14 Magical Afternoon Tea Experiences To Book With The Kids
London is renowned for its charming afternoon tea experiences, but there’s no reason why the little ones should be left out of the fun. After all, isn’t afternoon tea really just one big children’s tea party?
Many of London’s hotels and restaurants are now serving fun-filled, magical takes on the classic British afternoon tea, offering up family-friendly menus where you can expect everything from delicious dinosaur desserts to Alice in Wonderland-inspired treats. Children have the opportunity to play ‘grown-ups’ for the day, and there are equally amazing adult versions for parents to enjoy, too.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, looking for a fun activity during the summer school holidays, or just want to treat your little one to a lovely day out, these are the best children’s afternoon teas in London.
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych
The perfect afternoon tea for those with a sweet tooth, One Aldwych’s afternoon tea concentrates on the most important ingredient of all (chocolate) with a nod to Roald Dahl’s classic story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. ‘Blue as a blueberry’ tart, strawberry chocolate coated fudge cake, scones with ‘snozzberry’ jam, and a caramel chocolate milkshake (mixed by waterfall) are just some of the scrumptious sweet treats you and the kids can expect to tuck into.
There’s a hot chocolate with whipped cream, fudge pieces and sprinkles to complete the kids’ experience, while parents will appreciate fizzy-lifting drinks like The Chocolatier, made with whisky, cherry liqueur, grapefruit juice, cherry purée and chocolate bitters, topped with Champagne.
Where: 1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ
Website: www.onealdwych.com
Jurassic Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel
One of the best themed afternoon teas in London, the Jurassic Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel is every dino-lover’s dream, with a feast of Jurassic-inspired treats to tuck in to. Inspired by the Natural History Museum, the hotel’s iconic South Kensington neighbour, it makes a perfect pitstop after a morning exploring the museum. Food is served in a dinosaur-shaped cake stand, and includes a range of delicious dino-delights – from a T-Rex foot cheese straw and a dinosaur jam sandwich, to raspberry and lemon crémeux volcano eruption, and a dark chocolate and caramel dinosaur egg nest.
Kids will wash it down with a dinosaur hot chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles, while adults can enjoy a glass of a glass of Charles Heidsieck Brut or rosé Champagne.
Where: 2 Harrington Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 3ER
Website: www.ampersandhotel.com
Jungle Book Afternoon Tea at Brown’s Hotel
If your child’s a book-lover, don’t miss out on the delicious Jungle Books Afternoon Tea at Brown’s Hotel. Youngsters can enjoy a selection of sandwiches, freshly baked scones, chocolate and almond delice, animal shaped cookie with milk chocolate dip, and chocolate lollipops.
Alongside, there’s fresh fruit juice or Brown’s hot chocolate, and you can even buy a special edition of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale, printed exclusively for Brown’s Hotel to take home with you.
Where: Ground Floor, 33 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP
Website: www.roccofortehotels.com
Wizard Afternoon Tea at The Wizard Exploratorium
The perfect treat for Harry Potter fans, the bewitching Wizard Afternoon Tea experience at The Wizard Exploratorium sees guests use working magic wands to brew interactive teas and taste fantastical treats.
Enjoy casting spells to unlock your ingredients, experimenting with tea brewing to find the perfect blend for your palette, and tucking into confectionary delights (sand-witches and desserts) to round off the magical experience. There’s two experience options for children 12 and over, and 11 and under, so the whole family will have the perfect portion size.
Where: 26 Greek St, London W1D 5DE
Website: www.wizardexploratorium.io
Little Hatters Tea at Sanderson London
Venture down the rabbit hole and experience the magic of Sanderson London’s Mad Hatter’s Tea with your little ones. Inspired by the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland and perfect for families, the Little Hatters Tea menu includes both savoury and sweet treats, from the Tweedle Brothers Choux Pastry with egg and avocado filling, to the sweet Blueberry and Hazelnut Caterpillar Èclair.
Children have a choice of delicious drinks, from strawberry and chocolate milk to hot chocolate and juice, while adults can enjoy the likes of the Cheshire Cat marmalade orange oolong tea infused with chocolate, and a glass of champagne.
Where: 50 Berners St, London W1T 3NG
Website: www.book.ennismore.com
The Science Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel
Another out-of-this-world afternoon tea from The Ampersand, the Science Afternoon Tea is inspired by the nearby Science Museum and includes a selection of inventive treats, guaranteed to keep the kids happy. There’s a rocket cheese straw, a chocolate and blackcurrant planet, a mini dinosaur biscuit with a milk chocolate fossil hidden in chocolate “soil”, and a “Spaceman” hot chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles to accompany.
The adult’s version is even more impressive, with more scence inspired sweet treats and a choice of champagne.
Where: 10 Harrington Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 3ER
Website: www.ampersandhotel.com
Bridgerton-Inspired Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough
Any Bridgerton fans can delight in The Lanesborough’s fun take. The afternoon tea has been created in partnership with Netflix and Shondaland to mark the third season of Bridgerton Season 3.
Perfect for the older kids and younger ones alike, the children’s menu includes hot chocolate with marshmallows, homemade scones with clotted Devonshire cream and an assortment of sandwiches and and Bridgerton themed pastries like Colin’s Travels, The Book of Eloise and The Lady Whistledown.
Where: Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA
Website: www.oetkercollection.com
Alice In Wonderland Afternoon Tea at The Franklin
If you and your children love Alice In Wonderland, then this special afternoon tea at The Franklin is the perfect choice. The luxury hotel has created a fantastical experience that turns floral and fruity as Spring approaches, with flavours of peach, apricot, pistachio, rhubarb and raisin.
Indulge in the Mad Hatter’s strawberry and pistachio tart, followed by a Banoffee Rabbit cake with caramel sauce; and finish off by plunging your teaspoon into the Queen Of Hearts, a light chocolate mousse with raspberries.
Where: 24 Egerton Gardens, London SW3 2DB
Website: www.collezione.starhotels.com
Flowers & Showers Afternoon Tea at Peggy Porschen
If you’re looking for a pretty-in-pink children’s afternoon tea in London, make sure you make a booking at Peggy Porschen’s Flowers & Showers afternoon tea experience. With a menu that changes seasonally, the latest offering is inspired by the long, lighter days of Spring, and the inevitable April showers that come with living in Britain.
Little ones can tuck into a menu of scrumptious treats, including honey roast ham and cheddar cheese sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a dreamy carrot and lemon cupcake. To drink, there’s a choice of pink lemonade, apple juice, or hot chocolate with mini marshmallows.
The experience for adults is just as delicious, with a wider selection of treats, loose leaf tea and sparkling drinks to enjoy.
Where: Belgravia / Chelsea
Website: www.peggyporschen.com
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Little Prince and Princess Afternoon Tea At The Rubens At The Palace
The Rubens at The Palace have adapted their traditional Afternoon Tea menu to suit every little prince and princess under 12, with delicious child-friendly bite-sized sandwiches, a selection of cakes and pastries, and a choice of milkshake, hot chocolate, tea, or soft drink.
Sandwich fillings include jam and peanut butter, ham and cheese, Nutella chocolate, and cucumber and cream cheese; traditional plain scones and honey and white chocolate scones are served alongside seasonal fruit preserves and clotted cream; and the pastry and cake selection includes a Rubens marshmallow, royal cupcake, and Rubens iced doughnuts.
Where: 39 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS
Website: www.rubenshotel.com
Claridge’s Children’s Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea at Claridge’s is nothing short of enchanting, and they also offer a child-friendly version of their iconic afternoon tea for the little ones.
The Claridge’s Children’s Afternoon Tea features traditional sandwiches for little hands, followed by Claridge’s scones, handmade pastries, and a Claridge’s hot chocolate. The menu also doubles as a colouring sheet, to keep kids entertained all afternoon.
Where: Brook Street, London W1K 4HR
Website: www.claridges.co.uk
Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at Aqua Shard
Journey to Neverland with the kids at Aqua Shard’s family-friendly Peter Pan inspired afternoon tea. Created in partnership with GOSH charity, the experience will see you enjoying sandwiches, scones, treats and beverages that all hint to the classic children’s tale.
Each savoury and sweet treat has been thoughtfully 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 topped with white icing and gold fairy dust.
Where: Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
Website: www.the-shard.com
Original Sweet Shop Afternoon Tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair
If you’re looking for a child-friendly afternoon tea with a hint of nostalgia, look no further than Chesterfield Mayfair’s Original Sweet Shop Afternoon Tea.
It’s been created in collaboration with Mr Simms Sweetshop to bring you playful pastries and cakes that bring to life all the flavours of your old sweetshop favourites. Think giant jazzies, cherry love heart cheesecake, rhubarb and custard choux buns and Coca-Cola slices that are the stuff of childhood daydreams.
Where: 35 Charles St, London W1J 5EB
Website: www.chesterfieldmayfair.com
Beano Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Rediscover the wonderful world of BEANO with Bridgit’s Bakery’s new afternoon tea bus tour.
Celebrating BEANO’s 85th birthday, the talented team has created a blamtastic menu featuring everything from the bangers & mash-up chocolate cupcake to bananamania custard tart, Dennis’ red & black dunker macaron to the berry naughty jelly baby.
They also run a Peppa Pig afternoon tea experience, perfect for fans of the nations’ favourite pig.
Where: Departs from Trafalgar Square
Website: www.b-bakery.com
