Christmas is just around the corner, and with that comes the time of year to fill the diary with those super sparkly outings; so be sure to ready yourself for a truly enchanting offering this Christmas, and prepare to indulge in a selection of festive afternoon teas from some of London’s most luxurious hotels and restaurants.
As we all know, afternoon tea makes for the perfect opportunity to celebrate a special occasion, or simply an excuse to indulge in precious time with your best friends or family members at Christmas time!
The Carlton Tower Jumeirah
Possibly the healthiest afternoon tea on this list, The Carlton Tower Jumeirah in Knightsbridge has created a delectable array of French festive treats, all without refined sugar. Hosted in the hotel’s cosy Chinoiserie Tea Room and curated by world renowned Pastry Chef Jessica Prealpato, who has added a Christmas sparkle to her naturalité concept.
Jessica Prealpato is the originator of the concept of Desseralité – a mixture of the word’s dessert and naturalité, a concept developed by Alain Ducasse whom Jessica has worked with since 2015. Jessica has created a festive iteration of her afternoon tea inspired by the Botanics and flora of iconic Kew Gardens and true to her signature style, Jessica preserves and enhances the natural flavours of whole fruits by adding a carefully selected layer of flavours without compromising the key ingredient and it’s natural taste. We particularly enjoyed the scone tasting-board with five different types of scones with accompanying jams, curds and spreads.
The festive afternoon tea is £75pp and is served daily until 5 January 2023.
1 Cadogan Pl, London SW1X 9PY
Langham Hotel
This year, The Langham London is celebrating the joy and hope the festive season brings whilst putting a special emphasis on the universal language that binds us all – Music. Music has the ability to makes us smile, it brings people together and is capable of reminding us of our fondest memories. In line with the musical theme, The Langham’s festive tea is based on A Christmas Carol. Savour delicious patisserie, scrumptious scones and flavoursome sandwiches and for a touch of extra luxury treat yourself to a glass of Taittinger Champagne.
Enjoy the elegant setting of Palm Court, while savouring delicious patisserie, scrumptious scones and flavoursome sandwiches. For a touch of extra luxury you can treat yourself to a glass of Taittinger Champagne, which complements this quintessentially British dining experience to perfection. Younger guests are also very welcome and will be delighted by The Langham Children’s Afternoon Tea that includes intriguing sandwiches, surprising sweet treats and fun drinks.
Available from 1 January 2023 and priced at £90pp for adults, and £45pp for children.
1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA
The Ritz
During the Christmas season, The Ritz, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, will be serving their legendary afternoon tea in The Ritz Club, a magical space that used to be The Ritz’s private members club, which will be transformed into an Edwardian winter wonderland. Rich red and gold trimmings and a lavishly-decorated Christmas tree will make it feel both enchanting and cosy.
The Ritz’s Traditional Afternoon Tea will be given a festive twist with Santa-hatted choux buns, frosted mini-yule logs and snowflake entremets, alongside servings of delicate finger sandwiches, mince pies, and freshly made scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam, all accompanied by the glorious sounds of The Ritz choir singing much-loved carols.
Each adult will receive a glass of Barons de Rothschild “Reserve Ritz” Brut NV Champagne and each child a Ritz teddy bear. On Christmas Day, Father Christmas will make a special visit to The Ritz, with presents for all the lucky children.
Christmas Afternoon Tea is £102 per adult and £60 per child (up to 15 years old).
150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9BR
Claridge’s Hotel
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as Claridge’s Festive Afternoon Tea returns for 2022. Delicate finger sandwiches are elevated for the festive period, while hand-crafted sweet treats come adorned with charming designs and seasonal flavours.
The Claridge’s Christmas pudding is an additional celebratory course, stirred to perfection by the whole pastry team in an annual ritual that dates back over 100 years. Complete with decked halls and weekend performances from The Southend Children’s Choir on Saturdays and Sundays to accompany your afternoon tea sitting, this limited-edition menu is an ode to tradition.
Served until 2 January 2023, Claridge’s Festive Afternoon Tea is priced at £95 per person on weekdays and £100 on Saturday and Sunday and £50 for children.
Claridge’s, Brook Street, London W1K 4HR
Brown’s Mayfair
This year Brown’s Mayfair are celebrating their 185th anniversary. As the city twinkles under a canopy of colourful lights, Brown’s will also be sparkling bright this winter thanks to David Morris, The London Jeweller. From treasures hidden in menus to surprises tucked under your bed, spot shimmering decorations and treats designed with the jeweller across Brown’s hotel. But that’s not all that’s sparkling this Christmas, as Brown’s are offering a decadent festive afternoon tea.
Queen Victoria loved to take tea at Brown’s and this festive season they’re still the place to be for the definitive afternoon tea in London. With festive-inspired treats, a cosy log fire and Christmas carols from the hotel’s resident pianist, join them for a quintessential British experience with a festive twist (and some warming mulled wine).
Brown’s Festive Champagne Afternoon Tea is available from 21 November 2022 until 5 January 2023, from £85 per person.
33 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP
The Lanesborough
Created by The Lanesborough’s talented and passionate pastry team and served daily in the majestic surroundings of The Lanesborough Grill (anc accompanied by a pianist on the weekends), experiencing a Festive Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough is an occasion to be treasured. Executive Pastry Chef Salvatore Mungiovino playfully presents the flavours of the season in our festive Afternoon Tea, served from 11th November to 8th January.
Featuring a Truffled duck and turkey sausage roll with sage and redcurrant, as well as a traditional Roast turkey sandwich, the drinks and pastries are where The Lanesborough’s festive afternoon tea really shines. Choose from a Mulled Wine Martini or a Christmas Pudding Mocktail, before nibbling on precious pastries: Pistachio and Amarena cherry Christmas tree, Pear and bergamot snowflake, Fig and plum bauble, Roasted almond and orange Yule log brownie, and aRudolph pudding choux bun.
The Lanesborough’s festive afternoon tea is served from 11 November to 8 January.
Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA
Chesterfield Hotel Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with a Winter Wonderland themed afternoon tea at The Chesterfield Hotel in Mayfair – and you can even take your dog with you! Begin with a warming glass of mulled wine before choosing one of the hotel’s loose leaf teas. Enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches before the sweet treats which include a Gingerbread Choux Bun and a Cherry and Pistachio Battenberg.
In the heart of exclusive Mayfair, the intimate Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel is a luxury hotel ideally located for taking afternoon tea when shopping in Piccadilly, Bond Street, Regent Street or Oxford Street. Their festive afternoon tea is served in The Chesterfield’s beautiful conservatory, set against the backdrop of the garden.
The Chesterfield’s Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea costs from £65pp. A children’s edition of the Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea is priced at £35 per child under 12.
35 Charles St, London W1J 5EB
Royal Lancaster London
Royal Lancaster London’s festive afternoon tea, available from 26th November – 1st January 2023, has been reimagined with a Christmas twist complete with snowflakes and mini christmas trees, by the hotel’s unique and talented team, and it never looked so delicious.
Relax and enjoy an irresistible assortment of delicately crafted sandwiches, warm baked scones and deliciously Christmassy sweet treats that will be served in the hotel’s beautiful Hyde Café, accompanied by a selection of the finest Camellia’s Tea House teas; there’s also a vegan option available for those who would prefer. And for those keen to let the afternoon blissfully slip away while nestled amongst the beautiful and cosy surroundings, then a crisp glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne, Chapel Down Sparkling Wine or an alcohol free Thomson & Scott Naughty, is quite simply a must.
Festive Afternoon Tea & Vegan Afternoon Tea is available 26 November – 1 January, and served between 1pm and 4pm. Priced at £39 Wednesday to Friday, and £45 Saturday & Sunday.
Royal Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, London, W2 2TY
London is the home of the festive afternoon tea
If you’re looking for a festive afternoon tea outing this Christmas, London is the home of the festive tea, and the aforementioned luxury hotels are the perfect locations to enjoy a special experience. With stunning decor and delicious food, a festyive afternoon tea at a top hotel is sure to get you into the holiday spirit this Christmas!
Catherine Lux is a food and travel contributor at AGLAIA, and a luxury lifestyle blogger documenting her life on her blog, Lux Life London. With Lux Life London having a large focus on travel and food, she loves nothing more than long-haul flights, excellent restaurants, and relaxing with friends in the coolest places in town.
