5 Great Places for Afternoon Tea in London

If you want to enjoy something quintessential British, you will not find anything much more fitting than enjoying Afternoon Tea in central London. From the traditional spread like scones with jam and cream or cucumber sandwiches to more modern takes, London is bountiful when it comes to choices of great places to enjoy afternoon tea.

Scoff & Banter

Tucked away just off Oxford Street, you will find an unperturbed little retreat serving the very best in quintessentially British afternoon tea, whatever the time. Scoff & Banter Tea Rooms can be found in the Edwardian Berkshire hotel, located near Bond Street tube station.

Scoff & Banter isn't your run-of-the-mill experience; the Tea Rooms menu encompasses 4 sections and caters for every taste and appetite. Starting with a choice of 2 hot dishes, why not give the spiced scallops and Oysters Rockerfeller a go, or even the delicious Seville orange and Valrhona chocolate scones. If that doesn't whet your pallet, how about a croque-madame and smoked salmon bagel and for the grand finale? Sample the sweet strawberry tart and dark chocolate creme Chantilly. Don't forget, you can wash these all down with a lovely glass (or 2) of champagne.

The Langham

Located in the heart of the West End, the five star Langham Hotel is one of London's most desirable addresses and has been serving the finest Afternoon tea since 1865. So if you find yourself torn between Oxford Street and Regent Street and need a break from a hard days shopping, the Langham is positioned at the top end of Regent Street.

Afternoon tea is served in Palm Court, which is the height of sophistication, reflected in the marble floors, the lavender and sage leather chairs and fresh flowers at every corner. If tea is your penchant then you are in luck. The Langham have collaborated with the Rare Tea Company to create a special tea pairing menu designed to perfectly compliment each course of your Afternoon Tea.

So if you are looking for Afternoon tea with history and tradition, head to the Langham Hotel, where Afternoon tea was born over 150 years ago.

Mad Hatters Tea at the Sanderson

Whilst Afternoon teas are generally quintessentially British, why not try something a little different and head down the rabbit hole and discover a tea party like no other. The Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson puts a delightful twist on the usually traditional British fest.

You can discover menus hidden inside vintage books, teapots festooned with kings and queens, sandwich plates decorated with birdcages, carousels and ticking clocks upon which mouth-watering delights such as a pile of King of Hearts parmesan croque-monsieur, delectable scones and decadent smoked salmon Scotch quails eggs with caviar and cream cheese.

The Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea is delightfully paired with an Alice-inspired tea infusions that are full of flavour and will make your experience down the rabbit hole-one that you will never forget.

The Tea Terrace (at House of Fraser Oxford Street)

Located in one of the major department stores in the heart of Oxford Street and found on the 5th floor of House of Fraser, is a quirky tearoom with pastel-coloured walls and upholstered chairs.

The Tea Terrace, since opening in 2010 have served over 2 million customers, so if you are looking for an Afternoon tea to feel a bit like Royalty, but don't quite fancy all that comes with it, The Tea Terrace is a charming new way to get the royal treatment and not having to spend an arm and a leg to get it; you can sip on prosecco and nibble at the most delightful afternoon tea they have to offer.

If that isn't quite fancy enough, then you are in luck. The Tea Terrace offer an option with tea in the Cinderella Carriage so you can unleash that inner Prince or Princess in true style. Head to House of Fraser on Oxford Street and escape city life and sit back, relax in the uber-comfy carriage whilst the attentive waiters see to your grazing and watering needs.

Hush

If you are Ginenthusiast, then GIN AND JAM is, well, your jam. After a hard day of shopping around Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street why not escape the West End hoards and head to the tranquillity of Hush Mayfair s cobbled courtyard for Gin & Jam Afternoon Tea.

Hush Mayfair is located by Oxford Street tube station, and decorated and designed to reflect a 1930s ocean liner interior, ready to enjoy your afternoon tea with a "jammy" difference. Hush's Gin & Jam Tea features the usual classic tea-time treats, including chic finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of sweet treats including Raspberry Ripple Lollipops and Passion Fruit Jaffa Cake. Whilst enjoying all the delectable edible treats, you can sip away with a selection of artisan Loose Leaf Teas blended in France in collaboration with M.Jacobs - Bespoke Purveyors of Fine Coffees and Teas.

If you are eager to find out more about the infused Gin part of the Gin and Jam Afternoon Tea, all the cocktails feature Hush's London-distilled boutique gin. Each cocktail has been designed to reflect the more unusual features of the Hush gin, whose flavours include Jasmine lotus, Tonka beans and lavender, each one paired with a jam base created exclusively for Hush by Wendy Brandon, who has been making handmade jams and preserves in the UK for over 30 years.

So, whether you are shopping at some of Oxford Streets most desirable department stores, Debenhams, Selfridges, John Lewis or House of Fraser or just enjoying the scenery, an afternoon tea will always make the experience just that little bit more enjoyable.