Today I want to bring you my guide to where to find the best Christmas afternoon tea in London. This beloved British tradition is a great indulgence, and the city has a lot of festive favorites during the Yuletide season. I’ve been invited to test out some of the UK capital’s offerings, and I want to share about the ones that stand out above the rest. I’ve included a map, too.
Christmas Afternoon Tea in London
The tradition of afternoon tea dates back to the 19th century. Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford, began gathering friends together for tea and cakes. Her idea started a trend that ultimately became an institution in England.
Today restaurants and hotels throughout the UK capital vie for coveted awards for the best afternoon tea in London. They work to distinguish their services and rise above the competition.
From traditional offerings to themed ones, much effort goes into creating both quintessential and quirky tea experiences. At Christmastime, they put on particularly festive extravaganzas.
Before I share my list of the best Christmas afternoon teas in London, I’ll explain my methodology. I don’t have a strict set of criteria I use for judging each one, but I do care about a number of factors.
First, the food has to taste good. A lot of afternoon teas look amazing but taste like cardboard. For me, the finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries have to delight the taste buds as much as they dazzle the eyes.
Second, the ambiance has to be festive. Whether it’s filled with Christmas trees or decked with garlands, there must be something aesthetically pleasing about it.
Third, it has to have a ‘wow’ factor. There are so many Christmas afternoon teas in London that a place really has to offer something unique to stand out.
With that out of the way, below is my list of places where you’ll find the best Christmas afternoon tea in London. I hope you think they’re as delicious as I do.
1. Shangri-La The Shard
First on my list of festive afternoon teas is the one at the Shangri-La hotel in The Shard. It takes place in Ting restaurant, and it not only has festive decorations all around, but also some of the best views of London.
Christmas afternoon tea in the iconic skyscraper isn’t just about the decorations and views, though. The offering comes with delicious sandwiches, moreish scones, and beautiful pastries. As if that’s not enough, there’s a miniature chocolate replica of The Shard.
If that all appeals, the festive offering is available until January 6, 2025. Make sure to book in advance.
2. Marriott County Hall
Next on my list of Christmas afternoon teas in London is the one in The Library at the Marriott County Hall on the South Bank. Not only does it have stunning views of Big Ben, but also beautiful Christmas trees and seasonal decor.
This afternoon tea also wins when it comes to food. Of all the ones I’ve tried, it has the most Christmassy offering. Sandwiches include turkey and cranberry, scones are flavored with cinnamon and buttermilk Christmas pudding, and cakes feature mince pies and Christmas decorations.
If that all appeals, the festive offering is available until January 5, 2025. Make sure to book in advance.
3. Fortnum & Mason
If you’ve read my Fortnum & Mason afternoon tea review, you’ll understand why I’ve put the Christmas version on this list.
The iconic department store in St James’s offers a festive tea with beautiful pastries that have cute Christmas decorations. The sandwiches, scones, and service are top-notch, too.
If that all appeals, the festive offering is available until early January 2025. Make sure to book in advance.
Map of Christmas Afternoon Teas in London
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of all the places you can find the best Christmas afternoon tea in London. You can see it here. It will give you an idea of where they are in relation to each other so you can choose the right one for you.
Christmas Afternoon Tea in London
I hope you’ve enjoyed my list of where to find the best Christmas afternoon teas in London, and that it’s inspired you to try them. Whether you choose one or all, I’m sure you’ll like the special blend of deliciousness and festive cheer they deliver on.
If you want more, you can take a look at my tea itinerary and my free self-guided London food tour, which includes afternoon tea. I’ve also written guides to the best afternoon tea in London and the top gluten-free afternoon teas in London.
If you want to do it all the proper way, my guide to afternoon tea etiquette and my blog post about the British tea culture are must-reads.
If you want to dig deeper, you can read my posts about traditional English dishes, the most classic English desserts, and English drinks.
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