Christmas Afternoon tea in London: 10 best spots

London knows how to do Christmas. The lights, the markets, the smell of roasted chestnuts fill the air and it’s pure magic. But there’s one tradition that makes the season even sweeter: a festive afternoon tea.

Think warm scones, sparkling champagne, and tiny desserts that look almost too cute to eat. Every hotel in the city adds a holiday twist, but not all teas are worth the splurge.

If you’re planning a cozy December in the capital, you’ll want the best spots for Christmas Afternoon Tea in London. The ones that mix luxury and charm without sending your budget into shock.

Let’s unwrap the best ones worth booking this year.

Just a quick note before we dive in: some of the links in this article are affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you decide to book or buy through them, but it won’t cost you anything extra. I only recommend places and experiences I truly believe in (and often love myself), so think of it as a way to support my work while I keep sharing travel tips with you.

The Rose Lounge - Sofitel

If you like your Christmas with a side of French flair, The Rose Lounge at Sofitel London St James is calling your name. The room feels like a hug in pink: soft lighting, elegant sofas, and just enough sparkle to remind you it’s Christmas.

Start with savoury favourites like coronation chicken croissants, wild mushroom quiches, and silky smoked salmon sandwiches. Then comes the real fun. A proper festive spread that includes Christmas pudding, a raspberry and pistachio choux, and a rich black forest tartlette.

Everything here whispers indulgence without shouting about it. It’s the kind of afternoon tea that makes you slow down, sip your champagne, and smile at how good life can taste.

Location: 6 Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 4AN
Price: £80
Booking: sofitelstjames.com

Claridge's

There’s posh, and then there’s Claridge’s. This Mayfair icon takes Christmas Afternoon Tea in London to another level. The lobby alone feels like stepping into a snow globe: glittering tree, polished marble, and that famous Art Deco sparkle.

The festive menu mixes sweet and savoury in perfect balance. Expect delicate sandwiches, buttery scones, and desserts that look straight out of a winter dream. Every bite has a touch of Christmas magic, crafted with that signature Claridge’s precision.

Make a day of it and drop by the Spirit of Christmas Fair before your tea. A little shopping, a little sipping, and a lot of festive cheer (that’s how you do Christmas right at Claridge’s).

Location: Brook St, London W1K 4HR
Price: £120
Booking: www.claridges.co.uk

The Ritz

This hotel has been perfecting afternoon tea for over a century, and it shows. The Palm Court glitters with red and gold, and a live harp sets the tone for pure festive elegance.

Start with classic sandwiches like smoked salmon on sourdough and lemon butter. Then move on to warm scones and handcrafted pastries from the dessert trolley. The highlight? A cup of their special Christmas blend: Chinese black tea infused with orange peel, apple, and cinnamon.

Formal dress is still the rule here, but it’s worth it for the experience. The Ritz delivers Christmas Afternoon Tea in London exactly as it should be: timeless, indulgent, and utterly unforgettable.

Location: 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR
Price: £120
Booking: theritzlondon.com

The Rosebery’s - Mandarin Oriental

Some spots just get Christmas, and The Rosebery is one of them. Tucked inside the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, this elegant lounge glows with warmth while the city outside twinkles with fairy lights.

The festive afternoon tea feels like a reward after a day in Knightsbridge. Gingerbread stars stack into tiny trees, white chocolate baubles shine like ornaments, and puffed apple pastries bring all the cozy winter feels.

Kids aren’t left out either. The child-friendly version keeps the magic alive with mini desserts and a front-row seat to the festive fun.

Location: 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
Price: £100
Booking: mandarinoriental.com

The Goring

If you want a festive tea that feels warm, classic, and full of charm, The Goring delivers it with ease. The Veranda is bright and cosy, and the service has that polished but friendly touch the hotel is known for.

Seasonal sandwiches set the tone, with fillings like whipped English brie with cranberry jam and Norfolk turkey with sage stuffing. Plain and cranberry scones follow, ready for generous helpings of clotted cream and jam.

The dessert tier brings mince pies, slices of fruit cake, and a light clementine and hazelnut mousse. Pair it with The Goring’s signature blend or add a glass of Bollinger if you’re in a celebratory mood.

Location:15 Beeston Place, London SW1W 0JW
Price: £100
Booking: thegoring.com

Natural History Museum

A festive tea inside one of London’s most iconic museums feels like a win before you even sit down. The Anning Rooms offer a calm corner away from the galleries, and the seasonal afternoon tea runs until 23 December.

Savoury bites keep things classic and comforting. Think British turkey with dry-cured bacon, mustard mayo, cranberry sauce, and rocket on wholemeal bread. The roasted butternut and dried cranberry tarts add a cosy winter touch.

Sweet treats round out the experience and make this an easy pick if you want Christmas Afternoon Tea in London without the hotel price tag. It’s the perfect break before or after exploring the museum’s halls.

Location: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Price: £35
Booking: nhm.ac.uk

Harvey Nichols

If you like your Christmas tea with a dash of whimsy, Harvey Nichols has you covered. This festive spread is inspired by Tim Burton’s wonderfully odd worlds, created to celebrate the department store’s partnership with The World of Tim Burton exhibition.

The menu leans into the theme with creativity. You’ll find gold-leaf baubles filled with orange sponge and Christmas pudding mousse, mini teapots packed with buttery biscuits and English breakfast tea mousse, peppermint candy cane macarons, and white chocolate bonbons hiding a cinnamon gingerbread ganache.

It’s playful, colourful, and perfect if you want a Christmas Afternoon Tea in London that feels a little different.

Location: Fifth Floor Café and Terrace, 109 – 125 Knightsbridge London SW1X 7RJ
Price: £45
Booking: harveynichols.com

Royal Lancaster

Royal Lancaster London brings a touch of winter magic to Hyde Park with its Blooming British festive afternoon tea, available from 22 November. The theme was created with the Natural History Museum, so expect a playful mix of British flora and Christmas flavour.

The tea starts with dainty finger sandwiches and warm scones that arrive soft and fluffy. The sweet tier is a little showstopper, with spiced gingerbread topped with clementine and cranberry gel, a snow-dusted beehive mousse, and bright pastries that sparkle on the plate.

It’s an easy pick for a pre-theatre treat or a cosy break from the Christmas crowds. Families are welcome too thanks to the dedicated children’s menu, which keeps little guests happily involved in the fun.

Location: Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY
Price: £59
Booking: royallancaster.com

The Langham

The Langham has a special claim to fame. It’s the hotel where afternoon tea first began, so Christmas here always feels a little extra magical. This year’s festive menu is a playful collaboration with Hamleys, bringing classic toys to life in pastry form from 10 November.

Savoury bites keep things cosy and familiar. You’ll find roast Norfolk turkey with cranberry cream cheese, devilled prawn with mayonnaise, and egg sandwiches touched with nutmeg. The patisserie tier steals the show with treats shaped like historic Hamleys toys. Look out for Mrs Lines Rocking Horse with gingerbread dulcey cream and pear compote, and The Train William Built with pistachio mousse and cranberry jam.

Scones arrive warm with Cornish clotted cream and jams, and there’s even a brandy-infused fruit cake made from a top-secret Langham recipe. It’s festive, charming, and perfect if you want a Christmas Afternoon Tea in London with a little storytelling magic.

Location: 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA
Price: £95
Booking: langhamlondon.com

Lanes of London

Lanes of London brings full Christmas sparkle to Park Lane with its new festive afternoon tea, available from 15 November. The restaurant feels warm and elegant, making it an easy spot to settle in for a seasonal treat.

The savoury selection sets the pace with turkey and cranberry bonbons, smoked salmon with Cornish crab tartare in a crisp mille-feuille, and a rich truffle polenta canapé topped with whipped goat cheese, confit tomato, and orange marmalade.

The patisserie is playful and full of holiday cheer. Expect edible Santa sleighs, shiny presents, and candle-shaped cakes that feel made for festive photos. It’s a fun, indulgent pick for anyone chasing a Christmas Afternoon Tea in London with a creative twist.