American novelist Henry James once wrote, "There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea." With buttery scones and Cornish clotted cream at The Dorchester and the elegant art-inspired pastries at Rosewood Hotel, we cannot think of a better city to be indulging in a nice, hot cup of well, tea. London is after all, the city where tea is a religion and languid afternoon teas, a national pastime.
If you happen to find yourself in London with many an hour to lull, here are seven locales that will look after you.
If you happen to find yourself in London with many an hour to lull, here are seven locales that will look after you.
Champagne afternoon tea at The Dorchester hotel starts at £68 ($123) per person
1. The Dorchester
Dorchester Collection, Sixth Floor East, Lansdowne House, Berkeley Square, London W1
Dresscode: Smart casual
To experience a quintessential British afternoon tea without the onslaught of tourists, give Claridge's a miss and head over to The Dorchester. The tea here is every bit traditional, with its first afternoon tea sitting dating back as early as 1931. It's opulent, indulgent and downright tasty – scones, finger sandwiches, sweet pastries and Cornish clotted cream are made fresh everyday.
From £58 ($104) per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
Dorchester Collection, Sixth Floor East, Lansdowne House, Berkeley Square, London W1
Dresscode: Smart casual
To experience a quintessential British afternoon tea without the onslaught of tourists, give Claridge's a miss and head over to The Dorchester. The tea here is every bit traditional, with its first afternoon tea sitting dating back as early as 1931. It's opulent, indulgent and downright tasty – scones, finger sandwiches, sweet pastries and Cornish clotted cream are made fresh everyday.
From £58 ($104) per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
Afternoon tea is served in The Zetter Townhouse every day from 12 to 5pm
2. The Zetter Townhouse
28-30 Seymour Street, London W1H 7JB
Dress code: None
Dark, sultry and tastefully kitsch, afternoon tea at Seymour's Parlour is equal parts fun and glamourous. There are two sets to choose from: the daintier Aunt Wilhelmina menu, which comes with a selection of finger sandwiches or the Uncle Seymour, featuring moreish delights like pork pies and haggis sausage rolls.
From £33 ($59) per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
28-30 Seymour Street, London W1H 7JB
Dress code: None
Dark, sultry and tastefully kitsch, afternoon tea at Seymour's Parlour is equal parts fun and glamourous. There are two sets to choose from: the daintier Aunt Wilhelmina menu, which comes with a selection of finger sandwiches or the Uncle Seymour, featuring moreish delights like pork pies and haggis sausage rolls.
From £33 ($59) per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
A sensory afternoon tea with Diptyque candles at Hotel Café Royal
3. Hotel Café Royal
Hotel Café Royal, 68 Regent Street , London, W1B 4DY, W1B 4DY UK
Dress code: Smart casual
This is a collaboration of the senses between Hotel Café Royal and French perfumer Diptyque. The food is made with the ingredients found in the scents of the lighted Diptyque candles, resulting in an afternoon tea that's as delicious as it is aromatic. Guests can also opt to top the the tea set up (£22, $39) and receive a signature Diptyque Baies candle, which promises the scent of Bulgarian roses sweetened with blackcurrant leaves.
From £42 ($75) per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
The Gallery room at Sketch resembles a still out of a Wes Anderson movie
4. Sketch
9 Conduit St, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG, UK
Dress code: None
So named for the army of quirky sketches that line the walls, Sketch resembles a still grab from of a Wes Anderson movie; plush pink chairs, marbled chevron floors and rose gold hardware arranged in a harmoniously symmetrical fashion. Customers get to select from two menus options: the classic afternoon tea or a tea paired with some bubbly. There's also a children-friendly tea set (£30; $53) that comes with a stuffed bear named Pat who dons a hand knitted baby Alpaca wool booties and bobble hat.
From £58 ($104) per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
9 Conduit St, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG, UK
Dress code: None
So named for the army of quirky sketches that line the walls, Sketch resembles a still grab from of a Wes Anderson movie; plush pink chairs, marbled chevron floors and rose gold hardware arranged in a harmoniously symmetrical fashion. Customers get to select from two menus options: the classic afternoon tea or a tea paired with some bubbly. There's also a children-friendly tea set (£30; $53) that comes with a stuffed bear named Pat who dons a hand knitted baby Alpaca wool booties and bobble hat.
From £58 ($104) per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
SEE ALSO: The Rise of Southeast Asian Chocolatiers
Afternoon tea for the well-heeled at The Berkeley Hotel
5. The Berkeley Hotel
The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1
Dress code: Smart casual
The Knightsbridge hotel has been serving the whimsical tea inspired by some of the biggest fashion houses since 2006, updating the “collection” every six months to reflect the season. Served on bespoke Paul Smith china are Prêt-à-Portea's miniature savoury skewers, finger sandwiches and elegant canapés.
From £52 ($93) per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1
Dress code: Smart casual
The Knightsbridge hotel has been serving the whimsical tea inspired by some of the biggest fashion houses since 2006, updating the “collection” every six months to reflect the season. Served on bespoke Paul Smith china are Prêt-à-Portea's miniature savoury skewers, finger sandwiches and elegant canapés.
From £52 ($93) per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
Candy floss, golden eggs and caramel milk, this is an afternoon tea after the heart of a sweet-tooth
6. One Aldwych
1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ, UK
Dress code: Smart casual
Here's an afternoon tea that fans of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will appreciate. From golden chocolate eggs and cotton-candy to warm scones with plum jam and blueberry brioches, this tea set is positively scrumdiddlyumptious. The three-course-dinner chewing gum will not be making an appearance but we reckon you've got quite enough on your plates.
From £42 ($75) per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ, UK
Dress code: Smart casual
Here's an afternoon tea that fans of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will appreciate. From golden chocolate eggs and cotton-candy to warm scones with plum jam and blueberry brioches, this tea set is positively scrumdiddlyumptious. The three-course-dinner chewing gum will not be making an appearance but we reckon you've got quite enough on your plates.
From £42 ($75) per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
Teatime art-inspired treats at Rosewood Hotel
7. Rosewood London
252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN, UK
Dress code: Smart casual
Many consider afternoon tea to be an art form, but here's a place that has taken that notion quite literally. Enter Rosewood London's afternoon tea, which plates up truly awe-inspiring pastries modeled the works of five exceptional artists: Yayoi Kusama, Hubert Le Gall, Mark Rothko, Damien Hirst, and Banksy.
From £50 per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN, UK
Dress code: Smart casual
Many consider afternoon tea to be an art form, but here's a place that has taken that notion quite literally. Enter Rosewood London's afternoon tea, which plates up truly awe-inspiring pastries modeled the works of five exceptional artists: Yayoi Kusama, Hubert Le Gall, Mark Rothko, Damien Hirst, and Banksy.
From £50 per pax. Click here to make a reservation.
