Best afternoon tea in London

[Smilingon]

It’s my daughter’s 11th birthday. I’d like to take her out somewhere really wow for an afternoon tea. Anyone been anywhere they would recommend?
thanks

That’s a lovely thing to do, here for suggestions too

Fortnums?

Savoy

The Ritz. I've been to most of the top London venues for afternoon tea and nothing compares to the Ritz.

The Dorchester would be my second choice, the shard is great for the views but I wasn't hugely impressed with the actual afternoon tea itself.

Ampersand Hotel for a dinosaur or space tea!

Fyi this is a rabbit hole I have fallen down before. There is a London tea, Peter Pan tea at the shard, Charlie and the chocolate factory tea, various Harry Potter wizard teas, fashion tea, tea on the Thames, tea on a bus... The list goes on.

The Charlie and the Chocolate factory at Aldwych one is fabulous.

I like Fortnums best, but it's quite refined/grown up. For that age I might go for Sketch, it definitely has the wow factor.

My daughter is a similar age and we’ve already really enjoyed afternoon tea at The Lanesborough. It’s child friendly and they’ve allowed us to only have the sandwiches she likes etc. Good mocktails for her and great cocktails for you.

For an 11 year old, I would do one with a twist. So maybe sketch, or one of the shard ones or Charlie and chocolate factory (might be a bit too young). the Berkeley used to do a fashion one but not sure if they still do.

The best one is undoubtedly Claridge's but probably too formal (and not enough fun) for an 11 year old.

What a lovely thing to do, I would have absolutely loved this when I was 11!

I go for afternoon tea in central London (where I work) with a friend 3 or 4 times a year and have been doing so for over 5 years now, lucky me!

I wouldn't recommend the Ritz, it felt very conveyor belt-like to us and the service dropped off an absolute cliff after the food was served, such that we weren't able to order the additional drinks we wanted!

My favourites have been the Goring, the Connaught, Claridges, the Langham and Fortnum & Mason. For an 11 year old, though, I think Fortnum would be the best of those (the service there was absolutely delightful in every way for one thing!) but you should definitely look at the themed ones. I went to the Alice in Wonderland at the Sanderson one several years ago, that was excellent and probably more kiddy-friendly (it's the only one I ever recall seeing any children at, for one thing, but my memory is ropey these days!)

I've heard great things about Sketch too, so have that one on your list for sure.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time wherever you choose, though, all the big, luxury hotels will give you a fantastic experience.

Oh, the Lanesborough is a great shout, how could I have forgotten about that one!

Sketch is 95 with champagne and no signs you cannot order workout or how much without.
The child afternoon tea includes a teddy!!

My 11 year old probably wouldn't want the teddy but would prefer the child menu.

My daughter adored Charlie and the chocolate factory at 16 so my necessarily too young.