London afternoon tea

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Hi ladies
Can anyone recommend a special afternoon tea in London. Maybe with a view?
Thank you

They do it at the Shard but you do have to book long in advance. I like Sketch. No view but the surroundings are amazing!

I haven't done it but I think the Portrait Gallery do one, in their upstairs restaurant.

Ooh my favourite topic! Shard has a view, yes, there's one in a London bus that looks great (but haven't been), Aethenium was nice but no view, recently went to the Goring and was delicious but again no view. Corinthian was best afternoon tea ever -but again no view.

The globe does one that looks ok and will be a nice setting. I really want to go to Sketch as looks ace. There is I think one at Skylon in RFH which has lovely view.

Can you tell I have a slight afternoon tea habit?!

I find that the themed ones are always a bit ropey tbh. The mad hatter one etc, it’s all about the weird teapots and trying to fit the theme rather than having a good quality tea.

The British Museum do it, that’s ok. There’s Beas of Bloomsbury as well who have a view of St Paul’s.

The one in Aqua Shard has an amazing view but I was quite disappointed with the food. Definitely not worth the money. There is another one in the Shard in Ting Ting...not sure what that one is like but will have the view! The best one I have ever been to is Emmelines in the Conrad Hotel. Not got the view but was amazing!

The one at ham yard hotel is lovely

Another vote for Sketch here! Really lovely food

I would recommend Sketch as well, also Claridges do a very nice afternoon tea

Portrait Gallery view is the best; Savoy tea is the best.

I've been to the Royal Horseguards and the food and service (and toilets) were delightful. No view though. Although the Swan at the Globe was packed it has a nicer view.

Sketch is massively overpriced, not worth it in my opinion, wouldn't go back.

Don't bother with The Ritz, it was a nice thing to do but very touristy.

The Savoy is lovely, really loved that.

But I would say the best I've had was a couple of weeks ago at St Martins Lane hotel near Leicester Square. It's not quite as luxurious a setting as The Savoy, but the food was as good and the service even better! Already planned to go back!

I've also heard Aqua Shard is great but haven't tried it myself.

My favourite afternoon tea is at Fortnum & Mason, not got much of a view though but the tea rooms are beautiful and elegant

But Sketch is in the £50 range, as they usually all are

F&M was the same price and just ok. Hotel Chocolat the same. Claridges, the Dorchester etc all about £50.

Liberty do one for £25 (£11 no sandwiches) and it’s very very nice.

Aw, I found the F&M scones to be quite small, Sammy. Beautiful surroundings though, and the piano!

I have yet to encounter a 'view' restaurant in London where the food quality is up to standard. Oxo Tower, Duck & Waffle, Skylon, Galvin at Windows, Oblix... all very disappointing. (Although Oxo Tower used to be good, years ago.)

Another shout for Sketch or Fortnums here, then. Oh, or the Wolseley.

Of the grand hotels, the Dorchester is probably the best. It is somewhat touristy but the tables are more spaced out than the Ritz or Claridge's. I found Claridge's afternoon tea particularly disappointing. Herded around like sheep, crammed in with no privacy and served very poor food. Too much cheap, sugary cake, not enough sandwiches.

I had a lovely afternoon tea at fortnum and mason, there isn’t a particularly exciting view but it does feel rather opulent.

I also like The Wolesley. It is cheaper (a bit) and although there's no view it's more informal and there are lots of interesting things to look at inside.

The landmark is nice, the savoy, the Dorchester

@PlausibleSuit I found the opposite to you with regards to Claridges- we were offered plate after plate of amazing sandwiches until we we were ready for the scones. Then plate after plate until cakes. As soon as we finished one plate another would appear. Same with the tea and water. I had the most delicious white antler tea, and the service was great.

Wow ladies thank you :)
I'll let you know what we get up to

The Savoy was amazing and the Langham too.

Browns Hotel is lovely especially at Christmas but no view.