Best 16 themed afternoon teas in London

Enjoy a fresh take on tradition with these fun and unusual afternoon teas in London.
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A dining table with display boxes full of cakes and candy floss, scones on plates, glasses of champagne and a teapot, cup and saucers
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych. Image courtesy of One Aldwych.

Sit down to sweet treats at an interesting venue, take high tea on the move or enjoy unusual or themed food and drink. Book a spot to enjoy a quirky afternoon tea in London with a fun twist, or look for themed London afternoon teas among these afternoon tea deals*.

1. Brigit's Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

Brigit's Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. Image courtesy of Brigit's Bakery.
Hop aboard a vintage routemaster bus and tour London, spotting iconic sights along the way… all while indulging in colourful cupcakes and dainty finger sandwiches. Hook up to the audio guide on Brigit's Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour and see The London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and many more landmarks.

2. City Cruises afternoon tea cruise

City Cruises Afternoon Tea Thames River Cruise. Image courtesy of City Cruises

Enjoy a sedate afternoon tea on the Thames, while passing some of London’s most famous sights on City Cruises' afternoon tea cruise. Nibble on finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and cakes accompanied by unlimited tea and coffee. The on-board bar serves a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

3. Afternoon tea at the Cutty Sark

Afternoon tea at the Cutty Sark. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.
Indulge in a special afternoon tea at the Cutty Sark sat beneath the iconic copper-clad hull. Enjoy a selection of delicious teatime staples including homemade finger sandwiches, fresh scones with clotted cream and jam and sweet treats. Complete your visit by exploring the famous Cutty Sark ship, which is included with entry.
Prices from £38.00 Book now

4. Wizard's Afternoon Tea experience at the Wands and Wizard Exploratorium

Wizard Afternoon Tea experience at the Wands and Wizard Exploratorium. Image courtesy of Red Letter Days.
Get creative during the interactive Wizard's Afternoon Tea experience at the Wands and Wizard Exploratorium. Grab a wand and cast a spell to unlock a chest where you’ll find lots of tantalising ingredients. Brew two of your own teas, and feast on treats based around magic and molecular gastronomy as part of this unique session.
Prices from £42.00 Book now

5. Sherlock Holmes afternoon tea

Sherlock Holmes afternoon tea at a speakeasy bar. © Golden Tours/Nic Crilly Hargrave
Solve a mystery case set by the famous detective and indulge in a delicious Sherlock Holmes afternoon tea in this quirky speakeasy bar experience. Put your puzzle solving skills to the test and tuck into sweet and savoury culinary delights – not forgetting the quintessential fresh scone, clotted cream and jam!
Prices from £39.00 Book now

6. Science Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel *

Science Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel. Image courtesy of The Ampersand Hotel.
Get hands-on at The Ampersand Hotel's Science Afternoon Tea. Drawing inspiration from the nearby Science Museum, you can dig to discover a dinosaur biscuit, dish up sweet treats from petri dishes and munch on some stellar space-themed cakes.

7. Kopi Tiam Afternoon Tea at Pan Pacific London *

Kopi Tiam Afternoon Tea at Pan Pacific London. Image courtesy of Red Letter Days.
Be transported to south-east Asia as Pan Pacific puts a Singaporean twist on the afternoon tea. Bao buns, dim sum and scones with kaya jam make up just some of the inventive treats served in the hotel’s Orchid Lounge.

8. Japanese afternoon tea at Ginza St James’s *

Japanese afternoon tea at Ginza St James’s. Image courtesy of Red Letter Days
Head to the Far East with a Japanese-inspired afternoon tea at Ginza St James’s. Delight in teriyaki beef, black cod croquettes with wasabi mayonnaise and a wagyu burger before trying sweet items such as passion fruit curd – all accompanied by Japanese teas.

9. Shakespeare-themed afternoon tea at the Swan *

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Afternoon tea at the Swan

Experience an enchanting take on the classic afternoon treat at the riverside Swan. Themed around some of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, its two afternoon teas feature a whimsical mix of sweet and savoury elements for the perfect pre-show treat.

10. Afternoon tea at Burger Bites *

Burger Bites afternoon tea. Image courtesy of Red Letter Days.

Slide on down to Burger Bites, which puts a burger-themed twist on an afternoon tea. Choose six mini burgers, which are served on a tiered stand alongside cakes that resemble burgers – the perfect treat for a burger aficionado!

11. Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at Aqua Shard

Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at Aqua Shard. Image courtesy of Bacchus Agency.
Go on a magical adventure with Aqua Shard’s Peter Pan Afternoon Tea. Gaze out across London and imagine you're best pals with the boy who never grew up, as you sip on a Fairy Dust cocktail, enjoy The Lost Boys chicken and bacon sandwiches, and delight in cakes such as the Tinker Bell with its touch of gold fairy dust.

12. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych. Image courtesy of One Aldwych.
Tuck into weird and wonderful creations inspired by Roald Dahl's much-loved book with the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych. Enjoy the likes of “Not-quite-as-it-seems beetroot macaron”, “Blue as a blueberry cake pop” and scones with snozzberry jam.

13. Sketch Gallery afternoon tea

Sketch afternoon tea. Photo by: Rob Whitrow. Image courtesy of Sketch.

Enjoy a colourful afternoon tea in this Instagram-worthy venue decked out with copper-coloured walls and bright yellow furnishings. Sketch Gallery offers up a cornucopia of edible delights, including bright cakes, fresh scones and fruit tarts, as well as scrumptious finger sandwiches.

14. Art Afternoon Tea at Rosewood London

Kusama Art Afternoon Tea at Rosewood London © Patricia Niven. Image courtesy of Rosewood London.
Pick on pastries inspired by contemporary artists and their works with Rosewood London's Art Afternoon Tea, served in its Mirror Room. This afternoon tea menu changes regularly and is full of colouful creations based on the latest exhibitions in London. Pair your tea with champagne as part of this arty treat.

15. Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley

The Blue Bar

Channel your inner fashionista with this stylish afternoon tea at The Berkeley Hotel. Inspired by the latest catwalk designs and famous brands, the collection changes with the seasons, and has featured the likes of a red velvet cake inspired by the Lady Dior Handbag and a Moschino million-dollar note-topped pistachio delice.

16. The Ultimate Afternoon Tea at The Cookery School

Have a go at making your own savoury bites and sweet treats with The Ultimate Afternoon Tea course run by The Cookery School at Little Portland Street. Join friends or family in crafting cakes, sandwiches, pastries and scones. At the end of your class, you’ll sit down to your creations with a glass of sparkling wine or a soft drink.