Who says afternoon tea should be boring? London serves up a host of tea party experiences for folks with a flair for the unusual. Let’s take a look at some of the most eccentric afternoon teas in the city.
The Potion Room in Soho
Escape the Muggles for a magical afternoon tea à la Harry Potter. The two-hour classroom experience features traditional, vegan, or gluten-free delights. The Potion Room’s expert professors will teach you how to make a variety of enchanting beverages for witches, warlocks and wizards in training.
The Potion Room recommends making reservations as the interactive events fill up quickly. Afternoon tea and potion-making begins at 12:00, 3:00, and 6:00 p.m. Don’t be late for class! Tickets start at £39.50 for children eight years and up. Adult tickets start at £49.50.
B Bakery’s Gin Lover’s Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Are you ready for an afternoon tea with a twist? Hop on a vintage Roadmaster bus and indulge in some day drinking. The 90-minute tour cruises past London’s most famous sights, including the London Eye and Westminster Abbey. On the way, you’ll enjoy Brigit Bakery’s delectable savories and gin-infused desserts, accompanied by three different craft gin and tonics featuring Slingsby’s gin.
Reservations are required. Buses depart from Victoria Coach Station at 5:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 8 Northumberland Avenue at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays. Prices start at £62.50 per person.
Art at Rosewood London
Art lovers shouldn’t miss the modern art-themed afternoon tea at the Rosewood Hotel in Holborn. Voted the Best Contemporary Afternoon Tea in the UK for two consecutive years, Art at the Rosewood pays homage to modern art’s most prolific master, Pablo Picasso. Guests delight in desserts inspired by such masterworks as “The Dream” and “Head of a Woman” while lounging in the Rosewood’s elegant Mirror Room.
The Rosewood serves afternoon tea from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday and from 12:00 to 5:45 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Contact the Rosewood for prices and reservations.
Chicken Wing Afternoon Tea at Randy’s Wing Bar
Randy’s Wing Bar turns pub food into high art with its afternoon tea platter. You and a friend will nosh on burgers, wings and loaded fries of your choice. Toss it all back with a draft beer or Prosecco followed by rich, chocolate brownie bites. Randy’s serves the perfect afternoon tea for curing a hangover or watching the game.
Randy’s High Tea runs from Tuesday through Sunday and costs £45 for two people.
Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson
Louis Carroll’s famous children’s book comes alive at this fantasy-inspired afternoon tea. Accompanied by the Dormouse and the White Rabbit, you’ll gorge on Wonderland-themed treats like Stack of King of Hearts Ham, Parmesan Croque-Monsieur, and the March Hare’s Vanilla Pocketwatch macaroons.
Wash it all down with Alice’s own fruity “Drink Me” potion, an assortment of traditional teas and a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne. Just don’t let the Red Queen find you stealing her Rose and Strawberry Jammy Dodgers, or it’s “Off with Your Head!”
The Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea is available Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Tea prices start at £35 for children and £48 for adults. The Sanderson offers special afternoon tea packages on holidays.
Rock’ n’ Roll Afternoon Tea at the Gore
Located next to The Royal Albert Hall, the Gore serves an afternoon tea that’s fit for a rock god or goddess. The Gore’s rock ‘n’ roll connection goes back to 1968 when The Rolling Stones launched the legendary album, “Beggar’s Banquet,” at the hotel.
The rock ‘n’ roll tea experience includes decadent music-themed treats served on bass guitars and vinyl record players. Guests enjoy a soundtrack featuring David Bowie, Queen, Guns N’ Roses, and The Rolling Stones. Rock’ n’ roll memorabilia fills the comfy bar, making this afternoon tea a must for music lovers.
The Gore’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Afternoon Tea is served between 12:30 and 4:00 p.m. and costs £35 per person.
What’s the Tea? at the Perception, W London
Add a touch of glamour to your afternoon with this drag-themed tea party. You’ll start with a fabulous cosmetics box full of kitschy savories, succulent tarts, and edible makeup with all the glitter a girl can handle. Later, you’ll be treated to a glass of Prosecco or a Kiki cocktail while the fashionable Globe Girls dazzle you with song and dance.
You can check out What’s the Tea? from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day. Tickets cost £39 per person.
Doggie Afternoon Tea at The Egerton House
The Egerton House serves an elegant high tea, especially for you and your canine companion. The menu includes upscale, traditional English fare for you and a mouth-watering selection of dog-friendly treats for your furry friend.
The Egerton House serves Afternoon Tea every day from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Doggie Afternoon Tea costs £25 per pooch and £48 for humans.
Are you looking for a fun way to enjoy a short layover? Drop off your luggage with Stasher and head out to one of London’s quirkiest afternoon teas.
Hi! I am George and I am the Content Lead for Stasher.com. I love travel, writing, making music and meeting new and interesting people.