Enjoying a classic afternoon tea is a beautifully British tradition that you simply must experience at least once during your time in London. Tea and scones are of course one of the best British Foods to try here.
While the range of different types of afternoon tea is huge and you can find a venue to suit practically anyone, there are some which are more suited to families than others.
After having lived in London for a long time, I made it a priority to find the best afternoon teas for kids in London so I could share them with my family and yours.
Can Children Go to Afternoon Tea?
Yes, children can absolutely go to afternoon tea but it’s important to research which afternoon teas would be appropriate for young kids.
As the classic high tea in England is generally a bit of a classy affair, it’s best to leave the more posh afternoon teas as a special occasion for older children and adults.
That being said, there are plenty of places that put on afternoon tea specifically for younger kids and families so you don’t have to miss out if you are travelling with your toddler.
Best Afternoon Teas in London for Kids
Peppa Pig or Paddington Bus
These kid-friendly afternoon tea in London are themed around their respective tv shows and provide a fun context for young kids as you dine inside a bus traveling around central London.
Both buses are organized by Brigit’s Bakery and have themed menus and in-table tablets that play animations, sing-alongs, and explanations of all the iconic buildings you will see along the way narrated by either Peppa Pig or Paddington Bear themselves.
There are different menus available for vegan, vegetarian, halal, or other special dietary requirements but not that there are no toilets onboard the bus so this tour is best suited to kids over 4 years old.
Ritz – Children’s Afternoon Tea
If you prefer to have a more classic afternoon tea experience with your family, you can’t go past afternoon tea at the Ritz. To give you an idea of the class of this afternoon tea, the Ritz is the only hotel in the UK to have a certified tea master on staff.
As this is a more formal, high-class affair with live music accompanying your tea, you can imagine that the price per person of afternoon tea can quickly add up.
Thankfully, the Ritz offers a Children’s Afternoon Tea where you receive the same menu as the regular adult afternoon tea but in reduced portions with decaffeinated tea for a reduced price.
While parents and teens will still need to dress up for the occasion, the Ritz’s dress code doesn’t apply to those under 16 years old.
Note that this is not a separate seating to the regular afternoon tea so you should trust that your kids will be on their best behaviour before booking.
Fortum & Mason
Fortum and Mason is the original home of afternoon tea and you could argue that there is no better place to enjoy this fun tradition than here.
This tea house is a great balance of high-class food and drinks in a more relaxed environment than the Ritz. There is no dress code at Forum & Mason but most people choose to dress smart casual to add to the experience.
You have two choices of location in London, the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon or Fortnum’s Bar and Restaurant, both offering a child’s afternoon tea option.
Strand Palace – Love Cocoa Tea
The art-deco-themed tea room at the Strand Palace is a nice and colorful place to take afternoon tea with your whole family and this one combines two important parts of British history as the founder of Love Cocoa is the great-great-great-grandson of the original Cadbury chocolatier.
For a modern twist on the classic afternoon tea, the Love Cocoa Tea features extra mouthwatering delicious chocolate sweets alongside the traditional sandwiches and scones.
Offering a vegan and children’s menu for kids under 12, this is another great choice if you’re looking for something a little unique. Plus, eco-tourists will also love this choice of afternoon tea as they plant a tree for every afternoon tea sold!
Aqua Shard – Peter Pan Tea
Inspired entirely by the world of Peter Pan, at this unique afternoon tea you will receive your scones on a tea stand shaped like the Jolly Roger.
Each item of food is also created with Neverland in mind as you will be treated to pastry hooks, sandwiches topped with the ‘Lost Boy Rules’ and even ‘Tinker Bell Cookies’ served in a treasure chest.
Even the drinks are Peter Pan inspired with your choice of ‘Darling Tea’ or cocktails such as ‘Fairy Dust’.
Aqua Shard partnered with the GOSH Charity which was the recipient of J.M. Barrie’s copyright of Peter Pan back in 1929. This means that a portion of the price of your meal will go directly back to helping at this children’s hospital.
All of this served in the iconic Shard building with panoramic views over the city!
Wizard Exploratorium – Little Wizard Afternoon Tea
If your kids are big Harry Potter fans then there is no better experience than the Wizard Afternoon Tea!
During this magic-themed afternoon, you will use magic wands to unlock puzzle chests, control your tea stand and brew your teas.
For kids under 12, there is the Little Wizard Afternoon Tea package which offers less tea and smaller portions for a more family-friendly experience.
The Sanderson Hotel – Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea
Much like the Peter Pan Afternoon Tea, the Sanderson Hotel puts on a Mad Hatters Tea Party inspired by the magical world of Alice in Wonderland.
Each of the treats pays homage to characters and fragments of the story with ‘Drink me’ potions, ‘Caterpillar Eclairs’ and ‘Mad Hatters Tea’, and the afternoon tea takes place overlooking a beautiful lush courtyard garden.
Even the plates and tea cups are decorated with all your favorite characters!
Brown’s Hotel – Jungle Book Afternoon Tea
Apparently, Queen Victoria once took her afternoon Tea at Brown’s Hotel and if it’s good enough for royalty, you know you’re in for a great experience.
Held in an elegant and traditional wood dining room with a smart casual dress code, Brown’s Hotel offers a number of different afternoon tea menus including the kid’s Jungle Book-inspired afternoon tea.
With animal-shaped cookies, fruit juice or hot chocolate, kids will love the tasty menu here and it’s all served amongst giant leaves, helping them to imagine they are in the story themselves. You can even purchase a limited edition copy of The Jungle Book that was published specifically for Brown Hotel.
One Aldwych – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Last but not least, One Aldwych puts on a delicious Wily Wonka-inspired Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon feast that anyone with a sweet tooth will love.
Try chocolate swudge, snozzberry jam and fluffy floss, washing it all down with chocolate tea or water pistol punch cocktails (for the adults).
While this afternoon tea is perhaps the least traditional on the list, there’s no denying that kids will love all the fun options on this menu and it’s one of the greatest kid-friendly afternoon tea in London!