27 Best Christmas Afternoon Teas In London 2026

• Location: The Dilly Hotel, 21 Piccadilly, W1J 0BH
• When: throughout December
• Price: from £35.99
• Why we recommend: this is a great choice for cheap Christmas afternoon tea in London, and the cosy cafe setting is ideal if you're after something more relaxed

A cosy cafe in the heart of Soho, Cutter & Squidge is an independent, family-run venue that's all about great afternoon tea in welcoming surrounds. They're offering a festive afternoon tea to enjoy at the venue, or you can even order one to devour from the comfort of your own home.

Indulge in sage and onion stuffing rolls, warm scones served with jam and clotted cream, sticky toffee truffle cakes and more, with a pot of freshly blended tea or coffee.

• Location: 61-63 Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 6UT
• When: throughout December
• Price: from £42
• Why we recommend: the Richmond location makes for a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, with riverside views and cosy igloos adding to the aesthetic vibes

Venture out to Richmond to discover Bingham Riverhouse, a stunning hotel and restaurant that comes with cosy garden igloos to dine in - as well as their elegant indoor spaces that provide brilliant views of the Thames.

They offer an affordable festive afternoon tea, and their menu is truly delightful. Think turkey or gammon sandwiches, alongside spiced berry jam scones, mini mince pies and s'mores chocolate brownies.

• Location: 194 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill, W11 2ES
• When: throughout December
• Price: from £50
• Why we recommend: for fans of a sweet treat or two, these guys really know how to nail a festive menu, and there's even the option to add on a DIY icing masterclass

Although Biscuiteers in Notting Hill know a thing or two about pretty afternoon tea all year round, it's even better come Christmastime. You'll have plenty of festive fun in the space, and you can even learn how to decorate your very own masterpieces as an optional extra. 

Its festive offering is available from £50 per person, or £57.50 with a glass of bubbles, and features scrumptious winter finger sandwiches stuffed with turkey and cranberry, patisseries and freshly baked scones, as well as a bespoke blend of Tregothan Tea.

• Location: 1 Kensington Court, W8 5DL
• When: from late November
• Price: TBC
• Why we recommend: this place really is a cut above, with some elegant festive treats on the menu, and we love that they offer different options to suit all dietary requirements

Opposite Kensington Palace and a short walk from the Royal Albert Hall, The Milestone Hotel and Residences serves up a festive afternoon tea fit for a king or queen.

In the decadently decorated, rich mahogany-clad walls of the Park Lounge or Cheneston's Restaurant, you'll sit down for finger sandwiches covering all the classics, from smoked salmon and dill to cucumber and cream cheese. Your ticket also covers a sensational selection of the finest French fancies, raisin scones and, of course, plenty of fine leaf teas.

• Location: 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HN
• When: 13th November 2026 - 3rd January 2027
• Price: £238.50 per person
• Why we recommend: this experience combines the very best of London's festive season: indulgent luxury, exclusive and personalised attention, and iconic holiday sights without the crowds

Experience a festive London wonderland with a luxurious afternoon tea at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, nestled in the heart of the city. Enjoy freshly prepared seasonal finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream, and an array of exquisite pastries and cakes, paired with a selection of fine teas in an elegant, cosy setting.

After tea, hop into a private black cab for a chauffeured tour of London's most dazzling Christmas lights, from Regent Street's sparkling canopy to Covent Garden's magnificent tree, Oxford Street's twinkling displays, and hidden festive gems along the way.

• Location: The O2, 1 Waterview Drive, Greenwich, SE10 0TW
• When: 1st December 2026 - 3rd January 2027
• Price: from £59
• Why we recommend: the nods to Indian cuisine throughout their menu add a unique twist to the classic concept of afternoon tea - a perfect fusion of two cultures

Intercontinental London at The O2 is going all-out with its festive celebrations this year - including a Christmas twist on their signature Indian-inspired afternoon tea. Available throughout December, you can enjoy a classic spread for £59, with a Champagne option for £79.

Tuck into everything from roasted turkey breast with cranberry on white bread to curried Devon crab and a pistachio and cherry log - alongside and a wide range of teas.

• Location: The Londoner, 38 Leicester Square, WC2H 7DX
• When: November and December
• Price: from £59 per person
• Why we recommend: curated by The Londoner's renowned executive chefs, The Stage's Christmas afternoon tea is as fancy as it is festive

Serving up seasonal sandwiches and unbelievably indulgent pastries, afternoon tea at The Stage is a mighty fine way to see in the festive season. Take your pick of fantastic fillers, from cornfed chicken to baby cucumber and coronation duck egg.

There's plenty more yuletide yumminess over on the dessert trolley. Think cherry, limoncello and pistachio tart, battenburg cakes, chocolate sponges and more.

• Location: 35 Charles Street, Mayfair, W1J 5EB
• When: 13th November 2026 - 3rd January 2027
• Price: from £75
• Why we recommend: this elegant hotel provides a timeless experience, and we love trying out the seasonal cakes on offer with this high-end menu

Looking for the best Christmas afternoon tea in London for 2026? The Chesterfield Mayfair offers a truly festive experience with their winter wonderland-themed offering, which can be booked for up to 20 guests. There are vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free versions available, with an optional glass of Champagne for £10 extra.

Indulge in their luxurious afternoon tea in the charming Conservatory or Butler's Restaurant, where seasonal treats and impeccable service create a perfect winter afternoon. This Christmas, make your celebration extra special with a delightful tea experience that includes brie and apple chutney sandwiches, followed by cherry and pistachio Battenburg.

• Location: 1 Aldwych, WC2B 4BZ
• When: throughout December
• Price: from £75
• Why we recommend: this unique themed afternoon tea is a nostalgic experience that will have you re-living the festive magic of childhood, complete with all sorts of quirky food and drink

Inspired by the iconic Roald Dahl story, One Aldwych is offering a fantastic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed afternoon tea. expect a magical experience for kids and adults alike, with vegan and vegetarian menus available as well as the classic.

Expect savoury snacks like beetroot and horseradish sandwiches, as well as violet macarons, butterscotch and soda, hair toffee mousse and more. This costs £75 per person, with the option to add on 'fizzy lifting drinks' like Champagne or a cocktail.

• Location: The Montague on The Gardens Hotel, 15 Montague Street, WC1B 5BJ
• When: throughout December
• Price: from £65
• Why we recommend: a classic afternoon tea with all the trimmings - perfect for a cosy festive treat

The Montague on The Gardens brings a touch of winter magic to Bloomsbury this December with its Festive Afternoon Tea. Set within the hotel's charming, old-world surrounds, guests can indulge in a spread of beautifully crafted seasonal delights, from warm scones and turkey finger sandwiches to spiced ginger cake, mince pies and a snowman-shaped coconut marshmallow.

With its elegant setting, twinkling Christmas décor and impeccable service, this is the kind of afternoon tea that makes winter in London feel truly special. 

• Location: The Egerton House Hotel, 17-19 Egerton Terrace, SW3 2BX
• When: throughout December
• Price: £75
• Why we recommend: timeless elegance, impeccable service and a festive menu brimming with hand-baked indulgence

The Egerton House Hotel invites you to step into a world of Christmas charm this winter with its Traditional Christmas Afternoon Tea - a luxurious affair filled with hand-cut sandwiches, delicate pastries and the scent of freshly baked scones. Expect seasonal flavours like roast turkey with cranberry, spiced plum jam, and a parade of homemade cakes, including a rich Bûche de Noël, pecan tart, and a cardamom and orange delight.

Served alongside the hotel's exceptional selection of teas from P.M. David Silva & Sons - including the distinguished Planters' Breakfast and Silver Tips - this is a true taste of festive refinement in the heart of Knightsbridge.

• Location: The Floral Hall, Stoney Street, London Bridge, SE1 1TL, and Virgin Hotel Shoreditch, 45 Curtain Road, EC2A 3PT
• When: until January 2027
• Price: from £59 per person 
• Why we recommend: completed with warm, freshly baked scones accompanied by velvety clotted cream and homemade preserves, this is a magnificent Christmas tea experience designed for making holiday memories.

Perched above London's iconic, winter-lit Borough Market, ROAST transforms afternoon tea into an unforgettable seasonal celebration with its exquisite Veuve Clicquot Festive Afternoon Tea. Draped in dazzling holiday décor and bathed in a warm golden glow, the restaurant offers a refined escape from the crisp winter air.

You're invited to raise a glass of perfectly chilled Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label or Rosé Champagne, and tuck into the likes of classics like the roast turkey sandwich and a rich festive sausage roll before delighting in whimsical, handcrafted desserts - including charming Rudolf and Christmas Tree patisserie creations. 

• Location: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR
• When: 14th November 2026 - Tuesday 5th January 2027
• Price: from £120
• Why we recommend: this is one of the most famous hotels in the entire world, so we never miss an opportunity to visit - and the seasonal decor is truly stunning too

When it comes to festive frolics, you can't beat The Ritz London Christmas afternoon tea. This iconic hotel is probably one of the most famous dining destinations in the world, boasting five stars to its name and a history that dates back to 1906. This year, treat yourself to an upmarket experience in The Palm Court, surrounded by opulent decor and a towering tree.

You'll be treated to pastries, mince pies and more, with the choice of 20 delicious loose-leaf teas. Elevate your experience with a glass of Champagne, and if you visit on the 25th, you'll receive a special visit from Father Christmas himself. As for carols? There's a choir singing those too.

• Location: 181 Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1A 1ER
• When: October - December 2026
• Price: from £88 per person
• Why we recommend: poured tableside with Fortnum's signature tea blends (or upgraded with Fortnum's Blanc de Blancs Champagne), it's one of London's quintessential Christmas rituals

At Fortnum & Mason, Christmas begins as soon as the nights draw in, when their famous window displays light up Piccadilly to signal the start of the season. This year, the iconic Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon is getting into the holiday spirit earlier than ever, launching a showstopping festive afternoon tea menu curated by Executive Pastry Chef Roger Pizey. Served under sparkling lights with live grand piano music, you can indulge in delicate finger sandwiches, featuring Christmas-spiced Suffolk ham and coronation chicken, alongside seasonal pastries like stick figgy loaf, mincemeat tarts, and mandarin mousse.

For those looking for something different, Fortnum's offers a Savoury Afternoon Tea starring Portland crab tarts, duck liver mousse with Sauternes jelly, and potato and thyme scones, while the indulgent High Tea replaces traditional sandwiches with decadent mains like Victoria lobster omelette with black truffle or beef Wellington. Young tea-goers are also catered for with a charming Children's Tea featuring sweet treats shaped like Christmas trees and Santa hats. 

• Location: The Strand, WC2R 0EZ
• When: throughout December
• Price: from £99
• Why we recommend: if you want a premium experience done right, there's nowhere better than the Savoy, and they always go all-out with their festive offerings

Fancy adding a dash of holiday cheer to your afternoon tea experience at The Savoy? During the festive season, their patisserie is twinkling with extra magic, featuring delightful treats that celebrate the traditional holiday spirit.

Indulge in a selection of scrumptious finger sandwiches, with fillings like coronation chicken and smoked salmon, alongside fresh scones and a variety of exquisite teas handpicked by their expert team. And don't forget to save room for sweet, festive-themed delights like redcurrant and pear cakes.

• Location: 39 Buckingham Palace Road, Westminster, SW1W 0PS
• When: 16th of November 2026 - 3rd of January 2027
• Price: from £82
• Why we recommend: this is our top pick for larger group bookings, and we recommend trying the roast turkey, pork stuffing and cranberry mayonnaise sandwich

Celebrate the festive season in style with Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace. Nestled near Buckingham Palace, this luxurious 5-star hotel combines traditional British hospitality with a festive twist, making it one of London's most sought-after Christmas Afternoon Tea experiences.

Expect seasonal sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and handcrafted pastries, paired with a glass of mulled wine or Champagne on Christmas Day. Families and groups can enjoy special packages for up to 120 guests, with bespoke menus, celebratory decorations, and complimentary cakes for large bookings.

• Location: 10 Air Street, London W1B 5AB
• When: 6th November 2026 - 4th January 2027
• Price: from £85
• Why we recommend: they've got a pastry chef on-site to ensure that their sweet treats are some of the finest around, and we could sit and soak up the elegant atmosphere here all day

Hotel Café Royal is a fantastic choice for luxury Christmas afternoon tea in London in 2026. Venture over to the five-star hotel on Regent Street to soak up opulent surroundings in its historic Grill Room or Domino Room, marvel at the golden interiors and enjoy relaxing piano tunes all while tucking into an incredibly aesthetic spread. 

Made by pastry chef Maxence Blondelle, the festive instalment features Norfolk bronze turkey sandwiches, winter-inspired cakes and over 20 types of tea. Feeling extra festive? Add a glass of Champagne for a little extra yuletide spirit. Plus, they offer a vegan version of the menu as well.