While I love a traditional afternoon tea, there are a bunch of cool, unique afternoon teas in London that are worth experiencing just as much. Depending on your personality and interests, you might think that tea experiences in this list are more up your alley than the typical one.
This article contains some affiliate links, which means we earn a small commission when you buy after clicking. This hugely helps us keep all of our free content and advice coming, at no extra cost to you, so thank you!
Image Courtesy of Sanderson
Mad Hatter’s Tea at Sanderson
If you’re an Alice in Wonderland fan, check out the Mad Hatter’s Tea at Sanderson in Fitzrovia. Each treat in the tea is beautifully crafted and tastes good too. If it’s a nice day and it’s not too crowded, you may be sat in the hotel’s courtyard for your tea experience, which is lovely.
*Vegan and Kids’ Afternoon Tea menus available. (If you have food allergies and intolerances, speak to a member about your requirements before ordering. A complete list of allergens is available on request.)
Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea | Fitzrovia | £££
Image Courtesy of One Aldwych
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon tea at One Aldwych
Both adults and kids love the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea at the luxe One Aldwych hotel in Covent Garden. It’s beautifully done, with the treats being as delicious as they are adorable. The cocktails are also magical, I recommend upgrading to get one (or a few? I’ve been there…)
In December, One Aldwych typically “Christmas-fys” the tea, so it’s even more magical. It’s included in my Festive Teas to Try in London guide.
*Vegetarian, Vegan and Kids’ Afternoon Tea menus available. (They can accommodate for other allergies and intolerances, let the know in advance.)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea | Covent Garden | ££££
Image Courtesy of Rosewood London
Art Afternoon Tea at Rosewood London
Rosewood London is one of the most luxurious hotels in London; I actually had lunch with the cast of Mary Poppins Returns here (magical).
Their Art Afternoon Tea was voted Best Contemporary Afternoon Tea in the UK. The Executive Pastry Chef, Mark Perkins, created a colourful collection of pastries inspired by David Hockney’s exhibition at the Lightroom- ‘Bigger & Closer’. The true immersive experience is complete with a ‘Hockneyfication’ by stylist Camilla Wordie at Mirror Room. Plus, if you’re looking to try tea (the drink) that’s the best of the best, this is the place to do it, as they serve Mariage Frères varieties. Watch a full review of this tea here.
A few times a year, instead of the art tea, Rosewood serves a seasonal tea for special events, like Wimbledon and the Chelsea Flower Show. They definitely serves some of the most unique afternoon teas in London.
*Kid’s Afternoon Tea menu available. Diet-restriction-friendly, just let them know ahead of time
Art Afternoon Tea | Holborn | ££££
Image Courtesy of Ampersand Hotel
Science Afternoon Tea at the Ampersand Hotel
Now one of London’s most famous afternoon teas, the Science Tea at the beautiful Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington is great for families, although, adults without kids tend to like it too. The inspiration for it comes from the nearby Science Museum, so pair your tea experience with a visit and you’ll have a very science-y half-day in London.
The tea is served in the Ampersand’s drawing room, a beautifully-decorated part of the hotel, which is actually under the Small Luxury Hotels of the World label.
*Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free and Kids’ Afternoon Tea menus available.
Science Afternoon Tea | South Kensington | £££
Image Courtesy of Virgin Experience Days
B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
B Bakery combines a vintage bus tour with afternoon tea, taking you around to see some of the most famous sights in London while enjoying a lovely traditional afternoon tea, gin (optionally) included. Tourists tend to love this as it’s a very unique afternoon tea, however as I have pretty bad motion sickness it’s definitely not a tea I’ll try anytime soon :/
*Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal and Kids’ Afternoon Tea menus available. Not wheelchair accessible but they can store a folding wheelchair on the bus. Service-dog friendly.
B Bakery Afternoon Tea Tour Bus | Victoria | £££
Image Courtesy of Ting, The Shard
Afternoon Tea at Ting The Shard
This tea is served in the Shangri-La hotel’s restaurant Ting, which does modern British cuisine with Asian influences and signature dishes. When we visited, they were doing the limited-edition Cloud Forest Afternoon Tea, but the tea’s theme changes depending on the theme that’s around the hotel at that time. For example, in the past they’ve had a Mary Poppins-inspired afternoon tea.
As with all restaurants in the Shard, you’ll want to book well in advance and request a table at the window. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get that coveted window seat, but of course it’s not guaranteed.
*Vegetarian, Vegan and Halal options available. Unfortunately, they cannot guarantee that any of the dishes are free from allergens.
Afternoon Tea at The Shard | London Bridge | ££££
Image Courtesy of The Berkeley
Prêt-à-Portea: The Couture Cakewalk at The Berkeley
If you love high-end fashion, then head to the stunning Collins Room at The Berkeley (named after designer David Collins) for Prêt-à-Portea. The sub-theme changes every six months, and as I’m writing this season’s theme celebrates designers from Kenzo to Moschino.
*Alert them of any dietary restrictions ahead of time if you can and they should be able to accommodate.
Prêt-à-Portea: The Couture Cakewalk | Knightsbridge | ££££
Image Courtesy of Swan, Fortnum and Mason
Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason
While Fortnum & Mason serves a few variations on afternoon tea, they do one of the most classic and traditional teas in the city, and the setting of the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon makes the whole experience feel extra British. The salon was named in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 2012, when she formally opened the room for F&M, alongside the now Queen Consort and the Princess of Wales. Watch a full review of this tea here.
*Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Afternoon Tea menus available.
Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason | Piccadilly Circus | ££££
Want to know which afternoon teas are 100% recommended by the Love and London team? Grab one of our London itineraries, which include our top recommendations, extra travel guides, digital maps, and much more.
For more tips for your London trip, read:
Pin this…
Thanks for your recommendations! We just tried a vegan Mad Hatters afternoon tea last week. We loved everything about it: the food, the setting, the whole experience!
Great!