Five of the best Christmas afternoon teas in London

Christmas – it’s a time for family, friends, and of course, festive outings. Every family has its own traditions for the holiday season, but whether yours involves cooking a four-course dinner for 12 people or settling down for a family viewing of The Sound of Music, there will undoubtedly come a time when you need to sit back and let someone else do the work. We’ve rounded up five of the best Christmas-themed afternoon teas in London, for those times when you want to enjoy a fun and festive treat with your loved ones – without the blood, sweat and tears beforehand.

Sleeping Beauty-themed tea at the Royal Opera House

In the elegant surroundings of the ROH’s Piazza Restaurant, a truly balletic Christmas tea is on offer. To mark its production of The Sleeping Beauty over the Christmas period, the Royal Opera house has created a special afternoon tea menu themed around the beloved ballet. With prices starting at £45 a head, guests can enjoy such creatively-named sweets as the Carabosse Pistachio Amandine and Rose Champagne Snowman Macaron. A selection of festive cocktails and teas ensure a unique experience, including the Aurora Homage, of Belvedere vodka and vermouth with lemon juice and lavender syrup. In addition, the ROH’s offering includes a special menu for children (priced at £27), including Three Fairies Layered Jelly and the intriguing Carabosse Chocolate Nemesis.

The Royal Opera House Sleeping Beauty tea is available Tuesdays-Saturdays from 17^th December until 18^th January (excluding 24^th, 28^th and 31^st December). For more information visit the Royal Opera House’s website here.

Traditional twists at the Savoy

If you want something exclusive timelessly classic, look no further than the Savoy. For one day only, on Christmas Day the famous Piccadilly hotel is offering everything you would expect from a Christmas tea, from Coronation Turkey and Old Smoked Salmon sandwiches to a selection of classic delices and pastries. The real draw of this offering, though, is the drink – the Savoy is teaming up with their tea partners Jing Tea to offer a unique blend of Assamese black tea, festive spices and passion fruit. It’s pricey, at £180 a head (including a glass of Louis Roederer NV Champagne), but if you’re looking for the ultimate Christmas experience as a gift, this might be it.

Christmas Day High Tea at the Savoy will be served for one day on 25^th December. For more information or to book visit the Savoy’s website here.

Floral tea at Petersham Nurseries

For those seeking a botanical experience in the heart of London, the Petersham’s Floral Court will play host this season to a special afternoon tea. The creative twists on classic Christmas ingredients are especially appealing here: with everything from a milk bun filled with squash, blue cheese and walnuts to a Christmas pudding chocolate choux bun with brandy custard, there’s something to appease both savoury palates and sweet teeth at Petersham. Prices start at £45.

Christmas afternoon tea at the Petersham is available Thursday-Sunday throughout the festive season. For more information visit the Petersham’s website here.

Celebrate Christmas with a glass of bubbly at the Goring

The Goring Hotel will be offering a seasonally-inspired selection all through December, including a glass of Rosé Bollinger in their £80 price. Their takes on Christmas desserts are unusual: their Snowman Dome, a bergamot curd tart topped with meringue, will be accompanied by a yule log-inspired Chestnut Cheesecake with Mulled Wine Jelly and Ginger Shortbread. Inspired how? Try it and see. Deep in the grandeur of Belgravia, this is an experience not to be missed.

The Goring’s Festive Rosé Bollinger Afternoon Tea will be available every day throughout December. For more information visit the Goring’s website here.

Fruity offerings at Corinthia London

Just a stone’s throw from Westminster and Trafalgar Square, the Corinthia Hotel’s head pastry chef Loic Carbonnet has prepared a Christmas menu for the 21^st century in their Crystal Moon Lounge. With prices starting at £60 a head and featuring a large selection, including a Spiced Pineapple and Vanilla Éclair and a Maple Syrup Sponge with pear and cranberry compote and lemon chantilly, this is a tea that will delight a more adventurous palate.

Corinthia London’s festive afternoon tea will be served daily from 15^th November until 5^th January 2020, excluding Christmas Day. For more information visit the Corinthia’s website here.

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