Take the weight off your feet, and reward yourself for all your effort, with a classic afternoon tea with some festive twist and a bit of sparkle
LONDON
Wellington Lounge at InterContinental London Park Lane – Mayfair
Visit the Wellington Lounge at the InterContinental London Park Lane for a festive afternoon tea that blends the best of tradition with contemporary twists. Dainty sandwiches come filled with bronze turkey, spiced pear chutney and organic sage on turmeric bread whilst sweet treats include Christmas pudding scones and a ho ho ho gift box with white chocolate, cranberry and coconut dacquoise.
From £69 per person | Available from Wednesday – Sunday between 1pm – 5pm.
Flemings Mayfair Hotel – Mayfair
Indulge in a decadent Festive Afternoon Tea in beautiful surrounds at Flemings Mayfair, accompanied by a special Christmas cocktail with gin and gingerbread to toast to the season. Delight in traditional finger sandwiches alongside warm freshly baked scones served plus a selection of handmade sweet treats including lemon tart and delicate choux apple. Specialised tea blends are served alongside, including a limited-edition Spiced Rooibos blend.
£65 per person including a cocktail | Available from 2pm – 4:30pm, Thursday – Saturday
Mariage Frères – Covent Garden
In the heart of Covent Garden, luxury French tea emporium, Mariage Frères, is serving a seasonal afternoon tea in its stunning Salon de Thé – the perfect pit stop, mid-shop, this festive season. Select from over 1,000 aromatic varieties of tea – including festive blends Noël Amour, Christmas in Love and Bûche De Noël – before indulging in a Parisian Afternoon Tea complete with tea-infused scones, sandwiches and picture-perfect patisserie made fresh every day.
From £50 per person | Available from Monday – Sunday between from 12pm – 6pm.
Searcys at The Gherkin – Aldgate
For a sky-high celebration, head to the top of the iconic skyscraper for a festive afternoon boasting 360° views over the city. Set on level 39 in the Helix restaurant, get Christmas off to a sparkling start with a glass of bubbles, from Searcys English Sparkling wine to a Rosé Champagne, followed by a selection of savoury and sweet delights, including Portland crab rarebit and selection of finger sandwiches, along with freshly baked scones and pastries such as Strawberry cheesecake choux buns and a Red berries delice. You can also go limitless with 90 minutes of Searcys Cuvée Brut Champagne for £99pp.
From £55 per person | Available from Wednesday – Saturday between 12.30pm – 3pm.
The Orchid Lounge at Pan Pacific London – Liverpool Street
Introducing Pan Pacific London’s new Kaleidoscope Afternoon Tea Collection. Executive Pastry Chef Francesco has created four exquisite new patisseries, beautifully presented on mirrored plates for a mesmerising play on light and reflection. Enjoy seasonal treats including Festive Forest with Biscoff and pecan and stollen scones alongside Southeast Asian delicacies or dainty finger sandwiches. Available noon to 5pm seven days a week or meet with friends and colleagues for a special twilight afternoon tea amongst the city’s twinkling festivities from 6pm – 8pm on Mondays. For children, the Little Kopi Tiam afternoon tea is also available.
From £78 per person on Monday – Thursday, £85 per person Friday – Sunday. Add further sparkle with a crisp glass of English Sparkling Wine at £10 per person. From £35 for children. The full menu and offering can be viewed here.
OUTSIDE LONDON
In the heart of Hertfordshire, near St Albans, country house hotel, Sopwell House, is offering a classic afternoon tea featuring finger sandwiches like roast bronze turkey with cranberry chutney served on cranberry bread, gingerbread spiced raison scones and a choice of festive cakes and pastries such as traditional Christmas fruit cake and almond fondant.
From £42 per person | Available from Monday – Sunday between 12.30pm – 4pm.
Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate – Essex
Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate’s Festive Afternoon Tea begins with a selection of freshly made finger sandwiches, made with ingredients from the hotel’s Kitchen Garden, warm scones, homemade patisserie and a range of seasonal sweet treats, such as spice latte macarons and a Christmas fruit cake.
From £47.50 per person | Available from 2pm – 5:30pm throughout December (excluding 24th, 25th, 26th December).