Cool, festive treats: children afternoon tea London

Who said glam dining and deserts are reserved for adults? My kids strongly disagree, they love their sushi brunches and tea outings. And here are few indulgent children afternoon tea in London we tested recently and loved: Indian afternoon tea in London; fashionistas dreams in chocolate ganache and with chestnut mousse; playful children tales in candyfloss, red velvet pops, chocolate mint mini smoothies; dark chocolate treats with a humorous twist; best of countryside tea within 45min drive of London; Japanese afternoon tea treats and Brits savoury and classy classics – we cover it all in here!

Children afternoon tea London: One Aldwych

Children afternoon tea London: Charlie and Chocolate factory

One Aldwych afternoon tea  for THE Charlie and Chocolate factory theme has won the best afternoon tea in London for kids when it comes to …chocolate smoothies!

Children afternoon tea London: Charlie and Chocolate factory

Willy Wonka in his chocolate factory may not be handy, but One Aldwych surely is! A podium of exquisite treats including lemon candyfloss, red velvet pops, chocolate mint mini smoothies. The 6 years old was smitten and royally spoilt, no less than 3 candy floss and 3 mini smoothies, the best ever he said! It all goes in 3 in our family, the rose bubbles flowed to perfection to delicate salmon macaroon with beetroot, freshly baked scones with pineapple clotted cream, blueberry butterscotch brioche and sausage pastries. The tea blends are indulgent and for kids there’s also exquisite hot chocolate prepared exactly to one liking.

Willy Wonka afternoon tea London

Willy Wonka afternoon tea London – One Aldwych

Surely Willy Wonka afternoon tea can’t get any grander and more seasonal, Roald Dahl himself we reckon would agree!

Charlie and Chocolate factory afternoon tea London

Charlie and Chocolate factory afternoon tea London

One Aldwych team is superb, engaging and so well travel, we spent a dreamy afternoon in their company with all the mouthwatering treats. Pair it with Somerset House next door for a cultured outing or Royal Opera House – family Sundays and gigs are great fun! We know One Aldwych luxury hotel and restaurants for over 12 years and always loved the grand Edwardian architecture, nowadays part of English Heritage. We had few grown up dinners including Eneko, so it was a delight to be invited with the kids. One enchanting afternoon tea, we thoroughly indulged our inner kids!

Anya Hindmarch Christmas grotto Pont street

Anya Hindmarch cafe Pont street

A great option for children afternoon tea London in Belgravia is the chilled and chic Anya café by Anya Hindmarch, perfect also for week-end brunches and all day coffees. Quintessential British reimagined with the brands’ trademark humour, we indulged into dark chocolate sweet treats in the heart of Anya’s Village on Pont street.

Anya Hindmarch sweet treats

Anya Hindmarch Pont Street Village

For very lucky children in 2021 Anya has also a Grotto, one immersive journey through a moonlit forest and across crunchy snow to find Father Christmas, who will read them a story and give them a gift. Grown-ups get a free hot drink from the Anya Cafe as well as mince pies, gingerbread men and Christmas cakes. The gift shop has limited-edition Anya Hindmarch gifts and Christmas decorations, including ceramic tree baubles, crackers, puzzles, mugs, crayons and teddy bears but we got truly excited about the Return to nature Anya’s bags collection, all biodegradable and perfect gifts from one visionary Greenpeace Ambassador (Anya!) to fashionistas ESG minded and Earth lovers – a truly perfect Christmas present!

Taj 51 : Indian afternoon tea london

Indian afternoon tea London

More of an inner child or some exotic flavours and daydreaming? Take your pick at Taj 51 Indian afternoon tea London or Alice in wonderland.

Alice in wonderland, Jasmine Indian Afternoon Tea or even a special December edition?

Rich traditions come alive with a bold and innovative twist, the sandwiches ranged from tikka spring tolls, to spiced cream cheese and cucumber, traditional Indian dessert Gulab Jasmin, decadently delicious deep fried sweet dumplings, Gulabi scones served with mango compote and cinnamon clotted cream. The shots of salty caramel lassi with a toffee crunch were our favourites and so were the Eastern teas! If this is all too rich and exotic, follow Alice down the rabbit hole and get the Wonderland tea!

Taj 51 : Indian afternoon tea London

Best of Children Afternoon Tea London

Pair it with more Royal treats at Buckingham Palace, and eventually Green Park playground or the Royal Mews.

For more exotic flavours and Japan lovers, AKIRA on the first floor of Japan House London offers a Japanese-style afternoon tea. The adults loved the smoked black teas (especially whiskey flavoured!) and seasonal sophisticated platter of sushi, whilst the kids loved the matcha dippings and wagashi (Japanese sweets and desserts).

Japanese-style afternoon tea Akira

Akira Kensington : Japanese afternoon tea London

Japanese-style afternoon tea Japan House

Japanese-style afternoon tea Japan House

More Alice in Wonderland and tumbling down the rabbit hole for a tea party, head to chic eclectic Sanderson for a Mad Hatters Tea:  kings and queens adorn the teapots, sweet treats and savoury delights tantalise your taste buds. Pair with a concert at Wigmore Hall or visit to Royal Academy of Music we reckon!

Alice in Wonderland tea party @Sanderson

Alice in Wonderland tea party @Sanderson

For fashionistas, look no further than the Berkeley: striding onto the cakewalk for Autumn/Winter 2023, the Prêt-à-Portea is a playful and stylish, couture cakes from Victoria Beckham to Nina Ricci, Versace gowns in vanilla mousse, Paco Rabanne’s as a Mont Blanc cake with chestnut mousse and blackcurrant jelly, Prada’s handbag of cinnamon blondies glazed with icing, Missoni’s legendary zigzag with mandarin mousse and almond praline, Alexander McQueen combining chocolate Gianduja cream, miso caramel and hazelnut sponge. We love this Knightsbridge institution also for cocktails and canapes, long girls evenings or friends catchups.

Prêt-à-Portea Berkeley – afternoon tea for fashionistas

Prêt-à-Portea Berkeley – afternoon tea with the girls

The Connaught also delighted us on few occasions with a playful, modern twist on the great British afternoon tea :  savoury flavours from chef Jean- Georges Vongerichten and stylish, witty patisserie of Nicolas Rouzaud. A touch of theatre with an ever changing seasonal chocolate fondue with charming animal shaped shortbread biscuits.

The Connaught afternoon tea with a twist

The Connaught afternoon tea with a twist

For more festive treats decorations included, we love the Gingerbread City: we have seen it at stunning Somerset House, chic Molton Street and in 2023 we are looking forward to Westfield (from 2nd December to 7 January) :  architects, builders, engineers, big and young kids alike; very ESG and topical and we are hopeful to chip in  with 1 creation or 2 in dough and icing with eco-buildings and greener infrastructure!

Christmas in Kensington & Belgravia @ Gingerbread House 2022 is sweet and ESG

Gingerbread City Exhibition, Motcomb Street

For lovely daytrips from London with superb children afternoon tea we love and regularly rave about Coworth Park, a Dorchester collection hotel 45 minutes drive from Kensington.

Birthday lunches with kids: Coworth Park

Pair with a zen crisp day out – autumn foliage, spring flowers, rain or sun – a love affair for years. There’s also horse riding plus Carol Peace sculptures spread around, impeccable cuisine and cocktails.

Coworth Park children afternoon tea, Dorchester collection

Coworth Park children afternoon tea, Dorchester collection

Which one is your favourite? Any other cool treats and best children afternoon tea London?

Ps: many thanks to One Aldwych, Taj 51 and Anya Cafe for the invites; impressions, pics and overexcited kids entirely ours.