Tuck into a festive afternoon tea with our picks of the best Christmas afternoon tea London has to offer over the holiday season.
Christmas afternoon teas in London range from the opulent to the downright quirky – so get your Insta game face on, ready your tastebuds and be prepared for indulgent treats between Christmas shopping sprees.
The festive teas below are highlights of what was on offer in 2025. Check back nearer the time for confirmed Christmas afternoon teas in 2026.
In the meantime, book some of the best traditional afternoon teas in London or enjoy something different with themed afternoon teas.
1. Festive afternoon tea at Ting at Shangri-La Hotel, The Shard
Start Christmas on a high, as you head to the 35th floor of The Shard for a decadent afternoon tea. Inspired by the hotel's Enchanted Wonders theme, the Seasons of Wonder afternoon tea includes savoury sandwiches and pastries, warm scones with cranberry jam and clotted cream, and a trio of handcrafted sweet creations including a festive bauble-choux with Valrhona OQO crémeux with cherry and vanilla.
While you are there, take the experience to new heights and pair your afternoon tea with The View from The Shard.
Where: The Shard (Level 35, Shangri-La The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU)
When: 18 November 2025 - 6 January 2026
2. The Snowman afternoon tea bus tour
Step aboard a festive double-decker bus for a magical afternoon tea inspired by the beloved Christmas classic, The Snowman™. Enjoy festive finger sandwiches and wraps, mini sausage rolls, mince pies, freshly baked scones and more tasty themed bites. Then, sit back and enjoy the view with unlimited hot chocolate, tea or coffee.
Where: The Snowman afternoon tea bus tour (departure from the London Eye or Aldwych)
When: 22 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
3. The Lapland afternoon tea at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with a travel-inspired afternoon tea evoking Father Christmas's enchanting home region of Lapland at Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill. Tuck into delicate pastries and spiced treats, with savouries including a sweet water shrimp tartelette and potato rosti. Save some space for sweet treats like the almond and vanilla Santa's belly and warm scones served with cloudberry jam. The experience includes themed luggage tags and a keepsake Polaroid photo for diners to take away.
Afterwards, venture to nearby Oxford Street to see the world-famous Christmas lights.
Where: Hyatt Regency London The Churchill (30 Portman Square, Marylebone, W1H 7BH)
When: 6 November 2025 - 25 January 2026
4. The Magic Faraway Tree afternoon tea at Grosvenor House
Experience a festive afternoon inspired by Enid Blyton's timeless tale, The Magic Faraway Tree, at Grosvenor House.
This festive afternoon tea includes pastries created by Head Pastry Chef Anthony Hurst, including a spiced clementine granita and a honey mousse and pear compote with caramelised chocolate ganache, alongside savoury treats and finger sandwiches.
Where: Grosvenor House (86-90 Park Lane, W1K 7TN)
When: 18 November 2025 - 30 April 2026
5. Hamleys festive afternoon tea at The Langham
Relax in the luxurious surroundings of The Langham as you feast on the festive afternoon tea in the Palm Court. Release your inner child this Christmas with the Hamleys-themed afternoon tea, featuring sweet and savoury treats such as roast turkey and cranberry cream cheese finger sandwiches, classic and raisin scones served with clotted cream and jam, and festive desserts including a gingerbread-infused rocking horse and a pistachio mousse toy train.
Where: The Langham (1C Portland Place, Regent Street, W1B 1JA)
When: 10 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
6. Winter Wonderland afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace
The Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace invites you to sip on mulled wine, or a glass of bubbles to the tranquil backdrop of live piano music. The tea includes seasonal takes on traditional delights, which you can devour as you gaze out at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace.
Where: The Rubens at the Palace (39 Buckingham Palace Road, Westminster, SW1W 0PS)
When: 17 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
7. Blooming British festive afternoon tea at the Hyde Cafe, Royal Lancaster London
Feast on seasonal favourites with a festive afternoon tea at the Royal Lancaster London. Treats include a selection of traditional sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam and sweet snacks including a signature beehive with a wintery twist and a spiced gingerbread slice with a clementine and cranberry soft filling.
Afterwards, wander to nearby Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park or finish off the last of your Christmas shopping in London’s West End.
Where: Royal Lancaster London (Lancaster Terrace, W2 2TY)
When: 22 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
8. Festive InfiniTEA at Conrad St. James
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with festive afternoon tea and free-flowing Bollinger Champagne at Conrad St James. Tuck into a festive-inspired menu including coronation turkey and Christmas ham, brie and cranberry finger sandwiches, warm cranberry scones and sweet treats including a white chocolate santa's hat, pavlova Christmas tree and a reindeer mont blanc. Conrad St James is the perfect pit stop between visiting St James’s upscale boutiques.
Where: Conrad London St James (22-28 Broadway, Westminster, SW1H 0BH)
When: 17 November 2025 - 6 January 2026
9. Festive afternoon tea at InterContinental London Park Lane
Dine like a true monarch with an indulgent regal-inspired afternoon tea at InterContinental London Park Lane’s Wellington Lounge in Mayfair. Served on the finest Renaissance Gold teaware set by Wedgwood.
Bite into themed fare such as smoked salmon blinis topped with apple and horseradish and turkey and cranberry sausage rolls. Sweet treats include Twelfth Night cake, steeped in the Wellington Lounge’s own royal tea blend and The Golden Christmas bauble, filled with fig mousse and honey from InterContinental’s rooftop beehives.
Where: InterContinental London Park Lane (One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, W1J 7QY)
When:1 December 2025 - 4 January 2026
10. Festive afternoon tea at The Landmark London
Stop by The Landmark London in the run-up to the big day, where you can try its delightful festive afternoon tea. Decked out in beautiful Christmas decorations, the London hotel’s seasonal spread includes a selection of finger sandwiches, warm spiced mandarin scones with clotted cream and a chocolate and orange spread, and patisserie treats such as white chocolate and cranberry yule logs, a Mont Blanc tart with candied chestnuts and a gingerbread, orange and dark chocolate choux.
Where: The Landmark London (222 Marylebone Road, Marylebone, NW1 6JQ)
When: 27 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
11. Elf afternoon tea at Waldorf Hilton London
Spread Christmas cheer with a magical Elf afternoon tea experience at Waldorf Hilton London. Indulge in an array of finger sandwiches, savoury delights and playful festive sweet treats such as Buddy's spaghetti cupcake and 'the world's best' coffee tiramisu, followed by warm scones served with clotted cream and jam.
Where: The Waldorf Hilton (Aldwych, Covent Garden, WC2B 4DD)
When: 28 October 2025 - 1 February 2026
12. Festive By Lily Vanilli at Four Seasons Tower Bridge
Experience a modern twist on festive afternoon tea at Four Seasons Tower Bridge, with bites including potato mille-feuille and savoury mince pies, followed by warm scones served with clotted cream and seasonal compote, a slice of chocolate cake, lemon tart garnished with a meringue wreath and rich sticky toffee pudding.
Where: Four Seasons Tower Bridge (10 Trinity Square, Tower Bridge, EC3N 4AJ)
When: 13 November 2025 - 4 January 2026
13. Christmas afternoon tea at Westminster Abbey’s Cellarium Cafe & Terrace
Celebrate the festive season and tuck into Christmas afternoon tea at Westminster Abbey's Cellarium Cafe & Terrace. Enjoy festive savouries including chestnut, leek and feta mini quiches and turkey and cranberry mayonnaise finger sandwiches. The sweet tier includes mini mince pies, indulgent blackberry cheesecake and homemade scones, with unlimited tea and coffee included.
Where: Cellarium Café and Terrace at Westminster Abbey (Dean's Yard, The Sanctuary, SW1P 3PA)
When: Dates throughout December 2025
14. Christmas afternoon tea at The Kensington
Enjoy a festive edition of the celebrated Let Us Eat Cake afternoon tea - inspired by the Marie Antoinette Style exhibition at the V&A Museum - at The Kensington.
Tuck into the limited-edition Christmas special, including roasted turkey sandwiches, indulgent mince pies and a white chocolate and coconut Christmas bauble, alongside handcrafted pastries and freshly baked scones.
Where: The Kensington (109-113 Queen's Cafe, South Kensington, SW7 5LP)
When: Available daily from 1 December 2025
What is included in a Christmas afternoon tea?
Christmas afternoon tea London menus usually feature festive savoury and sweet afternoon tea food made with seasonal ingredients, such as mince pies, turkey sandwiches, gingerbread, pecan pastries, and cranberry and cinnamon scones. These are usually served with tea, coffee, prosecco or champagne - depending on the location you visit.
Some venues get even more creative, serving Christmas afternoon tea delights in festive shapes, including edible snowmen, Christmas trees, yule logs and Christmas presents.
More Christmas in London ideas
Make a day or weekend of it by booking a London's top Christmas shows, exploring the city's best Christmas shopping hotspots, seeing the fabulous Christmas lights, discovering twinkling Christmas trees or delving into the many stalls at London Christmas markets. Or tour London and beyond with a special festive tour.
Find more Christmas inspiration with things to do over the festive season.
