London: Afternoon Tea

London: Afternoon Tea

Favourite places for Afternoon Tea in London, UK from a local whose lived here over 20 years. I've included a list of places we still want to go which is quite a few. Going to afternoon tea is quite a new thing for us that we only started doing the last 4-5 years. The average price for afternoon tea starts at £55 with more top of the range £75+ per person. Dress code varies but I would not show up in jeans or tennis shoes. You can do smart casual for many places but do check the websites when you book for dress code. There are some more formal places like the Ritz/Savoy that you could be turned away if you don't come dressed appropriately. Afternoon Tea is meant to be savoured and taken time over. Do not rush but do ask how long you have the table for as you may be asked to leave for the servers to prepare for the next sitting. You should start with the sandwiches and then move to any scones and then end with the pastries. You can often try multiple different teas in one setting. My partner and I often get through 2 pots of tea and try different ones each time. The more traditional afternoon tea the more likely you'll be getting sandwiches like egg and cress and scones with clotted cream. There are themed afternoon teas out there from Mad Hatter, Peter Pan, Indian and seasonal ones like for Easter and Christmas. 11 suggestions for afternoon tea. Will be constantly updating this so do watch. At the moment these suggestions are free but obviously tips appreciated! I try to put a lot of thought and effort into my guides and suggestions.
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Traditional

Fortnum & Mason
@christinejolley
Traditional Afternoon tea. Piano player in the salon. There was a good selection of loose leaf teas, they have alcoholic and non alcoholic sparkling drink options as well. Sandwiches quite traditional like egg and cress with crusts taken off. You can take everything home that you don't have. For sandwiches you can ask for seconds. We even took the leftover preserves (the lemon curd one is nice). When you leave they give you a large slice of takeaway cake from the trolley each so do take advantage of that. Very attentive service and nice fluffy chairs. Only thing I didn't like I was slightly disappointed with the scones and thought they were a bit too dry. Price a bit on the expensive side but lots of tradition/history for tea here and you can't get any more British than Fortnums. If you'd like a souvenir from the UK go downstairs and buy some of their famous tea biscuits to take home with you. They're amazing. Our favourites are the chocolate ones.
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Afternoon Tea at The Ritz
@christinejolley
The Queen Bee of Afternoon Tea is the Ritz. Its world renowned and they have their own 'tea master' who travels around the world to source the huge variety of loose leaf tea they have on offer. Prices start at £76 per person. There is a strict dresscode and men must wear a suit/tie and women must be smart although I don't believe dresses are required. There is a pianist. Most traditional Afternoon Tea's will have a piano player of some sort.
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The Savoy
@christinejolley
Currently under renovations so keep an eye on their website. The Savoy has been serving tea here since 1889. Very traditional like the Ritz (so there will be a pianist). Prices start from £90 per person
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Petersham Nurseries
@christinejolley
This is one of our favourite places to go for afternoon tea. Best done on a lovely sunny day so you can walk to and from. It is about a 30 minute walk but really does add so much to the experience. From Richmond Station head towards Richmond riverside. Keep hugging the Thames like you're walking to Ham House and then turn left at the end of the fields on River Ln. Head all the way up until you see a little hidden alleyway on the lefthand side. Follow this along until you get to Petersham Nurseries. If you get lost use your GPS on your phone. Afternoon tea is held in one of their greenhouses round the back and is a stunning location. The tea comes with a beautiful display of flowers. The price is quite reasonable too (currently at £55 w/out alcohol and £65 with a bit of bubbly). There is a good selection of loose leaf tea and non alcoholic drinks as well. The sandwiches and cakes are inspired by the natural world and many have edible flowers on them. When you're finished turn right out the exit and head past the parking lot until you see signs for a public footpath on your left. Turn onto this and follow it all the way through the fields and it should get you back to Richmond Riverside and back home again. Its a LOVELY walk, lovely food and a lovely setting. Be sure that you double check that you've booked afternoon tea and not reservations at the restaurant. We had this happen to us somehow and were incredibly disappointed because we wanted to have afternoon tea here again.
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Number Sixteen
@christinejolley
Having afternoon tea in the outdoor Orangery looks lovely and the price looks reasonable too at £45 per person.
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Modern/Themed

Ochre Restaurant
@christinejolley
In the National Gallery in central london. If you plan it right you can have a few hours of looking at art and then end with afternoon tea here. Must be booked ahead. Afternoon tea theming changes often. When we went we had a winter afternoon tea inspired by one of the paintings.
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Theatre Royal Drury Lane
@christinejolley
In the Theatre Drury Lane (Covent Garden) in their Grand Saloon they have a decadent regency afternoon tea on offer. The cakes are made by Lily Vanilli. Starting price £59 per person served on china by British designers Kit and Kemp. If you're not doing afternoon tea before the theatre consider doing one of their tours (see link below) as Drury Lane has often been known as being haunted.
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea
@christinejolley
Afternoon tea inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The sandwiches with coronation chicken, salmon and egg/watercress give some traditional tea vibes too. Tea choice is not traditional things like: chocolate, caramel, lemon verbena, etc. £70 per person Looks a lot of fun no matter the age.
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The Lanesborough
@christinejolley
Bridgerton Afternoon Tea. Not a fan of the show but mylanta the tea looks lovely. Lots of florals. Non alcoholic options for some bubbles/cocktails. £85 per person Dress Code Smart Casual
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sketch
@christinejolley
Afternoon tea with a modern twist. Used to be a pink room they served it in they've now changed it to yellow. A bit on the girly side. From £80 per person not including bubbles. Non alcoholic drinks available.
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Seasonal + Christmas

Afternoon Tea at Café Royal
@christinejolley
We went here for Christmas Afternoon Tea. If you want a lovely day out go see the lights on Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and Regent Street and end here for Afternoon Tea. Its a traditional style tea but with a Christmas twist. The tea I had was a Christmas tea that had a lovely hint of cinnamon. Dress up for this but its not Ritz requirement of Suitcoats, etc. It was around my birthday that we went. The piano player played happy birthday and I was brought out a chocolate surprise with a candle in it. I never asked them to do this but it was a lovely touch. There's a lot of history in this venue and was frequented by Oscar Wilde and other notables. Its such a stunning place and everything was quite perfect. One of our favourites we've had to date.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I'm an American in London who has lived here over 20 years. I adore travelling and our trips (my partner and I) always involve something artsy (gallery, museum), nature, exercise, wandering, good food and lots of cafe stops. Besides London have spent serious amounts of time in Paris France although my french is a work in progress. I will always try to recommend places my partner and I been to personally. We have done backpacking through Thailand, Morocco and Egypt, done mid range hotels through Europe and have done luxury too where we've eaten at Michelin Restaurants and stayed at Posh hotels. So a real range in our holidays but we always try to have a good balance in whatever we do. Here to give you suggestions on London from the perspective of someone who has lived here quite a long time. Will also share itineraries on other places I've been to in Europe and elsewhere. Former music teacher now PT film/TV extra and blogger and travel lover.
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