Afternoon tea in London with 2 year old

[JammyQueenOfTheNewYear]

Will be going out for a day in London in May with my sister, my (grown up) niece and my DD (who will be 3 weeks off her 2nd birthday) as a pre-wedding celebration for my niece. We are thinking of doing something child-orientated for part of the day, and me and my sister have had the idea of going for a reasonably posh afternoon tea.

So, where would be good to go that's not ridiculously priced and where we could take my almost 2 year old DD with us. (She is normally very well behaved when we go out for lunch or coffees but I anticipate that posh tea places might understandably have ideas/rules about toddlers)

Also any suggestions for anything else which would be good to do? I was wondering if anywhere has an exhibition of wedding dresses through the ages or anything of that nature? Suggestions welcome!

First impulse is to say why not go to London for the day without the 2 year old, and have a grown up day of fun with/for your niece? Would that be possible?

No, the point of the day out is to include her as she is going to be bridesmaid but obviously can't go on the proper hen night

Also, I have to take her with me as no other childcare available even if I wanted to leave her at home

Posh afternoon tea is a lovely idea, but I wouldn't be able to enjoy it with a two year old in tow. Think I'd opt for somewhere more laid-back/child-friendly. Maybe a decent Italian place?

the British Museum do afternoon tea and i think it would be good with a child, as there's lots of running around in the Court. plus it's beautiful, and i think not as expensive as other places.

other option is to go to the South Bank- there are lots of restaurants/cafe along the river, including Giraffe which is a very child orientated chain.

I would head for the Natural History Museum and/or Science Museum for dd's activities. They have special exhibits and child friendly activity spaces. Check their websites in advance.

You could then wander down the street to the Victoria & Albert to see some adult exhibitions - not sure they'll have wedding dresses on display, but they often have some sort of historical fashion exhibit.

For tea, I'd do one of the big fancy Knightsbridge Hotels or ask what Harrod's might have available. Never been to tea at any of those places, but they're sure to have something and it is definitely in the geographical area you want. But, I'd check on prices - if that is an issue. I paid £25 for tea at one Knightsbridge hotel about 18 months ago. Also, some/many have dress codes so check that too.

By the way, it's alot of activity for a 2 year old - as I'm sure you know. Will she nap in the buggy?

how about fortnums?

or sunday lunch, 3 courses for kids £14

Thanks all. But I think my sis may have found the answer - Kensington Palace's restaurant does afternoon tea and says it welcomes children and even does a child's version of afternoon tea (Scone and a fruit shoot? ) So it looks like it'll be coram's fields if it is nice, or the dinosaurs or something if not, followed by lunch, then Kensington palace and afternoon tea in, well in the afternoon.