Where for afternoon tea in London?

[Acunningruse]

My graduation is in a few weeks and I would like afternoon tea afterwards to celebrate. We will have DC aged 12 and 8 with us. The graduation is in Westminster but happy to travel.

Looking for traditional fancy rather than quirky although i loved the look of the Peter Pan themed one at Aqua Shard but it finishes the week before we go 😢

Thanks for any recommendations.

The Rosewood in Holborn is fabulous

My favourite traditional one is Brown's (Mayfair, just north of Piccadilly, nearest tube, Green Park)

Afternoon Tea in London | Tea Room | The Drawing Room (roccofortehotels.com)

Budget-dependent, but for traditional fancy the absolute best is Claridge's IMHO (£90pp, £100 with champagne) but you do have to book quite far ahead. If that's not an option, I'm very fond of Fortnum and Mason.

I second Claridges - it really is the best and I’ve done lots of afternoon teas. Cafe Royal also really good
Avoid the Ritz tho - overcrowded and rushed

https://londonist.com/london/food-and-drink/best-new-afternoon-teas-london-june-july-2024

The Chesterfield Mayfair are very family
friendly.
chesterfieldmayfair.com/dining-and-drinks/afternoon-tea

St Ermin’s Hotel offers a lovely, and fairly traditional afternoon tea, and is located in Westminster

www.sterminshotel.co.uk/eating-drinking/afternoon-tea

I have been to Fortnum and Mason and The Ritz for afternoon tea, and although the surroundings at The Ritz are amazing I preferred the service and the quality of the food at Fortnum and Mason.

The Goring. Glorious. Had a brief flash of glossy Middleton fame when the royal wedding took place but is now back to its quietly luxurious anonymity. Delicious grub and pretty close to Westminster.

Claridges was absolutely lovely and was brilliant at providing alternatives for restricted diet (allergies; anaphylaxis). Person felt included

The Goring is fabulous as is The Mandarin Oriental. We weren't fans of Fortnum and Mason but did enjoy Brown's, Claridges, The Savoy, The Lainsborough and Cafe Royal. (Done a lot of afternoon teas!) The Ritz has become a bit of a theme park and you have to book months in advance but the food was good and the pianist is a nice touch (the bar is great for cocktails but probably not with children!)

Science at the Ampersand is fun.

I love the Wolsely and Sketch. Maybe the latter would count as quirky, but it's such a lovely venue, beautifully designed. And the food was delicious. I took my niece (11) and son (9) and they also loved it.

The dorchester is brilliant
The ritz is like someone suggested above a themepark
Harrods afternoon tea is poor too.
The Lainsborough is very nice too

I've been to quite a few and Fortnum and Mason is undoubtedly the best for food, service and ambience if you are looking for a traditional afternoon tea! Many congrats on your graduation!

I once loved the Wolsey but no longer. It's always crowded and the sandwiches come straight out of the fridge and never taste as if they have just been made.

I'd recommend the Savoy, been a few times and it has been excellent (and a much more enjoyable experience IMO than Claridges).

Another vote for Ampersand dinosaur and science. You dig out your dessert

https://ampersandhotel.com/eat-drink/apero/jurassic-afternoon-tea/

https://ampersandhotel.com/eat-drink/the-drawing-rooms/science-afternoon-tea/

Congratulations @Acunningruse . Enjoy your afternoon tea.
I hope you get extra clotted cream and see your favourite celebrity at whichever place you decide.

good intel thanks. I've not been for a very long time. Pre DS, so over 12 years...

Another vote for Browns. It was lovely and classic

I love the Manderin Oriental afternoon tea. Lovely to sit outside if the weather is good

Fortunes just for the joy of looking at all the gorgeous foods on sale. Savoy for the setting.