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Afternoon Tea in London?

As the title states, looking for a decent afternoon tea in Central London, obviously The Langham, Fortnum & Mason, The Ritz and The Savoy always come up, but I'm wondering if anyone's had a decent one anywhere else recently? It's for a special occasion so needs to feel premium, but ideally cost less than a ton per person! Thanks

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  • ct_addick
    ct_addick Posts: 4,539
    Live in USA now but was home last year and my wife and daughter went on the Brigits Bakery and Golden bus tour…..basically afternoon tea on a double decker bus and loved it…..
  • fenlandaddick
    fenlandaddick Posts: 1,938
    edited March 4
    Woolwich wimpy does a nice cup of tea. Good burger to go with it not sure you can go wrong. Looking for a something sweet go for a sundae.
    Lovely bit of nostalgia as well. Far more reasonable than those central places 
  • jonno
    jonno Posts: 124
    Done a few cream teas, and although I've not been for a while, the best by far in my experience is Claridges. It's definitely special and the food is endless - don't eat anything else on the day!
  • Kap10
    Kap10 Posts: 15,725
    Not sure if it meets your budget but the afternoon tea at the Shard is special, great view of London and when we went there it was Peter Pan themed!
  • 9goalswentpastperry
    9goalswentpastperry Posts: 1,152
    edited March 4
    sam3110 said:

    As the title states, looking for a decent afternoon tea in Central London, obviously The Langham, Fortnum & Mason, The Ritz and The Savoy always come up, but I'm wondering if anyone's had a decent one anywhere else recently? It's for a special occasion so needs to feel premium, but ideally cost less than a ton per person! Thanks

    I do this once a year as a birthday and Christmas combined present for my family. Keeps things simple gift wise and makes lovely memories. 

    It's hard to split the top hotels as they are all so good but my order would be;

    Claridges (my number one by a distance.)

    The Dorchester

    The Savoy

    The Connuaght 

    The Ritz (felt too stuffy and formal. The dress code is strict and it felt like they were cramming too many people into the space and it also felt a little rushed.)

    If you opt for the latest slot available (wherever you choose) then you likely have the table for as long as you wish and can really relax. 

    All venues seem to bring more sandwiches to you but the place it feels most effortless is Claridge's. I've been there a few times and they really know what they're doing and feel just that little bit better than  the rest. It's where I chose for my 50th birthday last year and they looked after us superbly well. 

    Whoever is looking after you is also important. Our Italian waiter at the Dorchester was absolutely brilliant and really made the occasion special. 

    You'll enjoy it wherever you go but it has rocketed in price over the years. If you opt for a glass of fizz with the tea and add on their discretionary service charge then it's going to average out at £100 per person at the venues I have listed.


  • Have done a few of these but some have been pretty disappointing.

    Claridges is my favourite.

    Savoy was good but I preferred it before it was refurbished.

    The Sanderson was fun - a bit more quirky. A more modern interior.

    The Ritz is a bit stuffy - not keen on the interior.
  • Swerve
    Swerve Posts: 1,272
    I was treated to afternoon tea in the Long Room at Lords a few years ago which was a great experience. We had a short tour of the pavilion as well.

    Quite a formal dress code, but that felt that it fitted with the surroundings. I think they only do it a few times a year though.
  • valleynick66
    valleynick66 Posts: 5,227
    The Coronthia 
  • valleynick66
    valleynick66 Posts: 5,227
    Alternatively the Royal Exchange in the City - Fortnums. 
  • cafcledbury
    cafcledbury Posts: 1,247
    The valley cafe

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  • The valley cafe
    Definitely cheaper....
  • JohnBoyUK
    JohnBoyUK Posts: 9,210
    sam3110 said:

    As the title states, looking for a decent afternoon tea in Central London, obviously The Langham, Fortnum & Mason, The Ritz and The Savoy always come up, but I'm wondering if anyone's had a decent one anywhere else recently? It's for a special occasion so needs to feel premium, but ideally cost less than a ton per person! Thanks

    I done a lot of research on this in the run up to my Mum's 80th birthday last month.
    In the end we didn't go ahead because my Dad is so immobile now it would have been a complete ballache to get them both into Central London and ended up taking them to dinner locally.

    One of my work colleagues recommended the Orangery at Kensington Palace.  She said it was great value for money for what you got in a unique location.


  • iaitch
    iaitch Posts: 10,469
    The valley cafe
    Definitely cheaper....
    Has an ambience that the posh places can't match.
  • CAFCTrev
    CAFCTrev Posts: 6,175
    Wetherspoons is popular non-divisive choice on CharltonLife, so Id recommend going there. 
  • charlton4ever
    charlton4ever Posts: 1,802
    We have tried all the posher ones uptown and our favourite was Fortnum & Mason
  • Vienna_Addick
    Vienna_Addick Posts: 338
    Cafe Royal, Regent Street
  • LenGlover
    LenGlover Posts: 31,821
    Not been there myself but been told Browns is good. Piccadilly I believe 
  • peterreeves
    peterreeves Posts: 1,126
    We prefer Fortnums, less stuffy andthev sarnies are great plus you get to take home more cake after the cakes!

    I agree comments about the Ritz, it's definitely changed a bit and you must wear a jacket and tie, not sure about trousers though!

    Browns is not bad if pushed.

    Wherever you let go have a lovely time. 
  • CAFCTrev said:
    Wetherspoons is popular non-divisive choice on CharltonLife, so Id recommend going there. 
    Which one? The liveliest one I've been to is the one in Woolwich...

    Not sure how good their afternoon tea is...

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  • KBslittlesis
    KBslittlesis Posts: 8,895
    Another one for Claridges.
    The whole thing is just so special and you get so much food you will not need to eat again.
    We booked a table in the American bar after to have a couple of cocktails to finish off the evening.
    Pure indulgence and pure bliss 🤩
  • Another one for Claridges.
    The whole thing is just so special and you get so much food you will not need to eat again.
    We booked a table in the American bar after to have a couple of cocktails to finish off the evening.
    Pure indulgence and pure bliss 🤩
    Claridges has the most beautiful interior - certainly does luxury well...
  • guinnessaddick
    guinnessaddick Posts: 29,606
    Have done afternoon tea at The Dorchester, a good few years ago, it was very nice, however I would prefer an afternoon in Feeney’s with a feast of creamy pints.
  • RC_CAFC
    RC_CAFC Posts: 1,876
    Recently done a 'Science themed' one at The Ampersand Hotel (Near the Science museum) It was really good, a bit different and a little less than the big ones centrally. They also do it really nicely for kids too if you are including any.
  • SE_7EVEN
    SE_7EVEN Posts: 311
    County Hall if you want to stay in the south 😉
    Endless sandwiches and then they bring a box over to put the cakes you can't  eat in, only to find they have put a great slice of victoria sponge in as well.
    On the way out is a charity pick n mix with all the old sweet favorites e.g. rhubarb and custard.
    Got the tickets from Groupon.
  • Stuart_the_Red
    Stuart_the_Red Posts: 1,973
    I love Fortnum & Mason’s afternoon tea
    in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Room:

    https://eu.fortnumandmason.com/diamond-jubilee-tea-salon
  • Off_it
    Off_it Posts: 29,194
    LenGlover said:
    Not been there myself but been told Browns is good. Shoreditch I believe 
    I'm surprised at you Leonard!
    ;-)
  • jose
    jose Posts: 1,037
    Had afternoon tea at Fortnums but surprisingly the actual tea was lukewarm gnatspiss. But you can load up your doggy boxes with great cakes to take home.
  • cafc999
    cafc999 Posts: 5,001
    Done a few and for me the best was Fortnum & Mason 
  • wightaddick
    wightaddick Posts: 213
    Going back maybe 40 years, I went to The Savoy for afternoon tea with the then Mrs and Mother in Law, dressed ok but no jacket. They wouldn’t let me in without one, so I had to wear a grubby waiters jacket a size too small that the staff turned up with. I should have walked, but was still trying to impress in those days! Afternoon tea so-so, harpist providing background music. A load of snobby shit basically.