Afternoon tea in London: a local's recommendations 🫖

This lovely activity is an absolute must when you're in town - and these are all my tried-and-tested favourite spots. The list is short because I keep going back to them over and over again! Finger sandwiches, warm scones and cute desserts with a pot of tea (and maybe a glass of champagne!) - what's not to love? This city is very good at pulling out all the stops for this wonderful British tradition. Book in advance and prepare to spend around £50+ per person, but what a treat it will be! 🍰

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Covent Garden Hotel

@awaywithalbs

A lovely classic tea room with a hint of a whimsical feel in a hotel with a stunningly classic facade. And it's in my favourite neighbourhood in central London - Seven Dials in Covent Garden. I also recommend enjoying a post-tea drink on one of the few small tables outside and then going for a casual shopping stroll around the area :)

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The Drawing Room at Brown's Hotel

@awaywithalbs

Another classic British tea room in central London but with beautiful wood panelling. A great place to go with a parent or parents if you're in town with them :)

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The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason

@awaywithalbs

This is my favourite afternoon tea spot in London. The room is lovely, it caters to lots of different dietary requirements, and the best part, you can have as many sandwiches, scones and desserts as you'd like (what they refer to as 'refreshing')! Not many spots do this so you can really get your money's worth. And you can also keep the adorable jars of lemon curd, clotted cream and jam :) It's not cheap (80 GBP for the classic afternoon tea) but it's well worth it as a treat if you want to savour this delightful British tradition and experience.

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The Savoy - Thames Foyer

@awaywithalbs

A very elegant option! The domed room is beautiful, the food is delicious and the afternoon tea can also be 'refreshed' so you can have as much as you want :) Pair it with a glass of champagne to make it extra special. This might be the most expensive option on the list. Book extra far in advance because reservations go very quicky!

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The Winter Garden Restaurant at The Landmark London

@awaywithalbs

If you want to be absolutely wow-ed than you've got to come here. The room is an absolute showstopper - and maybe one of the most stunning in all of London! Make some time before or after to take photos - especially from the balcony one floor up.

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The Wolseley

@awaywithalbs

This place exudes glamour and grand European tradition. A beautiful scene where you may also spot a celebrity if you're into that kind of thing :) It's open all day as well so it's great for any meal of the day really! If for whatever reason you can't get an afternoon tea reservation at Fortnum & Mason than this is a great nearby option.

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✨ BONUS

My top tips for making the most of afternoon tea👇 These specifically apply to the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason but most, if not all, can be applied elsewhere 🫖♥️

IG Reel: how to make the most of afternoon tea 🇬🇧

www.instagram.com

🇬🇧 ELEVATE YOUR TRIP

Interested in customised afternoon tea recommendations that aren't in this list and are tailored to your travel style? I've got you covered👇

Hire me to curate recommendations for you 🍰🫖🥂

www.thatch.co

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lauren Alboini

Available for hire

Hi and welcome to my page! 👋🏼 I’m a London-based travel creator, originally from Toronto, and have been living in this fabulous city since 2015 🇬🇧 After 8+ years of curating and sharing travel recommendations for friends and family, I want to do the same for others (hopefully that includes you!). And that's what brought me to Thatch 🤍 🗺️ MY TRAVEL STYLE: I love... • High quality but affordable places and experiences • Having a plan but also flexibility to go with the flow • Exploring a mix of classic and off-the-beaten-track gems • Lively settings but also relaxing ones • Being outside If this sounds like you too, you’re in the right place ✔️ 🗺️ WHY ME: • I'm a program manager - planning and organising is what I do! • I’ve been to nearly 50 countries and lived in four 🌍 • I’ve been using a tip in the last 3+ years that have made my trips SO much better - and will do the same for you • I prioritise being helpful and providing value 🗺️ WHAT YOU CAN FIND HERE: • Guides, DIY walking tours, interactive maps of London, UK, Europe and beyond - most are free and some are priced very competitively • Custom itineraries and curated recommendations for London - to ensure you have an amazing personalised experience through my local lens 🇬🇧 THANK YOU for being here and I can't wait to connect 🙏 📸 Follow me on IG (@awaywithalbs) for more travel tips and recommendations, trip planning motivation, and travel stories with lessons learned.

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