Nothing says I love you like spending time together over delicious finger sandwiches, scones and desserts. Whether you’re looking to treat your mum, nan, aunt or another leading lady in your life, there’s a whole host of London hotels and beautiful restaurants offering some fabulous Mother’s Day afternoon tea experiences this year.
From afternoon teas with an oriental twist, to classic teas in the grandest of locations, these are the best places to go for Mother’s Day afternoon tea that will appease mum to no end – a cup of tea always sorts everything out after all.
The Best Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea For 2023
The Lane
One for the theatre-loving mums, treat her to an indulgent Mother’s Day afternoon tea at one of London’s most iconic venues. Theatre Royal Drury Lane’s beautifully restored Grand Saloon, a marble-lined Regency room, featuring twinkling chandeliers and a fine art collection, is a setting fit for a queen, and Lily Vanilli has created the most beautiful Regency Afternoon Tea to match.
Enjoy tea by the Rare Tea Company, before starting with a puff pastry sausage roll packed with Cornish sausage meat; madeleines topped with lapsang-souchong glazed salmon and pickled fennel; and bitesize cannelés topped with smooth goats cheese and pickled beetroot. Delicious warm scones are paired with salted whipped butter, homemade jam and cream, before finishing off with a decadent sweet selection, including Lily Vanilli’s signature layered chocolate sponge cake decorated with pink icing, fresh strawberries and pink and red icing flowers.
For an extra special gift, bespoke fine bone china tea set designed by Kit and Willow Kemp is available to buy from The Lane’s shop so you can take a piece of the magic home.
Where: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JF
Website: www.thelane.co.uk
RAILS Restaurant at Great Northern Hotel
This Mother’s Day, take a seat in chic RAILS Restaurant for an elegant afternoon tea to remember. Toast the day with a glass of Nyetimber Sparkling Wine, and tuck into savoury delicacies including classic finger sandwiches and cheese gougères.
For something sweet, there’s homemade scones with a selection of fruit preserves and lashings of Cornish clotted cream; and a white chocolate ganache macaron. Priced from £43 per person, it’s available exclusively across Mothering Sunday weekend.
Where: Pancras Rd, London N1C 4TB
Website: www.gnhlondon.com
The Orchid Lounge at Pan Pacific London
Be dazzled by an afternoon tea with an oriental twist at The Orchid Lounge at Pan Pacific London. Created by Executive Pastry Chef Cherish Finden, in partnership with Diptyque, expect a mandarin and white chocolate mousse with orange marmalade; Chinese savoury choices like crispy wonton with aromatic duck and tofu; and a lobster bun and Kaya toast.
Afternoon tea is £78pp, or add a glass of English sparkling wine for £88pp. There’s also a spa on site if you really feel like treating mum this year!
Where: 80 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AB
Website: www.panpacificlondon.com
116 Pall Mall
Is your mum a fan of arts and crafts? If so, this arty afternoon tea and art class at 116 Pall Mall is an experience she won’t forget. Paintbrushes at the ready, you’ll learn the skills to create your own painting, followed by an indulgent Confectioner’s Champagne Afternoon Tea, featuring a selection of savouries, including a Smoked salmon rillette, alongside freshly baked scones and pastries.
Prices are £65 per person for this special option, set in the magnificent Morning Room of 116 Pall Mall.
Where: 116 Pall Mall, St. James’s, London SW1Y 5ED
Website: www.116pallmall.com
Tipsy Tea at Sanderson
Merging two of our favourite things – tea and tipples – Sanderson London has turned them into one fantastic afternoon tea for both cocktail and food lovers. The Tipsy Tea offers a splendid feast of sandwiches, sushi and alcohol-based sweets, complete with homemade wild mushroom arancini with aioli; salmon nigiri; and Bailey’s homemade truffle.
You’ll also get a choice of three cocktails – including Wonderland with jasmine-infused gin, lychee liquor, pink grapefruit, fresh lime, bergamot and tonic water; and The Forbidden Crown with amoretto disaronno, fair passionfruit liquor, orange bitters and prosecco.
Where: 50 Berners St, London W1T 3NG
Website: www.book.ennismore.com
Indigo at One Aldwych
Indigo’s Afternoon Tea menu is the perfect way to treat your mum this Mother’s Day. Served in the bright and beautiful restaurant at the heart of the hotel, the non-traditional afternoon tea menu has been created by Chef Dominic Teague to bring a touch of the unexpected to a time-honoured British tradition.
Twists on classics include smoked salmon and cucumber under the guise of a light mousse; roast beef and watercress mayonnaise on a horseradish cracker; and chocolate and salted caramel scones. Afternoon tea is priced at £64, but you can also add a glass of English sparkling wine or tea time cocktail (£77), champagne (£84), or rosé champagne (£90).
Where: 1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ
Website: www.onealdwych.com
Shangri-La The Shard
Create unforgettable memories in the clouds this Mother’s Day with a spring-inspired Skyline Afternoon Tea at the wisteria clad TĪNG Lounge at Shangri-La The Shard, ffeaturing a show-stopping miniature white chocolate and passion fruit Shard building for two to share.
Perfectly paired with fragrant rosebud tea, a selection of finger sandwiches will be served including coronation chicken, smoked salmon and cucumber, classic Reuben and truffle egg and cress. Savouries such as beetroot heart with hibiscus powder, and prawn cocktail with Marie Rose will follow. Freshly baked sweet and savoury scones accompanied by strawberry jam and clotted cream will lead into a selection of specially curated desserts including elderflower sponge with strawberry cream and jelly, pistachio profiterole and a heart-shaped pastry filled with white chocolate mousse.
The Spring-inspired Skyline Afternoon Tea is priced from £71 per person, or £81 with a glass of Champagne.
Where: Level 35, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU
Website: www.ting-shangri-la.com
108 Brasserie at The Marylebone Hotel
This Mother’s Day, 108 Brasserie at The Marylebone Hotel invites motherly figures to celebrate in style with their latest afternoon tea partnership. In collaboration with the award-winning local hair salon Gielly Green, mums can sit back, relax and enjoy a well-deserved luxurious Kerastase hair treatment and blow-dry from one of the salons expert stylists before taking a short stroll to The Marylebone Hotel for a post-pamper afternoon tea.
Starting with a bubbly glass of English Sparkling wine, there’ll be a scrumptious selection of delicious sandwiches, scones and sweets including favourites like raspberry macaroons, Scottish smoked salmon, tiger prawn and cream cheese sandwiches and slow roasted Czar plum tart. With hair done and appetites satisfied, you’ll return home with tea samples from organic tea experts Tea Lab.
Where: 108 Marylebone Ln, London W1U 2QE
Website: www.108brasserie.com
The Game Bird at The Stafford
Luxury hotel The Stafford offers the perfect spot to relax, unwind and enjoy afternoon tea with mum this Mother’s Day. Served in The Game Bird restaurant, the decadent afternoon tea takes you on a journey around historic St James’s and its secluded streets. Finger sandwiches and delicious homemade sweet and savoury scones are accompanied by dainty cakes and pastries inspired by some of St James’s oldest boutiques: Lock & Co, Floris, James J. Fox, Henry Poole & Co and Foster & Son.
To accompany, there’s a fine choice from Camellia’s Tea House, or enjoy a chilled glass of Champagne to celebrate Mother’s Day in style.
Where: The Stafford, 16-18, St James’s Pl, St. James’s, London SW1A 1NJ
Website: www.thestaffordlondon.com
The Montague On The Gardens
Treat your Mum to the ultimate indulgence this Mother’s Day with an Afternoon Tea at The Montague, complete with a delicious, expertly prepared cocktail specially curated for the occasion.
The experience consists of delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones served with rich Cornish clotted cream and homemade strawberry preserve, along with a selection of seasonal pastries for £65 per person.
Where: 15 Montague St, London WC1B 5BJ
Website: www.montaguehotel.com
The Milestone Hotel and Residences
Treat your Mum to a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and hand-crafted French pastries, tartlets and cakes this Mother’s Day for the ultimate indulgence.
Expect an unforgettable array of goodies, including Mrs T’s Baked Vanilla Cheesecake, Apple Crumble Tartlet, and a Pear & Speculoos Choux Bun. Ideal for mums who love a traditional afternoon tea, just opposite Kensington Palace and Gardens.
Where: 1-3 Kensington Ct, London W8 5PG
Website: www.milestonehotel.com
Corinthia London
In true Corinthia style, this Mother’s Day afternoon tea is utterly luxurious and wonderfully decadent. Served on the iconic red and gold Richard Brendon teaset, under the warming glow of 1,001 Baccarat crystals, guests can expect finger sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats including lemon drizzle cake, pecan brownie, rhubarb and orange tartlet, and milk chocolate and salted caramel mousse.
If you’re looking to treat mum to the ultimate decadence, there’s a champagne and caviar afternoon tea option, too.
Where: Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD
Website: www.corinthia.com
The Rubens Hotel
You’ll struggle to find a more regal setting for Mother’s Day than at The Rubens, with views overlooking Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews, and an afternoon tea that ticks all the right boxes.
There are sweet and savoury goodies ranging from smoked salmon and chive cream cheese on sundried tomato bread, to ‘The Crown’ – a rooibos and honey cheesecake with ginger biscuit. Complete with a glass of Lanson Champagne, there’s no better place to treat your mum like the queen she is.
Where: 39 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS
Website: www.rubenshotel.com
Home House
Celebrate in style with a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea in The Drawing Rooms at Home House. Enjoy a glass of Hattingley Valley rosé sparkling wine, followed by a selection of savoury sandwiches includes egg mayonnaise and brioche roll, smoked salmon and avocado on pumpernickel, and ham and cheese finger sandwiches with mustard mayonnaise. Savour sweet treats like a hazelnut praline choux bun, passion fruit and raspberry tart, and a
chocolate and salted caramel bar, as well as the obligatory fruit and plain scones with Cornish clotted cream and jam. There’s also a sophisticated tea selection by Whittard of Chelsea, including teas like Chelsea Garden white tea from China, and Spiced chai flavoured black tea from India.
All mothers will be treated to a special gift on the day, while enjoying live music in The Drawing Rooms throughout the afternoon.
Where: 20 Portman Square, London W1H 6LW
Website: www.homehouse.co.uk
Mariage Frères
Spoil the special woman in your life with a trip to Mariage Frères’ stunning Salon de Thé in the heart of Covent Garden. Select from over 1,000 aromatic varieties of tea, including the iconic Marco Polo, before indulging into a luxury Parisian Afternoon Tea complete with scones, smoked salmon sandwiches infused with Paris Marais tea, and perfect patisserie made fresh each day.
The Parisian Afternoon Tea costs £50pp and can be upgraded with a glass of champagne for an additional £12. Cheers to that!
Where: 38 King St, London WC2E 8JS
Website: www.opentable.co.uk
The Egerton House Hotel
The Egerton House Hotel’s afternoon tea is a gorgeous choice for mums, featuring all the usual dainty and delicious finger sandwiches, miniature desserts and warm scones, plus a selection of fragrant JING Tea.
Expect to tuck into Best of British desserts, including chequered Battenburg, Lanson trifle, and coffee and walnut cake.
Where: 17-19 Egerton Terrace, London SW3 2BX
Website: www.egertonhousehotel.com
Swan London
Swan London with be putting on a special Mother’s Day offering for the big day, serving a stunning Midsummer Night’s Dream-inspired afternoon tea. Treat her to an afternoon filled with sweet treats, golden sultana scones and savouries, including Scottish smoked salmon, dill and lemon scented cream cheese on farmhouse bread; and Kentish chicken and wholegrain mustard served in a brioche navette.
Each tea can also be accompanied by cocktails like Elder Beauty (elderflower vodka, Chambord, and english sparkling) and Love Potion (early grey infused Bombay Sapphire, honey, blackberry puree, and prosecco). Afterwards, enjoy walking along the Thames and soaking up the views.
Where: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
Website: www.swanlondon.co.uk
The Franklin
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a special Alice In Wonderland inspired Afternoon Tea at The Franklin. The afternoon tea turns floral and fruity as Spring approaches, with flavours of peach, apricot, pistachio, rhubarb and raisin.
Indulge in the Mad Hatter’s strawberry tart, followed by a White Rabbit and Blue Caterpillar-topped cupcake; and finish off by plunging your teaspoon in a fluffy peach and vanilla cheesecake.
Where: 24 Egerton Gardens, London SW3 2DB
Website: www.collezione.starhotels.com
Great Fosters
Boasting elegance and indulgence, an afternoon tea escape to Great Fosters is a great shout for Mother’s Day, and it’s only 40 minutes by train from London. Served in the majestic Tithe Barn and beautiful Orangery, tuck into scrumptious, delicately crafted sandwiches, warm baked scones and delicious sweet treats, accompanied by the finest selection of artisan tea.
Each mum will receive a gift on the day, and there’ll also be face painting and card making for the younger visitors, too.
Where: Stroude Rd, Egham TW20 9UR
Website: www.alexanderhotels.co.uk
Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences
Set within Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, the Jasmine Indian Afternoon Tea is the ideal Mothers day dining experience with a twist on the traditional – evoking the rich traditions of Indian dining.
On the day, there’ll be a selection of zesty savouries, fragrant sweets and scones, including the likes of an Aloo Bonda Mango Chutney Bun; Gajar Halwa Ricotta Crumble; and Saffron & Elaichi Scone, Elaichi Clotted Cream and Rose Jam. It’s £75 per person, or £90 with half a bottle of prosecco.
Want to bring the little ones? They’ll get 50% off.
Where: 51 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AF
Website: www.taj51buckinghamgate.co.uk
Barnett Hill
Barnett Hill really is as beautiful and cosy as it looks, making it the perfect place to treat your mum to an afternoon tea for Mother’s Day.
Set in the stunning surroundings of the Surrey Hills, indulge in the likes of cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, fruit scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, a mini lemon drizzle loaf, belgian chocolate brownie and of course, a generous tipple of champagne.
Where: Blackheath Ln, Wonersh, Guildford GU5 0RF
Website: www.alexanderhotels.co.uk
1901 Wine Lounge
For Mother’s Day, 1901 Wine Lounge are rolling out a special afternoon tea experience in partnership with Moët & Chandon. Surrounded by elegant interiors and comfort at its finest, you’ll enjoy an elegant display of savoury and sweet delicacies including gravlax salmon, cream cheese, avocado and dill cress, and raspberry and rose mousse, along with classic scones, jam and clotted cream.
Drinks-wise, expect the best of Moët & Chandon, paired with an extensive selection of premium Jing teas on offer.
Where: 1901 Wine Lounge, 40 Liverpool St, London EC2M 7QN
Website: www.hyattrestaurants.com
The Palm Court at Sheraton Grand London Park Lane
One of the best traditional afternoon teas in London, treat her to tea in art deco surroundings at one of London’s most iconic hotels. The beautifully designed Palm Court with its original panelling, stained-glass windows, and exquisite 1920s-styled murals is a setting sure to impress, and the afternoon tea is just as wonderful.
Enjoy tea by Newby Tea, before tucking into four cakes made specially by the pastry team, along with a delicious selection of sandwiches and freshly baked plain and golden raisin scones served with homemade selection of seasonal preserves and clotted cream – all elegantly presented within the ‘birdcage’ cake stand.
Where: Piccadilly, London W1J 7BX
Website: www.palmcourtlondon.co.uk
The Lanesborough
The Lanesborough’s Meadow Afternoon Tea menu is the perfect way to treat your mum this Mother’s Day. Served in the bright and beautiful dining room with domed glass roof and softly lit chandeliers, the limited-edition afternoon tea menu has been carefully crafted by The Lanesborough’s Head Pastry Chef, Salvatore Mungiovino, and it’s utterly Instagrammable – paying tribute to the flora and fauna found in the surrounding Royal Parks.
Five signature sweet treats include The Chamomile Daisy – a chamomile bavarois with an almond crunch biscuit base and mango cremeaux; The Apple Blossom an apple mascarpone mousse and caramel apple compote, beautifully decorated with fresh apple blossom; and The White Chocolate and Honeybee – a bee shaped cake incorporating white chocolate and yoghurt with a heather honey ganache.
Afternoon tea is priced at £68 per person, but you can also add an Elderflower & Jasmine Daisy Cocktail (£82), or a glass of champagne (£85).
Where: Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA
Website: www.oetkercollection.com
Aqua Shard
Journey to Neverland with your mum this Mother’s Day with Aqua Shard’s 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 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.
Where: LEVEL 31 THE SHARD, 31 ST. THOMAS STREET, SE1 9RY
Website: WWW.AQUASHARD.CO.UK
Hithe + Seek
Fancy treating Mum to tea with a view of the Thames? Book in for afternoon tea at Westin London City where for one day only it’ll be served in the beautiful surroundings of Hithe + Seek.
Enjoy a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, scones and pastries, and wash it all down with a 125ml glass of Taittinger Rosé Champagne (and tea of course).
Where: 60 Upper Thames St., London EC4V 3AD
Website: www.hitheandseek.com
