7 Places To Have A Luxury British Afternoon Tea In London

Fancy trying the best Afternoon Tea in London? I personally love having afternoon tea most especially when having a girly afternoon with my friends.

A bit of history about afternoon tea, you have the seventh Duchess of Bedford to blame for that culture. Afternoon tea truly has been one of those activities branded as being quintessentially British.

Tea shops from around the country curate special menus for afternoon teas to entice not only the Brits but also the tourists wanting to experience this sheer delight of holding a warm cup, munching on sweets and savouries while chatting with an acquaintance.

Read More: List of Famous Types of British Cakes to Eat in the UK

What is Afternoon tea?

Afternoon tea has been a British tradition since 1840. It is a meal in between luncheon and supper. Typically composed of various sandwiches, canapes, cakes, scones, clotted cream, jam and freshly brewed tea or coffee. Afternoon tea typically starts around 4 pm or a bit earlier and it will only be served until just before 6 pm.  

So now that you are familiar with Afternoon tea, you probably also heard about “High Tea”.

What is the difference between High Tea and Afternoon Tea?

High Tea is different from traditional Afternoon tea.  High tea’s menu typically consists of traditional British food. It is also served on a normal dining table, hence the name! The Afternoon tea is typically served in a lounge with a smaller/lower table with various food perfect for snacks e.g. small sandwiches, canapes, cakes, scones, clotted cream and tea.

People oftentimes dress for the occasion and head to hotels for a pot of nicely brewed tea leaves accompanied by the best of the best that the kitchen has to offer. If the place is fancy enough, there’d be a pianist on the background as you blissfully sip the afternoon away.

As various culinary influences enter the scene, you see more and more innovations to the traditional scones and sandwiches that earned their rightful plates in the tower. Now, you see wagyu sliders and peanut mochi entering the scene — did we mention there’s Dolce and Gabbana pastry too?

London is known to have some of the fanciest Afternoon tea experiences in the UK.

Read more: 17 Best Places to Eat in London for All Your Food Adventure

Here are some best places (and fanciest) to have Afternoon tea in London:

Claridges

Address: Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR

Price: ranges from £40 (children afternoon tea), £70  – £95 ( Adult Afternoon Tea)

Menu: Traditional and Champagne Afternoon tea menu, and  Children’s Afternoon tea menu

Claridge’s is one of the fanciest hotels in Mayfair, London offers a delectable afternoon tea. You can choose from traditional ones or the upgraded Champagne Afternoon Tea.  They also have a special afternoon tea for kids. 

During the festive season, they also offer a festive-themed afternoon tea for £90 – £95 per person.

The Ritz

Address: 150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9BR

Price: £58 for adults and £35 Children | Prices for 2020 – £60 for Adults  and £40 for children 

Menu: Traditional and Champagne Afternoon tea menu | Afternoon tea offers

The Ritz London is one of the luxury hotels in Mayfair, London.  Their popular Afternoon tea is sought after by tourists and locals who want to experience or celebrate something special at the Ritz.

Hotel the Savoy

Address: 2 Savoy Ct, Strand, London WC2R 0EZ 

Price: £75 per person

Menu: Savoy Traditional Afternoon Tea

Hotel the Savoy has been in the heart of London since 1889. The Afternoon tea began in this posh London hotel since 1920 and never failed to impress their guests.  You can enjoy the traditional and high tea favourites, plus they recently added the Gluten-Free, Vegan and Vegetarian menus.

The Shard

Address: Oblix, Level 32, The Shard, 31 St. Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RY

Price: Range from £42 – £87

Menu: Classic Afternoon Tea

Enjoy the panoramic view of West London as you enjoy the afternoon tea at the Oblix at the Shard.  The Shard is one of the iconic buildings in London and has the best view of the city. They have all the classic afternoon tea favourites paired with different types of tea.

Read More: 8 Ways How to Get to and Nearest Tube to The Shard (London, UK)

Afternoon Tea Bus London

Pick up Locations: Trafalgar Square and London Victoria Coach Station

Price: £45 – £55

Menu: Traditional Afternoon Tea

Nothing gets more iconic than having your British Afternoon tea favourites in a Red Double-decker bus while roaming around London. It can’t get any better than! So British! They also have Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free and Halal menus for you to enjoy.

Harrods

Address: 87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL

Price: £59 per person

Menu: The Harrods Afternoon tea

Fancy to have a delicious afternoon tea at the fancy district of London? Harrods is located at the Tiara Triangle, one of the affluent district of the city. Enjoy the Harrod Afternoon tea touch with its finest cakes, scones and the world-known Harrods tea.

Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea in London

Address: Sanders Hotel, 50 Berners St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3NG

Price: £48 per adult and £35 per child (4-11 years old) | £58 per adult on special afternoon tea packages

Menu: Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea | Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea – Children Menu

Fancy to attend a real tea party? The Sanders hotel in London has an Alice in the Wonderland themed Afternoon tea. Such quirky afternoon tea cakes and pastries all designed as the Queen of hearts up to Cheshire cat tea and Blue caterpillar chocolate cake, that will make any Alice in the Wonderland fan thrilled.

Anyway, no matter how much British afternoon tea evolves as years go by, there is still no denying that it is a pleasant social activity that will forever be part of the British culture, something we’ll have to thank the seventh Duchess of Bedford for.

Do you fancy trying any of these Afternoon Tea?
Let me know in the comment box below!