Guide to affordable afternoon tea in London

Park Grand London Lancaster Gate is a four-star hotel close to Hyde Park. As well as offering luxury boutique accommodation, the hotel has a bar and restaurant and serves a choice of afternoon teas in its open garden. This is one of the most affordable afternoon teas out there and includes a glass of prosecco to make things extra special.

Part of museum The Wallace Collection, The Wallace Restaurant is an airy and elegant space serving lunch and afternoon tea. The venue is full of natural light and is enhanced by sculptures and plants. The cuisine here is European with a clear French influence. The afternoon tea menu is traditional, featuring delicate finger sandwiches, scones, and mini pastries and cakes.

One of Ping Pong's lively locations serves a unique and affordable take on afternoon tea. Like all the group's venues, this place is a vibrant dim sum destination. Afternoon tea comes in at a low price and includes a lavish selection of dim sum and sweet items – there are original and vegetarian selections. You can add alcohol to the experience if you wish.

Family-run bakery and café Cutter & Squidge is located in Soho. It's well-known for its afternoon tea offering, which also comes in at a budget-friendly price. Afternoon tea here includes sandwiches, scones, and sweet bakes, and there are vegan and wheat-free selections. The tea room is a vibrant and contemporary space.

Bbar sits in a prime location near Buckingham Palace and takes inspiration from South Africa. This vibrant venue features London's largest living wall and serves drinks and modern South African bites. Afternoon tea is available here as well – go for the classic selection with mini bunny chow in place of sandwiches, or choose a themed option.

Tea House Theatre is a vibrant and eclectic venue in Vauxhall that has won multiple awards. There's lots going on at this sunny and cosy spot. Premium teas are a speciality here and the place serves food all day, including an affordable and traditional afternoon tea. This bohemian spot also hosts a diverse array of events in the evenings.

Clerkenwell is home to eclectic and eccentric hotel The Zetter Townhouse. It's based in a Georgian townhouse and is full of imagination. Book a stay in one of the 13 guest rooms or visit the cocktail bar, where an affordable afternoon tea featuring sweet and savoury nibbles and a selection of teas is available.

Just a short distance from Buckingham Palace, The English Rose Café and Tea Shop is a quaint tea room offering a traditional English experience. Afternoon tea is the main attraction at this place. It's served on a tea stand with mismatched china and includes finger sandwiches, scones, and cakes. Vegetarian and pescatarian selections are available.

Bluebird Chelsea might be a celebrity hotspot but that doesn't mean the afternoon tea comes at a sky-high price. This sunny venue is a local landmark in Chelsea, encompassing a restaurant, a bar, and a café with a courtyard. Afternoon tea is served in the stylish plant-laden restaurant, featuring sandwiches, scones, and desserts with distinctive flavours.

Browns is a brasserie that serves food all day, including a traditional afternoon tea. These venues are sleek, with each one having its own distinctive look. Whichever location you visit, you can savour a budget-friendly afternoon tea with savouries, warm scones, and miniature cakes and puddings. You can also add a glass of champagne or a cocktail to the experience.

Located near the British Museum, Tea and Tattle is a tea room at booksellers Arthur Probsthain. This charming eatery has intricate Chinese wallpaper and a calm feel. You can visit for a sandwich or cake but many come for the affordable afternoon tea. This includes sandwiches, scones, cake, and tea, as well as refreshing homemade lemonade.

Visit Map Maison by day for tapas and afternoon tea or go in the evening when the venue turns into a buzzing cocktail bar. Afternoon tea here is original as well as wallet-friendly, offering a tapas-style selection of miniature bites like filled baguettes and Iberico burgers. The venue is elegant and stylish with jewel tones, flowers, and wood panelling.

Candella Tea Room in Kensington is a traditional tea room. This sought-after spot has a timeless style and is in-demand for a budget-friendly afternoon tea. Take your pick from the wide range of loose leaf blends available, served with finger sandwiches, scones, and patisserie. Cream teas and delicious cakes to go with a cup of tea are available too.

May Fair Kitchen offers diners a unique combo of Japanese and Italian cuisines, but you can still get a quintessentially English afternoon tea here. Tea is a collaboration with Charbonnel et Walker, including sandwiches, scones, and chocolatey sweet treats. The restaurant is contemporary and intimate with moody lighting and style-conscious furnishings.

Furnished by acclaimed designer Kit Kemp, Oscar Bar & Restaurant is full of rich colours and patterns, plus a vibrant mural on the walls. Cocktails and sophisticated European cuisine are the specialities here, with food served all day, including afternoon tea. You get a traditional tea menu paired with cocktails or mocktails for a unique experience.

Located in Holloway Road, Whiskers & Cream is an award-winning cat café. Visit to hang out with the friendly felines and enjoy a light snack or go all out with afternoon tea. This fun and friendly spot has a wealth of afternoon tea options, including a classic experience, various options to suit dietary needs, and a tea for kids.

Inspired by its location next to King's Cross St Pancras and its fantastical Platform 9¾, Rails serves a Harry Potter-themed afternoon tea in a homey and intimate setting that'll entice any weary traveller. The Back to Hogwarts afternoon tea menu features treats inspired by the bestselling books, including Hagrid's butterbeer panna cotta or a Hogsmeade chocolate mousse frog.

At The Anchor Bar & Terrace, located in Chelsea Harbour, you'll feel like you're on a yacht without even leaving dry land. This elegant and discreet venue serves food and drinks all day long, including afternoon tea. The budget-friendly option here is served every day, featuring sweet and savoury nibbles as well as a broad selection of teas.

Chocoholics can enjoy an affordable afternoon tea at The Chocolate Cocktail Club. This unique cocktail bar includes chocolate everywhere it can, including in the afternoon tea menu. You can also add a chocolate cocktail or glass of prosecco to your experience. The setting here is comfortable and quirky with cosy furnishings.

If you want an affordable afternoon tea in Harrow, The Doll's House on the Hill is a must-visit. This cute local café has a vintage theme and serves afternoon tea all week, as well as breakfast and lunch. Several low-cost afternoon tea options are available, including selections for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets.

Although Boulevard Brasserie specialises in sophisticated French cuisine, it still serves a delicious afternoon tea at an affordable price. You can also add bottomless prosecco if you like. Set across three floors, the venue has a classic brasserie look and has been open since the 1990s. The chic setting attracts a diverse clientele.

Combining afternoon tea with a love of all things vintage, Betty Blythe serves food and snacks and also hosts afternoon tea parties with a vintage theme. Whatever the occasion, this is the ideal destination for a memorable afternoon tea, filled with cute details. Teas to suit a variety of dietary needs are available here.

Visit Little Tea House when you're in North London and you want an afternoon tea that's affordable. This charming and contemporary tea room in Whetstone has a distinctive Asian touch. Afternoon tea here is halal-friendly and packed with bold flavours. There are also vegetarian and vegan afternoon tea selections.