There's no better place to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week than London, the home of one of Britain's most beloved traditions!
From iconic luxury hotels and elegant historic venues to themed experiences and river cruises, the city is packed with unforgettable afternoon tea experiences to mark the tasty occasion.
Whether you're looking for a classic afternoon tea complete with freshly baked scones and Champagne, or a one-off experience created especially for Afternoon Tea Week, discover some of the best places to indulge in this quintessential London pastime.
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What is Afternoon Tea Week?
Afternoon Tea Week is an annual celebration of the British tradition of afternoon tea. In 2026, it runs from 10–16 August, encouraging people to enjoy afternoon tea experiences at hotels, restaurants and tea rooms across the UK.
London is widely regarded as the home of some of the world’s most famous afternoon tea experiences, from The Ritz, Claridge’s and The Savoy to quirky themed teas, or something a little more relaxing like an afternoon tea river cruise or picturesque afternoon tea bus.
Limited-time afternoon tea experiences
Indian-inspired afternoon tea at Kinaara, InterContinental London – The O2
Taste a unique Indian-inspired afternoon tea at Kinaara, InterContinental London - The O2, featuring an array of dishes infused with spices and tastes from diverse regions of India.
The savoury menu includes a tender madras chicken curry sandwich and golden potato dumplings infused with aromatic carom seeds, with the sweet treats tier featuring a soft baba blackberry and milk sponge and a delicate cashew nut and raspberry financier.
Mad Hatters afternoon tea at the Sanderson
Discover the theatrical Mad Hatters afternoon tea at the Sanderson, inspired by the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland.
Enjoy savoury bites and sandwiches, including the Tea Party, with a cucumber, cream, lemon and dill filling, and the Mad Hatter, a sliced pastrami beef, sweet mustard and pickle filling.
Freshly baked scones and playful pastries designed to delight your senses follow, including an almond and raspberry Battenberg, matcha and vanilla mascarpone tea cup and a berry infusion and mango boba tea.
St-Germain afternoon tea at Shangri-La, The Shard
Embrace the spirit of ‘joie de vivre’ in the St-Germain afternoon tea at the Shangri-La The Shard.
Served 35 floors above the city at TING, the seasonal collaboration pairs delicate patisserie treats and refined savouries with vibrant elderflower cocktails and panoramic views across the skyline.
Sweet highlights include a mango and passionfruit pavlova infused with St-Germain, a pistachio éclair and a strawberry and basil cheesecake. Savoury bites include a smoked beef and goats cheese quiche, beetroot muffin with whipped feta cheese and a selection of delicate finger sandwiches.
Afternoon tea at Dim Sum Library
Enjoy a special dim sum afternoon tea with a delicious twist at Dim Sum Library.
The usual sweet and savoury afternoon tea treats are replaced with Cantonese dim sum, premium Chinese teas and interactive storytelling.
Tiers of dim sum await, including Wagyu beef puff with black pepper and wild mushroom and beetroot dumplings, alongside exclusive creations including crispy pork dumplings, crispy fried cabbage rolls and classic Cantonese egg tarts.
London’s iconic afternoon teas
Afternoon tea at Claridge’s
Indulge in a quintessentially British afternoon tea experience in the luxurious surroundings of Claridge’s, a stunning Art Deco space in Mayfair.
The traditional afternoon tea menu includes finger sandwiches in an array of luxury fillings and warm scones served with Cornish clotted cream and Claridge’s signature jam.
The handmade pastries include a passionfruit and pineapple brulee tart, a citrus mousse and a rhubarb and blood orange pavlova.
Operation Mincemeat afternoon tea at Raffles
Try the Operation Mincemeat afternoon tea at Raffles London, paying homage to Olivier-award winning Operation Mincemeat, the secret history and characters associated with the former Old War Office – now home to Raffles London.
Served in the luxury tearoom steeped in history, a selection of sandwiches, including beef and aubergine, pork loin ham and Arlington white egg, are accompanied by traditional buttermilk and sultana scones, served with Cornish clotted cream, strawberry jam and lemon curd.
A coffee sponge, barley cream, popcorn praline and chocolate ‘briefcase’ cake to share follows, alongside four handcrafted pastries, reflecting the historical theme.
Afternoon tea with a view
Sky High afternoon tea at Duck & Waffle
Enjoy a whimsical twist on the British classic with Sky High afternoon tea served 40 floors above London at Duck & Waffle.
From the moment the hand-painted duck egg is lifted away from the stand, you’re immediately greeted with the incredible smells of sweet and savoury creations and savoury bites.
From watercress puree and pan-fried brioche soldiers to a ham, cheddar and pickle Cubano, the savouries are incredibly mourish. Save room for the sweet treats, including a jaffa macaron, raspberry tarte citron with scorched meringue and traditional scones served with jam and clotted cream.
Themed afternoon teas
Theatreland afternoon tea at The Waldorf Hilton
Inspired by the magic and glamour of London’s West End, enjoy a theatrical twist to traditional afternoon tea in the Theatreland afternoon tea at The Waldorf Hilton.
A selection of delicate finger sandwiches await, with fillings such as spiced coronation chicken, delicate prawn cocktail and soft egg and truffle mayonnaise.
The hand crafted pastries, inspired by iconic performances, including a caramelised popcorn tart, red velvet-glazed vanilla sponge and a dark chocolate and blackberry mirror, served alongside freshly baked fruit scones with clotted cream and preserves.
Miffy’s afternoon tea at Cutter & Squidge
Tuck into sweet and savoury delights in the Miffy’s afternoon tea, a limited-edition partnership between Cutter & Squidge and Miffy.
Savoury bites include cheese and chutney brioche and an egg mayo charcoal roll, with the sweet treats featuring a strawberries and cream biskie, Miffy’s strawberry sprinkle posset and a slice of Miffy cake.
Guests will also take home a Miffy notebook to round off the experience.
Afternoon Sea at The Mayfair Chippy
One for savoury-loving seafood seekers, tuck into Afternoon Sea at The Mayfair Chippy.
Consisting of three tiers of locally sourced seafood, guests can indulge in fresh seafood bites including Cornish crab on toast, treacle cured salmon with celeriac and mustard slaw, pickled cockles, king prawns and Carlingford oysters.
Served with freshly baked sourdough and a selection of sauces, it’s a themed afternoon tea worth adding to your London list.
Afternoon Tea Week booking tips
- Many venues offer discounts and complimentary items during Afternoon Tea Week so check this when booking
- Popular venues sell out quickly, so we recommend booking early
- Shop around for the most affordable options
- Look out for upgrade options for a special treat, such as bottomless Champagne
- Ensure you communicate dietary requirements with the venue in advance
Plan your perfect Afternoon Tea Week in London
Whether you're celebrating with friends, treating family members or marking a special occasion, Afternoon Tea Week 2026 is the perfect excuse to experience one of London's most cherished traditions.
From luxury hotel lounges and themed afternoon tea experiences to afternoon tea river cruises and exclusive limited-edition menus, there's an afternoon tea for every taste across the city.
Looking for more foodie inspiration? Explore London's best restaurants, food markets and rooftop bars.