Unique Afternoon Tea in London
Traditional afternoon tea is delightful. And we really enjoyed sampling a wide range of the classics for our post on the best places for Afternoon Tea in London.
But sometimes you want something less rarefied, and more Welsh Rarebit. (That’s a posh way of saying cheese on toast, which is a British way of saying grilled cheese.) There are a lot of places in town to have a great, more unique afternoon tea.
So if cucumber sandwiches make you sigh rather than salivate, here’s a list of London’s more unique afternoon tea offerings:
Vegan Afternoon Tea:
Farmacy
Where: 74 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH
When: 4pm & 4.30pm on Friday – Sunday
Price: £60 per person
Now we may love it, but there’s no denying it’s indulgent: scones, tea, cake – even the sandwiches can be too rich.
Fancy afternoon tea, but without all the sugar and caffeine weighing you down? Head to Farmacy, which Harper’s Bazaar calls ‘an oasis of happiness’. Here they serve an exquisite plant-based tea, designed to please the eye and nourish the body.
You can still have your cream tea, but the ‘cream’ will be made with coconut, and be served on a gluten-free scone topped by a seasonal jam. Nothing arrives at the table (including the flower-adorned tea stand you can see in our main picture) that won’t delight you, and enhance your glow.
They offer a sweet and savoury menu each with 100% plant based offerings free from dairy, refined sugars, additives, and chemicals.
and chemicals.
Tour Guide Tip: Farmacy has become a favourite haunt for Hollywood A-listers and clean-eating celebrities alike. Who knows who might be sitting at the next table?
Scientific Afternoon Tea:
The Ampersand Hotel
Where: The Ampersand Hotel, 10 Harrington Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3ER
When: 12pm – 6:30pm, Mon – Fri and 11:30am – 7:30pm, Sat – Sun
Price: £54.50 per person
The Ampersand Hotel science-themed afternoon tea allows one to take the meaning of ‘out-of-this-world’ food literally. Inspired by London’s home of human ingenuity, The Science Museum, the imaginative chefs have prepared a menu full of exciting and curious dishes.
They have been awarded the award of excellence at the 2024 Afternoon Tea Awards due to their unique take on a classic. The dinosaur shortbread and and fossil chocolates are sure to have you craving a visit to the nearby museums after tea.
Put an exhilarating twist on your typical afternoon tea by spreading jam served from a petri dish over freshly baked scones, and satisfying your sweet tooth with chocolate spacemen. Does this sound like fun for the whole family? Book a kids sci-fi afternoon tea for your little ones and watch their curiosity flourish as chemistry and physics combine with the science and art of food.
Sightseeing Afternoon Tea:
B Bakery Bus Tour
Where: Trafalgar SQ or Victoria Coach Station
When: 12:00pm, 12:30pm, 1:00pm, 2:30pm, 3:00pm, and 3:30pm, daily
Price: £45 per person
This unique experience pairs the relaxing aspect of an afternoon tea with an eventful day of sightseeing. As your taste buds journey through a variety of French-inspired sandwiches, cakes, and pastries, your eyes will be wandering through the streets of Central London.
This innovative tour allows you to enjoy the charming aesthetics of the city, whilst sipping on a lovely cup of tea. It is truly an exemplary decision for anyone looking to get the most out of an afternoon in London.
Tour guide tip: If you are intrigued by B Bakery’s French twist on an afternoon tea, but care for a more traditional approach, head to their marvelous bakery in Covent Garden to savour delicious sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries.
Peter Pan Afternoon Tea:
The Aqua Shard
Where: Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
When: 12 pm – 3.15 pm, daily
Price: £70 per person
The Aqua Shard has been serving afternoon tea for years with a rotating theme. Currently, it is inspired by Peter Pan and his adventures on Neverland.
Unlike your traditional afternoon tea set up, The Aqua Shard will serve its treats upon the Jolly Roger, Captain Hook’s very own pirate ship. On the ship you will find savoury treats including a chicken sandwich with the 4 ‘Lost Boy Rules’ upon it.
They still acknoweldge the British classics, such as a warm scone, but you might have to go searching for that treasure. Take a look in the chest!
At Totally Tailored we are always looking for unique spots in London in order to tailor our tours to our guests. Interested in a guided tour of London? Click here to see the tours we offer or click here to contact us if there’s a tour you don’t see but are interested in.
