12 festive English afternoon teas Yule love
Afternoon tea is a delight any time of year, but there's no better season to enjoy this English tradition than during Christmas, when everything gets amped up with the flavors and charms of the holidays. Indulge in everything from delicate seasonal sandwiches and spice-scented scones to boozy Christmas cakes and cocktails tarted up with seasonal spirits, all surrounded by pine trees and mistletoe, serenaded by Christmas carols. All this fun doesn't come cheap, but certainly makes for an unforgettable holiday treat, so we've rounded up some incredible options in London and around the U.K.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more travel tips!
London: the epicenter of fancy festive afternoon teas
The Atheneum
Considering the hotel's prime location on Piccadilly, festive tea here is the relative "bargain" of the bunch. The afternoon tea includes a selection of sandwiches, scones and five different types of themed pastries from cranberry macaroons to traditional Christmas cake and a meringue and cinnamon tart. Tea service is in the chic art deco lobby overlooking St James's Park.
Price: £39 ($51)
The Connaught
In the heart of Mayfair, festive tea in the sleek Jean-Georges restaurant at The Connaught is a stunner. Each course is more intricate than the next, starting with a bite size Asian-inspired amuse-bouche of mushroom and smoked eel in a waffle cone followed by a rainbow of perfectly sliced homemade sandwiches filled with twists like cucumber with mint and turkey with shaved Brussels sprouts. To end, there's pastries shaped like reindeer and gingerbread men, a chocolate fondue and delicately hand-spun candyfloss to finish.
Price: £75 ($99) and includes a glass of Champagne Laurent Perrier ‘‘La Cuvée’’ Brut NV
Read more: The best Christmas markets in Europe
Hotel Cafe Royal
Inspired by Queen Victoria’s Christmas and New Year celebrations in 1894, the festive version of Queen of Afternoon Teas at Hotel Café Royal takes you on a six-course journey back in culinary time with such dishes as carrot velouté, game pie, Champagne jelly, plus turkey, beef, gravlax and duck liver sandwiches, traditional scones and pastries including Victoria Sponge (obviously) and Christmas pudding vanilla tart.
Price: Starts at £65 ($85) and includes a glass of Champagne Veuve Clicquot and there's an option to include a Diptyque candle for £80 ($105).
The Lanesborough
This has to be one of the most gorgeous tea rooms in London, with its domed glass ceiling, celestial blue and gold décor. A talented pianist playing holiday tunes adds to the magical ambience. The award-winning afternoon tea takes a festive twist as Head Pastry Chef, Fabio Bardi, re-imagines Christmas classics with treats including a Santa belt made of spicy apple and pear mousse, a Rudolf nougat mousse and a Christmas tree of hazelnut and dark chocolate, served alongside classic scones, jam and clotted cream. On Hyde Park corner, convenient for before or after Winter Wonderland.
Price: Starts at £60 ($79)
The Langham
Ideally located near Oxford and Regent Street, this is the perfect spot if you're worn out from shopping. The hotel claims its dazzling Palm Court is the place where the tradition of afternoon tea was born over 150 years ago. Travel is the theme of this year's festive tea and they've drawn on its chefs' journeys around the globe for inspiration. Expect yuzu pastries, fig jams and spicy infused cakes.
Price: £70 ($92) and up. Children's tea is £35 ($46).
Ting at Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard
The height of luxury for a Christmas afternoon tea -- Ting is located on the 35th floor of The Shard where the spectacular views of London are nearly upstaged by the most adorable pastries in the shapes of snowmen and Christmas trees.
Price: £68 ($89) and up
Using points and miles to get to London
Favorite festive teas around England
Dorset
Summer Lodge
Ironically one of the best places in England to enjoy a warming winter tea is Summer Lodge, an 18th century Georgian Manor House, made famous by the literary giant Thomas Hardy. Tucked away in the picturesque village of Evershot in the heart of the Dorset Downs, the five-star Summer Lodge offers a picturesque setting to enjoy seasonal treats -- freshly baked scones and Dorset clotted cream, cranberry whiskey and oat cranachan, Bailey's choux buns, mince pies and Christmas cake all washed down with a special Christmas tea blend full of aromatic spices
Price: £29 ($38)
Hampshire
Four Seasons Hampshire
As you'd expect of Four Seasons, no expense is spared in creating the picture perfect Christmas at this country resort set on 500 acres in Hampshire -- there's an ice rink, carriage rides, horse riding or long country walks to work up an appetite for a festive tea with special pastries including a pear Mont Blanc and a cranberry speculoos tart.
Price: £42 ($55) for adults, £22 ($29) for children
Best no-annual-fee credit cards for international travel
Liverpool
Oh Me Oh My
This grand tea room overlooks Liverpool's iconic Albert Dock, making it the perfect spot for enjoying their festive afternoon tea after a busy day shopping or exploring the city. Enjoy a cake tier of sandwiches, scones and pretty pastries with holiday twists including pigs in a blanket with sage and onion stuffing, cinnamon flavored scones with brandy butter, and a Baileys creme brulee.
Price: £19 ($25)
Stoke-on-Trent
World of Wedgwood
Learn about the world-famous English pottery brand in the museum and factory, take a shot at your own creation (hello, built-in gift!) and then hunker down to enjoy festive tea with a selection of sandwiches and treats including Christmas pudding cheesecake and mincemeat tart topped with brandy butter cream, all served on -- wait for it -- fine Wedgwood china.
Price: £25 ($33) for adults and £10 ($13) for children
Windsor
Coworth Park
Carol singers set the mood at the five-star Coworth Park in Ascot, a luxury country house hotel nestled next to Windsor Great Park. Settle down in the Drawing Room overlooking the hotel's polo fields with fluffy scones, freshly-baked cakes and festive pastries while listening to traditional carols sung by local choirs.
Price: £65 ($85) includes a glass of bubbly
York
Railway Museum
This is a great one for families -- the Railway Museum pulls out all the stops for the holidays with a series of special events from storytelling to pop-up science demos. Enjoy festive tea aboard the Countess of York, a beautifully restored rail carriage, where afternoon tea is served on antique china. There's a children's option and an adult version with a mulled wine upgrade and themed treats include an eggnog brûlée and chocolate orange yule log.
Price: Adults £26 ($34) and children £16 ($21)
Bottom line
Festive afternoon teas are a magical way to celebrate the holidays. Check the various venue websites as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and children's menus are also available at most locations mentioned. Some discounted offers up to 25% can be found by booking through Afternoon Tea.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.