Why Afternoon Tea in London Should Be on Your Bucket List
If you’re going to London, afternoon tea has to be on your list. The tea culture in England is huge, which is why afternoon tea is such a popular thing to do and why there are so many spots offering it. With so many cute and iconic options, it can honestly feel a little overwhelming trying to pick the perfect place.
I did a ton of research before booking our reservations, and let me tell you… London has some adorable afternoon tea experiences. We ended up choosing two very popular spots, and I’m giving you my honest opinion on both.
Lanesborough Afternoon Tea
This one is located inside the Lanesborough Hotel, and it feels like stepping straight into a traditional, old-school English tea scene. The whole experience is classy, elegant, clean, and honestly just gorgeous. You truly feel like royalty.
The Lanesborough usually offers themed afternoon teas, and when we went, it was Queen Charlotte–themed. The entire menu matched the theme, even the desserts. One of our cakes had an edible crown on it, which was such a fun touch.
The tea was great, and the sandwiches and desserts were delicious. Nothing mind-blowing, but still very good. They do offer endless tea and sandwiches, so your afternoon tea can definitely double as your lunch.
Price-wise, it was around $115 per person when we went. Definitely pricey, but it was such a lovely experience. I really wanted at least one afternoon tea that felt like stepping back in time, and The Lanesborough absolutely delivered on that.
Sketch
Sketch is probably one of the most famous afternoon tea spots in London, and for good reason. The interior is exotic, unique, and just really cool. Even the bathrooms are iconic online. They’re this stark white room with a colorful ceiling, and the toilets are inside these futuristic little egg pods. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Sketch is a totally different vibe than the Lanesborough, which is why we wanted to do both. And honestly… the sandwiches at Sketch were better. The lobster roll? Phenomenal. And just like the Lanesborough, it’s endless teas and sandwiches.
Sketch was around $120 per person, so definitely on the pricey end, but I’d say it’s worth doing at least once for the atmosphere and the food.
Popular Afternoon Tea Spots in London
If you want even more options (or want to swap one of the ones I did), here are some other highly-rated afternoon teas that are super popular.
Claridge’s Afternoon Tea: Classic, timeless, and incredibly elegant. This is one of London’s most iconic afternoon teas, and people rave about the scones and service.
The Ritz London Afternoon Tea: Probably the most traditional and formal tea experience in the city. Think old-world glam, live music, and the strictest dress code, but a bucket-list experience.
Peggy Porschen Afternoon Tea: If you’re into pink, floral, girly decor, this place is a dream. Their pastries are adorable and super Instagrammable.
There are so many spots in London for afternoon tea it’s hard to go wrong. I would pick one that lines up well with the rest of your itinerary so it all logistically makes sense.