Best Festive Afternoon Teas in London This Christmas

With Christmas fast approaching it’s the perfect excuse to indulge in some sweet treats and sparkling champagne. Some of our top afternoon tea spots in London have been given a festive upgrade, so here’s a round up of the best Christmas and winter-themed afternoon teas in London.

Sugar Plum Fairy Afternoon Tea at The Waldorf Hilton

The Nutcracker is the epitome of Christmas and so it seems fitting that The Waldorf Hilton would choose to theme their festive afternoon tea offering on the classic ballet. Add a magical Christmas twist to their classic tea, guests will be treated to an assortment of theatrical foodie delights, including The Waldorf’s very own sugar plum jam to accompany he clotted cream and freshly baked scones.

The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea at The Waldorf runs from Monday 25 November to Monday 2 February.

From £39 per person.

Festive Afternoon Tea at The Dorchester

This Christmas, the iconic tea at The Promenade at The Dorchester has been given a magical twist with spectacular decorations inspired by ‘A Letter to Father Christmas’created by designer florist Philip Hammond.

Complete with a glass of Champagne, the Afternoon Tea features an impressive assortment of homemade finger sandwiches, cranberry scones, and seasonal pastries prepared by head pastry chef Daniel Texter, including a spiced fig and honey cake, a roasted apple and marzipan gift, salted caramel and Williams pear, as well as gingerbread with hazelnut. Alongside the Champagne will be a selection of rare teas, including a Spiced Caramel Tea reminiscent of a Christmas pudding.

Festive Afternoon Tea at The Dorchester starts at £85 per adult and £35 for children.

Christmas Afternoon Tea at Sketch London

Perhaps London’s coolest take on on tea, Sketch’s famous egg pod toilets and millennial pink Gallery are the stuff of Instagram legend. This year, the Mayfair townhouse’s quirky take on tea is getting a Christmas overhaul with deliciously festive foodie offerings and performances from a string trio.

The Christmas Tea runs from Tuesday 12 November until Sunday 5 January.

Sketch Christmas Tea starts at £85.

Festive Afternoon Tea at 11 Cadogan Gardens

After a spot of Christmas shopping on the King’s Road, stop by 11 Cadogan Gardens to sample their wonderfully festive afternoon tea. The classic tea has been given a Christmassy twist, with festive spiced scones, Gingerbread men and Turkey, cranberry and stuffing finger sandwiches.

Festive Afternoon Tea at 11 Cadogan Gardens from £35.

Halfeti Christmas Tea at The Curtain

Members club and swanky Shoreditch hotel, The Curtain, is serving up a Christmas afternoon tea with an edge. They’re teamed with Penhaligon’s, the oldest perfumery in London for the Halfeti Christmas tea. The pastry team has crafted each sweet on the new menu to pay homage to the head, heart and base notes found in the new Penhaligon’s fragrance, Halfeti, which you’ll also find in the in-room toiletries.

To add to the experience, lucky guests will receive Halfeti scented handkerchiefs and invitation to a fragrance profiling at Penhaligon’s nearest store.

The Halfeti Christmas Tea at The Curtain starts at £35pp. Available Thursday-Sunday 1pm-5pm from 21 November- 4 January

Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Ritz

For the festive season The Palm Court at The Ritz has been transformed into a truly opulent winter wonderland, complete will all the red and gold trimmings.

Each adult will receive a glass of Ritz Champagne and each child a Ritz teddy bear, apart from on Christmas Day, when Father Christmas himself will be stopping by with gifts for the little ones.

Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Ritz runs from Saturday 23 November to Monday 30 December.

£80 for adults and £50 for children.