LUXE Serendipity magazine

By Donna Richardson

There’s nothing more British than enjoying a traditional afternoon tea, and with Afternoon Tea Week taking place from 8–12 August, London has no shortage of elegant venues in which to indulge. From grand hotels to charming tea rooms, the capital offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and an irresistible selection of cakes and pastries.

Afternoon tea was first introduced in the 1840s by Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, who began taking a light meal of tea and snacks between lunch and dinner to stave off hunger. The tradition quickly became a fashionable social occasion and remains one of Britain’s most cherished customs today.

Here’s our roundup of some of the finest places in London to raise your pinkie and enjoy this timeless British tradition.

 Afternoon Tea at Michael Caines at The Stafford London has recently been recognised with an Award of Excellence by AfternoonTea.co.uk. Adding to the excitement, the hotel’s talented pastry chefs, Aubin Farges and Avneet Kaur, recently represented The Stafford on Series 11 of Bake Off: The Professionals, showcasing their skills on the national stage.

Set within the elegant surroundings of The Stafford in St James’s, the experience combines the quintessential British charm of the hotel with the culinary expertise of Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines.

Guests can expect a carefully curated selection of delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and beautifully crafted seasonal pastries. The current menu showcases an exquisite selection of sweet treats, including a Strawberry and Orange Blossom Petit Gâteau, an Apricot and Lavender Mousse Cake, a Rose, Raspberry and Pistachio Choux, and a Bergamot Citrus and Earl Grey Tea-inspired creation. The experience is complemented by a hand-picked selection of premium teas from Camellia’s Tea House, thoughtfully chosen to pair with the menu, while those looking to elevate the occasion can also enjoy a glass of Champagne alongside their afternoon

There is an option to add Veuve Clicquot Champagne for an extra-special occasion. Priced from £78 per person (£92pp with Champagne), Afternoon Tea is served daily from 2:30pm to 4:30pm, offering an intimate and refined setting for special occasions.

Afternoon Tea at Claridges

Claridge’s offers a quintessentially English afternoon tea experience in a luxurious Art Deco setting, combining traditional finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and a curated selection of teas.

Afternoon tea at Claridge’s is served daily in the Foyer & Reading Room, a stunning Art Deco space in Mayfair, London, from 2:45 PM to 5:30 PM, with extended service from 12:45 PM during August. Advance reservations are essential due to high demand, and the experience is celebrated for its elegance, history, and attention to detail

DALLOWAY TERRACE: NYETIMBER AFTERNOON TEA

Dalloway Terrace at The Bloomsbury unveiled oa new English summer garden created in partnership with Nyetimber. Cascades of peach, blush, golden yellow and ivory blooms will transform the terrace, providing an appropriately romantic backdrop for afternoon tea and a glass of Nyetimber Classic Cuvée Multi-Vintage.

THE KENSINGTON: ONE TABLE ON THE HOUSE EACH DAY

Across town in South Kensington, The Kensington is marking Afternoon Tea Week with a little teatime serendipity. At 4pm each weekday, from Monday to Friday, the hotel manager will select one table at random to enjoy its Great British Afternoon Tea entirely with the hotel’s compliments. Every booking made for that day will automatically be considered.

Served in The Kensington’s Victorian drawing rooms, the newly launched afternoon tea celebrates British provenance through artisan produce, homemade scones with Cornish clotted cream, and intricate patisserie inspired by English gardens and countryside picnics. The experience is £85 per person, including a glass of Nyetimber.

LOLA’S: A CREAM TEA CAKE FOR ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Lola’s has transformed the teatime classic into the centrepiece of its 20th anniversary collection.

The limited-edition Cream Tea Scone Cake layers light vanilla sponge with strawberry delifruit and clotted cream mascarpone made using Rodda’s Cornish clotted cream, a proper cream tea reimagined for the middle of the table.

Priced from £36 and available in three sizes, the cake can be personalised with a message and is available through Lola’s website and its stores until the end of September.

A coordinating anniversary cupcake box features Cream Tea, Lemon Tart and Vanilla Jammy Dodger flavours, offering a nostalgic celebration of British teatime favourites. Priced at £30, the box is available from Lola’s stores and for nationwide delivery.

Tewinbury Farm Launches Chocolate Afternoon Tea in Partnership with Paul A Young

Tewinbury Farm Hotel has partnered with multi award-winning chocolatier Paul A Young, bringing twenty years of expertise to a new Chocolate Afternoon Tea in the Tythe Barn.

The menu opens with a cocoa nib infusion of single-origin Colombian beans sweetened with local honey, followed by double chocolate chip scones with sea salted caramel spread alongside a classic fruit scone with clotted cream and jam. Savoury offerings include a smoked cheddar and caramelised onion sandwich, chicken with tarragon and lemon, and a twist on the classic cucumber sandwich with rich chocolate cream cheese and black pepper, plus a wild mushroom and truffle tartlet and ham hock with beetroot ketchup.

To finish, a rich chocolate fudge brownie with 70% Colombian ganache, cocoa nibs and chocolate pearls sits alongside a white chocolate and rhubarb tartlet using fruit grown on the farm, and a chocolate loaf cake with Earl Grey tea butter ganache. Paul A Young will also bring chocolate making masterclasses to the farm’s cookery school on selected dates.

HILTON ON PARK LANE:  A DISNEY MOANA-INSPIRED ADVENTURE

At London Hilton on Park Lane, families are invited to set sail on a Disney Moana-inspired Afternoon Tea filled with island colour, tropical flavours and playful storytelling.

The sweets unfold like a treasure chest of ocean-inspired creations. Heart of Te Fiti combines matcha biscuit, cream cheese and white chocolate, while Taste of the Sea pairs passion fruit curd with pineapple compote and lime. Island Flowers layers vanilla mousse with strawberry and hibiscus, and Drop in the Ocean brings together coconut mousse and a chocolate crunchy centre.

The experience also includes warm apple pies, chocolate truffles and Wayfinder Scones, alongside imaginative plant-based savouries and freshly made Disney Tiana-inspired beignets.

Available daily from 12.30pm–7pm, the afternoon tea is priced at £70 for adults and £45 for children, including tea. Reservations can be made through SevenRooms.