These are the best child-friendly afternoon tea in London, tried and tested by myself, Oscar and Noah.
Rubens at the Palace – Located at The Rubens at the Palace, the Royal Afternoon Tea takes place in one of the hotel’s regal lounges with a view of the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace. As you can imagine the tea is beautifully British with classic finger sandwiches for both mum and son – my favourite was smoked salmon and caviar of course. Noah wore a little crown as he ate his had smoked ham and cheese and roast chicken pesto sandwiches.
Next came the classic scones with the traditional preserves and clotted cream and then a beautiful selection of pastries with quintessentially English flavours such as the rhubarb and vanilla layer cake and the coffee crown for the grown ups and caramel marshmallow tea cake and and lemon drizzle madeleine for littles. The service was impeccable and nothing was too much trouble for our little princes.
The Dorchester – Located in the Promenade of the iconic Dorchester hotel, my little bestie and I indulged in the most amazing tea for two while listening to the tinkling notes of live piano. The Promenade itself is gorgeous, filled with flowers, the plush surroundings are simply breath-taking.
I ordered the classic champagne afternoon tea and Noah had the special children’s afternoon tea which is available for children of all ages. I enjoyed finger sandwiches including Severn & Wye smoked salmon, lemon cream on white bread, roast chicken, London lettuce, and mustard cress on white bread Dorrington ham, truffle and Parmesan on onion bread while Noah tucked into classics such as cucumber and cream cheese, egg mayonnaise, chicken, cheese, ham.
Thumbs up from Noah for the cheese in particular. Warm raisin and plain scones follow and are served with seasonal preserves and clotted cream. A mouth-watering selection of pastries finish the delicious treat and mini included carrot cake with dulcey walnut glaze, chantilly yuzu and Earl Grey choux and hazelnut and chocolate mousse while Noah got to try vanilla cup cake, lemon tartlet, passion fruit jelly swirl, strawberry meringue and chocolate brownies. I had the best time with my little Valentine as the tea is perfect for grown-ups and tiny tea lovers!
The Ampersand Hotel – the brilliant interactive themed tea based on Jurassic Park. This hotel also has a science themed tea.
Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Afternoon Bus by Brigit’s Bakery – The Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus by Brigit‘s bakery is one of the best children’s tea in town. Catch the bus on Victoria Embankment just by Somerset house. And from there it’s a whistle stop tour of some of London’s most famous landmarks.
My two little boys are mad on Peppa Pig and the afternoon tea was the perfect treat for Little Noah’s 2nd birthday. We’ve actually done it before a few years ago when Oscar was three and before Noah was born so I already knew how much fun it was. As well as having a tour guide who plays Peppa Pig themed games with the children there is an animated screen at every seat featuring escapades of Peppa and her friends.
The tea itself is really high-quality. The boys love the mini pizzas and finger sandwiches and the Peppa theme cakes and biscuits. We also loved it when warm scones were bought out
You can order both hot and cold drinks and pre-order alcoholic beverages such as champagne and Prosecco . Everyone gets a Peppa themed cup to take home and the kids also get an activity book. Of course I was a little apprehensive about taking a just turned two-year-old on an hour and a half bus ride but he was as good as gold and he absolutely loved it and Oscar did too, I just can’t recommend the afternoon tea enough, it’s perfect for little Peppa fans and ideal as a first ever afternoon tea. Though little Noah has already tried his fair share of afternoon teas!
Raffles London at The OWO – The new Secrets & Spies Afternoon Tea at Raffles London is so brilliant that it definitely shouldn’t be kept under wraps …. The afternoon tea celebrates the history of the hotel’s building otherwise known as the OWO or the Old War Office and the stories of 20th Century spies who once walked the corridors.
The tea is taken in the hotel’s historic Drawing Room. There’s a choice of tea as well as English sparkling wine and there’s even a tea timer to ensure the perfect brew. The tea is served in two courses – first the savouries that are just so beautifully presented – I loved the smoked salmon on rye bread and the asparagus and spring vegetable tart.
Next comes scones and pastries. The pastries are named after four historical female spies named Odette, Christine, Virginia and Vera who had a role in WWII took their orders from the OWO. My favourite was Christine, named for Christine Granville with a strawberry, vanilla and ginger tart as a homage to the word ‘Vanille’ in her name and a nod to her time in France
The pièce de résistance is the ‘Time to Spy’ cake to share made to look like Churchill’s legendary pocket watch also known as ‘the watch that won the war’ – though this one is made from caramel, chocolate and shortbread!
Children are treated to classic sandwiches and a trio of spy-themed desserts including Operations Sweetcase a milk chocolate and caramel cake inspired by the ‘Spy Suitcase’ and Morse Code: a vanilla cream and strawberry tartlet, topped with the alphabet so that children can invent their own messages.
11 Cadogan Gardens – Nestled in the heart of Chelsea, right by Sloane Square is number 11 Cadogan Gardens. The hotel is steeped with history having been built by Lord Chelsea himself in the late 19th century and is made up four Victorian Townhouses and series of maze-like corridors, staircases and hallways.
My younger son Noah is usually my afternoon tea buddy but as Oscar was off school for half term, he was my plus one for the hotel’s new Mummy and Me afternoon tea. The tea is served in one of the hotel’s lounges and is inspired by the beautiful gardens surrounding the hotel, even the beautiful William Edward tableware is inspired by nature. Mums can sip on a floral cocktail or a glass of Laurent Perrier and children can follow in Oscar’s footsteps with a hot chocolate. I loved the homemade savouries such as the Coronation chicken choux bun and smoked salmon sandwiches, the pastries (raspberry cream slice, rhubarb custard choux and caramelised apple tart) have a summery floral feel to them and children can enjoy doughnut and cupcakes as a delicious treat. Little explorers can take a look at the hotel’s private garden after tea and burn off some energy!
Strand Palace – the Strand Palace which has recently launched the MAMMA MIA! afternoon tea. Located just a three minute walk from the Novello theatre where the musical is showing, the tea makes a perfect prelude to a theatre visit. There’s a gorgeous adult’s afternoon (also a vegan option. as well as a children’s one each serving sweets and savouries inspired by characters and iconic ABBA songs that appear in the musical. The MAMMA MIA afternoon tea is served in Palace Tea Parlour which has been decorated with artwork from the musical. Noah and I loved it!
Royal Albert Hall – we were super excited to visit restaurant Coda by Éric Chavot at the iconic Royal Albert Hall.
We had a beautiful window seat which showcased the architecture of the famous concert hall with a view of the Albert memorial, though Noah was more interested in pointing out all the cars and buses! The restaurant itself is furnished beautifully and the staff treated Noah like a VIP!
I started off with a glass of R de Ruinart Champagne and Noah had a hot chocolate with marshmallows before moving on to an afternoon tea especially curated for little ones. My mini bestie tucked into tasty British honey ham, cucumber and cheese sandwiches also with fairy cakes, cookies, marshmallows, cake pops and fruit. My tea stand featured classic finger sandwiches including hot salmon mousse, cucumber and roast chicken. We shared some warm scones (Noah was a big fan of the cream!) and after that I had lemon and yuzu meringue tart, chocolate sacher slice and apple and custard dome. You can also have your choice of cake from the cake trolley. Noah and I had so much fun and the tea was fantastic! I can’t wait for our next one.
