Henry James may have been an American but he hit the nail on the head when he said, “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” There’s something so utterly decadent about this completely unnecessary meal – especially when paired with a glass of mid-afternoon champagne. Finding its origins in the British capital, London remains home to some of the world’s very best and most inventive pastry chefs, creating mouth-wateringly pretty miniatures sandwiches, scones and pastries for your delectation. We’ve scoured the capital to find the best afternoon teas in London to book now.

Pan Pacific London, The City

Drawing inspiration from the surprising amount of green spaces scattered throughout The City of London, Pan Pacific London’s Spring Afternoon Tea is designed to celebrate the beauty of the natural world on our doorstep. Hosted in Straits Kitchen where guests can immerse themselves in a lush botanical oasis, the luxury dining experience begins with a ‘tea discovery moment’, where guests are invited to explore 10 glass pots filled with a variety of tea leaves and botanical infusions, such as jasmine pearls, rooibos orange, and Persian rose from the Newby Tea Collection book. Once the tea has been chosen, feasting on the delicious sweet and savoury menu can begin.

Start with a seasonal amuse bouche of roasted butternut squash soup with Isle of Mull cheddar tart, followed by a classic selection of sandwiches filled with the likes of Wiltshire ham and mustard, and Burford Brown eggs and watercress. Sweet treats arrive in the form of a honey pomegranate mousse – featuring locally sourced London honey paired with pomegranates that are in peak season until the end of spring – while the tarragon apricot bavarois showcases delicate apricots picked early for extra sweetness. The signature candied ginger scones offer a warming, slightly spicy kick and are also believed to have natural healing properties, bringing comfort in every bite (especially when laden with homemade orange marmalade and strawberry jam).

Youngsters needn’t feel left out of the fun thanks to Pan Pacific’s children’s afternoon tea featuring a menu of floral cake pops, jungle-themed rice crispy bites, and strawberry or passionfruit iced tea. You can trust that they will be thoroughly entertained throughout too, as they decorate their own Singa Lion biscuit with icing and sprinkles, while adults can pick up a keepsake illustrated map to discover some of the secret gardens of the Square Mile. From the lofty heights of Sky Garden to the tranquil beauty of the Barbican Conservatory, learn about the greener side of London’s bustling finance district – and, once home, plant your complimentary seeds to create your very own secret garden too.

From £68 per person, and £29 per child for the children’s afternoon tea, visit Afternoon Tea At Pan Pacific London

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Mayfair

Are you a White Lotus fan? This afternoon tea at the Four Seasons outpost on Park Lane is for you. Given the five-star brand’s relationship with the acclaimed HBO series – every season has been filmed at a Four Seasons hotel, first in Hawaii, and then Sicily – the afternoon tea is inspired by the latest season set on the sunny shores of Koh Samui in Thailand. Crafted by the talented pastry team at the hotel’s Michelin-starred Pavyllon London, and served until 16 May, treats are served on a bespoke lotus-inspired tea stand, to the melodies of the show’s unmistakable soundtrack. 

Eschewing traditional sandwiches for an Asian-inspired selection of savouries, begin with chicken dumplings with langoustine and ginger, crispy crab and green papaya tartlet, duck spring roll with Thai basil, and curried tiger prawn sando. This is followed by treats designed to capture the mystery and allure that defines The White Lotus, including a black sesame and hazelnut teacake, a tea-infused croustillant caramel, honey cheesecake with fresh pomelo salad, and a slow-roasted pineapple and pandan brioche cake. 

From £85 per person, visit fourseasons.com

The Hari, Belgravia

The Hari, Belgravi’s five-star bolthole specialising in understated luxury, has unveiled its first ever Italian-style afternoon tea, Dolci Momenti, served in the stylish surrounds of the flagship Il Pampero restaurant. Perfectly paired with Jing tea and champagne, dive into an array of freshly crafted antipasti and decadent pastries, ranging from focaccia topped with 24-month-aged Parma ham, creamy stracciatella and balsamic reduction and Taleggio cheese with fig jam, to, our personal favourite, the tiramichoux with mascarpone cream, and a chocolate and amaretti pudding topped with cherry compote. 

From £35 per person, visit thehari.com

The Georgian, Knightsbridge

Steeped in history, The Georgian opened in 1911 and is Harrods' oldest restaurant – so it was only fitting for it to serve such a time-honoured tradition like afternoon tea. New for 2025, the plum-hued menu harks back to its famous thés dansants (tea dances) of the Roaring Twenties which often presented a procession of warm scones, delicate savouries and picture-perfect cakes. Start with an amuse-bouche of slow-cooked short rib served with crispy potato and black-garlic caviar, before the likes of crispy treacle roast celeriac sando, and cheese and caramelised onion tart.

A show-stopping array of patisserie is then served to the elegant soundtrack of live piano, and includes classic Black Forest gâteau and blackberry tart alongside the more inventive treats of pear and cinnamon crunchy sablé and pistachio religieuse. Vegan options are available too, and can be paired with a selection of Harrods teas or champagne.

From £75 per person, visit harrods.com

Rails Restaurant, King’s Cross

All aboard for a taste of the golden age of rail travel with Great Northern Hotel’s new afternoon tea, inspired by its history as London's original railway hotel and the destinations served from nearby King's Cross station. The menu features flavours as diverse as the routes that depart from the station, with a selection of savouries including a Wensleydale scone with sundried tomato cream cheese, delicate finger sandwiches such as egg mayonnaise and smoked salmon, as well as a ‘scouse pie’ encased in flaky golden pastry and filled with chunks of tender beef.

This gastronomical journey around the British Isles continues with an array of sweet treats including ‘Yorkshire parkin’, a ginger cake served with lashings of Chantilly cream, millionaire’s shortbread topped with a golden chocolate locomotive, a Victoria sponge cupcake and, paying homage to Edinburgh as the final destination on the East Coast Mainline, a Scottish cranachan choux bun. Fruit and plain scones are served with plenty of strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream, and can be paired with either loose-leaf blends from East India Tea Company, Nyetimber English sparkling wine or Billecart-Salmon champagne.

From £39.50 per person, visit railslondon.com

Conrad St James, St James’s Park

Be among the first to experience Royal Infinitea, the new afternoon tea at Conrad London St James, which is launching in time for Mother’s Day. Set beneath the glass ceiling of the Orchard Room, the experience pairs Wedgwood’s Wild Strawberry fine bone china with a menu inspired by royal banquets. Enjoy a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, followed by intricate pâtisserie such as Earl Grey-infused chocolate mousse and a Royal Windsor pink gin and lemon verbena tart. Warm scones in four indulgent flavours complete the spread, served with Cornish clotted cream, homemade lemon curd, and strawberry jam. And, because afternoon tea should be endless, Royal Infinitea ensures the Bollinger champagne never stops pouring. 

From £95 per person, visit hilton.com

Royal Lancaster London, Lancaster Gate

As spring blooms in the capital, welcome the change of seasons at Royal Lancaster London with its Blooming British Afternoon Tea in collaboration with the Natural History Museum. Promising a floral-inspired twist on a quintessential British tradition, this afternoon tea honours the flora, fauna and pollinators on our doorstep and uses only locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Designed to help support a future where people and pollinators thrive, expect an array of artistic sweet treats such as the Snowdrop – buttermilk cake, white chocolate whip ganache and shortbread – the light vanilla mousse and caramelised apple that forms The Ladybird, and a honey cake otherwise known as The Beehive. Vegan and children's options are also available. 

From £49 per person, visit royallancaster.com

Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge

On 28 March 2025, renowned East End artisan baker, Lily Vanilli, will launch a new Aperi-tea concept at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge that takes the quintessentially English tradition of afternoon tea and gives it a mixologist's twist. Served in the grand Rotunda Bar and Lounge, the experience promises divine cakes, decadent bakes and moreish savoury bites, all paired with mini cocktails. 

A world away from tiny cakes and crustless sandwiches, expect a selection of savouries including the Gilda, a bar snack of anchovy, green olive and pickled chilli, light and airy parmesan goujères, and salty confit potatoes. Sweet treats include a creme brulée Basque cheesecake, a tiramisu tart, and coffee caramel in a crisp chocolate tart. The accompanying playful drinks menu features mini cocktails including the Lily Royale – a blend of vodka, cacao blanc, and raspberry cordial – and Salted Espresso Martini: a twist on the classic with Patrón tequila, fresh espresso, and salted caramel syrup, finished with a crunchy sesame tuilé. 

From £65 per person, visit fourseasons.com

The Coral Room, Bloomsbury

Inside the five-star Bloomsbury Hotel a devilishly decadent afternoon tea awaits, served at both the Art Deco pink sanctuary of The Coral Room and the floral-festooned Dalloway Terrace, in partnership with The Devil Wears Prada musical. With the stage production just a stone's throw away at the Dominion Theatre, The Bloomsbury has curated a fashionably-late afternoon tea filled with sweet treats inspired by the 2006 film. Start with a selection of savouries, such as Nates' signature grilled cheese with a fruity chutney (which we're sure you'll love as much as Andy), hot smoked salmon roll and truffled egg finger sandwich (so good we ordered them twice), all washed down with a crisp glass of Charles Heidsieck champagne.

Move onto sweet treats named after key moments and lines in the musical, such as the 'No foam skimmed latte with an extra shot' which has been reimagined as a hazelnut opera cake with notes of coffee and caramel, and the 'Everybody wants this': a red velvet cake with cream frosting. The highlight? 'A single cube of cheese' which is actually a generous slice of New York cheesecake, alongside buttermilk and sultana scones served with lashings of clotted cream and homemade plum jam. Combine with one of the themed cocktails – the Miranda Club, featuring vodka, hedgerow berry and rose shrub, raspberry, lemon juice is delightfully refreshing – and you have a seriously chic day out in the city.

From £55 per person, visit thecoralroom.co.uk

The Rubens at the Palace, Belgravia

Situated directly opposite the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace, and once part of the estate itself, it's fitting that five-star hotel Rubens at the Palace should offer a regent-themed afternoon tea. Inspired by the Royal Family’s commitment to sustainability, the menu has been crafted from local, seasonal produce that will take diners on a journey through quintessential British flavours. Start with dainty finger sandwiches filled with chicken, grain mustard mayonnaise and toasted almonds, and cheddar cheese and plum tomato before tucking into delightful sweet morsels of fig and hazelnut layer cake, chocolate orange choux and the stand-out Crown, comprised of blackberry confit on vanilla sponge with white chocolate mousse. Round things off with warm scones, an array of teas or even a glass of sparkling and you have a feast fit for a king. 

From £70 per person, visit rubenshotel.com

The Milestone Hotel, Kensington 

One to take afternoon tea seriously is The Milestone, situated in the heart of Kensington. Crisp white tablecloths, silver tea pots and fine china plates pave the way for traditional smoked salmon, dill and lemon crème fraiche, and Wiltshire cured ham and English mustard mayonnaise sandwiches. Move on to a selection of hand-crafted pastries, tartlets and cakes including the hotel’s president and founder Mrs Bea Tollman’s signature baked vanilla cheesecake, alongside freshly-baked cranberry and plain scones served with Cornish clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam. 

For the full London experience, book the PMD Tea Tour, in collaboration with the London-based, Sri Lankan-sourced tea company PMD, for a unique walking tour discovering the capital’s lost tea history. Travel through significant locations – think Leadenhall Market and Mincing Lane – to learn more about the city's pivotal role in the global tea trade, before enjoying a black cab transfer to The Milestone for afternoon tea featuring tea recommendations and pairings.

From £90 per person, visit milestonehotel.com

Ochre at The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square

Ochre, the modern British restaurant by Charlotte and Sam Miller in London's National Gallery, will be serving a sunflower-themed afternoon tea in time for spring. Curated by head pastry chef Rebecca Morrison, the menu will include a variety of treats such as Bakewell sponge with almond cream and cherry compote, and a sunflower-shaped lemon drizzle pot filled with fresh lemon curd and citrus shortbread alongside fresh finger sandwiches filled with Severn and Wye smoked salmon with dill crème fraîche and cucumber. Pair with Good and Proper loose leaf tea or elevate your experience with a glass of champagne or the exclusive Sunflowers Sour cocktail: turmeric-infused mezcal, apricot syrup, lime juice, pineapple juice and agave.

From £55 per person, visit ochre.london

InterContinental London, Park Lane

Sip and savour a slice of royal history this summer as InterContinental London Park Lane, former childhood residence of Queen Elizabeth II, launches its new Elizabethan Royal Tea, inspired by the legacies of the late Queens Elizabeth I and II, whose shared love for decadent confections shaped the tradition of afternoon tea. Paired with a bespoke beverage menu from the East India Company, take a seat in the opulent surroundings of the Wellington Lounge and enjoy a symbolic spread featuring the salmon and caviar bliss, monarch’s coronation chicken royale – inspired by Elizabeth II’s famous 1953 coronation dish – and the Elizabeth I Syllabub: a rhubarb and champagne-infused pastry royally adorned with a sable as a nod to the Queen’s love of these sweet treats. Pair with a glass of champagne from Royal Warrant holder Veuve Clicquot. Chin chin!

From £74 per person, visit parklane.intercontinental.com

The Petersham, Covent Garden

The Petersham in the heart of Covent Garden is serving La Merenda: an afternoon tea inspired by the café culture of Turin. Drawing on Petersham owners the Boglione family’s Piedmontese heritage, the menu combines a quintessential British afternoon tea with the vibrant flavours and produce of Italy. Settle into the grandeur of The Petersham’s dining room, filled with Murano glassware and contemporary art, before starting with tramezzini (little sandwiches) made with soft white milk bread, devised in Turin in the 1920s. Expect combinations of smoked trout and creamy stracciatella, and cucumber, mint and cream cheese.

Don’t miss the oven-baked crostinis – topped with whipped ricotta, honey and walnuts, or grilled aubergine with sun-dried tomato tapenade – before moving onto the dolci. Inspired by Turin’s reputation as one of Italy’s dessert and chocolate capitals, indulge in bacio di dama – hazelnut biscuits filled with chocolate – and the Sicilian cake, cassata. Bellísimo!

From £60 per person, visit thepetershamcoventgarden.com

Corinthia, Embankment

Corinthia London will be celebrating the start of spring in the best way it knows how: by serving a classic afternoon tea with plenty of champagne and caviar. Seasonal treats are complemented by an extensive range of traditional and exclusive tea blends, while stand-out sandwiches include secret smokehouse salmon with lemon, butter-roasted turkey breast with parmesan, and salted cucumber with chilli and coconut yogurt. The cakes and pastries are a delight for the senses, featuring coffee and hazelnut rocher and pear and frangipane tart, all accompanied by scones alongside strawberry and rhubarb jam and Cornish clotted cream.

From £75 per person, visit corinthia.com

The Cadogan, Chelsea

Created by acclaimed pastry chef Benoit Blin, the new afternoon tea at The Cadogan serves the best of the quintessentially British concept – think plenty of fluffy scones and piping-hot tea – with a unique French twist. Having spent the past 25 years at Raymond Blanc's Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, Blin has replaced traditional sandwiches with salmon gravlax on toasted croissant with quail egg and cream cheese, and Cornish crab brioche with pink grapefruit and trout roe. This is followed by coffee and cardamom religieuse pastries, and a Yorkshire rhubarb and timur pepper pebble, as well as freshly-baked scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Save room for the sweet trolley too, where thick, rich slices of pistachio, rose and raspberry tea cake and hazelnut and chocolate marble cake are served tableside to create the ultimate foodie finale.

From £75 per person, visit belmond.com

The Ivy Asia, across London

The famed Asian restaurant in Mayfair, Chelsea and St Paul’s, part of The Ivy Collection, offers an afternoon tea that put an Eastern twist on the classic offering. Coupled with a glass of Perrier-Jouet champagne, sample some of the brand’s delectable small dishes and popular sweet bites – think aromatic duck spring rolls, vegetable dumplings and spicy avocado maki roll, and finish off with warm passionfruit and coconut doughnuts, and raspberry macaroons – while taking in the signature green marble flooring and oriental furnishings. 

From £33.95 per person, visit theivyasia.com

The Kensington, South Kensington

The Kensington has elevated afternoon tea into a true art form with a new expressionist experience like no other. Inspired by some of the most renowned artists in the world, the Art of Afternoon Tea will indulge your inner aesthete with a collection of carefully curated cultural confections and innovative libations, such as the Girl with the Balloon cocktail, inspired by the evocative work of Banksy.

A mix of the contemporary and the abstract, The Kensington’s culinary creatives have sculpted a gallery of sensational sweets paying homage to influential artists Jackson Pollock, Yayoi Kusama and Alicja Kwade. Marvel at the abstract expressionism of Pollock’s famed ‘drip technique’ adorning a dark chocolate mousse tart with passion fruit parfait, and delight in Japanese artist Kusama’s playful polka-dot pumpkin made of mango mousse surrounding coconut yoghurt cream. Elsewhere, tuck into delicate finger sandwiches filled with smoked salmon and lemon cream cheese, cucumber with mint cream, and pastrami with gherkin and horseradish. Warm, fresh plain and fruit scones are ready to be generously slathered with Scottish strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream, perfectly accompanied with a selection of teas from The Rare Tea Company. 

From £58 per person, visit doylecollection.com

The Stafford, St James’

The Stafford London, renowned for its timeless elegance and exceptional hospitality, has just relaunched its sophisticated afternoon tea, offered daily from 12-5.30pm. Served from a bespoke cake trolley for an added sense of theatre and occasion, and to allow guests to choose their preferred cakes and pastries, this afternoon tea is perfect for those with a sweet tooth, thanks to the array of honey layer cakes, cinnamon and orange mousse and blackcurrant and dark chocolate tarts.

To accompany the sweet slices, expect truffled egg and watercress brioche buns and sandwiches such as honey-roasted ham with mustard mayonnaise and classic coronoation chicken, alongside plain, raisin or cheddar scones. For those wishing to celebrate in style, enjoy a chilled glass of champagne from the extensive wine list.

From £70 per person, visit thestaffordlondon.com

The Athenaeum, Green Park

Indulge your sweet tooth with this quintessential afternoon tea, served alongside an extensive range of artisan teas and infusions. We recommend the house-blend infusions, especially the antioxidant Blue-tea-ful and naturally immune-boosting Rosy Glow, which combines rose, marigold and hibiscus to create a sweet hot beverage. Food-wise, choose from a selection of traditional sandwiches, such as cucumber and cream cheese and coronation chicken, before enjoying innovative sweet treats including mint and dark chocolate brownie, rose and lychee mousse, and cherry blossom macarons alongside plain and raisin scones.

From £45 per person, visit athenaeumhotel.com

The Lane, Covent Garden

Having emerged from a thorough refurbishment just a couple of years ago, Theatre Royal Drury Lane – the oldest continuously-used theatre site in the world – restyled itself as The Lane, with a host of new eating, drinking and entertainment options available alongside the famed theatre. As well as the Cecil Beaton bar and Rotunda champagne bar, the venue has pressed its Grand Saloon into service to offer an exquisite afternoon tea: the only one served in a West End theatre. 

Inspired by the stunning surrounds of the saloon, the Regency afternoon tea menu has been created in collaboration with A-list London baker Lily Vanilli and features savoury treats, including a bitesize English crumpet topped with Earl Grey-infused cream cheese and smoked salmon; a savoury madeleine with whipped English feta and pickled heritage carrot; and seasonal mini pies in traditional British flavours. The pies change seasonally throughout the year, and the current flavour is coronation chicken with caramelised onion chutney. Warm scones are paired with salted whipped butter, homemade jam and cream, alongside a decadent sweet selection, which includes Lily Vanilli’s fluffy vanilla cake filled with passionfruit and buttercream, topped by a handmade chocolate cupid, a mini sticky toffee pudding filled with a custard centre, and a delicious mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwich.

From £59 per person, visit thelane.co.uk

Aqua Shard, London Bridge

Served high above the city skyline in the venue’s triple-height atrium, Aqua Shard invites you to whisk the kids off to Neverland with its Peter Pan afternoon tea, in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. Inspired by the magical characters of J.M Barrie’s beloved story, with confections including Tinker Bell cookies, Tick-Tock the Crocodile desserts and Peter Pan’s Secret Never Tree Entrance, this nostalgic offering is served on tea stands inspired by Captain Hook’s ship, the Jolly Roger, floating atop a mystical sea of dry ice.

Drinks are just as spectacular, with a special Fairy Dust cocktail on offer (mint and cucumber Ketel One vodka, apple liqueur, ginger switchel, Kaffir lime, absinthe and gold dust), and, for the kids, a non-alcoholic Never Grow Up punch with pineapple and pear puree, elderflower tonic and grenadine. Those who like their afternoon tea a little more traditional can enjoy two specials created for the occasion: the Darling Tea and the Adventure Tea. So, that’s the second star to the right, then straight on ‘til morning. See you there.

From £70 per person, visit aquashard.co.uk

The Londoner, Leicester Square

Hosted in the Londoner hotel’s opulent champagne bar, The Stage, this decadent champagne afternoon tea offering comprises the best of British tea traditions, with fine loose-leaf tea from the East India Company and an impressive spread of treats. Guests of Afternoon Tea at The Stage are invited to indulge in a selection of delectable delights, with sandwiches including smoked salmon and Cornish crab with yuzu crème fraîche, and Coronation duck egg on tomato bread. Elsewhere, freshly baked artisanal cakes and patisserie creations include coffee and banana tartlet, pistachio and cherry sponge, and the purple cheesecake: cassis sponge with basil mandarin crémeux, feuilletine crunch, and a bright pepper jelly. Enjoy washed down with tea, or one of The Stage’s 35 bottles of bubbles, as you're serenaded by live pianists, harpists and vocalists.

From £59 per person, visit thelondoner.com

The Guardsman, Buckingham Gate

Inspired by the native flora of our Royal Parks, this brilliantly British afternoon tea from The Guardsman looks just as delightful as it tastes. Begin with a selection of sandwiches, from Burford brown egg mimosa and rocket mayonnaise to Goldstein Scottish salmon, cream cheese and lemon butter, followed by irresistible pastries including a fresh mango tart, and the carrot cake with chocolate orange mousse alongside freshly baked scones with Dorset clotted cream and jams. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free afternoon teas are all available, and the price includes a glass of champagne for good measure.

From £65 per person, visit guardsmanhotel.com

Searcys at the Gherkin, City of London

Boasting 360-degree panoramic views of London’s dramatic skyline, you’d be hard-pressed to find an afternoon tea with a better backdrop than that of Searcys at the Gherkin, and with 175 years of afternoon tea experience, you can rest assured Searcys knows what it’s doing. Paired with a glass of English sparkling wine, or Ultimate Provence rosé, this delectable high tea offering includes a range of savouries and sweet treats, including buttermilk fruit and plain scones, served with Cornish clotted cream and jams, followed by indulgent pastries of coffee éclair, strawberry cheesecake, and pistachio and raspberry financier.

From £55 per person, visit searcysatthegherkin.co.uk

The Savoy, The Strand

Served in the pink-hued, glamorous surroundings of The Savoy's newly-opened Gallery restaurant, guests have been coming to this hotel on The Strand for afternoon tea for more than a century. The Savoy’s expert pastry team has devised a menu of signature savouries and sweets, ranging from Somerset cheddar and chutney on granary bread and Hertfordshire ham and mustard, to apple pie with cinnamon chantilly to raspberry and fig cake. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available and don't forget to add a glass of Nyetimber English sparkling wine or Laurent-Perrier champagne to make the event that much more special.

From £90 per person, visit thesavoylondon.com

The Langham, Fitzrovia

One of London’s true grande dame hotels, The Langham is the undisputed birthplace of afternoon tea. Still served in the glamorously serene Palm Court, where the very first afternoon tea was served in 1865, its modern offering draws on this extraordinary legacy and the generations of exceptional chefs who have helmed the kitchen. Now overseen by Michel Roux Jr and executive pastry chef Andrew Gravett, The Langham afternoon tea is a celebration of all things British. 

A vast list of Jing teas are served in delicate Wedgwood teacups (or Gusbourne sparkling wine in champagne flutes, if you wish) while pastries include the coconut and passionfruit pebble, lemon and lime layer cake, and The Langham's signature 1865 fruit cake to share. There are also seasonal finger sandwiches, including roast chicken with curried butter, Westcombe cheddar with piccalilli, and, of course, some of the best scones you’ll find in the city.

From £85 per person, visit palm-court.co.uk

The Beaumont, Mayfair

Fresh from an extensive refurbishment, The Beaumont hotel's afternoon tea offering is quintessentially English – with just a hint of American modernity. Vegan, gluten-free and children's menus are all available, to be enjoyed among the richly panelled surrounds and world-class art collection of the hotel's Gatsby Room. The trans-Atlantic menu promises treats including beef pastrami, coronation smoked chicken, and cheesecake eclair, accompanied by fine Jing teas, Gusbourne English sparkling wine or an innovative non-alcoholic sparkling tea.

From £75 per person, visit thebeaumont.com

The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner

If you're after traditional pastries with an Instagrammable twist for Mother's Day and beyond, this is the afternoon tea for you. Settle down in five-star comfort in the hotel’s pretty powder-blue dining room, The Lanesborough Grill, before sampling the Bridgerton afternoon tea inspired by the smash-hit Netflix series. Expertly crafted by head pastry chef, Pierre Morvan-Benezet, the menu pays tribute to the key characters such as Colin's Travels dedicated to Colin Bridgerton and his passion for travel, The Book of Eloise – a tribute to Eloise Bridgerton's passion for literature – and the Lady Whistledown which is bitter and sweet in taste.

From £105 per person, visit oetkercollection.com

Rosewood London, Holborn

Executive pastry chef Mark Perkins first launched the Rosewood London's Art Afternoon Tea in 2017 and it has since become a firm favourite on the capital's foodie scene. Having taken inspiration from internationally renowned artists and their London exhibitions, the latest iteration celebrates the work of Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. It begins with a selection of Japanese-inspired savoury bites, including Japanese barbecue beef brisket with wasabi coleslaw on a milk bun, sake-marinated smoked salmon with yuzu kosho mayo, caviar and dill, and a Japanese egg sandwich.

The sweet selection invites guests to indulge in a delicate cheesecake infused with Japanese citrus, alongside freshly baked scones, clotted cream, and jam. The grand finale comes in the form of The Art Cakes, each hidden within a bespoke washitsu reveal box inspired by traditional Japanese entertaining spaces. The exterior panels, complete with intricate depictions of Hokusai’s masterpieces, slide away to unveil an array of exquisite cakes, each a tribute to one of his most celebrated works, including The Great Wave off Kanagawa (1831) – white chocolate, lemon chiffon cake, strawberry compote, and lychee vanilla cream – and Thunderstorm Beneath the Summit (1830–1834): matcha namelaka, chocolate mousse, and miso caramel.

From £80 per person, visit rosewoodhotels.com

The Dorchester, Hyde Park

Served in the hotel's magnificent Promenade Restaurant, afternoon tea at The Dorchester is about as traditional as they come and begins with a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne, poured by an impeccably polite, tail-coated waiter. A bounty of crust-free sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and tiers of almost-too-pretty-to-eat French pastries by pastry chef Michael Kwan follow, featuring pistachio choux and chocolate and mint tart. Fanciful fare is complemented by an extensive menu of teas, including The Dorchester's unique house blend. The hotel also offers a children's afternoon tea priced at £50 per head, featuring bite-size sandwiches, cupcakes and milkshakes.

From £95 per person, visit dorchestercollection.com

Brown's Hotel, Mayfair

Brown’s claim to baking fame is that Queen Victoria loved to take tea there. Its afternoon tea offering remains as classic as anything Her Majesty would have expected, with coronation chicken, and pickled cucumber and goats cheese sandwiches followed by scones, strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream. Pastries, too, err on the side of traditional with Kipling cakes and Piedmont hazelnut tart. Pair with one of the hotel's vast selection of core and seasonal loose leaf teas or treat yourself with a glass of Moet & Chandon Brut NV. Vegan and gluten-free options are also available.

From £80 per person, visit roccofortehotels.com

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