Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry and what better way to do so than with one of London’s most festive afternoon teas?
Words Helen Brown
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the Sanderson
The Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson has been given a festive dusting for an even more magical adventure down the rabbit-hole. Christmas-themed treats include an After Eight Hot Chocolate with Crème de Menthe Liqueur, Roasted Turkey and Cranberry Croquet-monsieur, Marshmallow Snowmen and an utterly irresistible Chocolate Yule Log. Available until 24 December and 2 – 8 January£68 per person50 Berners St, W1T; morganshotelgroup.com
York & Albany Gingerbread Afternoon Tea
For the ultimate in afternoon decadence, York and Albany’s Gingerbread pop-up offers an elegant Festive Afternoon Tea, featuring stem ginger and cranberry scones, a selection of traditional finger sandwiches, gingerbread macarons, parkin, crème brûlée and the cabin’s signature gingerbread men. Guests can choose from a choice of fragrant loose leaf teas or, for an optional supplement, a glass of prosecco to finish off the festivities.Available until January 3From £24 per person127-129 Parkway, NW1; gordonramsayrestaurants.com
The Night Before Christmas Afternoon Tea at Sketch
Michelin star-awarded Sketch covers two expansive floors of a converted 18th century building in Conduit Street, just off Regent Street. This season they have teamed up with colour and pattern enthusiast Bethan Laura Wood to create a spectacular Christmas installation. The entrance hall has been transformed with colourful Jewel-inspired garlands, brass rivets and glitter to resemble charm bracelets, plus dramatic crisscross lighting. Guests will enjoy festive alternatives to the traditional menus, such as Quail egg and caviar, Coronation Chicken and Malabar Marshmallow as well as Christmas inspired musical surprises. Available until 31 DecemberFrom £50 per person9 Conduit St, Mayfair, W1; sketch.london
Ice and Diamonds Afternoon Tea at the Savoy
Afternoon Tea at The Savoy is an enduring custom, but this season has been made even more spectacular with the hotel’s transformation into a frozen fantasia. Sit underneath the magnificent 15ft Boodles-inspired Christmas tree as you Gorge on cranberry scones, festive bakewell tarts and eclairs filled with fresh cranberry compote and white chocolate Earl Grey Chantilly. Then burn it off with a spin around the sparkling indoor rink. Available until 6 January£82 per personStrand, WC2R; fairmont.com
The Landmark Hotel’s Festive Tea
The Landmark have given their traditional Afternoon Tea a twist to incorporate all of the delicious flavours of Christmas. Champagne will be flowing as you indulge in an assortment of finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones, served with glistening strawberry preserves and rich Cornish clotted cream. The pièce de résistance is certainly the incredible array of sweet treats of seasonally inspired cakes and tartlets including a rich Spiced Valrhona dark chocolate ganache with a tonka bean creama and a delightfully theatrical white chocolate sphere with pistachio sponge and cranberry.Available until 2 January£55 per person 222 Marylebone Road, Marylebone, NW1; landmarklondon.co.uk
Capital’s Christmas Collaboration with Claire Clark
Christmas at The Capital Hotel has added extravagance this year as they have teamed up with Masterchef and Bake Off Creme de la Creme judge, Claire Clark. The festive treats, designed exclusively by Claire for The Capital include a tempting Mint Meringue Christmas Tree, a Father Christmas inspired marmalade and panettone Macaron and an, almost too cute to eat, Lemon Cheesecake Snowman. Available until 31 DecemberFrom £29.50 per person 22-24 Basil Street, Knightsbridge, SW3; capitalhotel.co.uk
Snow Queen Inspired Afternoon Tea at The Conrad St James
This Christmas, the Conrad St James are serving a seasonal tea inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale The Snow Queen. Coconut cream, mint macaroons and candy floss will be presented alongside salted butter shortbread, yoghurt cream, frosted blueberries, sugar shards, and the crème de la crème, the Snow Queen’s sceptre made from a chocolate and pearl sponge with a praline ganache. Freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches with caviar and lemon crème fraiche, smoked salmon blinis and mini stilton tartlets are on offer for those wishing to evade the sugar rush. Available until 11 FebruaryFrom £39 per person 22-28 Broadway, Westminster, SW1H; conradhotels.hilton.com/london
The Lanesborough Hotel
The award-winning afternoon tea at the Lanesborough will take a festive twist this winter, as Head Pastry Chef Nicolas Rouzaud recreates Christmas classics in the form of delicate pastries. Delight in the selection of spicy Christmas muffins, apple and cinnamon doughnuts, mulled wine and pear cake, chocolate coconut fingers, orange mousse spheres and Croustillant caramel sable, alongside festive favourites such as mince pies, chestnut tart and praline Rocher. Available until 1 January £65 per person Hyde Park Corner, Belgravia, SW1X; lanesborough.com
Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea at The Chesterfield
This season The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel are welcoming you to celebrate the time of sparkling lights and festive delights with afternoon tea inspired by the magic of Christmas. Kick of frivolities with a warming shot of mulled wine before diving into a selection of sweet treats that would be the envy of Willy Wonka himself, including mulled wine macaroons, a Christmas tree chocolate pot, Clementine mousse snowballs and salted caramel and chocolate parcels. Available until 1 January £38.50 per person 35 Charles Street, W1J; chesterfieldmayfair.com
