
Nothing says I love you like spending time together over delicious finger sandwiches, scones and desserts. Whether you’re looking to treat your mum, nan, aunt or another leading lady in your life, there’s a whole host of London hotels and beautiful restaurants offering some fabulous Mother’s Day afternoon tea experiences this year.
From afternoon teas with an oriental twist, to classic teas in the grandest of locations, these are the best places to go for Mother’s Day afternoon tea that will appease mum to no end – a cup of tea always sorts everything out after all.
The Best Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea For 2023
Shangri-La The Shard
Create unforgettable memories in the clouds this Mother’s Day with a spring-inspired Skyline Afternoon Tea at the wisteria clad TĪNG Lounge at Shangri-La The Shard, ffeaturing a show-stopping miniature white chocolate and passion fruit Shard building for two to share.
Perfectly paired with fragrant rosebud tea, a selection of finger sandwiches will be served including coronation chicken, smoked salmon and cucumber, classic Reuben and truffle egg and cress. Savouries such as beetroot heart with hibiscus powder, and prawn cocktail with Marie Rose will follow. Freshly baked sweet and savoury scones accompanied by strawberry jam and clotted cream will lead into a selection of specially curated desserts including elderflower sponge with strawberry cream and jelly, pistachio profiterole and a heart-shaped pastry filled with white chocolate mousse.
The Spring-inspired Skyline Afternoon Tea is priced from £71 per person, or £81 with a glass of Champagne.
WHERE: LEVEL 35, 31 ST THOMAS ST, LONDON SE1 9QU
WEBSITE: WWW.TING-SHANGRI-LA.COM
The Lane
One for the theatre-loving mums, treat her to an indulgent Mother’s Day afternoon tea at one of London’s most iconic venues. Theatre Royal Drury Lane’s beautifully restored Grand Saloon, a marble-lined Regency room, featuring twinkling chandeliers and a fine art collection, is a setting fit for a queen, and Lily Vanilli has created the most beautiful Regency Afternoon Tea to match.
Enjoy tea by the Rare Tea Company, before starting with a puff pastry sausage roll packed with Cornish sausage meat; madeleines topped with lapsang-souchong glazed salmon and pickled fennel; and bitesize cannelés topped with smooth goats cheese and pickled beetroot. Delicious warm scones are paired with salted whipped butter, homemade jam and cream, before finishing off with a decadent sweet selection, including Lily Vanilli’s signature layered chocolate sponge cake decorated with pink icing, fresh strawberries and pink and red icing flowers.
For an extra special gift, bespoke fine bone china tea set designed by Kit and Willow Kemp is available to buy from The Lane’s shop so you can take a piece of the magic home.
WHERE: THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE, CATHERINE STREET, LONDON, WC2B 5JF
WEBSITE: WWW.THELANE.CO.UK
Tipsy Tea at Sanderson
Merging two of our favourite things – tea and tipples – Sanderson London has turned them into one fantastic afternoon tea for both cocktail and food lovers. The Tipsy Tea offers a splendid feast of sandwiches, sushi and alcohol-based sweets, complete with homemade wild mushroom arancini with aioli; salmon nigiri; and Bailey’s homemade truffle.
You’ll also get a choice of three cocktails – including Wonderland with jasmine-infused gin, lychee liquor, pink grapefruit, fresh lime, bergamot and tonic water; and The Forbidden Crown with amoretto disaronno, fair passionfruit liquor, orange bitters and prosecco.
WHERE: 50 BERNERS ST, LONDON W1T 3NG
WEBSITE: WWW.BOOK.ENNISMORE.COM
Indigo at One Aldwych
Indigo’s Afternoon Tea menu is the perfect way to treat your mum this Mother’s Day. Served in the bright and beautiful restaurant at the heart of the hotel, the non-traditional afternoon tea menu has been created by Chef Dominic Teague to bring a touch of the unexpected to a time-honoured British tradition.
Twists on classics include smoked salmon and cucumber under the guise of a light mousse; roast beef and watercress mayonnaise on a horseradish cracker; and chocolate and salted caramel scones. Afternoon tea is priced at £64, but you can also add a glass of English sparkling wine or tea time cocktail (£77), champagne (£84), or rosé champagne (£90).
WHERE: 1 ALDWYCH, LONDON WC2B 4BZ
WEBSITE: WWW.ONEALDWYCH.COM
108 Brasserie at The Marylebone Hotel
This Mother’s Day, 108 Brasserie at The Marylebone Hotel invites motherly figures to celebrate in style with their latest afternoon tea partnership. In collaboration with the award-winning local hair salon Gielly Green, mums can sit back, relax and enjoy a well-deserved luxurious Kerastase hair treatment and blow-dry from one of the salons expert stylists before taking a short stroll to The Marylebone Hotel for a post-pamper afternoon tea.
Starting with a bubbly glass of English Sparkling wine, there’ll be a scrumptious selection of delicious sandwiches, scones and sweets including favourites like raspberry macaroons, Scottish smoked salmon, tiger prawn and cream cheese sandwiches and slow roasted Czar plum tart. With hair done and appetites satisfied, you’ll return home with tea samples from organic tea experts Tea Lab.
WHERE: 108 MARYLEBONE LN, LONDON W1U 2QE
WEBSITE: WWW.108BRASSERIE.COM
The Rubens Hotel
You’ll struggle to find a more regal setting for Mother’s Day than at The Rubens, with views overlooking Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews, and an afternoon tea that ticks all the right boxes.
There are sweet and savoury goodies ranging from smoked salmon and chive cream cheese on sundried tomato bread, to ‘The Crown’ – a rooibos and honey cheesecake with ginger biscuit. Complete with a glass of Lanson Champagne, there’s no better place to treat your mum like the queen she is.
WHERE: 39 BUCKINGHAM PALACE RD, LONDON SW1W 0PS
WEBSITE: WWW.RUBENSHOTEL.COM
Home House
Celebrate in style with a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea in The Drawing Rooms at Home House. Enjoy a glass of Hattingley Valley rosé sparkling wine, followed by a selection of savoury sandwiches includes egg mayonnaise and brioche roll, smoked salmon and avocado on pumpernickel, and ham and cheese finger sandwiches with mustard mayonnaise. Savour sweet treats like a hazelnut praline choux bun, passion fruit and raspberry tart, and a
chocolate and salted caramel bar, as well as the obligatory fruit and plain scones with Cornish clotted cream and jam. There’s also a sophisticated tea selection by Whittard of Chelsea, including teas like Chelsea Garden white tea from China, and Spiced chai flavoured black tea from India.
All mothers will be treated to a special gift on the day, while enjoying live music in The Drawing Rooms throughout the afternoon.
WHERE: 20 PORTMAN SQUARE, LONDON W1H 6LW
WEBSITE: WWW.HOMEHOUSE.CO.UK
Mariage Frères
Spoil the special woman in your life with a trip to Mariage Frères’ stunning Salon de Thé in the heart of Covent Garden. Select from over 1,000 aromatic varieties of tea, including the iconic Marco Polo, before indulging into a luxury Parisian Afternoon Tea complete with scones, smoked salmon sandwiches infused with Paris Marais tea, and perfect patisserie made fresh each day.
The Parisian Afternoon Tea costs £50pp and can be upgraded with a glass of champagne for an additional £12. Cheers to that!
WHERE: 38 KING ST, LONDON WC2E 8JS
WEBSITE: WWW.OPENTABLE.CO.UK
The Egerton House Hotel
The Egerton House Hotel’s afternoon tea is a gorgeous choice for mums, featuring all the usual dainty and delicious finger sandwiches, miniature desserts and warm scones, plus a selection of fragrant JING Tea.
Expect to tuck into Best of British desserts, including chequered Battenburg, Lanson trifle, and coffee and walnut cake.
WHERE: 17-19 EGERTON TERRACE, LONDON SW3 2BX
WEBSITE: WWW.EGERTONHOUSEHOTEL.COM
Swan London
Swan London with be putting on a special Mother’s Day offering for the big day, serving a stunning Midsummer Night’s Dream-inspired afternoon tea. Treat her to an afternoon filled with sweet treats, golden sultana scones and savouries, including Scottish smoked salmon, dill and lemon scented cream cheese on farmhouse bread; and Kentish chicken and wholegrain mustard served in a brioche navette.
Each tea can also be accompanied by cocktails like Elder Beauty (elderflower vodka, Chambord, and english sparkling) and Love Potion (early grey infused Bombay Sapphire, honey, blackberry puree, and prosecco). Afterwards, enjoy walking along the Thames and soaking up the views.
WHERE: 21 NEW GLOBE WALK, BANKSIDE, LONDON SE1 9DT
WEBSITE: WWW.SWANLONDON.CO.UK
The Franklin
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a special Alice In Wonderland inspired Afternoon Tea at The Franklin. The afternoon tea turns floral and fruity as Spring approaches, with flavours of peach, apricot, pistachio, rhubarb and raisin.
Indulge in the Mad Hatter’s strawberry tart, followed by a White Rabbit and Blue Caterpillar-topped cupcake; and finish off by plunging your teaspoon in a fluffy peach and vanilla cheesecake.
WHERE: 24 EGERTON GARDENS, LONDON SW3 2DB
WEBSITE: WWW.COLLEZIONE.STARHOTELS.COM
Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences
Set within Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, the Jasmine Indian Afternoon Tea is the ideal Mothers day dining experience with a twist on the traditional – evoking the rich traditions of Indian dining.
On the day, there’ll be a selection of zesty savouries, fragrant sweets and scones, including the likes of an Aloo Bonda Mango Chutney Bun; Gajar Halwa Ricotta Crumble; and Saffron & Elaichi Scone, Elaichi Clotted Cream and Rose Jam. It’s £75 per person, or £90 with half a bottle of prosecco.
Want to bring the little ones? They’ll get 50% off.
WHERE: 51 BUCKINGHAM GATE, LONDON SW1E 6AF
WEBSITE: WWW.TAJ51BUCKINGHAMGATE.CO.UK
Barnett Hill
Barnett Hill really is as beautiful and cosy as it looks, making it the perfect place to treat your mum to an afternoon tea for Mother’s Day.
Set in the stunning surroundings of the Surrey Hills, indulge in the likes of cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, fruit scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, a mini lemon drizzle loaf, belgian chocolate brownie and of course, a generous tipple of champagne.
WHERE: BLACKHEATH LN, WONERSH, GUILDFORD GU5 0RF
WEBSITE: WWW.ALEXANDERHOTELS.CO.UK
1901 Wine Lounge
For Mother’s Day, 1901 Wine Lounge are rolling out a special afternoon tea experience in partnership with Moët & Chandon. Surrounded by elegant interiors and comfort at its finest, you’ll enjoy an elegant display of savoury and sweet delicacies including gravlax salmon, cream cheese, avocado and dill cress, and raspberry and rose mousse, along with classic scones, jam and clotted cream.
Drinks-wise, expect the best of Moët & Chandon, paired with an extensive selection of premium Jing teas on offer.
WHERE: 1901 WINE LOUNGE, 40 LIVERPOOL ST, LONDON EC2M 7QN
WEBSITE: WWW.HYATTRESTAURANTS.COM
By The Handbook