High Tea In London With an Amazing View

The Library Lounge at Marriott County Hall

Between Westminster Bridge and the London Eye, the Marriott County Hall has a killer location on the south bank of the Thames. Traditional afternoon tea is served in the historic Library Lounge where the windows frame views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

The wood-paneled room features an original fireplace and reference books dating back to the 1920s and once served as a members' library for delegates of the Greater London Council.

Tuck into classic finger sandwiches, dainty pastries and sweet and savory scones. The 'free-flowing bubbles' tea is a good value option if you're looking to enjoy a couple of glasses of fizz. 

Portrait Restaurant at the National Portrait Gallery

After a culture fix at the National Gallery, head three floors up to the restaurant to soak up dramatic views over Trafalgar Square towards the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

Afternoon tea is served daily between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm and the traditional spread features sandwiches filled with cucumber, roast beef and smoked salmon alongside scones with jam and cream and sweet treats including lemon meringue pie and chocolate cake. ​​

Ting at the Shard

Up on the 35th floor, Ting is the highest restaurant in the Shard, London's tallest building. As such, the views are stunning and encompass iconic landmarks like St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and Canary Wharf.​

The dining room is decked out like a posh Chinese living room and the kitchen serves two different afternoon teams every day between 12 pm and 4 pm.

The Asian-inspired menu brings together dim sum, scones, and pastries and the English option includes sandwiches with a luxury take on traditional fillings including duck egg mayonnaise with truffle and Angus beef with onion jam. 

Rolling Scones Cafe at God's Own Junkyard

For a different kind of view and an alternative to the classic afternoon tea offering, head to God's Own Junkyard, a warehouse stuffed full of vintage neon signs and artwork near Walthamstow Village.

Many of the pieces have featured in films, ad campaigns, and fashion shoots and they sit alongside fairground and circus lighting and salvaged signs from the private collection of the artist, Chris Bracey. Cream tea (a mini version of afternoon tea made up of tea and scones) is served all weekend in the neon-lit Rolling Scones Cafe. ​

Afternoon Tea on a Riverboat

Enjoy classic London views while indulging in one of London's favorite pastimes by booking an afternoon tea cruise on the Thames.

Tuck into sandwiches, cakes, scones served with cream and jam and unlimited tea and coffee onboard City Cruises' 90-minute afternoon tea tour, which departs daily from Tower Pier and sails past the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.

Enjoy music from a live pianist as part of the afternoon tea package onboard Bateaux London; the boat features the largest observation deck on the Thames.

The B Bakery boat tour takes place on a vintage motor yacht and the afternoon tea menu includes mini cupcakes, sweet pastries, and macarons.

Tea and a Tour on a Vintage Routemaster Bus

For a quintessentially 'London' experience, take an afternoon tea bus tour of the city onboard a vintage Routemaster bus.

The experience from B Bakery combines a 90-minute sightseeing tour through central London and a delicious afternoon tea of dainty sandwiches, French pastries, scones, and tea served in sturdy cups with lids.

The seats are configured for parties of two or four; the most expensive seats are at the front of the top deck. The route takes in Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament.  

The Oxo Tower Restaurant

For classic riverside views, it's hard to beat the OXO Tower on the south bank of the Thames. The restaurant sits at the top of the OXO Tower Wharf, an iconic building home to creative studios, shops and cafes, and overlooks St Paul's Cathedral, Tate Modern, and the London Eye.

The authentic afternoon tea features British dishes like mini Yorkshire pudding filled with braised beef and Dorset crab choux buns alongside scones and pastries. Or pick the 'Not Afternoon Tea' option for a modern take on the traditional spread, including cocktails, cookies, and sweet treats. ​