Best affordable afternoon teas in London

Best affordable afternoon teas in London at a glance

• Best botanical affordable afternoon tea: Harbour Hotel, from £29.95 per person
• Best Italian-themed affordable afternoon tea: The Hari, from £40 per person
• Best al fresco affordable afternoon tea: Number Sixteen, from £35 per person
• Best themed affordable afternoon tea: The Swan, from £42.50 per person
• Best affordable railway-inspired regional afternoon tea: RAILS, from £39.50 per person

Best affordable afternoon teas in London at a glance

The Gate, Harbour Hotel

• From £29.95 per person, book at Harbour Hotels

Head a little further out of central London and it's easier to find a more affordable afternoon tea. At The Harbour Hotel in Richmond, a classic three-tiered afternoon tea comes in at under £30 per person and feels like great value for money. Nab a table in the pretty secluded garden for an al fresco tea. The savoury course offers more than just sandwiches (although these are covered too, with classic cucumber and mint cream cheese) – our highlights were crunchy mini pea arancini and crisp mini vol au vents filled with asparagus. A creamy coronation chicken bun in fluffy brioche was well-seasoned and lightly spiced. Scones are served warm with crisp tops and come with garden berry jam.

The 'secret garden' theme of the tea comes through in the desserts to finish, with edible flowers, a rose macaron and lemon petal-shaped tartlet. A Pimm's jelly is a fun addition to add to the classic British summertime feel. A chocolate mousse plant pot was a surprise hit: silky chocolate mousse that wasn't too sweet, with a crunchy chocolate 'soil' with a pleasing hit of salt. It's up to you if you eat the chocolate plant pot casing too. The tea selection is short but covers the classics, and you can add a glass of prosecco for £9.50.

The hotel is located on the edge of Richmond Park so you can walk off your tea afterwards – you won't leave hungry.

Il Pampero at The Hari, Belgravia

• From £40 per person, book at the Hari

Best Italian-themed afternoon tea

Tucked away in the heart of Belgravia, The Hari is a stylish, sustainable boutique hotel that perfectly straddles Chelsea, Kensington and Knightsbridge. After a day exploring London’s iconic attractions – Buckingham Palace, world-class museums and designer shopping – treat yourself to a refined yet playful Italian-inspired afternoon tea at Il Pampero, the hotel’s chic bar and restaurant.

Blending British tradition with Italian flair, this unique experience swaps classic finger sandwiches for freshly baked focaccia. Expect toppings like 24-month-aged Parma ham with creamy stracciatella and balsamic reduction or taleggio cheese paired with a luscious fig jam – a decadent twist on the usual ham and egg & cress. Sweet treats continue the theme, with the Tiramichoux – a light, airy choux pastry filled with mascarpone cream and finished with an espresso glaze – stealing the show. It's the kind of dessert you’ll be reminiscing about long after your last bite.

Complement your spread with a choice of seven premium teas, from the floral and refreshing Jing Darjeeling 2nd flush to the calming Jing chamomile flower. If you prefer coffee, that’s on offer too – but for a touch of extra indulgence, why not elevate the experience with a glass of Moët & Chandon champagne?

Number Sixteen

• From £35 per person, book at Firmdale Hotels

As soon as you step through the door of this pristinely manicured mid-Victorian white townhouse, co-owner Kit Kemp's bold statements make themselves known. Textiles in the suite of drawing rooms range in colour from pistachio and pink to stylish yellow and purple, with unique artwork throughout – a huge wall-mounted birdcage marks the entranceway, books line the walls and hand painted puppets guard the honesty bar stocked with spirits, wines and bubbles.

The selection of sandwiches and cakes offer something a bit different to traditional afternoon tea. On our summer visit, hick-cut honey-roasted ham with refreshing dill coleslaw comes on black rye bread; beautiful courgette flowers are coated in a crisp and light tempura; and herbes de provence chicken fills a squishy glazed brioche bun. Pastries are pretty and dainty – a hint of violet adds depth to a creamy lemon-filled choux profiterole, rose cupcakes are subtly floral and the silky raspberry panna cotta provides a pleasantly tart finish.

The Swan

• From £42.50 per person, book at The Swan

Overlooking the River Thames and located within the world-renowned Shakespeare’s Globe, enjoy afternoon tea with a stunning view from The Swan Bankside. The Swan’s themed afternoon tea ties in with the Globe’s play schedule, currently celebrating the upcoming summer production of Romeo & Juliet with a Wild West twist.

Opting for the Classic Tea includes delicate finger sandwiches of smoked salmon and sheep’s curd sandwich; a buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil tartlet; and roast beef and 'cowboy butter' in a rocket bun. Sweet treats are named after key lines from the play and are given western adornments such as a chocolate cowboy boot on top of their smoked cherry bakewell tart. Scones are kept traditional with raisin and plain varieties alongside strawberry jam and Devonshire clotted cream. The savoury Cowboy Tea is also available for those who prefer things less sweet, as are vegetarian, vegan and non-gluten options.

Round off your tea with an apple and elderflower sparkling ‘love potion’ palette cleanser for a whimsical finish. Floral cocktails continue with the theme and there is a choice of bubbles including non-alcoholic. Sip Novus award-winning loose leaf tea, with several black, green, white and herbal options. Fleur d’orient oolong with semi-fermented green tea with floral notes was a particular favourite of ours on our visit.

RAILS

• From £39.50 per person, book at Great Northern Hotel

Hop aboard for a flavour-packed journey with the new afternoon tea at RAILS, located at the Great Northern Hotel just outside King’s Cross St Pancras. Inspired by the great railways of the UK, this imaginative spread takes you on a whistle-stop tour of regional favourites, from rich Yorkshire parkin and creamy cranachan choux buns to indulgent Scottish millionaire’s shortbread. There’s a nod to London with a dainty Victoria cupcake, while a hearty Scouse pie brings a savoury bite from Liverpool.

Of course, no afternoon tea would be complete without scones, and here you’re treated to three: plain, raisin and a moreish savoury Wensleydale version, served with jam and clotted cream. Priced at £39.50, the standard tea includes a choice of eight loose-leaf blends. For those looking to toast the occasion, there are fizz upgrades: prosecco for £47.50, sparkling wine for £49.50, or a glass of champagne for £52.50. A thoroughly enjoyable – and distinctly British – experience.

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