Where to Enjoy Afternoon Tea

The Oxo Tower’s famous rooftop restaurant serves up a chic high tea experience with all the trimmings. Soak up the delightful view across the river to the dome of St Paul’s while enjoying a generous and colourful spread of sweet and savoury bites, and perhaps a glass of Harvey Nicols Champagne to toast the occasion.

Classics like coronation chicken sandwiches, buttermilk scones with jam and cream and an elegant layered honey sponge, share a stand with clever contemporary bites such as St George’s mushroom éclairs, Dorset crab brioche rolls and an Isle of White blue cheese, buttermilk and rosemary shortbread served with kumquat marmalade.

Dishes change with the seasons, with inventive new nibbles making their way onto the towering display. A vegetarian afternoon tea is also available (make sure to specify when booking).

Available: Daily from 3pm–4pm (3:30pm–4:30pm on Sundays)
Cost: From £40
Reservations: Make a booking online here

The Twits Afternoon Tea

Treat the kids at this whimsical Roald Dahl afternoon tea experience

Muggle-Wump brownies, Jam Roly-Poly sponge and Trick or Twit scones - enter into the story of The Twits with this brand-new themed Afternoon Tea at the Marriott County Hall inspired by the iconic Roald Dahl book. The interior of the tea room is a celebration of The Twits story and characters, with nods to their eccentric and tricksy ways decorating the surroundings.

With a menu for both adults and children, guests can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea filled with tasty twists and tricks, inspired by some of Mr and Mrs Twit’s most memorable moments including Mrs Twit’s Bird Pie and a culinary exploration of Mr Twit’s beard across three separate savouries. To drink there's a selection of teas or add a glass of champagne and for children there’s Skillywiggler Lemonade with Frogspawn (lemonade with apple pearls) or Roly-Poly Berry Juice (berry milkshake with white chocolate feather). Kids also get their own activity book packed with puzzles inspired by Mr Twit's beard and Mrs Twit's many balloons.

Cost: £45 for kids, from £65 for adults
Reservations: Available daily until 30 Dec. Book online here.

The Library at County Hall

Elegant riverside venue serving up unrivaled Big Ben view in historic surrounds

If a British High Tea for you is all about that old-fashioned refined atmosphere, dainty scones and the best selections of teas, this is the venue for you. The setting is the London Marriott Hotel County Hall’s Edwardian-styled wood-panelled Library in the historic County Hall building that looks straight onto Westminster Bridge and Big Ben. You can even hear those famous ‘bongs’ while you tuck into your sandwiches!

The Library makes the very best of locally sourced ingredients in its afternoon tea spread; sandwiches are made with cured salmon from London’s oldest smokers H Forman & Son and Burford Brown eggs from the exclusive Clarence Court. On the sweet side, the pastries are whimsically beautiful referencing the clockface and architecture of the iconic Elizabeth Tower – the rhubarb and rose panna cotta Big Ben is an Insta favourite that tastes as good as it looks.

For tea connoisseurs, don’t miss the option to upgrade to the Rare and Limited tea selection where you can try single-origin and single-harvest (micro-batch) teas produced by independent artisan farmers. A vegan afternoon tea is also available (make sure to specify when booking).

Cost: From £65
Reservations: Make a booking online here

Afternoon Tea at the London Eye Lounge

A classic afternoon tea experience, served in a prime location right behind the London Eye