I love going to afternoon tea in London. There are so many different places to indulge and so many unique takes on the ritual that I could try a different one every week and never get tired of it. In fact, that’s exactly what I’ve done. So today I bring you my top 3 picks for the best summer afternoon tea in London.
Summer Afternoon Tea in London
The combination of my love of summer in London and the fact that I keep my travel schedule to a minimum when the capricious British climate cooperates means I’ve had time to try a variety of afternoon teas.
From themed afternoon teas to traditional ones, from teas at hotels to those at restaurants and tearooms, this lady in London has indulged. Here are the results of my higher-than-usual-but-completely-justifiable calorie consumption.
Summer Afternoon Tea at The Goring
I’ve been to afternoon tea at The Goring in Belgravia many times, but I love going in summer because the atmosphere in the hotel is buzzing with seasonal excitement.
The sunny yellow tearoom is the perfect place to be on a summer afternoon in London, and the sandwiches, scones, pastries, tea, and champagne are always impressive.
Summer Afternoon Tea at St Ermin’s Hotel
Tucked away in a pretty courtyard near St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace, St Ermin’s Hotel in Westminster offers afternoon teas that change with the seasons.
They too invited me for tea for two, and a friend and I started with a teapot of Hendrick’s gin cocktail with sweet cucumber “caviar”.
Alongside it was a decadent array of lobster quiche, duck liver mousse, amazing scones, and sweet treats. I loved the presentation, and wanted to take the beautiful Art Deco tea tray home with me.
The only thing not to like was the tearoom, which felt like a bit of an afterthought in the corner of a hallway.
A rock music soundtrack could be heard from the neighboring bar and restaurant, and an entire wedding procession made its way past our table while we ate.
Given their summer afternoon tea in London can be taken on the outdoor terrace, I’d opt for that if I went again.
Summer Afternoon Tea at the Ampersand Hotel
The Ampersand Hotel is right across the street from the South Kensington tube station.
Their summer afternoon tea in London changes yearly, and there’s always an exciting theme. They invited me to tea yesterday, and after a bit of a snafu with a lost reservation, my friend and I started with a glass of champagne.
The sandwiches were served on light gougeres, and the scones came with rich clotted cream and sweet jam.
The pastry plate was so pretty that I almost didn’t want to spoil the aesthetic by partaking, but the opera cake and spiced gingerbread cookies were too tempting.
We almost lost the sweets a few times since the tiered tray was wobbly, but we managed to extract everything without incident.
I loved the light, airy room and white-with-bright-accents decor, and could have spent the entire day there sipping loose-leaf lemon verbena. But I couldn’t. There were more afternoon teas to try, after all.
Best Summer Afternoon Tea in London
And now that I’ve established a weekly routine, I might have to finish up the month with one more summer afternoon tea in London. Any suggestions?
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40 Comments on Lady’s 3 Best Summer Afternoon Teas in London
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Oh my goodness all of these look incredible! I’m an afternoon tea obsessive, think I need to be making a little trip up to London in the near future to sample some of these ones!
Sophs xx
Yeah, you should definitely make a trip to London for tea sometime soon!
I’ve still not had a proper afternoon tea, and I’m dieing to! I saw a couple posts on themed afternoon teas like alice in wonderland and willy wonka that looked pretty neat as well.
Yeah, there are some great themed afternoon teas in London! I hope you get to try one soon!
It is a fairy tale you are writing about! It’s too beautiful to be real 🙂
Thanks 🙂
I’d be very surprised if you havent been there but afternoon tea at the Wolseley on Piccadilly is a must. Its one of my favourites and has really good service.
Yeah, that’s a good one! The service was a bit brusque when I went, but the food was great.
Those Albertopolis sandwiches look so good! You live the best life!!
Yeah, they were great!
I have been top many, many afternoon teas in London (it’s my absolutely favorite thing to do, almost). Excellent scones, great atmosphere: Soho Hotel (They have tasty tea cocktails, too) Wolseley Service can go either way, so try their little sister the Delaunay. Much more amiable, and their afternoon tea has a slight Austrian twist (like a mini Pretzel sandwich and tiny Guglhupfs as alternative to scones). The latter is where I took my parents when they were in town and they loved it…
Thanks for the tips!
Afternoon tea is my favourite thing! These photos are just stunning & it looks like you had a wonderful time. Gorgeous blog too xx
Thanks Stephanie!
Your pictures make afternoon tea seem a million times better than it already is! I like the looks of the South Kensington one! I walk pass there every now and then, but never noticed it! If you have time and some money to spare, you should try the Ritz Afternoon Tea, the service and atmosphere makes every girl feel like a princess x
Thanks Olivia! I did tea at the Ritz earlier this year and had a great time!
Mouth is watering!
Yeah, mine was watering when I was editing the photos!
I love all the pictures you’ve taken! Everything sounds delightful and looks delicious 🙂
Thanks Tina! The ones on your blog look great, too!
I’d highly recommend enjoying afternoon tea at the Rose Lounge in the Sofitel St James Hotel near Piccadilly Circus. I’m loyal to afternoon tea at the Orangery but when I want to splurge I head to the Rose Lounge.
Great post! After looking at these gorgeous pictures, I need a scone ASAP.
Thanks Lauren! I did afternoon tea there last year and had a nice time.
Have you tried the Athenaeum? I haven’t been recently but have heard good reports.
Yeah, I went there earlier this summer for their Royal Baby Afternoon Tea!
Wow this all looks so yummy! I am so jealous. Thank you for your link in the #lbloggers chat 🙂 xx
You’re welcome!
Fabulous post! Thank you for sharing, one or two of these I hope to try soon 🙂
Jenna x
Thanks Jenna! I hope you get to try them, too!
This looks incredible! Just followed you on bloglovin xx
Thanks Sophie!
What a greatful post!
If I’m not wrong, the character at the second photo is the same used to make the decoration of Her Royal Highness Prince George some days ago. Just a curiosity here!
😉
All photos looks amazing and pretty delicious! Sure I’ll have to taste it in my next London trip.
xx
Thanks!
Love your photos and descriptions! Was wondering if you could suggest an afternoon tea that leans toward traditional but would allow casual dress for women (nice jeans and sweater, casual shoes)? Visiting London so would prefer someplace nor too far off from tourist attractions. Thanks!
Most of these afternoon teas would allow for some form of more casual dress. You would be fine in jeans at Bea’s of Bloomsbury in particular.
Thanks so much, was actually thinking of Bea’s!
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy it!
hi, looking for a good place to have afternoon tea (with champagne) with my boyfriend. quite like the traditional once (not too fussy & arty) however i don’t mind the interior to be either fancy/traditional or more “hip” – been to milestone hotel kensington which was good but like to try a new place=) heard of sketch-any good?
Yeah, Sketch is fun for afternoon tea!
Which one would you recommend for my family: Elizabeth(16) and Matthew!13)-we are headed to London this summer and I would love for them to have tea time!
Any of them would be great. Bea’s is pretty casual, so good for young people.