A selection of pink macarons with chocolate filling.

Best afternoon tea London 2026

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Our top picks

Discover the best afternoon tea experiences in London right now with our top picks, featuring exciting afternoon tea tours and iconic tea cruises on the Thames. Book in advance to guarantee your spot and indulge in this quintessential British tradition!

Afternoon tea bus with panoramic tour of London

Spot top attractions and tuck into delicious afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea cruise on the Thames

Admire London from the water on a traditional afternoon tea cruise.

Afternoon tea at the National Gallery

Enjoy afternoon tea after touring the National Gallery.

ABBA-inspired "Here We Go Again" afternoon tea bus

Enjoy afternoon tea and London's iconic landmarks to the backdrop of ABBA tunes.

Are you looking for the best afternoon tea in London? This quintessentially British tradition is a must-do – perfect for creating envy among those back home! See our full list of the most traditional afternoon tea experiences in London and go as gooey as a macaron over classic afternoon tea treats, try something quirkier and join an afternoon tea tour, or seek out one of the capital's best cheap afternoon teas. Discover all of our handpicked, naughty-but-nice London afternoon tea ideas.

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Find more afternoon tea in London inspiration

Afternoon tea in London is a must-do! Find more of the best London afternoon tea experiences for all tastes and budgets, with our selection of top traditional afternoon teas, quirky afternoon teas, fun afternoon tea tours and cheap afternoon teas.
Seven small, colourful cakes on a green-and-white-striped plate.

Best traditional afternoon tea

Find the best venues to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea experience.
A dining table with display boxes full of cakes and candy floss, scones on plates, glasses of champagne and a teapot, cup and saucers

Themed afternoon teas

Explore fun and unusual afternoon tea experiences.

Afternoon tea tours

Spot top attractions and tuck into delicious afternoon tea.
Overhead view of a Maison François afternoon tea featuring finger sandwiches, babkas with jam and cream, pastries and chocolate desserts served on branded white plates.

Cheap afternoon tea

Enjoy this quintessential British tradition for less with these wallet-friendly picks.

Best afternoon tea in London

Need a little help with choosing the right London afternoon tea venue? We've handpicked six of the most unforgettable afternoon tea experiences in London, featuring unique and stunning settings including iconic London landmarks, famous museums and top attractions.

Brigit's Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

Tuck into mouthwatering treats aboard a doubledecker Routemaster bus.

From £70.00
an afternoon tea stand on a table with small plates of sandwiches and scones, and teapots and saucers either side, set in a museum space

Afternoon Tea at the Cutty Sark

Sit beneath Cutty Sark's copper-clad hull and dine on a traditional afternoon tea.

From £47.00
A plate of cakes and pastries with taylor swift icons on an afternoon tea bus tour in London.

Taylor Swift-inspired London afternoon tea bus

Combine delicious afternoon tea treats, breathtaking sights and Taylor Swift's greatest hits.

From £49.00

Afternoon Tea at the British Museum

Savour a sumptuous afternoon tea under the famous glass roof of the Great Court at the British Museum.

From £43.00
Stack of macaroons next to a cup of tea and tea making ingredients.

Afternoon Tea at Clipper Lounge

Delight in a wonderful afternoon tea on the Thames, at London’s riverside café bar on Embankment Pier.
The corner of a London Eye pod in the air that overlooks the river and Houses of Parliament.

Afternoon Tea on the London Eye

Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea served as you ride the iconic London Eye.

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Afternoon tea at hotels

Many hotels across the capital offer lovely afternoon tea experiences in elegant surroundings. Prices vary depending on the location, from affordable to luxury champagne afternoon teas. Check out our handpicked selection of hotel afternoon teas for inspiration.

Champagne afternoon tea at Grosvenor House London

Afternoon tea at St James's Hotel & Club Mayfair

Champagne afternoon tea at The Kensington Hotel

Cheap afternoon tea in London

You don’t need to go over budget to enjoy this British tradition, with plenty of affordable afternoon tea options available in the capital. Here are some afternoon tea deals you can enjoy in London right now.

Afternoon tea at Marco Pierre White

Afternoon tea at Novotel London Bridge

Afternoon tea at The Chelsea Harbour Hotel

Themed afternoon tea in London

From delicious space-themed cakes to mouthwatering American-inspired savoury bites, enjoy a fresh take on tradition with these fun and quirky-themed afternoon teas in London.

Science afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel

Afternoon tea at Burger Bites

Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea at Sanderson

Afternoon tea with a view in London

Book your afternoon tea experience at one of these London locations with a view for a side helping of gorgeous vistas as you dig into sumptuous afternoon tea treats.

Royal afternoon tea Windsor bus tour

Champagne afternoon tea at OXO Tower Restaurant

Botanical afternoon tea at London Marriott Hotel Park Lane

Traditional afternoon tea in London

Tea in a pot, scones with cream and jam, finger sandwiches and dainty cakes... If you're after classic British treats, find our pick of venues for the best traditional afternoon tea experiences in London.

Afternoon tea at The Langham

Afternoon tea at Sheraton Grand London Park Lane

Afternoon tea at Brigit's Bakery

Posh afternoon tea in London

From traditional afternoon tea with champagne to indulgent takes on this quintessentially British experience, discover some of the most fancy and posh afternoon tea experiences in London. Some venues insist on a smart dress code – check before attending.

Champagne afternoon tea at The Ritz

Champagne afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace

Champagne afternoon tea at The Georgian at Harrods

Afternoon tea in London for families

There are plenty of family-friendly afternoon tea experiences in London. Kids will love tucking into colourful and quirky-shaped treats, with fun afternoon tea themes including Peter Pan and dinosaurs. Book in advance as these tend to be very popular, especially at the weekend.

Family afternoon tea at The Langham London

Jurassic-themed afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel

Peter Pan family afternoon tea at Aqua Shard

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London afternoon tea: tips and FAQs

When should I have afternoon tea in London?

British afternoon tea is traditionally enjoyed between 3pm and 5pm. While the tradition was invented in the 19th century to be served to the upper classes between lunch and dinner, today it can be enjoyed at pretty much any time!

Is there a dress code for afternoon tea in London?

The dress code for afternoon tea in London is usually smart casual. This may change depending on the venue or the experience you have booked. Be sure to check the dress code for your afternoon tea before attending the experience.

Are there afternoon tea tours in London?

Yes, there are fantastic afternoon tea tours in London, including bus tours, cruises and experiences that combine famous attractions with afternoon tea served on location. There are also day trips out of London which include an afternoon tea experience, such as the Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace tour with cream tea.

What is the most luxurious afternoon tea in London?

Some of the most luxurious afternoon tea experiences in London can be found in the city's prestigious luxury hotels, such as The Ritz or The Savoy. In such opulent surroundings, why not treat yourself by indulging in champagne afternoon tea.

Where can I find budget-friendly afternoon tea options?

You can find budget-friendly afternoon tea options at venues across the city, including cafes, restaurants and hotels in central London. Enjoy a sweet treat without breaking the bank with our top picks for the best value afternoon teas in London.

How do I book afternoon tea online?

Book your London afternoon tea experience online to secure your spot, especially if you're a group or family. You can book official afternoon tea experiences listed on Visit London directly with us, using the booking buttons displayed on our pages. If you purchase via our site, we will receive commission which supports our work creating jobs for Londoners.