In celebration of Afternoon Tea Week this week (we really do like to celebrate everything, don’t we?) here is our list of London afternoon teas with a bit of a twist…
1. Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson
Stumble down the rabbit hole and celebrate the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland at the Sanderson (main picture). They have everything from Alice’s drink me potion to pocket watch macaroons, and it promises to be totally mad.
Nothing is presented in an ordinary manner; the menus are hidden in vintage books, the sugar cubes in music boxes and the flavours will surprise you too! You can also turn it into a boozy affair and book the 7-9pm slot — a similar experience, just with cocktails and alcohol infused cakes. Only one con: the venue specifically ask that there’s no fancy dress. Boo!
Cost & Booking: £35 per person and can be booked here
Address: 50 Berners St, W1T 3NG
2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych
If we can’t visit Willy Wonka in his chocolate factory and lick the wallpaper and eat everlasting gobstoppers, then this is certainly the next best thing.
The menu is full of scrumdiddlyumptious treats, including cake pops, homemade candy-floss and golden eggs. There’s also chocolate and sugarcane tea, and a wacky cocktail made with whiskey, chocolate bitters, cherry, and grapefruit. Don’t knock it till you try it…
Cost & Booking: £39 per person (£49 with a glass of champagne) and can be booked here
Address: One Aldwych, WC2B 4BZ
3. Anarch-Tea at W London
In a truly unique experience, W London are celebrating 40 years of punk with an eclectic afternoon tea experience.
The cakes are inspired by iconic songs from the punk era, including a ‘God Save the Queen – Sex Pistols’ cake (a red, white and ble Battenberg with an icing crown) and a ‘Shut-Up – The Stranglers’ cake (a pair of strawberry mousse red lips sealed with a silver zip). You can also pair up your Anarch-Tea experience with a screening of one of many punk-themed films and documentaries from July until September.
Cost & Booking: £30 per person and can be booked here
Address: Leicester Square, 10 Wardour Street, W1D 6QF
4. Science Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel
Complete with chocolate dinosaurs, raspberry cake planets and mango mousse volcanos, you won’t want to miss this geeky afternoon tea experience at The Ampersand Hotel.
It’s right by the Science and Natural History Museums, so you can learn about the scientific wonders before tucking into them.
Cost & Booking: £32.50 per person (or £45.50 with a glass of champagne) and can be booked here
Address: 10 Harrington Road, SW7 3ER
