CLARIDGE’S
Served in its signature mint green-and-white-striped fine bone china, Claridge’s afternoon tea is a regal affair – quite literally, given the number of royal guests who have stayed at the hotel. The Traditional Afternoon Tea features delicate layers of Severn & Wye smoked salmon sprinkled with lemon zest, honey roasted Dorrington ham, slices of organic cucumber and, of course, golden scones. The hotel’s tea connoisseur, Henrietta Lovell, will select the ideal pairing or, for that special occasion – it is Afternoon Tea Week, after all – enjoy with a glass of Billecart-Salmon champagne.
Traditional Afternoon Tea, £95 per person; Champagne Afternoon Tea, £110 per person; book now
THE BILTMORE MAYFAIR
Looking for something a little bit different? Introducing London Meets Dubai: Summer Afternoon Tea 2025. Inspired by the rising trend for Dubai’s artisanal desserts, The Foliage Lounge’s afternoon tea is full of Middle Eastern flavour. Indulge in its Pistachio Dusk Dubai Chocolate Cake (jivara milk chocolate mousse and crispy pistachios), Rose of the Emirati (vanilla sponge cake with fruity and floral rose and raspberry ganache) and The Palm Purse (an almond and lime frangipane with strawberry gel and creamy vanilla ganache). Available until 21 September, you can also expect lobster rolls, whipped burrata and white chocolate and lemon scones. Bliss.
London Meets Dubai: Summer Afternoon Tea, £80 per person; book now
BROWN’S HOTEL
Take refuge in one of the polished wooden alcoves in the Drawing Room at Brown’s Hotel for a summertime selection. The Summer Afternoon Tea has all the afternoon tea regulars, alongside an exquisite pastry menu: earl grey gâteau opera cake; strawberry and crowdie mousse; tropézienne with crème diplomat and gariguette strawberries; cherry bakewell tart; chocolate layers.
Summer Afternoon Tea, £80 per person; with a glass of Moët & Chandon Brut, £92 per person; book now
FORTNUM & MASON
For over a decade, Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon has dedicated itself to the art of afternoon tea. Tea sommeliers help you navigate your way through 50 different teas. Exclusively for the month of August, Tales Over Tea returns to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week. An interactive adventure with red-coated storytellers, this children’s afternoon tea follows Harriet the Hedgehog and the case of the missing Fortnum Knickerbocker Glory sundae. Small guests can expect a selection of sandwiches, fruit-dotted scones and novelty cakes, while the adults savour their finest tea blends and Fortnum scones.
Tales Over Tea, £65, standard ticket for an adult and child; book now