London’s Best Christmas Afternoon Teas For 2026

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to celebrate than with some tea and cake? Many of London’s finest restaurants and hotels have given their afternoon teas a festive shake-up, with seasonal sandwiches, mince pies and mulled wine being thrown into the mix.

London is one of the world’s best cities for afternoon tea. The long-standing British tradition dates back to the mid-19th century, when Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, would enjoy a mid-afternoon tray of tea, bread, butter and cake to see her through from lunch to dinner. This grew into a social event, and the ritual gained popularity over the years. Nowadays, you can enjoy afternoon tea across many hotel restaurants in London, with the offering usually featuring a spread of sweet and savoury treats including finger sandwiches, scones and cakes, typically paired with tea and champagne.

Around this time of year, chefs and pastry makers give their afternoon teas a festive twist, adding seasonal flavours and fun specials. Think turkey sandwiches, truffle tarts, mini yule logs, gingerbread cupcakes and warming cocktails. Feeling hungry yet? Read on to discover where to find the best Christmas afternoon teas in London for 2026.

Best Christmas Afternoon Teas in London 2026

(c) Jack Hardy

Corinthia London

With its Baccarat crystal chandelier, piano melodies and Richard Brendon hand-painted china, you’ll struggle to find a prettier afternoon tea setting than Corinthia London. Cakes are appetisingly presented on a trolley which is wheeled from table to table – and these are even better come Christmas time. First up is the savoury side though: enjoy sandwiches filled with pickled cucumber and minted cream cheese, beetroot cured Scottish salmon, and roasted Norfolk turkey with cranberry, plus Tunworth and fig tartlets. Follow these with seasonal desserts like mont blanc tart, clementine and mulled wine cremeux, cranberry and pistachio tartlet, and traditional Christmas fruit cake.

When? 12 November 2026 – 4 January 2027

How much? From £110pp

Where? Corinthia Hotel, 10 Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD

BOOK: corinthia.com

The Langham

The Langham’s Palm Court was the first place in London to serve afternoon tea in a public hotel setting, so you can guarantee a top-tier offering year-round. It’s even more magical come Christmas time, when the Palm Court transforms into a winter garden decked out with frosted botanicals, sculptural branches and starry lighting. The menu includes finger sandwiches of roast bronze turkey with stuffing and pickled cranberries, plus a savoury dish of potato farl, crème fraîche and oscietra caviar, followed by scones with clotted cream and preserves. Pastries continue the wintry theme: think snowy white creations with bright pops of colour, including a plum, ginger and chestnut cake and The Langham’s Glasshouse, an Earl Grey-infused layered sponge with bergamot jelly. 

When? 9 November 2026 – 3 January 2027

How much? From £95pp

Where? 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA 

BOOK: langhamhotels.com

The Landmark London

Marylebone hotel The Landmark is renowned for its afternoon tea, served in the pretty Winter Garden Restaurant beneath a towering glass atrium. This winter, the offering is being given a festive spin, complete with an array of finger sandwiches (think Scottish salmon and horseradish, and egg mayonnaise with black truffle), scones, and pastries including vanilla and blackcurrant mont blanc tart, cranberry clotted cream yule log, and chocolate hazelnut Christmas bauble. Pair with a glass of Perrier-Jouët while admiring the hotel’s giant Christmas tree. 

When? 25 November 2026 – 3 January 2027

How much? £110pp

Where? 222 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 6JQ

BOOK: landmarklondon.co.uk

The Promenade at the Dorchester

The Dorchester

The Dorchester really comes alive during the Christmas season, with its majestic 15ft Nordmann spruce welcoming guests in the lobby. Served in the Promenade, its afternoon tea is one of London’s best, and is always given a festive spin around this time of year. The 2026 menu includes finger sandwiches of smoked salmon and lemon on rye bread, Cambridge bronze turkey and cranberry on malt bread, and Dorrington ham and pear chutney on onion bread, followed by warm raisin and plain scones. Pastries on offer include clementine and almond yule log, pear and cinnamon bauble, and gingerbread tart, which you can enjoy alongside The Dorchester’s own tea blend. A vegan version is also available.

When? 14 November 2026 – 3 January 2027

How much? From £125pp

Where? 53 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA

BOOK: dorchestercollection.com

Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge

The Tower Bridge branch of Four Seasons is going all out on its festive offering, with various special menus being introduced – including a Christmas afternoon tea. Begin with sandwiches of roast Norfolk turkey breast, and Cacklebean egg and truffle mayonnaise, followed by freshly baked plain and cranberry scones. Next, it’s time to get stuck into the sweet stuff: think pistachio crémeux with redcurrant compote, a sharing dark chocolate and hazelnut praline cake, and vanilla cheesecake with orange marmalade. To drink, guests can enjoy three mini cocktails (or full-sized if you’re up for a boozy tea). 

When? 18 November 2026 – 3 January 2027

How much? From £90pp

Where? 10 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AJ 

BOOK: fourseasons.com

Miiro Templeton Garden

Thoughtfully designed townhouse hotel Templeton Garden is giving its Hidden Garden Afternoon Tea a festive spin this November. Served amid twinkling decorations, the offering is delicately laid across three tiers, beginning with finger sandwiches of turkey and cranberry, and mature cheddar with spiced chutney. On the second layer you’ll find a selection of freshly baked gingerbread scones, while the top tier features an array of seasonal sweet treats including a chestnut and chocolate bauble. All this is paired with fine teas, or a glass of Nyetimber sparkling wine.

When? From 5 November 2026

How much? £46pp

Where? 1-15 Templeton Pl, London SW5 9NB 

BOOK: miirohotels.com

Royal Lancaster London

The festive afternoon tea at Royal Lancaster London is all about celebrating the best of British. Served in the hotel’s Hyde Café, the offering begins with finger sandwiches and scones ahead of a selection of festive patisserie: there’s yule log filled with pear jam and hazelnut praline, and a Christmas tree creation featuring chocolate crémeux and slow-cooked cherries. Vegan and children’s versions are also available.

When? 21 November 2026 – 3 January 2027

How much? From £62pp

Where? Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY 

BOOK: royallancaster.com