Best themed afternoon teas in London

Best themed afternoon teas in London at a glance

• Best affordable themed afternoon tea: The Swan, from £39.50 per person
• Best London-themed afternoon tea: Haymarket Hotel, from £50 per person
• Best savoury afternoon tea: The Cheese Barge, £65 for two people
• Best London-themed afternoon tea for kids: The Dilly afternoon tea, from £49 per person
• Best train themed afternoon tea: RAILS, from £41.50 per person
• Best Italian-themed afternoon tea: The Hari, from £35 per person
• Best botanical-themed afternoon tea: The Marriott, from £50 per person
• Best afternoon tea for sweet treats: The Chesterfield Mayfair, from £75 per person
  
• Best art-themed afternoon tea: The Rosewood, from £80 per person
• Best wellness-themed tea: The Mandrake, from £65 per person

Best themed afternoon teas in London

The Swan, Borough

• From £39.50 per person, book at The Swan

Best affordable themed afternoon tea

Overlooking the River Thames and located within the world-renowned Shakespeare’s Globe, enjoy afternoon tea with a stunning view from The Swan Bankside. The Swan’s themed afternoon tea ties in with the Globe’s play schedule, currently celebrating the upcoming summer production of Romeo & Juliet with a Wild West twist.

Opting for the Classic Tea includes delicate finger sandwiches of smoked salmon and sheep’s curd, a buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil tartlet and roast beef and cowboy butter in a rocket bun. Sweet treats are named after key lines from the play and are given Wild West adornments such as a chocolate cowboy boot on top of their smoked cherry bakewell tart. Scones are kept traditional with raisin and plain varieties alongside strawberry jam and Devonshire clotted cream. The savoury Cowboy Tea is also available for those who prefer things less sweet, as are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Round off your tea with an apple and elderflower sparkling ‘love portion’ palette cleanser for a whimsical finish. Floral cocktails continue with the theme, and there is a choice of bubbles including non-alcoholic. Sip Novus' award-winning loose leaf tea, with several black, green, white and herbal options. Fleur d’orient oolong with semi-fermented green tea with floral notes was a particular favourite of ours on our visit.

From £39.50 per person, book at The Swan.

Haymarket Hotel, St James

• From £50 per person, book at Firmdale Hotels

Best London-themed afternoon tea

Located a stone’s throw from the iconic Trafalgar Square stands the Haymarket Hotel, a warm and comfortable boutique hotel which has been beautifully filled with colourful prints and paintings. A welcome respite from its buzzy surroundings, Haymarket makes a spacious bolthole to escape from the bustle of London’s theatreland.

Tea takes place in the hotel’s stylish British brasserie, Brumus. The themed tea takes inspiration from London’s iconic landmarks, with a quality line-up of savoury morsels and beautifully crafted pastries which pay homage to the city’s beloved sights. Finger sandwiches are quintessentially English — from roast beef and horseradish on rosemary bread to cucumber and cream cheese on granary — alongside a tongue-in-cheek reference to British culture in the form of a mini steak and London Pride pie and dainty chicken scotch egg served with HP sauce.

A mix of plain and raisin scones are accompanied by little pots of clotted cream, passion fruit and raspberry preserve. The pastries are charming mini replicas of beloved London landmarks, such as a stand-out cinnamon & cream cheese London Eye, dark chocolate ganache and blood orange Big Ben and a light-as-air Trafalgar Square victoria sponge. Guests can choose from a list of speciality tea and infusions, served in whimsically-decorated white fine bone china designed by Kit Kemp. We particularly enjoyed ‘Mythical Creatures’, a soothing concoction of oolong, sunflower blossoms, cornflower bosoms and touch of ripe green mango.

What’s more, guests can follow up their tea by partaking in a postprandial stroll with the aid of Haymarket’s self-guided tour, designed with Blue Badge Guide Katie Wignall of Look Up London. An illustrated printed map is provided, with a QR code linked to the online guide, ensuring guests can see their favourite sights on the move and at their own pace.

From £50 per person, book at Firmdale Hotels

Cheese afternoon tea at The Cheese Barge

• £65 for two, book at indytute.com

A two-minute walk from Paddington Station is moored a cheese lover’s dream, The Cheese Barge. It’s the perfect place to go for afternoon tea – or Afternoon Cheese, as it’s styled – after a stroll along the Regent’s Canal. The Barge is from Mathew Carver, the guru behind Rind (Yorkshire), the famous Pick & Cheese (Seven Dials Market) and The Cheese Bar (Camden), but while those latter two places are very much counter seat experiences, the floating restaurant feels much more special occasion. On a sunny day, choose the open-air top deck and watch waterfowl paddle by. Buy a £65 voucher for The Cheese Afternoon Tea for Two and discover six artisan British cheeses with surprising pairings (creamy Driftwood goat’s cheese with crunchy honeycomb is a revelation), two grilled cheese sandwiches and curried cheese curds, plus two glasses of prosecco (there’s a deluxe version with a carafe of wine for £75). Our advice is to come for the ‘tea’ and stay for the whole cheesy experience. Try the melt-in-the-mouth Cropwell Bishop stilton and walnut croquettes; smoked Lincolnshire Poacher spätzle with red cabbage and crispy lardons; comforting, oozy Yarlington tartiflette; and finish with a clotted cream panna cotta. Afternoon Cheese available Monday-Friday 12-4pm and Sunday 12-7:15pm.

£65 for two, book at indytute.com

The Dilly, Piccadilly Circus

• From £49 for adults, £39 for children, book at The Dilly

Best London-themed afternoon tea

Right in the centre of London, a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus and Regent’s Street, you’ll find The Dilly, a huge, grand hotel in the perfect spot for exploring London (West End theatres, Buckingham Palace and Leicester Square are all within easy walking distance). It's even got its very own red phone box in the foyer.

Tea takes place in the second-floor terrace restaurant, a beautiful, light-filled room. The tea is themed around iconic London landmarks. For adults, it all arrives on a fun London bus stand, and kids get their own London-themed board. The sweet treats are fun and incredibly detailed. There’s a stand-out hazelnut praline and milk chocolate Big Ben, a chocolate London Eye perched on a rich mud cake, and a mini version of the hotel made from walnut and honey cake with a strawberry ginger bus, which even includes an image of the hotel’s façade printed on chocolate, plus staple scones with jam and cream. Kids' drinks include a frothy hot chocolate or refreshing strawberry lemonade, while adults can enjoy a high-quality brew from Tea Makers of London or a glass of English sparkling or champagne. It made for a fun, memorable afternoon tea, and combines perfectly with a day of sightseeing – see the sights, then eat them in chocolate form! Portions are generous, and staff will happily provide a takeaway box. Before you go, if you need ideas for things to do in London, the knowledgeable doorman has plenty of great recommendations.

From £49 for adults, £39 for children, book at The Dilly

RAILS, King's Cross

• From £39.50 per person, book at Great Northern Hotel

Best train themed afternoon tea

Hop aboard for a flavour-packed journey with the afternoon tea at RAILS, located at the Great Northern Hotel just outside King’s Cross St Pancras. Inspired by the great railways of the UK, this imaginative spread takes you on a whistle-stop tour of regional favourites, from rich Yorkshire Parkin and creamy Cranachan choux buns to indulgent Scottish millionaire’s shortbread. There’s a nod to London with a dainty Victoria cupcake, while a hearty Scouse pie brings a savoury bite from Liverpool.

Of course, no afternoon tea would be complete without scones, and here you’re treated to three: plain, raisin and a moreish savoury Wensleydale version, served with jam and clotted cream. Priced at £39.50, the standard tea includes a choice of eight loose-leaf blends. For those looking to toast the occasion, there are fizz upgrades: prosecco for £47.50, sparkling wine for £49.50, or a glass of Champagne for £52.50. A thoroughly enjoyable – and distinctly British – experience.

From £39.50 per person, book at Great Northern Hotel

Il Pampero at The Hari, Belgravia

• From £35 per person, book at the Hari

Best Italian-themed afternoon tea

Tucked away in the heart of Belgravia, The Hari is a stylish, sustainable boutique hotel that perfectly straddles Chelsea, Kensington and Knightsbridge. After a day exploring London’s iconic attractions – think Buckingham Palace, world-class museums, and designer shopping – treat yourself to a refined yet playful Italian-inspired afternoon tea at Il Pampero, the hotel’s chic bar and restaurant.

Blending British tradition with Italian flair, this unique experience swaps classic finger sandwiches for freshly baked focaccia. Expect toppings like 24-month-aged Parma ham with creamy stracciatella and balsamic reduction or taleggio cheese paired with a luscious fig jam – a decadent twist on the usual ham and egg & cress. Sweet treats continue the theme, with the Tiramichoux – a light, airy choux pastry filled with mascarpone cream and finished with an espresso glaze – stealing the show. It's the kind of dessert you’ll be reminiscing about long after your last bite.

Complement your spread with a choice of seven premium teas, from the floral and refreshing Jing Darjeeling 2nd Flush to the calming Jing Chamomile Flower. If you prefer coffee, that’s on offer too – but for a touch of extra indulgence, why not elevate the experience with a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne?

From £35 per person, book at the Hari.

The Marriott Hotel Park Lane, Marble Arch

• From £50 per person, book at the Marriott Hotel

Best botanical-themed afternoon tea

Celebrate the arrival of spring with a beautifully botanical afternoon tea at the Marriott Hotel – a charming, sun-soaked treat ideal for long-overdue catch-ups or special occasions. This refined experience pairs classic British elegance with playful, garden-inspired touches. Expect delicate finger sandwiches and whimsical pastries that nod to London’s iconic symbols – think Battenberg cake shaped like a red telephone box and a teapot-shaped delight infused with basil, blackberry and yoghurt.

Each stand comes with your choice of JING teas and a glass of Champagne – available in alcoholic and non-alcoholic options – for £50 per person. Feeling extra indulgent? Upgrade to free-flowing bubbles on request. Service is warm, attentive, and unhurried – staff make you feel genuinely looked after, with teapots never left dry. It’s a light-hearted, luxurious take on the classic afternoon tea that will put a spring in your step.

From £50 per person, book at the Marriott Hotel

The Chesterfield Mayfair, Mayfair

• From £75 for adults, £45 for children, book at The Chesterfield Mayfair

Best for sweet treats

If you’re looking for a magical afternoon tea for a special occasion that will inspire the imagination and excite the palate of both adults and children, then the Chesterfield is for you. Set in a grand, Georgian hotel on a smart Mayfair street, the service is exceptional from the moment you step into their large marble hallway. Once you’re seated and have been talked through the extensive range of teas, your experience will start with a dramatic smoking pink lemonade topped with a flying saucer. You’ll then move onto a selection of beautifully presented finger sandwiches – our favourites were the Scottish smoked salmon with chive cream cheese and roast chicken with mustard mayonnaise and nibbed almonds.

Accompanying the sandwiches are fluffy chocolate chip scones, Drumstick macaroons, strawberry liquorice allsorts cheesecake, blue raspberry & bubblegum Battenberg, giant jazzie lollipops, coca cola slice and a decadent take on a Reece’s peanut butter cup. There's a dedicated kids menu which comes served with milkshakes. When it’s time to leave you’ll be escorted to a traditional sweet shop stand where you can select a bag of your favourite pick and mix sweets to take home, any treats you couldn’t quite finish will be beautifully boxed up for you to take away, too.

From £75 for adults, £45 for children, book at The Chesterfield Mayfair

Mirror Room at Rosewood London, Holborn

• From £80pp, book at Rosewood London

Best art-themed afternoon tea

The Rosewood London is renowned for its theatrical and refined portrayal of the city's best artworks in the form of an exquisite afternoon tea. The inspiration changes regularly, so guests can discover artists on repeat visits. When we visited, the tea was David Hockney-inspired, capturing elements of the artist's most notable works, seamlessly blending nature-inspired designs with classic British flavours. The essentials are all still there – sandwiches, scones and patisserie, served in the grand Mirror Room – but there are plenty of contemporary twists throughout, too.

Glossy, neat mini scones (plain and raisin) are served warm and are some of the best we’ve tried – very soft and light. Alongside jam and cream, they are served with a stand-out homemade lemon curd which is smooth, buttery and rich. The final rounds of patisserie resemble mini works of art and are incredibly intricate, with complex layers of mousse, sponge and jelly. The colourful illustrated menu outlines the inspiration behind each creation.

There are a range of drinks options to accompany the tea, from champagne to a fruity cocktail, and an extensive selection of Mariage Frères teas. Service is speedy and friendly, guiding you through each element with confidence.

From £80pp, book at Rosewood London

The Mandrake, Fitzrovia

• From £65 per person, book at The Mandrake

Best for a wellness-inspired tea

The Mandrake hotel is a quirkily luxurious haven just off London’s Oxford Street, so this wellness-inspired tea, with loose influences of ayurveda, makes for a welcome respite from the Saturday shopping carnage outside.

The experience starts with a 45-minute sound healing session, including infrared light therapy and a gong bath. With cosy throws and pillows to make yourself comfortable, there are a few too many people in the room for this to be a truly relaxing experience. But we close our eyes and let the gongs reverberate through us, and there’s plenty of time to empty our minds.

The tea itself is served downstairs in the Yopo restaurant. It’s themed around the seven chakras, with seven delicacies individually plated and served with a tea pairing. There are no cucumber sandwiches and mini victoria sponges here – instead we enjoy the likes of a yellowtail tostada with sweet potato and physalis, which is accompanied by a Saltoro black tea and mango blend. Each of the seven mini dishes are intricate and delicious, and tea connoisseurs will be in raptures over the unlimited brews, with everything from a ceremonial matcha via a white tea with peach to a green tea grown in Jersey.

Make sure you take a wander round the hotel while you’re here – it’s as much of an adventure as the unusual tea.

From £65 per person, book at The Mandrake

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