Seasonal
The 5 Best Christmas Afternoon Tea in London
Festive stands, mulled-wine twists and grand rooms: where to take Christmas afternoon tea in London.
In short: our top picks are Claridges, The Ritz and The Savoy. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Afternoon tea is theatrical at the best of times; at Christmas the grand London hotels turn it into a production, all festive stands, spiced sweets and a tree in the corner. These are the rooms where Christmas afternoon tea is done properly, and worth booking well ahead for.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Claridges | Mayfair | ££££ |
| The Ritz | Piccadilly | ££££ |
| The Savoy | Strand | ££££ |
| Fortnum and Mason | Piccadilly | ££££ |
| Claridge's | Mayfair | ££££ |
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Editor’s choice
Claridges
Why we pick itThe benchmark festive tea; Art Deco grandeur, a spectacular tree and faultless service.
Worth knowingDeterminedly old-fashioned by design, at four figures a night, so anyone wanting a relaxed or contemporary hotel should look elsewhere in Mayfair.
-
The Ritz
Why we pick itTea in the gilded Palm Court at its most festive; the most formal and traditional in town.
Worth knowingJacket and tie are enforced, and at nearly £100 a head before Champagne you are paying for the room and the history rather than the food.
-
The Savoy
Why we pick itChristmas tea under the Thames Foyer dome, with a pianist and a tree; a London classic.
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Fortnum and Mason
Why we pick itThe Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon does festive better than anyone; the hampers downstairs are half the trip.
Worth knowingReviews split sharply on execution: sandwiches underwhelming for the price and service slower than the room suggests, at top-of-market prices.
-
Claridge's
Why we pick itThe most glamorous festive afternoon tea, beneath a designer Christmas tree.
Before you book
Festive teas sell out earliest of all, so book the moment they go on sale, usually in autumn. Go hungry and take the Champagne upgrade if you are marking the season. And dress smart; the grand rooms still expect it, and Christmas is the time to.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Claridges is our editor's choice: The benchmark festive tea; Art Deco grandeur, a spectacular tree and faultless service. Claridges, The Ritz and The Savoy lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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