Every year, as the Holiday season approaches, London presents an array of Christmas-themed afternoon teas to celebrate the most cheerful time of the year. A joyful tradition for locals and visitors alike, these indulgent experiences perfectly complement the sparkling lights, Christmas Markets, outdoor ice rinks, and festive decorations spread throughout the city. To make the most of London at Christmas, explore these themed experiences! Here’s a guide to some of the best Christmas afternoon teas in London, where culinary artistry meets the magic of the holidays.
The Best Christmas Afternoon Teas in London
Festive Skyline Afternoon Tea at Ting, Shangri-La Hotel, The Shard
The Festive Skyline Afternoon Tea at Ting offers a futuristic twist on the classic affair, boasting delectable pastries such as a red bauble filled with green shiso mousse and a white chocolate, pistachio, and sour cherry Christmas tree treat. Indulge in savories and scones while overlooking the iconic London skyline. Pairing your tea with the views from the 35th floor of The Shard is the perfect way to elevate the experience further!
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Location: Level 35, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU
The Langham Festive Afternoon Tea
The Langham’s Palm Court has to be one of London’s most beautiful venues for afternoon tea! Nestle into this lavish ambiance in Marylebone for a festive experience. Their new seasonal offerings include holiday classics like smoked turkey and figgy pudding transformed into delectable sweet and savory treats, available even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
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Location: 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA
Festive Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
This is the place to treat yourself to scones with seasonal spiced jams, festive-themed pastries, and dainty sandwiches at the stylish Amaretto Lounge in the Four Seasons Hotel. It’s the perfect respite amid Christmas shopping in Mayfair‘s boutique-lined streets.
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Location: Hamilton Pl, Park Lane, London W1J 7DR
The Lanesborough Queen Charlotte Festive Afternoon Tea
The Lanesborough presents a new 2023 festive afternoon tea, crafted in partnership with Netflix and Shondaland. Enjoy Executive Pastry Chef Salvatore Mungiovino’s creations, featuring tea-cured salmon, lemon and caper cream sandwiches, delightful sweet pastries, and homemade scones.
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Location: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7TA
Christmas Afternoon Tea at Marriott County Hall
The Library at Marriott County Hall is the perfect spot to soak in the scenic views of the Thames and Houses of Parliament while enjoying afternoon tea in London at Christmas. Treat yourself to delightful offerings like mince pies with gingerbread and Christmas scones, making it an ideal recharge before exploring South Bank’s Christmas market.
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Location: County Hall, Westminster Bridge, London SE1 7PB
Claridge’s Christmas Afternoon Tea
At Claridge’s in Mayfair, you can immerse yourself in a magical festive afternoon tea and seize the opportunity to marvel at their stunning 2023 Louis Vuitton Christmas display. Embrace the elegance of the Foyer & Reading Room after admiring Claridge’s magnificent Christmas tree. Indulge in specially selected teas, champagne, and seasonal treats, including a Christmas pudding crafted annually by the entire pastry team.
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Location: Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR
Christmas Afternoon Tea at Sofitel London St James
Sofitel London St James’ festive afternoon tea is served in the chic Rose Lounge. Indulge in coronation turkey with apricot chutney, smoked salmon and horseradish creme fraiche, wild mushroom and Jerusalem artichoke tart, complemented by delightful sweets like a black forest bauble and a vanilla, pear, and speculoos delice.
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Location: 6 Waterloo Pl, St James, London SW1Y 4AN
Festive Afternoon Tea at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
Hyatt Regency London The Churchill offers one of the best Christmas afternoon teas in London. Delight in savory bites like turkey and cranberry finger sandwiches, chestnut and Kentish blue cheese tart, and delectable desserts such as double chocolate yule log. Then, explore the nearby Oxford Street adorned with its famous Christmas lights.
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Location: 30 Portman Square, Marylebone, London W1H 7BH
Winter Wonderland Afternoon at The Rubens at the Palace
For an exceptional Christmas afternoon tea experience in London with a royal atmosphere, indulge in The Rubens at the Palace’s Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea. Sip on mulled wine or sparkling bubbles while relishing live piano music, creating an exceptionally festive and quintessentially British ambiance. Delight in a seasonal twist on traditional delights while enjoying picturesque views of the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace.
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Location: 39 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS
Be Our Guest Afternoon Tea at Waldorf Hilton London
This Christmas afternoon tea in London brings the magical world of Beauty and the Beast to us this holiday season! Waldorf Hilton London’s enchanting Be Our Guest afternoon tea comes with an array of sweet and savory delights amid Mrs. Potts and Chip crockery.
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Location: Aldwych, Covent Garden, London WC2B 4DD
Festive Afternoon Tea at the Hyde Cafe at the Royal Lancaster London
The festive afternoon tea at the Royal Lancaster London includes many seasonal favorites. Delight in treats like vanilla and caramelized apple baubles, an orange Bakewell tart in the shape of Santa’s hat, and a cherry mousse and dark chocolate Christmas present. If you’re seeking accommodation near Winter Wonderland for your next trip to London, the Royal Lancaster London is the place to be! For locals, seize the opportunity of afternoon tea and then head for ice skating in Hyde Park afterward.
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Location: Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY
Kaleidoscope Afternoon Tea at The Orchid Lounge, Pan Pacific London
This experience is a brand-new festive delight at The Orchid Lounge in Pan Pacific London. The Kaleidoscope afternoon tea blends seasonal treats like Biscoff and pecan pastries, stollen scones, and savory finger sandwiches with Southeast Asian delicacies such as steamed bao buns.
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Location: 80 Houndsditch, Bishopsgate, London EC3A 7AB
Nutcracker Afternoon Tea at Petersham Nurseries
With venues in Richmond and Covent Garden, Petersham Nurseries is a serene place for a winter afternoon tea. Their chefs have created an ode to the festive ballet, The Nutcracker with a beautiful selection of handmade cakes, tarts and Tramezzini. Adorned in festive décor, relish offerings like salt beef mini bagels, smoked trout, clementine and pomegranate cake, paired perfectly with a glass of Petersham Rose Petal Prosecco.
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Location: Church Lane, Richmond, London TW10 7AB and
2 Floral St, London WC2E 9FB
The Savoy Christmas Afternoon Tea
The Savoy’s indulgent Christmas afternoon tea is a collaboration with Champagne Laurent-Perrier. Delight in delicate pastries and savory treats crafted from seasonal ingredients, all within the elegant setting of the stunning glass-domed atrium Thames Foyer.
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Location: Strand, Westminster, London WC2R 0EZ
Festive Afternoon Tea at Grosvenor House
You can immerse yourself in the magic of The Snowman brought to life this festive season at Marriott Grosvenor House. This special afternoon tea features five exclusive pastries crafted by Head Pastry Chef Anthony Hurst. Delight in a snowball meringue filled with chocolate mint cream and a Christmas tree-shaped salted caramel and spiced milk chocolate cream tartlet, alongside delectable savory treats.
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Location: 86-90 Park Lane, London W1K 7TN
Festive Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych
One Aldwych’s beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea got a Christmas-themed twist for this festive season. Dive into treats like the Not Quite as it Seems Salmon and Beetroot Macaron and the Blue as a Blueberry Tart, accompanied by bespoke festive cocktails like The Juicing Room Mix or The Chocolatier.
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Location: 1 Aldwych, Covent Garden, London WC2B 4BZ
Festive Afternoon Tea at Conrad St James
The festive afternoon tea at Conrad London St. James features white chocolate and orange mousse, gingerbread sable with caramel eggnog, and Christmas-themed sandwiches. It’s perfect for a break between visits to St James’s upscale boutiques!
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Location: 22-28 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH
Twelve Days of Christmas at InterContinental London Park Lane
InterContinental London Park Lane’s Wellington Lounge in Mayfair is offering the Twelve Days of Christmas tea this holiday season. They consistently offer very creative and interesting afternoon teas each season! Last summer, they presented a fascinating ‘Summers of Scent’ afternoon tea experience. Now for winter, they have curated a new experience for the festive period. You can savor sandwiches, hot savories, and intricate sweets inspired by the classic Christmas carol, with an option for bottomless Perrier-Jouët champagne for 90 minutes.
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Location: One Hamilton Place, London W1J 7QY
Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea at London Hilton on Park Lane
The Christmas afternoon tea at Podium Restaurant within London Hilton on Park Lane got quite creative! It showcases unique treats like a chocolate pistachio Christmas tree and Christmas fruit cake, perfect for your social media moments after a shopping spree in Mayfair.
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Location: 22 Park Lane, London W1K 1BE
Festive Afternoon Tea at The Landmark London
With beautiful Christmas decorations all around, The Landmark London is a delightful venue for a Festive Afternoon Tea. Enjoy gingerbread and hazelnut Christmas pudding mousse, white chocolate and cranberry yule log, paired perfectly with a glass of champagne.
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Location: 222 Marylebone Road, London NW1 6JQ
Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Lane at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
The Lane’s Grand Saloon at Theatre Royal Drury Lane is the perfect place to gather your loved ones for an indulgent Christmas afternoon tea in London. Savor cranberry sausage rolls, gingerbread spiced sticky toffee pudding, and other sweet treats by baker-to-the-stars, Lily Vanilli.
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Location: Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JF
Biscuiteers Christmas Afternoon Tea
Biscuiteers’ sweet treats obviously got a Christmas-themed twist for this season at their venues in Notting Hill and Belgravia. Delight in turkey and cranberry brioche buns, spiced honey, fig cake, and the signature Biscuiteers iced biscuit amidst the quirky charm of their cafés.
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Locations: 194 Kensington Park, London W11 2ES and
14-15 Eccleston Yards, London SW1W 9AZ
Festive Afternoon Tea at InterContinental London – The O2
This festive afternoon tea in a lovely way to make a Christmas trip to London memorable! Delight in views over Greenwich while relishing themed fare like oak-smoked Salmon, lemon butter on basil bread sandwiches, clementine and rosemary choux, and cranberry scones.
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Location: 1 Waterview Dr, London SE10 0TW
Festive Peter Rabbit Afternoon Tea at The Dilly
The Dilly added a a festive twist on The Official Peter Rabbit Afternoon Tea. Enjoy an array of seasonal sweet treats, including an edible meringue snowman, all inspired by Beatrix Potter’s beloved tales.
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Location: 21 Piccadilly, London W1J 0BH
Indulging in the best Christmas afternoon teas in London isn’t just about the culinary delights but also about immersing oneself in the festive spirit and elegant surroundings that these renowned establishments offer. Each venue brings its own charm, culinary expertise, and festive ambiance, ensuring that every visitor experiences the magic of the holidays in a uniquely London way. So, this season, treat yourself and your loved ones to a delightful Christmas afternoon tea and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.