Unlock your inner child this summer and journey to Neverland with Aqua Shard’s Peter Pan inspired afternoon tea. Created in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, the experience will see you enjoying sandwiches, scones, treats and beverages all that hint to the children’s classic tale.  Each part has been carefully chosen and named after the colourful characters in the story, from ‘The Lostboys’ roasted chicken, crispy bacon, mayonnaise and mustard sandwiches to the ‘Tinker-Bell’ sweet pastry biscuit that’s topped with white icing and gold fairy dust.  For those wanting to add an alcoholic element to the experience, try one of the two cocktails on offer. The ‘Fairy Dust’, made up of mint and cucumber Ketel One, apple liqueur, ginger switchel, Kaffir lime leaf powder, Absinthe and gold fairy dust, is simply delicious. The tea is also available for delivery.

While you might not be zipping off further afield on the Eurostar, take this time to explore the best of the city with Searcys stylish staycation afternoon tea offering. Available daily from 3-5pm, the afternoon comes complete with delicious savouries, freshly baked scones topped with strawberry preserve and clotted cream, and sweet delicacies, including a passion fruit eclair and yuzu chocolate tart. One up the experience and upgrade with a glass of Veuve Clicquot.

From cocktails to champagne, sandwiches to scones, there’s something everyone will enjoy on the afternoon tea menu at The Stafford.  Home to London’s finest courtyard dining destination, The Stafford also boasts a great afternoon tea selection in The Game Bird. The sweet selection has been inspired by some of St James’s oldest boutiques. Think Lock & Co, Floris, James J. Fox, Henry Poole & Co and Foster & Son.  Enjoy bites to eat such as honey-roast Wiltshire ham and mustard sandwiches; Foster & Son’s chocolate shoe horn; Lock & Co white chocolate and lime ‘top hat’; and sweet and savoury scone options too.

It’s not everyday your two favourite restos collide but luckily for us, ours have.  The Lanesborough has partnered with Peggy Porschen for an afternoon tea that encompasses the millennial phrase ‘pretty in pink’ to its fullest. Served up under the domed glass roof in the Michelin-starred restaurant, Céleste, the afternoon tea will be bringing Peggy Porschen’s pastel-hues, floral facets and a whole lot of Instagrammable delights that you’ll simply adore.

For a quintessentially British experience, abrim with all of the glamour, allure and luxury, it’s got to be Claridge’s.  Available in The Foyer and Reading Room from 17th May, Claridge’s afternoon tea celebrates the best of afternoon tea traditions and elevates them further with a little touch of Claridge’s creativity. Head here for delights such as Scottish salmon and pastries that are bursting with fruits of the season

A favourite amongst the ‘grammers, Sketch is home to Michelin-star dining, London’s most talked about loos and next level afternoon tea.  Located in the gloriously pink Gallery, their afternoon tea often comes complete with a live classic string trio performing as you munch through the delicacies on offer. Enjoy an assortment of sandwiches, sweets and scones, just make sure you snap up an Insta (or ten) for the ‘gram before diving in.

High above the clouds sits TĪNG, one of the Shangri-La’s restaurants, and their afternoon tea offering inspired by the humble British picnic.  Overlook London’s skyline and sample finger sandwiches filled with cucumber and cream cheese; sage and onion sausage rolls; asparagus and goat’s cheese quiche; and smoked salmon. Leave space for the sweets that come complete with carrot cake; a bramble and lime ‘lollipop’; sheep’s yoghurt; and Yorkshire rhubarb mousse.

Afternoon tea doesn’t get better or quite more quintessentially British than at The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon in Fortnum & Mason.  What once started life as an apartment for the Fortnum family, before overtime becoming an interior decorating department, antiques department and a restaurant (spread across various periods), has since transformed into the place to head for the timeless tradition of afternoon tea.  It’s here you’ll find expert afternoon tea that’s both dazzling and traditional

Expect only the finest when you embark on an afternoon tea date at Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square.  Located in the Rotunda, the Crown Jewels Afternoon Tea, reimagined by new Executive Pastry Chef Sylvain Goujon will take centre stage. The menu will comprise of patisserie delights, such as The Ruby, a chocolate shortbread with mint infused chocolate ganache and a cherry confit; The Crown with flavours of peach, verbena and yuzu; and The Coin, a combination of salted caramel and milk chocolate mousse infused with tonka bean. 

Afternoon tea never looked so sweet. Brigit’s Bakery has become a popular destination for those wanting an afternoon tea experience with a difference. Explore the sites of London via bus as you tuck into delicious sweet treats on the Brigit’s Bakery Classic Afternoon Tea Bus London Tour.  You’ll be zipping past all of the city’s finest landmarks, cultural areas and delving into its history all while sipping on a cuppa and enjoying the unique tastes of France in petite pastry form.  They offer various dietary options from vegan to vegetarian, halal to gluten free

Created using the finest ingredients, many of which come directly from Royal Warrant holders who supply goods to The Queen, The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences’ afternoon tea offering is as royal, luxurious and delicious as it comes.  Sample sandwiches such as hot smoked salmon, spring onion and lemon sour cream; and roast beef and horseradish relish, and homemade sweets such as clementine and Prosecco trifle; raspberry pavlova; and chocolate profiterole.  Boasting a traditional, vegan, gluten free and vegetarian menu, there’s something for everyone here

Searcys at the Gherkin will reopen from 17th May, bringing with it the return of their afternoon tea offering, high up in the clouds.  Served from 3-5pm during the week, you can enjoy sweet and savoury options, as well as piling your plate with freshly baked scones. Served alongside a glass of Moët & Chandon, this is the ultimate afternoon tea experience.

Scheduled to open late summer 2021, Pan Pacific London is set to open with five innovative new hospitality offerings, one of which being The Orchid Lounge which boasts afternoon tea.  Created by TV personality judge and award-winning Executive Pastry Chef, Cherish Finden, the two serene afternoon teas here will take the popular treat to new heights. For traditional offerings, opt for the quintessentially British sandwiches, scones and patisseries, or mix it up and sample the Singaporean-inspired Kopi Tiam. This will celebrate bao, dim sum and choux.

Sure, afternoon tea is good, but bottomless afternoon tea is better. Borough Market’s finest restaurant establishment, Roast offers just that. Book in and enjoy dishes such as Pimms trifle shots; golden lemon meringue tart; homemade eclairs; billionaire cake; house scones; and a moreish selection of finger sandwiches too. Yum