy, snug, and actually stunning. It’s additionally one of many extra reasonably priced tea choices on this record, and the fizzy drinks are a stand-out.
The cons: The meals at this tea is nothing spectacular (however it’s not *dangerous* by any means).
Who this tea is finest for: Couples (perhaps pre-Wicked present?), or associates searching for a pleasant time out.
Price: £40 per particular person, plus a further £10 for one of many particular fizzy drinks
When: The tea is obtainable day by day, with seatings from 12:30-4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and 1:30-4:30 p.m. on weekends.
Good to know: The Wicked theme is just scheduled to final till mid-December 2025!
5. Botanical afternoon tea
Lanes of London at London Marriott Hotel Park Lane
The Lanes of London Botanical Afternoon Tea was a brand new discover for me, and it is a pleasant lightly-themed choice that features all the pieces you want for a memorable tea. This tea is impressed by Hyde Park, and is exclusive in that it consists of three totally different tea pairings to go along with the totally different “courses” of the tea (savories, scones, and sweets).
I booked this tea when Wimbledon was on in London, so a number of the candy treats had been additionally Wimbledon-themed – two themes in a single!
The professionals: The meals and presentation of this tea was completely top-notch. Everything was stunning, and tasted simply nearly as good because it seemed – which is typically uncommon with afternoon teas! I additionally cherished the tea pairings (although you may go for totally different teas than those beneficial).
The cons: While Lanes is inside a luxurious lodge, there’s probably not something particular in regards to the house the place they serve afternoon tea. Service was additionally very, very gradual on the day we went; we waited no less than half an hour after we arrived to even obtain our first pots of tea.
Who this tea is finest for: It’s positively nice for a girlfriends time out!
Price: Starts at £50 per particular person, which features a glass of bubbly (glorious value, truthfully!)
Length: This is obtainable day by day from noon-4 p.m.
Good to know: They can do a vegan model of this tea, however you do have to e-book it prematurely. Also, the rose and hibiscus scones may be the most effective scones I’ve ever had!
4. Bridgerton tea
The Lanesborough lodge, Knightsbridge
When it involves Regency vibes, it is onerous to beat eating beneath the glass dome hung with glittering chandeliers contained in the beautiful Lanesborough lodge. Which might be why this lodge teamed up with Netflix to placed on a Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea match for Lady Whistledown herself.
While Bridgerton followers particularly will respect the themed candy treats, even somebody with no Bridgerton information in any respect can benefit from the opulent setting and really scrumptious bites. (My husband Elliot can attest to this; he hasn’t seen a single episode of Bridgerton, however nonetheless loved this tea!)
Note: The images right here had been from the 2022 Bridgerton-themed tea, however they’ve up to date the tea for each season of the present. So the desserts may look a bit totally different now, however are nonetheless Bridgerton-themed!
The professionals: The setting inside The Lanesborough is purpose sufficient to come back right here, however the Bridgerton theme is finished so properly, from the attractive themed pastries all the way down to the menu full with a observe from Lady Whistledown. They even have a particular tea mix, in addition to a enjoyable themed gin cocktail you possibly can order.
The cons: The solely con I can consider is that this one is on the pricier finish of the teas I’m that includes right here.
Who this tea is finest for: The Diamond of the season, after all! Plus, any Bridgerton followers. Though, like I stated, it is a adequate afternoon tea in such a ravishing house that I believe anybody might get pleasure from it. This one is not actually geared in the direction of children, although.
Price: £89 per particular person (£99 with the themed cocktail)
When: Daily, although hours fluctuate primarily based on day of the week.
Good to know: They can accommodate dietary necessities in case you allow them to know prematurely. This can be one you HAVE to e-book prematurely, because it does continuously promote out.
3. Science Tea
The Drawing Rooms at The Ampersand, South Kensington
You do not need to be a science geek to get pleasure from this themed afternoon tea – however it actually would not harm! Complete with an “experiment” to create your individual lemonade, space-themed sweets, and a small field the place you possibly can “dig” for a dinosaur deal with, this science-themed tea is simply FUN.
While the meals at this tea is not actually themed flavor-wise, so many different components are that this is likely one of the extra charming themed teas you possibly can e-book. There are themed plates, dry ice surrounding a one of many planet-shaped chocolate bombs when your tea stand comes out, a “petri dish” of jelly, check tubes full of enjoyable toppings to your scones, and extra.
The meals at this tea is fairly good (I notably preferred the rooster and basil bun and the darkish chocolate and fervour fruit planet mousse), and The Drawing Rooms are brilliant and delightful, even in case you go to on a wet day like I did.
Pros: The theme is such a enjoyable one, and is executed rather well. The service was good, you may get refills on any of your favorites (and take leftovers dwelling with you), and I cherished that they provide a children’ model that is available in a rocket-shaped tea stand! I additionally cherished the “experiment” they offer you (making lemonade) to move the time when you wait to your meals to come back out. Plus, this one is obtainable nearly all day lengthy!
Cons: I might discover few faults right here. I might have preferred extra natural tea decisions on the menu, however that is about it.
Who this tea is finest for: This is my prime decide for a kid-friendly tea (I imply, there are check tubes and issues to squirt into your meals!), although after all anybody can get pleasure from it.
Price: £59.50 for the Science Afternoon Tea; £39.50 for Kids’ Sci-Fi Tea
When: 2-hour seatings; tea served day by day from noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on weekends.
Good to know: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus can be found. Booking forward is extremely beneficial.
Note: They’ve launched a second themed tea in 2023, known as the Jurassic Tea! It’s much like the Science Tea, however leans extra closely in the direction of the dinosaur theme. I want to do that one subsequent time!
2. Peter Pan tea
Aqua Shard inside The Shard, Southwark
Looking to get swept away right into a world of caprice excessive above the rooftops of London? Then you may need to take a look at the Peter Pan-themed tea supplied at Aqua Shard, a restaurant on the thirty first ground of The Shard.
This tea is nice for a number of causes. First, the meals is themed and fairly good (they even have particular tea blends that match the Peter Pan theme). Second, the restaurant has floor-to-ceiling home windows providing glorious views of London’s highlights; in case you had been planning to go to The Shard anyway, simply e-book tea right here as an alternative!
And third, the presentation of this tea is likely one of the most unusual. The tea stand they bring about the sweets out on is formed like a pirate ship, and comes full with dry ice billowing out of it as you attempt to escape into the clouds from Captain Hook, and scones served inside a treasure chest.
The professionals: The meals is themed and fairly good, and the presentation actually is particular, proper all the way down to the menu that appears like a treasure map. You can also’t beat these views!
The cons: The savories are served earlier than the sweets, which I discover typically makes it troublesome to tempo your self.
Who this tea is finest for: A pair who needs to splurge a bit and luxuriate in beautiful Shard views together with their tea. (Technically this tea is kid-friendly, although Aqua Shard positively feels a bit fancy and I personally did not see any children there.)
Price: £70 per particular person (or £88 if including a Fairy Dust cocktail)
When: Daily from noon-3:15 p.m.
Good to know: They even have a non-alcoholic blended drink you possibly can add known as the Never Grow Up punch. They supply vegetarian and vegan menus, however not a gluten-free choice.
RELATED: Staying at Shangri-La The Shard in London: Is It Worth It?
1. Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea
Sanderson Hotel, Fitzrovia
So are you shocked that the Peter Pan tea did not take the #1 spot? I sort of was, too, to be sincere! But, when it comes all the way down to it, one other of London’s well-known themed teas barely nudged it out: the Alice in Wonderland-themed Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea on the Sanderson.
Why did this beat out the others on this record? Well, as a result of I believe it melds a incredible theme with good meals at a extra affordable value level the most effective.
The Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea was the primary themed tea I attempted in London, and I used to be instantly enchanted. From the on-theme dishware to the themed tea blends to the gorgeous plate of meals that got here out, I used to be tremendous impressed with all the pieces about this tea.
The professionals: Pretty a lot all the pieces – the theme is carried out completely all through the entire tea, and the meals is all superb. They’ll additionally field up any extras so that you can take with you (as will a lot of the different teas on this record). I additionally like that this one is served from noon-7 p.m. every single day!
The cons: The solely slight draw back is that the tea is served in each the Sanderson’s restaurant and courtyard backyard, however you will not know the place you may be sitting till you get there. The courtyard may be very fairly, however in case you’re in London throughout a warmth wave like I used to be, it might be somewhat heat!
Who this tea is finest for: Pretty a lot anybody who needs to get pleasure from a enjoyable themed afternoon tea! This would most likely be my decide in case you wished to take children to a themed tea, as they’ve a devoted “Little Hatters Tea” too.
Price: £65 per particular person (£86 with champagne), £45 per little one
When: 2 hours; served day by day from noon-7 p.m.
Good to know: They can accommodate wants for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets.
Themed London teas now not supplied
Many accommodations rotate by afternoon tea themes, that means some that I cherished are now not supplied in the way in which that I skilled them. Here are a number of extra others that I loved, together with information on what has since changed them.
1. Sherlock Holmes afternoon tea
Kona on the Taj, Westminster
If you are searching for a ravishing (and attractive!) themed tea in London, you possibly can’t actually go flawed with any of the choices at Kona, one of many eating places on the 5-star Taj 51 Buckingham Gate lodge. Their Sherlock Holmes-themed tea was considered one of my favorites EVER, because it was simply so detailed and delightful.
Check out all their afternoon tea choices right here. (Their Jasmine Indian Afternoon Tea within the one which’s often at all times supplied.)
2. Potions Room tea
Cutter & Squidge, Soho
Cutter & Squidge is an enthralling bakery in Soho that used to supply an epic Harry Potter-inspired afternoon tea. Their basement was arrange like a Potions classroom, and also you’d don a cloak and decide up a wand earlier than sitting all the way down to concoct “potions” (teas and cocktails), eat Hagrid’s rock truffles (scones), and luxuriate in different treats.
This tea was SO enjoyable, however they do not supply something prefer it any extra.
3. Charlie and the Chesterfield
Chesterfield Mayfair lodge, Mayfair
The charming Chesterfield Mayfair lodge used to supply a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed tea of their light-filled conservatory. Their tea choice was distinctive, and the tea included Wonka-inspired candy treats like chocolate scones, an Oompa-Loompa cupcake, and a bubblegum eclair.
This tea was changed with a sweetshop-themed tea, which truthfully remains to be related in that it nonetheless facilities round sweet.
4. Travel-themed tea
St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar
Searcys is a cool champagne bar inside St. Pancras Station linked to a restaurant known as the St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar. They used to supply a travel-themed afternoon tea served in a cute little suitcase!
They do not seem to supply any kind of afternoon tea any longer.
Where to remain for afternoon tea in London
Here are some accommodations to take a look at which might be handy to those afternoon teas:
Science Tea
- The Ampersand Hotel – The lodge that hosts this themed tea can be extremely rated, and it is one of many Small Luxury Hotels of the World. (I’ve stayed right here, and it is an excellent lodge close to a few of London’s finest museums.)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea
- One Aldwych – The tea is obtainable at this lodge, and it is also a 5-star magnificence within the coronary heart of London.
Teas at Kona
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Have you ever been to a themed afternoon tea? Which of those are you going to e-book subsequent time you are in London?
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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her dwelling base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!
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