Guide to quirky afternoon tea in London

Sophisticated luxury hotel One Aldwych serves an inspiring afternoon tea themed on Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Great fun for kids and adults alike, you'll get unique sweet and savoury treats like a milkshake mixed by waterfall, fizzy lifting drinks, and fluffy floss. Adults get champagne or a cocktail included.

Futuristic Asian restaurant Inamo is full of quirks, including interactive tables with many ways to entertain yourself. The restaurant serves an unusual afternoon tea London diners are delighted by – it's a sushi and Asian tapas selection that comes with tea and a glass of bubbles. You can also go bottomless or booze-free if you prefer.

Both the setting and the afternoon tea menu are unusual at Aqua Shard. The venue is on the 31st floor of The Shard, giving diners unbeatable views of London. The popular afternoon tea here has a Peter Pan theme and is served on a pirate ship cake stand. Sweet and savoury nibbles all come with a creative and on-theme twist.

Modern cocktail bar The Perception Bar serves an immersive afternoon tea that's brimming with creativity. Collaborating with Brighton-based artist and designer Lois O'Hara, this colourful tea combines art and gastronomy and presents unique flavours and textures. You get the classics like scones and sandwiches as well as original savouries and desserts.

The Berkeley's Prêt-à-Portea afternoon tea has a big reputation. It's themed on the latest fashions and changes with the seasons, reinterpreting the hottest trends into delectable treats. Bold, colourful, and creative, you can expect full flavours, Insta-worthy treats, and an extensive choice of loose-leaf teas to complete the experience. It's served in luxurious modern surroundings.

Afternoon tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair is ideal if you have a sweet tooth. It's a big hit with both kids and adults. This whimsical and award-winning experience is themed on a traditional sweet shop, with unusual nibbles like a Coca-Cola slice, giant Jazzies, and chocolate chip scones. Dietary requirements can be catered for.

Afternoon tea at Biscuiteers gives you something extra. These cute cafés and boutiques specialise in exquisitely-iced biscuits in a range of unique and inspiring designs. You can pair a traditional afternoon tea here with a DIY icing experience where you'll learn the tricks of the trade and decorate your own biscuits.

The Ampersand Hotel in Kensington is a contender for serving the most quirky afternoon tea London can offer. Inspired by the famous museums nearby, there's a choice of afternoon teas that delight children and adults – a science-themed version or a Jurassic option. Both come with special effects and surprises that make it a unique experience.

Rove around the city on a converted double-decker bus with afternoon tea from Brigit's Bakery. This proudly pink and girly establishment in Covent Garden offers travelling afternoon tea experiences where you'll see the big sights as you munch on visually appealing treats. Themed teas are also available on the bus.

Unique bar The Chocolate Cocktail Club does a quirky afternoon tea aimed at chocoholics. This comfortable venue focuses on chocolate-infused cocktails but also serves an afternoon tea packed with the ingredients. You'll get sandwiches, scones with jam or Nutella, chocolate cakes, and the option to go for hot chocolate instead of tea. Alternatively, have a chocolate-laden cocktail.

Pimlico hotel Georgian House Hotel is based in a Grade II listed townhouse and is full of charm and stylish design. Afternoon tea here has a touch of magic. Served every weekend, guests can sample sweet and savoury bites and potions or colour-changing gin during this wizard-themed experience. You get some special treats to take home, too.

Midtown serves food and drinks all day, turning from a relaxed daytime venue to a lively late-night party spot. A unique afternoon tea is available here with a Mexican theme. Afternoon Tequila involves Mexican twists on afternoon tea classics, boozy tequila-infused jam for your scones, and a margarita to wash it all down.

Visit Hammersmith for afternoon tea at Betty Blythe, where there's a cute vintage theme throughout. Afternoon tea parties for children and adults are available here, giving you a chance to enjoy a delicious tea, raid the vintage dressing-up box, and add on optional activities like a dance class. This is a fun afternoon tea unlike any other.

Inspired by sci-fi and fantasy, The Wizard Exploratorium is a vibrant and magical destination that does a wizard afternoon tea. This is a unique and interactive experience where you'll pick up your wand, brew the tea, solve puzzles to get ingredients and try original treats that incorporate molecular gastronomy. This place caters to dietary needs.

Part of the effortlessly chic hotel The Franklin London, The Franklin Bar is a glamorous drinking spot with a 1920s theme. Distinctive cocktails are the speciality, but you can also indulge with the Haute Couture Afternoon Tea. Paris meets London in this elegant and glam fashion-themed experience, with a champagne afternoon tea also available.

West London pub The Prince of Teck is popular with craft beer fans and also serves indulgent street food. In this stripped-back environment, you can sample a unique afternoon tea. There's inspiring food like sliders and cookie dough bites paired with prosecco or a pint of craft beer, lager, or cider for an afternoon tea that's wholly different.

Camden is home to Bite Me Burger, a modern burger restaurant that also serves a unique afternoon tea. This informal restaurant has a bold and vibrant look, and the creative afternoon tea menu includes miniature burgers, doughnuts, burger-themed cupcakes, and your choice of tea or coffee. Make it even more fun with unlimited prosecco.

Cruise along the Thames taking in the views whilst you savour afternoon tea with Bateaux London. This smart roving restaurant offers a variety of meal cruises, including afternoon tea. Guests can enjoy a traditional menu, champagne, and the sounds of live musicians as you take a scenic route through the capital.

Giving off speakeasy vibes, The Mind Palace is a cocktail bar themed on Sherlock Holmes. Budding detectives can enjoy afternoon tea here, sampling traditional treats whilst you solve a mind-boggling tabletop mystery game. A version with bottomless booze is also served, but the unlimited prosecco might not enhance your mystery-solving skills.

Afternoon tea at Mariage Frères is for those who really do love tea. This Parisian tea salon serves a menu that's packed with the stuff – all of the food included in the experience is infused with tea. Naturally, you also get to choose from a selection of the finest loose-leaf blends to accompany the nibbles.

In Knightsbridge, The Egerton House Hotel is a hotel themed on all-out luxury. This place has a grand feel, and outside guests are welcome for afternoon tea. As well as a traditional experience, this venue does Doggy Afternoon Tea so that your canine friends can join the fun – they get tasty treats and a chicken consommé martini.

Based in a Deptford railway arch, Little Nan's is a unique cocktail bar that's packed with personality and quirky decor. A booze-laden afternoon tea is served at this original and award-winning venue. Amidst homey and eclectic interiors, you'll get teapots full of cocktails, and sweet and savoury nibbles served on a bespoke cake stand.

Head to Whiskers & Cream in Holloway Road for afternoon tea surrounded by cute furry friends. This cat café serves afternoon teas to suit a variety of dietary requirements. Play with the resident cats whilst you savour a selection of sandwiches and cakes. An afternoon tea menu designed for children is also on offer here.

Renowned pastry chef Albert Adrià dessert-only restaurant Cakes & Bubbles at Hotel Café Royal in Soho does away with sandwiches or other savoury nibbles. Instead, you get three courses of beautifully sculpted patisserie, including the chef's famed Baron Bigod cheese cake. To add a further indulgent twist, the afternoon tea comes with champagne instead of tea.

At London Secret Garden in South Kensington you can have afternoon tea in the unique setting of your own private dome. There are just five domes at this exclusive spot, offering picturesque views of the surrounding garden. The elegant afternoon tea is popular at this venue, featuring sandwiches, scones, and desserts, with loose-leaf tea.