The best kid-friendly high teas in London

High teas in London aren’t just about scones and cucumbers. These days many fine establishments cater to children in magical ways. 

It may seem like the most quintessential of English customs, but high tea is a relatively new phenomenon in English society. 

Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, introduced the concept of afternoon tea in 1840. The Duchess would become hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon and didn’t want to wait until 8pm dinner time. So she asked her servants to bring a tray of tea, bread and butter and cake to her room at 4pm. It soon became a habit. And then she began to invite friends to join her. 

These days the best high teas in London are filled with wonder, delicious cakes and a dash of glamour. And if that isn’t appealing to kids, we don’t know what is.

These are the best high teas in London that are kid-friendly.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea

One Aldwych Hotel in Covent Garden operates the most magical high tea in London.

Inspired by Roald Dahl’s novel, the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory high tea will leave the kids speechless.

Here you can dine on snozzberry jam, fabulously fluffy floss and a box stacked high with wondrous cakes, sweets, mallows and creams.

Then wash it all down with chocolate or lemon sherbet tea, water pistol punch cocktails or fizzy lifting champagne. 

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at Sanderson London

Where better to take the kids to a genuine Mad Hatter’s Tea Party than in the quirky English capital itself?

Next time you’re in London, ‘tumble down the rabbit hole’ right into the fantasy that is Sanderson’s Hotel .

At this incredible London high tea the menus are hidden inside vintage books and the crockery is decorated with the Queen of Hearts or the King of Spades.

Delicacies include homemade marshmallow mushrooms and Tick Tock sponge clocks.

Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at aqua shard

What is more British than Peter Pan and Tinkerbell? Inspired by J.M Barrie’s legendary novel, this imaginative London high tea will transport both kids and adults to Neverland.

Expect Tinker Bell-shaped cookies, crocodile jellies served on a pirate ship tea stand, and Fairy Dust cocktails for the adults.

Aqua shard donates £2 from each afternoon sold is to help sick kids at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The Potion Room’s Wizard-Themed Afternoon Tea

Of course, London has a Harry Potter-themed high tea. And even better, it’s held in “The Potion’s Room” underground Soho’s natural bakery Cutter & Squidge.

Before you eat, you’ll join a class at the School of Wizarding Alchemy to learn how to cast spells and concoct edible potions. Then tuck into knickerbocker bites, Yorkshire puddings filled with roast beef and horseradish and the bakery’s signature ‘biskie’ (a biscuit/cookie/cake all in one).

The kids will love the drinks – pumpkin juice or tea served in a mini cauldron.

Kids’ Sci-Fi Tea at the Ampersand

This London high tea won the best themed afternoon tea at the Afternoon Tea Awards. Yes, such an award does exist.

Held in The Drawing Rooms, it’s the kid-friendly version of the hotel’s popular adult Science high tea. And it’s super fun for little ones.

The food which includes hot dogs, rocket cheese straws, brioche and jam sandwiches comes on brightly coloured rocket stands. Other food items come in syringes. But the best part is the experimental build-your-own science puddings.

The Chesterfield Mayfair

Expect theatrical smoking pink lemonade and Coca-Cola slice at what may be the most whimsical high tea in London.

The Chesterfield afternoon tea brings a playful, bygone era to life. Kids can head to the old-school sweet shop and ask the candy man to fill a bag with penny sweets.

Adults are welcome to, but they may prefer to devour the scrumptious chocolate scones and finely-sliced smoked salmon on beetroot bread.

Children’s Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason

Elegant department store Fortnum & Mason have earned a reputation for afternoon tea prestige. If you’re keen to go, but you’re not sure whether the kids can keep the food off the floor, try the Fortnum & Mason Children’s Afternoon tea.

It’s served in the Piccadilly flagship store’s pretty Diamond Jubilee Salon. The menu has a selection of plain and fruit scones, and cakes including a pink meringue, mini dark chocolate cake and Jammy Dodger biscuit.

St Ermin’s Hotel

The Mini Gardener Tea at St Ermin’s Hotel is one of our favourite kid-friendly high-teas in London because this hotel gets the kids involved.

The menu changes with the seasons and often has a fun theme. Little ones can decorate their own gingerbread and indulge in delectable treats such as marshmallow lollipops and custard slice.

Of course, it wouldn’t be British without a few scones with strawberry jam and cream too.

Tiny Tea at Bluebird Chelsea

This London high tea may be tiny but it’s big on treats. Specially designed for kids, the menu includes savoury snacks such as cheese, ham and cucumber sandwiches.

But trust us, you’re going here for the sweet stuff. That includes mini scones with jam, and a Malteser milkshake topped with whipped cream and popping candy.

The Milestone Hotel

If your little ones are dreaming of a royal experience while in the United Kingdom, the Milestone Hotel & Residence’s Prince and Princess Afternoon Tea is just the thing.

This Milestone’s teas are extra special because, if you give the Pastry Chef a day’s notice, he will help the kids decorate their own cupcakes before they take a seat and daintily nibble on them like perfectly brought-up aristocrats.

At this high tea in London, you can also choose to take your afternoon tea indoors or on the grass outside.

This article originally appeared in Five Star Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.