Ten amazing places to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week in London

There is one inevitable question that comes hand-in-hand with Afternoon Tea Week: what do you slather your scone with first? Whether you’re devoted to the Devonshire method or the Cornwall, we’ve got another question to put to you: where are you going to celebrate the week in question?

From tiers themed around London landmarks, to a magical Mary Poppins-inspired feast on the 31st floor of The Shard, we got in touch with DesignMyNight for the capital’s most unique offerings, so all you have to worry about is making a reservation.

Dalloway Terrace

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Lauded for years as one of London’s prettiest alfresco spaces, Dalloway Terrace is back with a brand new look for summer and it’s here just in time for Afternoon Tea Week. Channeling the English countryside with silk daisies, cosmos, delphiniums and winding foliage, your tiers are guaranteed to be just as pretty as the interiors. Think orange and thyme macaroons, blueberry and lavender eclairs, raspberry tarts, and as for the scones? They’ve ditched sultanas for a must-try bourbon vanilla infusion.

Townhouse Kensington

Remember that Beauty and the Beast-inspired afternoon tea? Townhouse Kensington was responsible for the edible take on the Disney movie but they’ve moved on to bigger and better things: namely London. Their new offering is themed around the capital and it will see you scoffing a white chocolate version of The Gherkin, red telephone boxes, a carrot cake construction of The Shard and a lemon curd tart that represents the 160 year old Big Ben.

The Restaurant at Sanderson

Restaurant at Sanderson is inviting you to fall down the rabbit hole with their afternoon tea that’s themed around Alice in Wonderland. The savoury selection at this quirky offering boasts moreish Scotch quail eggs and Cornish crab brioche rolls, but it’s the sweet section that takes the biscuit. Get ready for chocolate and pistachio caterpillars, a mocha chessboard gâteau, marshmallow magic mushrooms and a ‘drink me’ potion.

Brigit’s Afternoon Tea

London is packed with weird and wonderful experiences and eating afternoon tea on a vintage bus is one of them. Brigit’s Afternoon Tea will take you on a guided tour of the capital, zooming you past iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Royal Albert Hall and Westminster Abbey. From the mini homemade cakes and tarts to the freshly prepared savouries, you’ll have plenty to keep you entertained when it comes to food and views.

South Place Hotel

There’s afternoon tea for adults, there’s afternoon tea for children, and now? There’s afternoon tea for your favourite four-legged friend. South Place Hotel have joined up with Radley and The Barking Bakery for a dog-friendly afternoon tea, but you better be quick as it’s only available until 1st September. Promising cheesy biscuits and iced woofins for your pooch, humans can look forward to dainty sandwiches and lip-smacking sweet treats, all of which are served in the hotel’s flower-filled, secret garden.

Aqua Shard

Not all afternoon teas can be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, but the one at Aqua Shard most certainly is. You’ll find this drop dead gorgeous restaurant on the 31st floor of The Shard and it’s a sure fire way to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week. Inspired by Mary Poppins, their special offering promises fairground candy floss, mini crumpets with salmon and cream cheese, chocolate and cherry hats, alongside ‘back to front zoo’ golden syrup tarts.

The Landmark

The last of the great Victorian railway hotels and originally opened in 1899, The Landmark London is a strong contender for anyone that’s after an afternoon tea with a side of history. Their High Palms High Tea goes for the classic approach with an assortment of sandwiches; think organic egg mayonnaise and mustard cress and Coronation chicken on walnut bread, freshly baked scones, raspberry and vanilla macaroons and English strawberry tartlets.

Palm Court

If you watched this year’s Bake Off: The Professionals as religiously as we did, you’ll know exactly who Thibault Marchand is. The winner of the 2019 TV series has teamed up with Palm Court to bring a very special afternoon tea to the hotel until September 1st, and it’s everything you’d expect it to be. Summer rose-inspired treats decorate the tiers, featuring strawberry and pistachio tarts, peach and verbena petit gâteau, alongside raspberry rose scones and a smashing selection of sandwiches.

Rosewood

For the second year running, Rosewood has been voted as the best contemporary afternoon tea in the UK, and if that’s not good enough reason to visit, we don’t know what is. This year they have taken inspiration from Van Gogh’s most famous masterpieces to create their very own. Lemon olive oil cake, almond sponge and the starry night stand out amongst the Dutch-inspired pastries, buttery scones and traditional sandwiches, but with that award-winning stamp you’re bound to enjoy every last crumb.

45 Park Lane

You don’t need to splurge on a flight fare to America with 45 Park Lane around. Their afternoon tea is heavily influenced by the U.S. and includes lollipop fried chicken wings with BBQ sauce, mac and cheese with Westcombe cheddar and a seriously indulgent sweet section. Peanut butter and jelly twinkles will fight for your attention alongside their New York cheesecake, red velvet cake pops and a sugary strawberry milkshake.

For more information on the best afternoon teas in London, visit DesignMyNight and follow them on Instagram and Facebook @DesignMyNight