A Luxe Experience Without the Luxe Price Tag
Afternoon tea in London is the height of indulgence—but with sky-high prices at the likes of The Ritz and Claridge’s, it can feel out of reach. Luckily, there are ways to enjoy a fabulous tea experience without splashing out. Whether you’re after a classic spread with finger sandwiches and scones or something a little more creative, these five spots serve up luxury for less.
1. The Wolseley: A Grand Affair for Less
Where: 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB
Nearest Tube: Green Park
Website: www.thewolseley.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 7499 6996
Stepping into The Wolseley is like stepping back in time to an era of Art Deco grandeur. While their full afternoon tea is priced at a premium, you can get the same experience for less by ordering a cream tea. For just £19.50, you get warm scones with clotted cream and jam, plus a pot of their signature loose-leaf tea. Want the full works? Afternoon tea here is £46.50 per person, making it one of the more reasonably priced options in a five-star setting.
Tip: Ask for a seat near the central dining area for the best atmosphere.
2. Fan Museum’s Secret Tea Room: Greenwich’s Hidden Gem
Where: 12 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London SE10 8ER
Nearest Tube: Cutty Sark (DLR)
Website: www.thefanmuseum.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 8305 1441
Tucked away inside The Fan Museum, this charming little tea room serves up one of the best-value afternoon teas in London. For just £8 per person (yes, really!), you get a pot of tea and a generous slice of homemade cake, or go all in for £13.50 and get the full afternoon tea experience. The setting? A gorgeous orangery overlooking a secret garden.
Tip: Book ahead—this place is tiny and fills up fast.
3. Brigit’s Bakery: Afternoon Tea on a Bus!
Where: 6-7 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HU
Nearest Tube: Charing Cross / Leicester Square
Website: www.b-bakery.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 3026 1188
For afternoon tea with a twist, Brigit’s Bakery offers a unique experience onboard a vintage Routemaster bus. As you sip your tea and nibble on sandwiches, you’ll be driven past London’s most famous landmarks. Prices start from £45 per person, which isn’t cheap, but considering you’re getting a sightseeing tour and afternoon tea in one, it’s fantastic value.
Tip: Check their website for discounts and offers—sometimes they run special deals!
4. The Wallace Collection’s Courtyard Café: A Cultural Escape
Where: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
Nearest Tube: Bond Street / Baker Street
Website: www.wallacecollection.org
Phone: +44 (0)20 7563 9500
Afternoon tea inside a museum? Yes, please! The Wallace Collection’s light-filled courtyard is an oasis of calm in the middle of Marylebone. Here, a traditional cream tea costs just £12.00, while a full afternoon tea, with delicate finger sandwiches and patisserie, is £45 per person. Best of all? Entry to the museum is free, making it a perfect cultural and culinary day out.
Tip: Take a stroll through the museum’s collection before or after your tea to soak up some art and history.
5. Cutter & Squidge: The Quirky Alternative
Where: 20 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F 0SJ
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Website: www.cutterandsquidge.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 7734 2540
If traditional afternoon tea isn’t your thing, Cutter & Squidge offers something a little different. Their ‘Afternoon Tea & Cake’ for £16.50 includes a hot drink and a selection of their famous handmade cakes. For a full-on indulgence, the ‘Squidge Afternoon Tea’ at £32.50 features savoury bites, their signature biskies (a biscuit-cookie hybrid), and a pot of tea. It’s a fun and modern take on a classic tradition.
Tip: They often have seasonal afternoon tea themes, so check their website for the latest menu.
How to Enjoy Afternoon Tea on a Budget
- Opt for cream tea instead of full afternoon tea: Scones and tea are just as satisfying and far cheaper.
- Look for set menus and deals: Some places offer discounts at quieter times. Wowcher often has great two for one deals on afternoon tea.
- Skip the Champagne upgrade: A pot of tea is all you need to enjoy the experience.
- Visit museum cafés: Many have hidden gems offering affordable treats.
- Make a day of it: Pair your tea with a free gallery or park visit.
- Take Afternoon Tea at Marks & Spencers: This is a radical suggestion as it lacks the 5 star ambience but you can have tea at this department store for £12.50 a person making it on of the cheapest teas in London.
- Split an afternoon tea with a friend: Some bakeries and cafés, like Paul’s Bakery and Gail’s, offer a great hack for budget-conscious tea lovers. Order a sandwich, cake, scones with cream, and a pot of tea, then split it between two people. Not only do you save money, but at venues like Paul’s facing St. Paul’s Cathedral, you also get a prime location for a fraction of the price of a formal afternoon tea.
Final Sip: Luxe for Less in London
Afternoon tea doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and these hidden gems prove it. Whether you fancy a classic setting, a quirky twist, or a museum escape, there’s something for every budget. Now, over to you—which of these will you be trying first?
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