Few things capture the magic of a London Christmas quite like an afternoon tea. In December, the city’s most celebrated hotels and restaurants transform their menus, swapping cucumber sandwiches for gingerbread scones, festive pastries, and inventive twists on childhood favourites. From delicate mince pies at Pan Pacific London to hand-iced biscuits at Biscuiteers, London’s festive teas offer a season of indulgence that feels both luxurious and joyful. Whether you prefer the traditional elegance of The Ritz or the playful charm of a Hamleys-inspired tea at The Langham, there is something to enchant every visitor.
Beyond classic indulgence, many venues embrace whimsy and storytelling, turning afternoon tea into a full festive experience. At One Aldwych, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory comes to life with fizzy lifting drinks and chocolate milkshakes, while The Swan at The Globe offers a Pinocchio-themed tea that feels perfectly magical during the holiday season. With sparkling settings, imaginative treats, and seasonal cocktails, London’s festive afternoon teas combine luxury, creativity, and nostalgia to create memorable Christmas moments for families, friends, and anyone looking to savour the spirit of the season.
The Langham - Hamleys Festive Afternoon Tea
Available from 10 November to 4 January
At The Langham, Christmas arrives with a playful wink thanks to its collaboration with Hamleys, the world’s most famous toy shop. This winter Palm Court transforms into a festive wonderland where nostalgia and luxury meet. Children are treated to a whimsical menu of patisseries shaped like classic toys, while adults can indulge in The Langham’s elegant afternoon tea reimagined with a hint of Hamleys magic. Think childhood favourites elevated with a refined, grown-up twist. Beyond tea, Palm Court’s festive lunches and dinners promise a season of indulgence, with dishes like venison, halibut, and traditional turkey served with all the trimmings and just the right amount of sparkle.
The Lanesborough
Available from 12 November to 6 January
Festive Bridgerton Afternoon Tea
This season, The Lanesborough’s celebrated Bridgerton Afternoon Tea receives a festive twist. Guests can indulge in a Regency-inspired spread infused with holiday flavours, served beneath the hotel’s grand glass dome. Expect elegant finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and exquisite pastries worthy of a royal ball - an afternoon tea that captures the opulence of the Bridgerton world with a touch of Christmas magic.
B Bakery
Available from 15 November to 31 December
For a festive afternoon tea with a view, Brigit’s Bakery transforms its iconic 1960s Routemaster bus into a moving winter wonderland. The Christmas Afternoon Tea Bus Tour combines London’s glittering holiday lights with a menu of classic treats, think smoked salmon finger sandwiches, delicate pastries, and scones piled high with jam and clotted cream. As the bus winds past landmarks like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and The Royal Albert Hall, guests can sip tea or Prosecco and take in the city at its most magical. The early evening tours are especially enchanting, offering a front-row seat to Regent Street’s Christmas lights and a dose of festive nostalgia that feels distinctly, and delightfully, London
Pan Pacific London
At Pan Pacific London, Christmas indulgence takes a sophisticated turn with its Festive Afternoon Tea, served daily in the elegant Ginger Lily Lounge. Priced at £68 per person, the experience begins with a spiced parsnip velouté and a pork and apricot sausage roll before moving on to delicate finger sandwiches filled with roast turkey and cranberry, dry-aged beef with horseradish, and truffled Burford Brown egg. Freshly baked plain and gingerbread scones are served with Cornish clotted cream, strawberry preserve, and orange marmalade, while the patisserie selection feels almost too beautiful to eat. Highlights include the Bobble Hat Mousse with toasted coconut and sea salt, a Christmas Present Cremeux infused with mulled wine spices, and a Christmas Pudding Macaron with brandy buttercream. Guests can also enjoy a glass of Taittinger Champagne to complete this elegant festive experience.
Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
Available from 28 November to 4 January
At Hyatt Regency London, the much-loved Flavours of the World Afternoon Tea gets a festive makeover. Served every Thursday to Saturday in the afternoon, the experience blends global inspiration with classic Christmas indulgence. Guests can enjoy delicate pastries, festive sweets, and freshly baked scones, each thoughtfully crafted by the hotel’s pastry chefs. Signature teas and a glass of champagne add a touch of celebration, while the warm, elegant setting makes it an ideal spot to slow down, share stories, and savour the magic of the season.
Waldorf Hilton London
At The Waldorf Hilton, Christmas arrives with a touch of theatre. This year, the hotel partners with Elf The Musical to present a festive afternoon tea that blends indulgence with entertainment. Guests can enjoy an array of delicious cakes and treats, alongside a thoughtful selection of teas served in the hotel’s elegant surroundings. With prices from £59 for adults and £40 for children, it is a charming experience for families and anyone seeking a little extra sparkle in the heart of London’s West End.
Taj London
At Taj London, the Secret Garden transforms into a winter fairytale for the Enchanted Christmas Edition of its A Midsummer Night’s Dream Afternoon Tea. Available every Thursday to Sunday, and daily from 18 December to 4 January, the experience captures the whimsy of the season with a hot chocolate bauble, a selection of sweet and savoury delights, and a festive cocktail to toast to Christmas. Set within one of London’s most elegant hotels, this afternoon tea feels like stepping into a storybook, where indulgence and imagination meet beneath a canopy of twinkling lights.
The Chesterfield Mayfair
Available from 14th November 2025 to 4th January 2026
At The Chesterfield Mayfair, the holiday season is celebrated in style with the Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea. Guests can immerse themselves in festive cheer while enjoying a selection of indulgent treats. This imaginative take on a classic British tradition transforms the elegant setting into a magical winter escape, offering a perfectly indulgent way to savour the spirit of Christmas in the heart of Mayfair.
Hotel Café Royal
Available from 7 November
At Hotel Café Royal, Regent Street glamour meets festive indulgence with the Festive Afternoon Tea. Set within the gilded Café Royal Grill, the experience is crafted by Head Pastry Chef Maxence Blondelle and features seasonal treats, overflowing Champagne, and a carefully curated selection of teas. Golden interiors and the gentle melodies of a live pianist set the scene for a Nutcracker-inspired celebration, while the iconic Domino Room offers a weekend extension of the experience from 6 December to 28 December. Priced at £79 per person or £95 with a glass of N.V. Veuve Clicquot Brut, with children under 12 welcome at £39.50, it is one of London’s most elegant ways to savour the magic of Christmas.
The Ritz London
Available from 15 November to 3 January
Celebrate Christmas at The Ritz London with a festive Afternoon Tea in the stunning Palm Court. Enjoy 20 loose-leaf teas, delicate finger sandwiches, pastries, mince pies, Christmas cakes, and freshly baked scones with Cornish clotted cream. Sip a glass of Barons de Rothschild “Reserve Ritz” Brut NV while the Ritz choir fills the room with carols. The Palm Court is transformed into an Edwardian winter wonderland, and each child receives a charming Ritz teddy bear. Prices start at £120 per adult and £79 per child
The Savoy
Afternoon Tea at The Savoy takes on an extra sprinkle of magic during the festive season. Set in the stunning Gallery, guests can indulge in featherlight scones, seasonal finger sandwiches, and an exquisite selection of festive pastries, all paired with the finest teas curated by the hotel’s expert team. The luxurious surroundings, twinkling holiday décor, and warm, celebratory atmosphere make it the perfect setting to savour Christmas in style. With limited spaces, this seasonal tradition is as exclusive as it is enchanting.
One Aldwych
Available from 12 November to 10 January
Step into a world of festive whimsy at One Aldwych with the Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea. Inspired by Roald Dahl’s beloved story, this magical experience combines indulgent treats with playful theatrics, from fizzy lifting drinks and snozzberry jam to chocolate swudge milkshakes mixed by waterfall. Guests can savour creative savouries such as beetroot and horseradish ‘hot ice cream for cold days’ and roast turkey with cranberry sandwiches, before moving on to a box piled high with mince pie-flavoured floss, cakes, sweets, and creams. Choose from chocolate or lemon sherbet tea, mulled snozzberry cocktails, mocktails, or Champagne for the ultimate festive indulgence that will delight both children and the young at heart.
The Library at London Marriott County Hall
Celebrate the season with Festive Afternoon Tea at The Library, London Marriott County Hall. Set in a timeless, historic space overlooking the River Thames, guests can enjoy a curated selection of seasonal finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and indulgent festive pastries. The elegant setting and thoughtful menu make it the perfect spot to savour a classic Christmas treat with a touch of London charm.
The Swan at The Globe
Photo credit Key & Quill
Set against the iconic backdrop of the River Thames, The Swan at The Globe introduces a whimsical Pinocchio-inspired Afternoon Tea, running until early 2026. While not directly Christmas-themed, this playful experience makes for a magical outing during the festive season. Guests can choose from a classic Pinocchio menu, a vegetarian option, or the Geppetto savoury afternoon tea, each offering a creative twist on the traditional British pastime. Perfectly positioned for theatre-goers and riverfront strollers alike, it combines the charm of London’s historic South Bank with a storybook-inspired experience that feels wonderfully festive.
