School Holidays: Best Children’s Afternoon Teas in London

Afternoon tea is often seen as a grown-up activity – but there’s no reason it can’t be enjoyed by little ones too. Numerous hotels and restaurants offer child-friendly afternoon teas, featuring fun twists on the British tradition: think Willy Wonka-inspired pastries, mini hot dogs and retro pic ‘n’ mix – washed down with milky teas and milkshakes. Many have an interactive element too, whether it’s biscuit decorating or fancy dress. And it’s not all about the kids either, as often these sit alongside alternative adults menus, meaning you can feast on finger sandwiches and sip champagne while the children are occupied.

Here, we highlight the best child-friendly afternoon teas in London, perfect if you’re looking for an activity for the school holidays or just fancy treating your little one. From a sky-high offering at The Shard to an old-school tea party and a wizard-themed immersive experience, these children’s afternoon teas will not disappoint.

MORE: The Summer School Holidays Activities Guide 2025

London’s Best Kids Afternoon Teas 2025

Children’s Afternoon Tea at Oblix at the Shard

Found on the 32nd floor of the Shard and offering unparalleled views of the city, Oblix is a treat for all ages. But little ones will particularly love its new afternoon tea offering, designed for children under 12. It includes sweet treats like a chocolate and praline bunny and a strawberry ladybird, alongside finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and hot chocolate. Adults, meanwhile, can tuck into the usual afternoon tea menu, paired with a glass of fizz.

When? Available daily Thursday – Sunday from 12-4pm

Price: From £39pp

BOOK: oblixrestaurant.com

Dalloway Terrace

With its idyllic garden, Dalloway Terrace is one of the city’s most beloved spots for al fresco dining. And now, kids will love it too, thanks to the restaurant’s child-friendly afternoon tea offering. Themed around bumblebees, the experience will see little diners given an activity book and packet of wildflower seeds, before sitting down to a three-tiered stand of sweet and savoury treats. There will be finger sandwiches filled with mild cheddar and honey roast ham, and fluffy buttermilk scones with honey and strawberry jam, ahead of a selection of sweet treats including beehive shortbread and a milk chocolate bumblebee lollipop. Accompanying adults, meanwhile, can enjoy a more grown-up version alongside optional champagne.

When? Weekends and school holidays, 12 – 4pm

Price: £25 per child

BOOK: dallowayterrace.com

Jurassic Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel

Winner of the best themed afternoon tea at the Afternoon Tea Awards, The Ampersand Hotel is the perfect pitstop after an afternoon exploring the museums of South Kensington. Inspired by these neighbouring museums is a Jurassic-themed afternoon tea, featuring a mix of dinosaur-inspired sweet and savoury treats: mini hot dogs, T-rex cheese straws, jam sandwiches and homemade scones, alongside pastries including a Raspberry & Lemon Crémeux Volcano Eruption, and a Dark Chocolate & Caramel Dinosaur Egg Nest. Children can enjoy all this alongside a cup of warming hot chocolate, while adults can sit back and relax with a glass of Charles Heidsieck Brut NV or rosé champagne.

When? Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 5.30pm

Price: £35 for children and from £49.50 for adults

BOOK: ampersandhotel.com

The Beaumont

Art Deco Mayfair hotel The Beaumont serves a child-friendly afternoon tea in its chic Gatsby’s Room. Here the classic British tradition is given an American twist, in line with the rest of the hotel, with the children’s menu featuring cheddar and tomato sandwiches, alongside raisin and plain scones with clotted cream. Sweet treats, meanwhile, include a vanilla pudding and a yuzu cream pie. This can be enjoyed alongside hot chocolate – and don’t worry, there’s a separate menu for adults featuring tea cocktails and salt beef sandwiches.

When? Available between 2.30pm and 5.30pm Monday to Friday, noon to 5.30pm Saturday and Sunday

Price: £40 for children

BOOK: thebeaumont.com

Sofitel London St James

Sofitel London St James offers a delicious children’s afternoon tea offering, served in its Rose Lounge. To begin there are sandwiches (ham and cheddar cheese, and egg mayonnaise), alongside a wild mushroom tart, followed by sweet treats including a blood orange and chocolate sphere, and black forest tart. Adding a fun, interactive element into the mix, little ones can also decorate their own biscuits with edible paint. Adults, meanwhile, can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea offering featuring finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and champagne.

When? Available 12pm – 4.30pm Friday – Sunday

Price: £40 per child, £70 per adult

BOOK: sofitelstjames.com

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych

As children’s afternoon teas go, this one is sure to satisfy those with a sweet tooth. Enter a world of pure imagination at One Aldwych’s experience, inspired by Roald Dahl’s iconic story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The menu is like something from Willy Wonka’s dreamland, with splendid savouries (think salmon and beetroot macron and Spinach roly-poly); scrumptious sweets (look out for the blue as blueberry chocolate tart and scones with snozzberry jam and all the creams); and fizzy-lifting drinks (including the swudge chocolate milkshake mixed by waterfall and Strawberry Juice Water Pistol Punch). Augustus Gloop, eat your heart out.

When? Available Wednesday to Friday 12pm – 3pm

Price: £50 per child (under 12), £70 per adult

BOOK: onealdwych.com

Kids’ Sci-Fi Tea at The Ampersand

Sitting alongside the Jurassic Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand is a kids’ Sci-Fi Tea, inspired by the nearby Science Museum. Served in The Drawing Rooms, the tea comes on brightly coloured rocket stands, offering a special selection of children’s favourites, including mini hot dogs, rocket cheese straws and brioche and jam sandwiches. There are even experimental build-your-own science puddings. To drink? ‘Spaceman’ hot chocolate for the kids, champagne for the grown ups.

When? Available 12noon – 6.30pm, Monday – Friday and 12noon – 7.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays

Price: £39.50 for children, from £59.50 for adults

BOOK: ampersandhotel.com

The Savoy

It might be one of the city’s most refined hotels, but The Savoy is actually a great spot for afternoon tea with the kids. Simple sandwiches on on offer include cheddar cheese on multigrain bread, plus peanut butter and jelly mini croissants; followed by a whole host of fun desserts, like Teddy Marshmallow Cookies, a Doughnut Macaron and a Jam Roly Poly. It’s served in the iconic Thames Foyer – and fear, not there’s a separate menu for adults.

When? Available Monday – Tuesday: 12pm – 4pm (last seating at 2.45pm), Wednesday – Sunday: 12pm – 6pm (last seating at 4.45pm)

Price: £40 per child

BOOK: opentable.co.uk

The Chesterfield Mayfair

If you’re looking for a child-friendly afternoon tea option in London, look no further than the Chesterfield Mayfair’s The Original Sweet Shop Afternoon Tea. With pastries and cakes the flavour of retro sweetshop favourites, delicious chocolate-chip scones and a host of savoury treats, it’s a must-try for both adults and children with a sweet tooth. Highlights include the Coca-Cola slice, the enormous peanut-butter cup and the fizzy apple mousse. And of course, the trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the retro sweet cart manned by the in-house Candyman who will help young guests fill a bag with old-school penny sweets and pick-and-mix favourites. Younger guests can enjoy the afternoon tea served alongside a milkshake or tea, priced at £31. Adults can opt to add a glass of something sparkling with the Champagne Tea (£62 per person), including a glass of brut, rosé or white label Lanson Champagne. For £55 per person The Original Sweet Shop Afternoon Tea is served with loose leaf or flowering tea, coffee or hot chocolate.

When? Available Monday – Friday: 12pm – 4pm. Saturday and Sunday: 12.30pm – 5.30pm

Price: £45 per child, £75 per adult

BOOK: Email [email protected] or visit chesterfieldmayfair.com

Little Prince and Princess Tea at The Milestone Hotel

Afternoon tea at the Milestone Hotel is a ritual fit for royalty, so bring along your little princes and princesses for a day of opulence. The traditional high tea menu is finely tuned to children’s tastes and includes a delicious selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Devonshire clotted cream, fruit preserves, French pastries, chocolate ruffles and hot chocolate. To avoid tears, kids can even ask for one more of the treat they enjoyed the most. Once adequately high on sugar, bring the children to the nearby Princess Diana Memorial Playground for a little run around.

When? Available Monday – Sunday with three sittings: 1 –3pm, 3 – 5pm, 5 – 7pm

Price: £51.75 per child

BOOK: milestone.com