Guide to Christmas afternoon tea in London

Pan Pacific London's festive afternoon tea pays homage to a classic afternoon tea, including delicate finger sandwiches, scones, tea, and sweet treats carefully crafted by the luxury hotel's pastry chefs. At Christmas, the afternoon tea is given a festive makeover, featuring treats like mint and dark chocolate wreaths and plum and chestnut baubles. There's also children's afternoon tea, which has to be booked alongside an adult. It includes decorating your own cupcakes and biscuits and choosing from a rainbow of icing, sprinkles, and toppings. You can even enjoy this one on Christmas and Boxing Day.

Served in the opulent Foyer and Reading Room, the Festive Afternoon Tea at the five-star Claridge's hotel is an exercise in indulgence. Beautifully presented, the extravagant treat features finger sandwiches, fresh scones, patisserie, and world-class teas, with everything prepared from ingredients of the highest quality and with meticulous care. For that extra little festive delight, you can also add a glass of champagne or rosé champagne.

Brigit's Bakery is a popular afternoon tea choice year-round, and it goes all out for Christmas. The café is famed for its bus tours, where you can enjoy afternoon tea on a double-decker as you ride around town taking in the sights. During the winter holidays, Brigit's Bakery offers different bus tours, including ones that take you past London's most iconic Christmas lights.

Afternoon tea at The Langham, dating back to 1865, is a timeless classic. Fitted with dramatic lighting, comfy seating, and mirrored walls, the Palm Court salon provides a futuristic, luxurious setting. The Christmas afternoon tea here is given a little festive makeover, using their regular afternoon tea and sprinkling it with some Christmas cheer. The children's afternoon tea is prepared in collaboration with the famed Hamley's toy store and will feature patisseries in the shape of iconic historic toys.

Renowned French chef Yannick Alléno brought his culinary expertise to the Four Seasons Park Lane luxury hotel in 2023. A British interpretation of Alléno's gastronomic zeal, Pavyllon London offers an all-day menu highlighting the chef's signature culinary methods like extraction and fermentation. The seasonal afternoon tea here features exquisite takes on classics such as the After Eight Granola or the Chestnut Pavlova, and is accompanied by teas from around the world and the hot chocolate of the day.

The iconic Ritz hotel next to Green Park is famous not just for its luxurious accommodation but also for its afternoon tea. This year, the Palm Court salon has become an Edwardian winter wonderland with beautiful festive decor, ensuring a magical setting for your Christmas afternoon tea. The menu includes 20 top-quality loose-leaf teas, delicate finger sandwiches, mouth-watering pastries, Christmas cakes, mince pies, and freshly baked scones served with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserves. It's all accompanied by a choir singing classic Christmas carols. On Christmas Day, Father Christmas even stops by.

The Lanesborough's luxury afternoon tea is inspired by the hit Netflix series "Bridgerton" and gets a seasonal makeover. The Queen Charlotte Festive Afternoon Tea features signature Lanesborough teas, including a special Queen Charlotte blend, homemade scones, tasty sandwiches, royalty-themed pastries, and a special festive cocktail. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are all available, as well as a kids' menu.

During the festive season, the luxurious Carlton Tower Jumeirah in Knightsbridge offers afternoon tea inspired by Highgrove House and Gardens, the private residence of Their Majesties, King Charles III and The Queen Consort. The afternoon tea pays homage to King Charles III's love of gardening, respect and passion for the earth, and consistent sustainability efforts. The seasonal twist on the hotel's award-winning afternoon tea includes savoury sandwiches, beautiful patisserie, and an assortment of special scones. For every Afternoon Tea sold, £1 will be donated to The Felix Project. This food redistribution charity rescues surplus food and provides it to charities, schools, and programs supporting London's most vulnerable communities.

With its convenient central location, sleek, comfortably appointed rooms, and all-day dining and wining options, The Biltmore Mayfair is a top choice for out-of-town visitors in need of luxury accommodation. In the hotel's Tea Lounge, you can enjoy a festive afternoon tea with tasty treats like turkey sandwiches, mulled wine-cured salmon, chestnut mousse, and more.

The five-star Corinthia hotel in Westminster caters to upscale crowds with its premium luxury offering. You can enjoy afternoon tea bathed in the glow of glistening Baccarat crystals here, with the festive menu including seasonal finger sandwiches and sweet delicacies. You can enhance your experience with champagne or sparkling tea, or even add a caviar course for the utmost indulgence.

Visit the iconic Dorchester for an uplifting seasonal afternoon tea. Served in the stylish Promenade in the heart of the hotel, the festive afternoon tea includes an assortment of homemade finger sandwiches on artisan bread, a seasonal pre-dessert from the chef, a selection of exquisite pastries, and exclusive teas. You can also gift the experience to a loved one – they'll even get a beautiful seasonal bouquet to take home when they've finished.

The oldest theatre in London, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, has hosted spectacular shows and events for decades. It also houses the Grand Saloon, an elegant café where afternoon tea is served daily on bespoke fine bone china, including sweet treats like gingerbread-spiced chocolate cake. During the festive season, the Saloon is decorated with beautiful seasonal ornaments and twinkling lights, and the festive afternoon tea menu caters to various dietary requirements, including vegan and gluten-free.

A stylish five-star hotel with splendid views of Hyde Park, the Royal Lancaster London houses the Hyde Café, a beautiful, elegant space for a quintessentially British experience. The festive afternoon tea spans an assortment of delicately crafted sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and tempting patisserie, accompanied by a global selection of Camellia's Tea House teas and the option to add champagne. 

Offering five-star luxury in Marylebone, the iconic Landmark London hotel boasts a memorable glass-roofed atrium and tall palm trees. It's there in the Winter Garden that you can enjoy a festive afternoon tea with a selection of seasonal sandwiches, warm scones with jams hand-picked by the executive chef, and festive desserts. A glass of champagne is also included in the price.