Where to find the best afternoon tea with kids in London (2024)

If there’s one thing that England does well it’s afternoon tea and cakes, and nowhere more so than in London. The capital is full of fun venues serving afternoon tea whether you are after traditional savoury sandwiches and scones or themed experiences filled with creative sweet and savoury treats.

Best of all there’s a huge choices of kids afternoon teas, from the traditional to the fun and quirky. 

If you are visiting the city during the school holidays, want to mark a special occasion or simply want to treat someone then here’s where you can find the best afternoon tea with kids in London.

Afternoon tea in London

The following are some of the best children’s afternoon teas in London.

If you have never enjoyed traditional afternoon tea before and not sure what to expect then this is how it works. Afternoon tea generally consists of a selection of savoury finger sandwiches followed by a range of sweet cakes and then a warm scone traditionally served with cream and jam.

You can usually choose different types of loose-leaf tea and for adults, there’s often the option to enjoy a glass of champagne too. 

Some places offer gluten-free options and. most offer vegetarian options. 

For children, the menu format is similar and they typically offered a fruit juice or hot chocolate to go with their tea. If you ask nicely, they may be able to have a soft drink instead or this might be charged at an additional cost.

Age limits differ by venue (some children’s tea menus are for 12 and under, others for 11 years old and under), so make sure to check when booking.

Most places require a reservation and you will need to book an accompanying adult tea. It’s worth remembering that some of the places listed add an additional 12.5% gratuity tax to your bill. 

If you are visiting London in Christmas the be aware that some of the venues change their afternoon tea menus so that they are more festive.

Don’t miss our pick of the best places to eat in London with kids or our guide to the best breakfasts in town.

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Where to find the best afternoon tea with kids in London

Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at Aqua at The Shard

Second star on the right and straight on ’til you hit The Shard for this wonderful themed tea inspired by J.M Barrie’s legendary novel, Peter Pan. The whole family will enjoy the Tinker Bell-shaped cookies, crocodile jellies and Hook’s Perish Cake served on a pirate-ship inspired cake stand.

Tea is served daily from 12pm – 2.30pm at Aqua at The Shard, Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY

Cost: From £70/55 adult/child, £2.00 goes to Great Ormond Street Hospital

Jurassic Afternoon Tea at the Ampersand Hotel

Have a roarsome time at the Ampersand Hotel courtesy of their Jurassic Afteroon Tea. Journey back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth over 200 million years ago and enjoy a Volcanic eruption, a Jurassic mountain and Dinosaur egg baskets….as part of your afternoon tea!

Vegan and gluten-free versions are also available.

For parents there are specially created cocktails including a Dino Sour and a T-Rex Mex alongside their own delicious afternoon tea treats.

Tea is served at the Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington daily from 12pm – 5.30pm.

Cost: £54.50 for adults, £37.50 for children

Jungle Book Afternoon Tea at Brown’s Hotel

Drink tea where Queen Victoria once did when you visit the Drawing Room at Brown’s Hotel. These days the elegant space is open to regular folk although the afternoon tea is still very much fit for Royalty. 

For children there’s the Jungle Book-inspired afternoon tea. Featuring a selection of ‘jungleicious’ finger sandwiches, a tropic shake, and some tigeriffic sweet treats, the menu will delight young taste buds.

Guests can also purchase a limited edition version of the Jungle Book that was produced exclusively for Brown’s Hotel.

Tea is served in the Drawing Room of Brown’s Hotel daily from 12pm – 4.30pm.

Cost: £40 per child. Traditional afternoon tea for adults from £75 per person.

Secret Garden Afternoon Tea at Taj 51

The new afternoon tea at Taj 51 Buckingham gate Suites and Residences is inspired but the 1911 novel The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The experience takes diners on a journey thorough a secret Yorkshire garden with plenty of themed treats inspired by the story.

The experience starts with the Chocolate Key, inviting guests to unlock the secrets of the garden. Then there are edible butterflies, a beautiful rose, a zesty citrus tart and much more including tasty savoury bites to balance everything out.

The setting is equally magical and guests are given a special gift at the end to recreate their very own secret garden at home.

Tea is served at Kona in at the Taj 51 from Thursday to Sunday with seatings at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm.

Cost: £75 per adult, 50% discount for children aged 4 – 11 years old.

Children’s Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason have been serving tea since 1926 making it the quintessential place to come for high tea in London. Afternoon tea is served in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon in the Piccadilly store and there is a dedicated menu for children.

Kids can enjoy finger sandwiches, scones and a selection of cakes. Don’t forget to pick up some London souvenirs while you’re here.

Tea is served in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon of Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly daily between 11.30am/12pm and 6.30/7.30pm depending on the day.

Cost: £30 per child aged 4 – 10 years old; adults £78 per person.

Kid’s Afternoon Tea St Ermin’s Hotel

For a more traditional afternoon tea experience check in to St Ermin’s Hotel, once a central point for the British intelligence services (see if you can spot any spies lurking in the hotel bar!). 

The dedicated kid’s afternoon tea menu comes with a selection of finger sandwiches filled with honey roast ham, cheddar cheese, and tuna, sweetcorn and mayonnaise. Delicious treats on the children’s menu include a carrot cake flower pot, a honey pot mousse and a chocolate tea cup.

Kids are also served warm scones as part of their tea experience.

Don’t leave without visiting the third floor terrace where you can see St Ermin’s very own bee hotel home to 350,000 bees. You can watch them safely from behind glass windows. 

Their Kids’ Afternoon Tea changes fairly regularly with themed teas for major holidays. 

Tea is served the Tea Lounge, library and outdoor terrace (weather permitting) of St Ermin’s Hotel Wednesday – Sunday between 12noon – 5:00pm

Cost: Adult afternoon tea £43pp or £48pp with a glass of Lanson Champagne. Children’s afternoon tea £22 per child.

Grover’s Afternoon Tea at the Grosvenor House Hotel

Enjoy afternoon tea in one of London’s original luxury hotels, the JW Marriott Grosvenor House. This is apparently where the late Queen learned to ice skate as a seven year old. 

Ice skating is not available today but a traditional afternoon tea is and is served in the Park Room with views over Royal Hyde Park. 

The children’s afternoon tea menu comes with a selection of sandwiches (banana, ham, cucumber and cream cheese, and strawberry jam), an array of treats (chocolate mousse cake, ginger cake, strawberry and cream shortbread sandwich and a double chocolate brownie), plus a warm scone served with clotted cream, strawberry jam, vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis. 

Afternoon tea is served daily at the Grosvenor House Hotel between 1pm and 6pm.

Cost: Children’s Tea £35 per child (up to 12 years old); Adults Tea from £65 per person.

Afternoon Tea at The Ritz

For a real treat head to The Ritz, one of London’s most prestigious hotels. This luxury hotel welcomes kids with open arms. Their Children’s Afternoon Tea includes finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones and a range of pastries and cakes served in The Palm Court.

And here’s a fun fact, The Ritz London is the only hotel in the UK to have a certified Tea Master who travels to tea plantations around the world to source the hotel’s teas.

Note that The Ritz does have a dress code for afternoon tea; gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie (jeans and sportswear are not permitted for either ladies or gentlemen). This does not apply to children under 16.

Tea is served daily at The Ritz London at 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Cost: £53 per child; from £75 for adults

To make a booking, check The Ritz Hotel website.

Brigit’s Bakery Classic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

One of our favourite kid-friendly afternoon teas takes place on board Brigit’s Bakery’s 1960s Routemaster bus. Enjoy tea and cakes as you tour London’s highlights including Buckingham Palace, The Royal Albert Hall, the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street and more.

The classic afternoon tea bus doesn’t have a dedicated children’s afternoon tea but kids are still welcome and will be charged less; children aged 5 to 11 cost £35 compared to £45 for over 12s and adults.

What you really want to book, however, are the themed afternoon tea bus tours that kids will absolutely love (see below.

The traditional afternoon tea buses depart regularly between 12pm and 5pm from Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square.

Cost: Children £35 each; Adults £45 per person

Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

B’s Bakery also run a themed Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour, which is one of the best themed afternoon teas for younger children (recommended age 2+yrs).

The Peppa Pig themed afternoon tea menu includes Daddy Pig’s Pizza mini Margherita, Granny Pig’s Mini Scone with jam and clotted cream and Rebecca Rabbit’s Carrot Cupcake.

Every table has an inbuilt tablet so younger guests can follow along the Peppa Pig guided animation of the London tour – complete with sing-a-long songs – as they tour the city streets.

The Peppa Pig tour departs Thursdays to Sundays at 12.15pm and 2.45pm (and occasionally at 5.30pm, check the website for details) from Somerset House.

Cost: Children £38 each; Adults £48 per person

Paddington Bear Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

Celebrate Peru’s most famous bear on board Brigit Bakery’s Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – marmalade sandwiches naturally included!

Enjoy seeing some of Paddington’s favourite landmarks on board a rosy red double-decker Routemaster bus including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus and much more.

Each table comes with a special built-in screen providing guests with a Paddington-guided animation of the tour of London. Mrs Bird will be on hand as well to tell you all about some of London’s most famous sights.

The Paddington Afternoon Tea tour departs Wednesdays to Sundays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm from Trafalgar Square.

Cost: Children £35 each; Adults £45 per person

The Original Sweetshop Afternoon Tea at The Chesterfield 

The delightful, theatrical and award-winning afternoon tea party at The Chesterfield hotel in Mayfair is inspired by Hardy’s Original Sweetshop. In addition to the ubiquitous finger sandwiches and homemade scones, The Original Sweetshop Afternoon Tea at The Chesterfield serves up whimsical smoking pink lemonade and sweetshop-themed cakes.

A vegan, halal and vegetarian menu are also available. 

Tea is served at The Chesterfield on London’s Charles Street, from 12.30pm – 4pm Monday to Friday and 12.30pm – 5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Cost: £35per child under 12, from £65 per adult

Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

Combine seeing the some of London’s best sights with the traditional British tradition of afternoon tea with a trip along the River Thames with City Cruises.

City Cruises offers a daily afternoon tea experience along the River Thames departing from and returning to Tower Pier. The exact route of the 90-minute cruise is tide dependent but you’ll spot some of London’s greatest hits including Tower Bridge, Westminster, The Shard, the London Eye and St. Paul’s. Some City Cruises routes also take in the Cutty Sark.

The tea menu is a traditional one with finger sandwiches (smoked salmon, egg and cress, ploughman’s etc), mini pastries and scones with clotted cream and jam.

The Tea Cruise departs from Tower Pier at 3.30pm (boarding starts at 3.15pm).

Cost: Prices start from £38 per child aged 2-12 and from £55 per adult while infants under 2 board free.

Children’s Afternoon Tea at The Langham

The Langham has been welcoming guests since 1865 and was, at the time that it was built, one of the most modern hotels in the world. It was also the first hotel to serve afternoon tea. 

This beautiful hotel continues to be one of London’s best luxury venues and is a wonderful option for a traditional afternoon tea. Served in the elegant Art Deco Palm Court there are delicious sandwiches, lots of lovely pastries and fun drinks. 

Tea is served at The Langham from Thursday to Sunday, 12.30pm – 5pm.

Cost: £35 per child aged 12 and under. The award-winning afternoon tea for adults is £80 per person.

A Parisian Afternoon Tea at The Dilly

The Dilly are currently serving a Parisian themed afternoon tea inspired by the Olympic Games taking place in Paris this summer.

Served in the hotel’s restaurant, Terrace at The Dilly, with views across Piccadilly, the menu features Macarons inspired by Olympic medals, cakes that feature the Mona Lisa, a chocolate Eiffel Tower and more. 

Tea is served at The Dilly Hotel in Piccadilly daily from 12.30pm – 4pm.

Cost: £39 per child; £49 per adult

Sherlock Inspired Afternoon Tea the Mind Palace

Fans of Sherlock Holmes will love this themed afternoon tea. Not only do you get to indulge in delicious sweet and savoury snacks (think cream cheese salmon pretzels, hazelnut choux buns and Black Forest cupcakes) but you’ll get to solve a mini-mystery quiz as well!

Tea is served at The Mind Palace on Saturdays and Sundays.

Cost: £39 per person (the tea is suitable for kids aged 10+ years)

Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley **currently closed**

This Couture Cakewalk afternoon tea at The Berkeley hotel is currently taking a fashionable break but will be back serving carefully crafted cakes inspired by leading fashion designers later in the year. 

Tea is served at The Berkeley in Knightsbridge.

Afternoon Tea at The Savoy

Guests have been enjoying tea and cakes in the Thames Foyer of The Savoy hotel since 1889. This hotel, one of the most famous in London, has seen many a celebrity one through its doors including Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond stories, and actor Cary Grant.

The Afternoon Tea menu includes a selection of sandwiches, freshly baked scones and pastries. Children can enjoy teddy marshmallow cookies, a jam roly poly Swiss roll, chocolate brownie bites and other yummy treats.

Note that the dress code is ‘smart casual’.

Tea is served at The Savoy Hotel, The Strand, daily from 12.30pm – 7pm (last seating 5.15pm).

Cost: Adults from £80, Children £40 (up to 12 years).

Peggy Porschen Afternoon Tea

Another fun afternoon tea option for teens in London is at Peggy Porschen, the pretty-in-pink cafes that serves what Vanity Fair called “the best cupcakes in the world”.

There are two options for a Peggy Porschen tea. The first is at The Lanesborough Hotel, although these are seasonal so not available year-round. At all other times you can head to her parlours in Belgravia and Chelsea. Afternoon tea is themed according to the season with pretty sandwiches, good-looking cakes, and delicious sweet treats.

Tea is served daily from 1pm to 4.30pm at the Belgravia Parlour in Belgravia and at the Chelsea Parlour on the King’s Road.

Cost: £25 for children 12 years and under; £55 per person for adults.

Kids’ Sci-Fi Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel

One of the best venues to enjoy afternoon tea with kids in London is at The Ampersand Hotel. Inspired by the neighbouring Science Museum, this award-winning afternoon tea experience is a great place to come after you have finished at the museum. 

Feast on delicious dinosaur biscuits, mini hot dogs, rocket cheese straws and chocolate spacemen as well as jellies served in petri dishes. 

Food is served on a rocket-shaped stand complete with dry ice swirling out from the bottom.

Tea is served at The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington daily from 12pm – 6.30pm (7.30pm on weekends).

Cost: £35 per child; from £54.50 per adult.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea,  One Aldwych

Afternoon tea at One Aldwych hotel is the closest you’ll get to stepping into Willy Wonka’s Factory itself, unless you find a Golden Ticket of course.  

Head to this luxury hotel for their Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea experience, inspired by Roald Dahl’s classic story. Enjoy Caramel chocolate milkshake, fabulously fluffy floss, snozzberry jam on. your scones, ‘All the beans’ ganache…and more!

For parents there’s fizzy lifting Champagne, although whether or not you will float to the ceiling remains to be seen.

Tea is served at One Aldwych from Wednesday to Friday, 12pm – 3pm; Saturday and Sunday (plus school and bank holidays) until 4.30pm. Additional tea dates are being added for the May half term.

Cost: £50 per child under the age of 12; from £70 per adult.

Masterful Art Afternoon Tea at Rosewood London

Budding artists will love the art inspired tea at The Rosewood. This season, the hotel has created a series of delicate cakes and intricate pastries inspired by some of the world’s most acclaimed artists including Yayoi Kusama, Banksy, Vincent Van Gogh, David Hockney, and Andy Warhol. 

This new artistic inspired afternoon tea launches on 29 May.

Tea is served in the Rosewood London daily from 12pm – 5.45pm.

Cost: £40 per child; from £75 per adult

Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea at The Sanderson

Fall down a rabbit hole and land in the Sanderson Hotel in central London where their Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea is as magical as the Lewis Carroll tale that it’s based upon. Menus are hidden within vintage books, juices are labelled ‘Drink Me’ and teapots are decorated with kings and queens.

For sweet treats The Sanderson offers the White Rabbit Carrot & Plant Pot, the Grow Me, Shrink Me, Bring Me Back fruit-based potions, and the Blueberry & Hazelnut Caterpillar Eclair. 

A range of bespoke tea flavours are on offer including the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts.

A vegan afternoon tea is also available.

Tea is served at The Sanderson Hotel daily from 12pm – 5pm and until 7pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Cost: £48 per person; £58 with a glass of champagne

Little Prince and Princess Tea at The Milestone Hotel

Enjoy high tea fit for a prince or princess at the regal Milestone Hotel overlooking Kensington Palace and Gardens. The Little Prince and Princess Tea menu includes delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and a selection of right royal cakes and pastries all served with a delicious hot chocolate or milkshake.

Don’t miss the signature cheesecake, mini cupcakes and white chocolate and raspberry blondies of the hotel group’s President & Founder, Mrs Bea Tollman.

Nearby is Princess Diana’s Memorial Playground, perfect for running off some of that sugar high afterwards

Tea is served at The Milestone Hotel daily at three separate sittings: 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.

Cost: From £39 per child under 12 years, from £85 per adult.

The Common Room – Wizarding Afternoon Tea

Cutter & Squidge have waved their magic wand and come up with a new afternoon tea experience in the heart of Soho called The Common Room.

After the success of the Potion Room Wizard-Themed Afternoon Tea, the popular tea room has been transformed into a magical Common Room where witches and wizards of all ages can enjoy a fun afternoon tea.

Sandwiches and treats are served in ‘books from the library’ along with homework riddles, there’s a place to park your broomstick and, along with delicious food, there are mystical drinks to enjoy including Pond Water and Love Potion.

Tea is served at Cutter & Squidge in Soho on select days, check the website for details.

Cost: £34.00 per child aged 8 – 12, from £44.99 per adult. Children must be aged 5 and above. There are also ‘Bottomless Tickets’ for £59.99 for this age 18+ This afternoon tea experience comes wiht bottomless Prosecco or G&Ts. 

Children’s Afternoon Tea at Claridges Hotel

Family friendly afternoon tea at Claridges Hotel is served in The Foyer & Reading Room and includes traditional finger sandwiches with smoked salmon, chicken, ham and egg mayonnaise; warm scones and hand-made pastries.

The Children’s Afternoon Tea includes a selection of traditional sandwiches, delicious scones and pastries guaranteed to make kids happy include chocolate cake, strawberry tarts and a mango and vanilla ice cream cone accompanied by hot chocolate. The children’s menu doubles as a colouring book.

Tea is served at Claridges Hotel in Mayfair daily between 2.45pm and 5.30pm.

Cost: £45 per child; £85 per adult

The Wizard Afternoon Tea

Wands at the ready for this spellbinding afternoon tea experience where you use your best magic to brew interactive teas and taste fanatical treats.

Tea times take place throughout the day in two enchanting rooms decorated with a mishmash of books, picture frames, peacock feathers, candles and more, plus a few interactive spots to wave your wand.

Tea arrives in a magic chest and you need to tap out a sequence in order to create your own fruit and herbal brew followed by “sand-witches”, savouries, cakes, scones and other sweet treats.

Mocktails and cocktails (some served in a mini cauldron) are offered as well.

This is the perfect place to book if you have a Harry Potter fan in the house.

Tea is served at the Wands & Wizard Exploratorium daily.

Cost: £34.99 per child (under 12); £47.99 per adult