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10 Quirky Afternoon Tea Experiences in London

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Shakespeares Globe Afternoon Tea at The Swan
 
It’s no secret that the British take tea rather seriously. A traditional high tea at the Savoy will never lose its appeal. But if you’re after a more quirky afternoon tea, there are tons of spots to get your buttery scones, clotted cream and finger sandwich fix.

Did you know there’s even an Afternoon Tea week (in August)? Don’t wait until then, check out our guide to Quirky Afternoon Tea in London, from the River Thames to the dizzy heights of the Shard.

 

10 Quirky Afternoon Tea Experiences in London

 
 
City Cruises Afternoon Tea family ticket
 

1. Afternoon tea on the River Thames

Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Thames, while sampling scones, cakes and sandwiches courtesy of City Cruises and their Afternoon Tea Cruise. Ask for a glass of bubbly (optional extra) to add some extra fizz to your journey. NB: Scroll down to see how you can win a City Cruises Afternoon Tea experience for you and your family! Daily at 3.30pm-5pm from Tower Pier; adult £31/child 5-12 £21/under 4s FREE.

2. High tea on a Routemaster bus

Do your kids still go nuts about riding on the top deck of the bus? Now there’s even more reason to rave about the double decker. B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour offers a fun way to see London’s landmarks while dining on macarons and other yummies, aboard the iconic Routemaster. Ages 5+ (unsuitable for younger ones). Daily tours from 12pm; adult £45/child 6-11 half price.

 
Mad Hatters Tea Sanderson Hotel
 

3. A tea party in Wonderland

The Sanderson hotel’s Alice in Wonderland inspired menu features giddy delights like their chocolate-coated, coffee-flavoured Pocket-Watch Macaroons. Eat me? Yes please! Sadly, fancy dress is not encouraged. Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson runs daily, from adult £48/special packages and holidays from £58 per person/child 4-11 £35.

4. A magical Matilda themed spread

You’ll love the quirky afternoon tea at Radisson Blu Edwardian, Mercer St, partner hotel to the fantastic show Matilda the Musical. There’s a distinctly Roald Dahl-esque twist to the menu, featuring little sponged Victoria’s and lemonade jello shots with candied newts. Kids are sent home with a Matilda gift too. Matilda the Musical Afternoon Tea is available daily, adult £32/child age 11 and under £16.

 
Origami Poetry Cafe
 

5. Paper swans and scones on Regent’s Canal

We stumbled across this quirky afternoon tea experience while walking along Regent’s Canal one afternoon. Climb on board The Floating Showroom and Origami Poetry Cafe for delicious cakes, tea, juices for nippers. You’ll get to fashion some paper crafts with your charming hostess (she lives on the boat). It’s also a lovely venue for birthday parties, supper clubs and other pop-up events. Keep up with their movements at @onboardtfs on Twitter. Varying times, dates and prices.

6. Tea at the Houses of Parliament

Take the whole family for an enriching Houses of Parliament Tour plus Afternoon Tea. This unique experience includes a wander around the seat of government, followed by a delectable spread of savouries and sweets, served in one of the riverside rooms in the House of Commons. Varying dates, 2pm & 3.45pm; adult £29/child 12 and under £14.50.

 
Snowflake gelato afternoon tea
 

7. Ice cream tea

If you’re a fan of ice cream cakes, then what’s not to love about an ice cream tea? Try London’s official Gelato Ice Cream tea, a sensational twist on the British classic, now served at Snowflake Gelato in Selfridges. Mini handmade gelato yumminess served on a three-tiered stand. Slurp. £15 per person (based on 2 sharing).

8. Gentleman’s tea (and unlimited champers)

This handsome venue offers a quirky afternoon tea menu for kids and grownups alike. We like the Reform Social & Grill Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea with savoury treats (mini roast beef Yorkshire pudding!) and sweet bites. Or opt for their Champagne Tea with free-flowing bubbly! Daily, from £26.50 per person.

 
Asian afternoon tea Ting at the Shard
 

9. An Asian ‘high’ tea.

At Ting at The Shard, you can go for a traditional British tea or an Asian-inspired afternoon tea with dim sum, plus more than 30 varieties of tea to choose from. Enjoy the theatrical setting, while taking in views of Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and other London hot spots. 12pm-4pm daily, £56.

10. A Midsummer night’s tea

Wander back in time to Shakespeare’s Globe and after a tour through history and verse, stop for a tea break in glamorous The Swan, overlooking the river. The Afternoon Tea at The Swan (top photo) is inspired by a Midsummer Night’s Dream, from the flower of Oberon’s love potion to the apricots fed to Bottom by Titania. Daily, from £26.50 per person.

 
Tea
 

CLOSED GIVEAWAY: Win a Quirky Afternoon Tea on the River Thames!

 
City Cruises are offering one lucky Babes about Town family the chance to enjoy their Afternoon Tea Cruise along the River Thames for FREE! Enter your details in the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 kids or 1 adult + 3 kids) for London’s number one Afternoon Tea cruise on the river!

This giveaway is part of Babes Lucky 7 series celebrating 7 years of Babes about Town. Keep an eye on our Competitions page for more fab prizes to come. Best of luck!
 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About Uju

Uju Asika is a writer, blogger and creative consultant. She is the author of Raising Boys Who Do Better: A Hopeful Guide for a New Generation (DK/Penguin Random House), Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World (Yellow Kite/Hachette UK) and the delightful picture book A World for Me and You, illustrated by Jennie Poh (Hachette Children's Group). Uju's books are available at Bookshop.org, Amazon, Waterstones and other good bookshops. Follow Uju @babesabouttown on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  7. Kayleigh Tanner

    I’m a big savoury fan, so I love all the tiny sandwiches – when I went to Sketch in London for afternoon tea we had tiny little mozzarella and pesto paninis which were amazing!

  9. Rosalind Sargent

    scones with clotted cream and jam is my favourite a special treat I do not often have

  32. Michelle Stokes

    Scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream and a nice cup of tea from a bone china cup and saucer.

  37. Sam Rhodes

    Scones with clotted cream and jam! always the best. Though i do love sandwiches too! x

  40. Emma Cale

    Sandwiches are my favourite although scones are growing on me! Especially if they’re homemade and crumbly yum.

  77. Kathryn Casbolt

    I do love a glass of bubbles – always worth the extra to make the occasion extra special :-)

  89. Keri Jones

    I love an afternoon tea that has a lovely selection of desserts and of course champagne x

  118. Sadiyya Maryam

    Scones with clotted cream , delicious! Thanks for this lovely post, it’s my daughter’s birthday next month and it’s given me ideas to treat her to something different as she doesn’t have parties.

  121. Rebecca Barnes

    Like everyone else… scones with clotted cream please! Although I love a good pastry too.

  129. Sion Gibby

    Has to be smoked salmon sandwiches – loved them ever since had them at ritz hotel tea ten years ago

  136. Petra Beck

    I’m quite partial to the dinky finger sandwiches! But then I always prefer savoury things.

  149. Carrie Talbot-Ashby

    Ohhh would have to be the Scones with Damson Jam and clotted cream!! Nothing like ’em! x

  174. Simon Keeping

    It just has to be scones with cream and jam. Or a nice Victoria Sponge as I do love cake.

  175. Diane Wood

    No, don’t make me choose! My middle name is “I’ll have a little (lot) of everything please” so Afternoon Tea is perfect for me – variety of sandwiches, washed down with a cup of tea and many cakes to follow!

  177. Jofoss

    Afternoon Tea

    Afternoon tea at three, oh what a delight
    The table was set – it was an incredible sight
    Laden with sandwiches, cakes and tea
    What a fantastic treat this was going to be

    We tucked in with relish, each mouthful a treat
    Deciding which delicious food we should eat
    Sandwiches with beef, prawns and tuna too
    So much choice my appetite grew and grew

    I demolished four sandwiches and then licked my lips
    Should I tackle the cakes or consider my hips
    The scones with cream and strawberries caught my eye
    Oh sod all the calories and wave the diet goodbye

    Next came the cake could I resist the temptation
    Coffee and walnut cake I had to sample this creation
    Each mouthful was heaven oh the dieting can wait
    Niarbyl café afternoon tea – sheer heaven on a plate!

    Jan Allison
    7th April 2014

  178. Lyndsey Shingler

    Looks like everyones saying the same thing but you really can’t beat a decent scone with lashings of clotted cream!

  182. Rebecca Powell

    I love all the little sandwiches and fancy cakes but I especially love a scone with jam and cream!!

  184. Rachel McMILLAN

    What to pick…I love an afternoon tea. Has to be getting to eat different types of cake at one sitting rather than picking one !

  185. Nikki Hunter-Pike

    scones with clotted cream and jam washed own with a cup of tea , and then some sandwhiches too!

  191. LINDSEY CLARK

    I love Scone with Clotted jam and Cream, which goes down a treat with an Earl Grey! But I really love an Afternoon tea in its entirety as I like the attention to detail that is given when displaying the food.

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