Christmas afternoon tea: 14 of the most festive spreads in London

There are so many Christmas traditions these days that it can be a tall order keeping count of them all. From Stir Up Sunday to Secret Santa, there’s no end to the ways in which people choose to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. One particular festive activity that we’re more than happy to add to the list, though, is Christmas afternoon teas.

Come November time, some of the best afternoon teas in London receive a festive makeover, which sees the tradition's miniature cakes and finger sandwiches dressed up with new and exciting Christmassy alternatives. Egg and cress are replaced with turkey and cranberry, while cucumber and cream cheese get chucked for Stilton and festive chutney. On the sweet front, you can expect gingerbread biscuits, bauble-shaped cakes and patisserie treats spiced with cinnamon to be in abundance.

Much like the traditional version, a festive afternoon tea is a really lovely way to celebrate the most joyous of seasons and, if you’re the type of person that struggles to feel Christmassy every year, is bound to fill you with at least a twinkle of festive spirit. Other than the joy of being waited on like royalty, there’s nothing quite like a tiered cake stand laden with Christmassy treats to make you feel giddy.

If this sounds like your perfect winter afternoon (and hey, why wouldn’t it?), then keep on scrolling for some of the best festive afternoon teas in London. Our tip? Keep an eye out for afternoon teas served in hotels for some of the most beautiful and bizarre spreads in the city plus a peek at some seriously impressive Christmas trees. You don’t have to be staying there to make a booking! If you’re searching for a Christmas afternoon tea that will leave you feeling all warm and cosy inside, one of these fabulous options should be just right for you.

What's included in a Christmas afternoon tea?

A Christmas afternoon tea, as you might have guessed, is a regular spread with a festive twist. Typically, Christmas afternoon teas in London include mince pies and an option to add a glass of bubbles to celebrate the season. Some of the capital's fanciest hotels go all out on their offerings come December, theming all the treats in line with the time of year and even offering entertainment in some cases - Nutcracker performers, anyone?

The best Christmas afternoon teas in London

If you're already a fan of traditional mini sandwiches and cakes, then you're going to love these fabulous festive afternoon teas! Turkey sandwiches, edible baubles and Christmas cocktails are all on the menu this year.

Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea at The Ruben's Hotel, Victoria

What: To be taken in either The English Grill or The Palace Lounge at The Rubens Hotel, guests can enjoy a festive twist on an award-winning afternoon tea created by Bake Off: The Professionals 2021 finalist Sarah Houghting. The signature afternoon tea features the likes of Norfolk roast turkey, stuffing and cranberry mayonnaise; Scottish smoked salmon and chive cream cheese; a chestnut tart with clementine jelly and frangipane; and a coffee caramel swiss roll. There's also the option to add mulled wine and bottomless Champagne to your tea, while 11 different loose-leaf teas are available for traditionalists.
Where: 39 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0PS
Book now: The Rubens at the Palace

Festive Afternoon Tea at Pan Pacific London, Liverpool Street

What: Festive afternoon tea at Pan Pacific is all about decadent flavours and brilliant sweets. Things kick off with an amuse bouche before heading onto a selection of finger sandwiches filled with coronation chicken, dry cured smoked salmon, truffle egg and roast beef. Then it’s onto scones followed by sweet treats like mint wreath macaron, festive plum and chestnut bauble, and a cute Rudolph pecan tart. There’s also a sticky toffee cracker cake with almonds and jujube dates, and an equally indulgent ‘free from’ menu so that everyone can get into the spirit of the season.
Where: 80 Houndsditch, EC3A 7AB
Book Now: Pan Pacific London

Festive Afternoon Tea in The Crystal Moon Lounge at Corinthia London, Charing Cross

What: Shimmering in the glow of the Crystal Moon Lounge, afternoon tea at The Corinthia show is sure to get you in the festive spirit - especially if you splash out and upgrade to include Kaluga caviar. Finger sandwiches offer afternoon tea staples and festive flavours with a twist, think turkey with baby gem and parmesan on onion bread, roast beef with horse radish and creme fraiche, and hot smokey salmon with juniper on brioche bread. The patisseries are some of the prettiest, with Tahitian vanilla snow globes, mont-blanc choux buns, and plum Amaretto tartlets delivered on an impressive trolley stacked full of glistening treats.
Where: 10 Whitehall Place, SW1A 2BD
Book now: Corinthia London

Festive Afternoon Tea at Royal Lancaster, Bayswater

What: There’s only one thing that beats a Winter walk in Hyde Park, and that's a post-amble afternoon tea at Hyde Cafe accompanied by a glass of Laurent-Perrier to make it extra special. This year's sandwich selection includes traditional fillings such as roast turkey with cranberry jam, John Ross smoked salmon with dill tartare, roasted sirloin with chimichurri dressing. While Christmas sweets include a stunning candied fruit cake disguised as a snowflake, and a Santa’s Belt Bauble made with chocolate mousse and a spiced pear compote. This is a great one for anyone looking for a bit of Christmas theatre. 
Where: Lancaster Terrace, W2 2TY
Book now: Royal Lancaster

Bridgerton Festive Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough, Knightsbridge

What: Available from 13 November 2024 to the 8 January 2025, The Lanesborough hotel is serving a Bridgerton-inspired festive afternoon tea under the glittering chandeliers of its Regency dining room. Patisseries include The Social Butterfly, Colin's Travels and The Lady Whistledown, and you can even round off the experience with themed cocktails, such as the Friends to Lovers cocktail made with coconut tequila and lime juice. If you want to keep things classic, the team have even crafted their very own Bridgerton Blend tea, in collaboration with their tea supplier and the producers of the Netflix show. 
Where: Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA
Book now: The Lanesborough 

Festive Afternoon Tea at The Milestone Hotel and Residences, Kensington

What: Set in some of the most beautiful dining rooms London has to offer, festive afternoon tea at The Milestone Hotel offers a gorgeous traditional menu to match the setting. You can choose to indulge in this festive treat in Cheneston’s Restaurant, The Oratory, or Park Lounge and make the most of the festive season. Savouries here include the likes of cheddar, leek and chive tartlets; truffled egg mayonnaise with Hampshire watercress sandwiches, and turkey mayo with stuffing. As for the sweets, think hazelnut and pear choux, tonka bean macarons, and caramel apple bavarois. 
Where: 1-2 Kensington Court, W8 5DL
Book now: Milestone Hotel and Residences

Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Langham, Marylebone

What: Available from 6 November to 31 December 2024, The Langham is putting on a festive spread designed specifically for children this year. Drawing on the rich history of The Langham and toy store Hamleys, the experience will feature cakes in the form of iconic toys, washed down with a fruity blackcurrant and hibiscus tea. Adults are taken care of too with a traditional festive afternoon tea menu, with highlights such as Scottish salmon gravlax and beetroot sandwiches, and 'cassonade' shortbread with Tonka bean and orange infused cream. 
Where: 1C Portland Place, W1B 1JA
Book now: Palm Court at The Langham

Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Rose Lounge in the Sofitel London, St James

What: Served in the whimsical Rose Lounge, which features gorgeous artwork and deep red accents, Sofitel dishes up an immersive afternoon tea experience every Christmas. Served from 23 November to 31 December, the festive menu features an elegant array of savouries and sweets, from egg and black truffle mayo on brioche, to raspberry and pistachio choux buns. The menu is priced at £80 per person, or £90 including a glass of Champagne. 
Where: 6 Waterloo Place, SW1Y 4AN
Book now: The Rose Lounge

Snow Palace Afternoon Tea at Strand Palace, Covent Garden

What: The iconic Snow Palace afternoon tea stands as one of the best ways to pass the time in winter. Things kick off with sage and onion roast turkey in brioche, a whipped goat’s cheese and caramelised onion tartlet, and salmon sandwiches. Then it’s onto scones followed by coconut and lemon snowballs, raspberry macarons with Santa belts, and white chocolate and vanilla yule logs. There’s a cute kids menu too, and on select weekends you’ll be treated to live performances from the Snow Palace ballerina.
Where: 372 Strand, WC2R 0JJ
Book now: Strand Palace

Winter Afternoon Tea at JOIA, Battersea

What: An extra special afternoon tea with views of Battersea Power Station, JOIA's seasonal winter tea menu combines 12 different types of loose-leaf tea with a selection of festive favourites. Sandwiches include turkey and cranberry sauce, and smoked salmon with cream cheese and dill, while cakes feature dainty creations like a sherry trifle tart and a pear and pecan gingerbread choux bun. Even the scone course has had a festive makeover, served with mulled wine jam! 
Where: 1 Electric Boulevard, SW11 8BJ
Book now: JOIA

Festive Afternoon Tea at Great Scotland Yard, Westminster

What: Festive treats don't get much more adorable that the ones being served as part of Great Scotland Yard's afternoon tea this Christmas. The team have chanelled their creative juices to create sweet patisseries likes a Black Forest Reindeer filled with Kalingo chocolate and amarena mousse, and a dinky Christmas Tree Tart filed with chestnut and cassis. Preceding that, you can tuck into spiced gingerbread scones with Cornish cream and blackberry jam, while sandwiches and savouries include a chestnut and Cheddar Yorkshire pudding, wild mushroom and rocket quiche, and smoked salmon with caviar and horseradish cream sarnies. 
Where: 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, SW1A 2HN
Book now: The Parlour at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel

Festive Afternoon Tea at The Landmark London, Marylebone

What: This year, The Landmark’s festive afternoon tea runs from 28 November 2024 to 5 January 2025, with guests able to tuck into a range of sandwiches, warm scones, Christmassy cakes and a glass of Champagne. Part of the experience is being able to dine in the hotel's stunning Winter Garden room, a vast space that’s home to towering palm trees, marble staircases, and sky-high columns. Once you’ve picked your jaw off the floor, you can use it to tuck into the likes of Lapsang Souchong smoked Scottish salmon sandwiches, Mont blanc tart with chestnuts and vanilla ganache, and Christmas pudding with redcurrants and cinnamon. 
Where: 222 Marylebone Road, NW1 6JQ
Book now: Winter Garden at The Landmark

Festive Afternoon Tea at The Hansom at St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, King’s Cross

What: The Hansom makes the most of its location within King’s Cross by retaining several of the landmark’s original features - think red brick walls and soaring ceilings. It’s a beautiful place in which to enjoy the annual Christmas afternoon tea which this year includes smoked salmon and roast sirloin finger sandwiches, along with a symphony of sweets and patisseries including a gingerbread latte cake, St Clements macaron and a fromage blanc mousse. 
Where: Euston Road, NW1 2AR
Book now: The Hansom

Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Ritz, Mayfair

What: The Palm Court will be transformed into an Edwardian winter wonderland again this year, complete with classic red and gold trimmings and a beautiful Christmas tree taking centre stage! Serving 20 different types of loose leaf tea, delicate finger sandwiches, pastries, scones with jam and cream, and a hefty Champagne selection, The Ritz never fails to put on a spread with (jingle) bells on! Indulge in all of the above while being serenaded by The Ritz choir who will be singing all your favourite Christmas carols.
Where: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR
Book now: The Ritz

Obsessed with all things Christmas? Check out our top Christmas set menus at London restaurants and get stuck into rounds of turkey, mince pies, and pigs in blankets.