Best Affordable Afternoon Teas in London

Looking for an affordable afternoon tea in London? With many afternoon teas costing £60 to £80 per person or more, it can feel like an expensive activity that is out of most people’s budgets.

If this is you, do not fear! In this article we show you 12 amazing and affordable afternoon teas in the London. to suit uit the budgets of everyone.

All of the afternoon teas featured are under £45 per person. We have even found one option that costs just £10!

There are also some afternoon teas which offer extremely good value and include entry to a museum or London attraction as part of the deat!

In addition we have detailed lots of tips to keep the cost of afternoon teas down and help you find the best afternoon tea offers.

Read on everything you need to know about affordable and high value afternoon teas in London.

Side note: Prices are correct at the time of writing but it’s worth checking in advance to make sure they haven’t changed.

Candella Tea Room, located in the heart of Kensington offers an intimate afternoon tea experience in a quaint little spot in London.

The reviews for their afternoon tea are great. It’s reasonably priced and very popular. Therefore make sure you make a reservation in advance.

Tuck into a classic selection of finely cut finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and sweet treats like cakes and pastries. The tea menu is extensive, offering a wide variety of loose-leaf teas, from classic English breakfast to more exotic blends.

Take the time to visit nearby attractions like Kensington Gardens or the Victoria and Albert Museum before or after your tea.

Price Tag – £24.95

Head to The Swan at the Globe Theatre for a Shakespeare inspired afternoon tea. It’s located along the River Thames in the Bankside area. The cafe offers views of the river and nearby landmarks like St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Indulge in a selection of both savory and sweet treats beautifully presented on custom-designed crockery.

To explore the full menu and discover the current theme, head over to the website.

Price from £39.50

Marks and Spencer Cafe, Oxford Street

Want to experience an afternoon tea but aren’t too bothered about the surroundings and service? Enjoy a decent no frills afternoon tea at a Marks and Spencers Cafe for just £10 per person.

(For those that don’t know – Marks and Spencer is one of Britain’s leading retailers, selling clothes, food and home items. The cafes are located within their stores)

The Marks & Spencer Café on Oxford Street (in the heart of central London’s main shopping destination ) offers a relaxed and affordable afternoon tea experience.

Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea that includes freshly made finger sandwiches, classic fruit or plain scones with Cornish clotted cream and jam, and a selection of sweet treats. You can also choose from three teas, (Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Luxury Gold Blend).

With its bright, modern setting and friendly service, the Marks & Spencer Café provides a convenient stop for shoppers or tourists looking to refuel while exploring Oxford Street.

Price from £10 per person

With multiple locations throughout London, Café Concerto provides a sophisticated afternoon tea without the high-end price tag. Their traditional tea includes all the classics—scones, sandwiches, and cakes—served with a pot of tea for just over £30 per person.

Price: £62.95 for two

Browns in Covent Garden

Brown’s is a popular chain of British brasseries that offers a relaxed yet stylish dining experience. Browns has locations across the UK including in Covent Garden in London.

Brown’s in Covent Garden serves a classic afternoon tea. Enjoy a selection of freshly prepared finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and an selection of cakes and pastries.

The great thing about Browns is that they cater well to people with certain diet requirements. You can request a gluten free afternoon tea or vegetarian tea at the time of booking.

Whether you’re taking a break from shopping, catching a show at a nearby theatre, or simply enjoying the buzz of Covent Garden, afternoon tea at Brown’s provides delicious food and attentive service at a reasonable price.

Price from £30 per person

Located inside the magnificent Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, the Painted Hall is a grand, baroque-style hall. Often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of the UK,” it’s famous for its magnificent and intricate ceiling and wall murals, painted by the artist Sir James Thornhill between 1707 and 1726.

As part of this experience visitors get a 45 minute tour of the Painted Hall. Learn of the fascinating 600-year story of this site (which is the birthplace of Henry VIII).

After your tour, head to the Undercroft Cafe to enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, cakes and sweet treats. A wide choice of teas are also available and delicious milkshakes for children.

Price: £38.50 per person (includes entry)

The Muffin Man in Kensington

Ask a local where to go for afternoon tea and it’s very likely they say The Muffin Man in Kensington.

This family run cafe has been open since the 60s. Take afternoon tea in their quaint, old fashioned tearoom.

Afternoon tea includes a generous selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and jam, a variety of cakes and pastries and a glass of prosecco.

The cafe is so popular that there is often a queue out of the door – generally the waiting time is not too long so don’t be put off.

A great stop if you’re in the area exploring the nearby museums in Kensington.

Price: £33.50 for 2 people (includes a glass of proseccco each)

Afternoon tea at the British museum takes place in the Great Court Restaurant, located beneath the stunning glass-roofed atrium.

Tuck into a selection of freshly made finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and an assortment of sweet treats like cakes and pastries. Choose from a variety of organic loose leaf and flowering teas.

Vegetarian, pescatarian and nut free teas can be provided on request.

Price: £40 per person

Café Rouge is a popular French-inspired restaurant chain in the UK.

Their restaurants offers a unique afternoon tea with a French twist. Instead of the usual finger sandwiches, you’ll find mini croque monsieur sandwiches and other French delicacies like petit quiches. This is complemented by freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, alongside indulgent French pastries such as éclairs and macarons.

The best thing about the afternoon tea is the price at just £17.99 per person.

There are Cafe Rouge restaurants across London. One of the most recommended fora afternoon tea is Cafe Rouge at St Pauls.

Price: £17.99 per person

The Wolseley is an iconic London restaurant offering a more traditional afternoon tea experience.

The renowned European-style café-restaurant located on Piccadilly in London. Originally designed in 1921 as a prestigious car showroom, the building’s architecture—featuring black and white marble floors, high ceilings, and striking chandeliers—has been transformed into the iconic restaurant it is today.

Though not the cheapest, its £45 tea is still considered affordable compared to many high-end alternatives. The service includes all the expected elements, from finger sandwiches to freshly baked scones and fine patisserie.

If £45 is out your budget, the Wolseley also offers a traditional cream tea at £19.95 per person. This includes handmade fruit scones with homemade jam and clotted cream along with a choice of teas.

Price: £45 per person

The Cutty Sark is a historic British clipper ship, best known for its role in the tea trade during the 19th century.

Today, it’s preserved as a museum ship in Greenwich, London. Visitors can explore the decks, learn about its history, and experience life aboard a 19th-century sailing vessel.

As part of this afternoon experience, you get free entry to explore the Cutty sark which normally costs £20 for an adult ticket. This means the afternoon tea will cost just £23 extra. Find out what life was like onboard a true survivor of the seas, see the sailors’ quarters and take the helm at the ship’s wheel.

Afternoon tea is served underneath the hull of the ship.

There are lots of other places to explore in Greenwich including the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House. You can also take a stroll around Greenwich Park.

Price: £43 per person

Tea and Tattle, Bloomsbury

Located in the basement below a bookshop, Tea and Tattle is a fairly small, cosy tea room offering afternoon tea.

You’ll find it across the street from the British Museum. It’s the perfect spot to escape the busy streets and have a break from the museum. Afternoon tea includes sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of cakes, all served with a wide range of fine loose-leaf teas.

The vintage-style decor and friendly service create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for both tourists and locals looking for a peaceful tea break in the heart of London.

You can phone in advance to make a reservation. 

Price: £24 per person

Located near Buckingham Palace, this family-run, independent cafe serves afternoon tea between 12.30pm and 4.30pm. Unfortunately you can’t book so there is sometimes a queue, which normally moves fairly quickly.

Enjoy a selection of sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes and a hot drink. Reviewers rave about the scones at the English Rose Cafe, some saying they’re the best they’ve ever tasted.

The English Rose Cafe is very much an traditional tearoom with floral wallpaper and the tea is served in vintage cups.

Price: £30 per person

Why not kill two birds with one stone? Extract the most value for your afternoon tea cost with a bus tour at the same time

Bridget’s Bakery provide a range of bus tours along with a gorgeous afternoon tea. 

One of the most popular is the classic London bus tour. See the iconic sights of London on a vintage bus and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea as part of the price. 

They provide teas for a variety of dietary requirements including gluten free, vegan, vegetarian and halal. 

If you have children with you, there is also the option of a Paddington Bear or  Peppa Pig themd bus tour

The teas cost from £45 per adult or £35 per child. It’s more expensive than other teas featured but you get a bus tour thrown in at the same time making it excellent value. 

Price: £45 per person 

Afternoon Teas – Tips to Save Money

Afternoon teas can be costly but there are lots of ways to save money. Here are some ideas:

An afternoon tea is a meal. It will fill you up. You won’t want lunch or a full dinner (maybe a snack during the evening to keep you going) on the same day. Therefore go early and replace an afternoon tea with lunch or go late to replace it with dinner.

Groupon UK is your friend when it comes to finding affordable afternoon teas. They often have excellent offers. If you find a great offer, it’s worth checking out online reviews before you book to make sure it’s a good one. Wowcher is also worth checking out.

Cream teas are an alternative option to an afternoon tea. A cream tea is tea and a scone with clotted cream and jam. There are no cakes or sandwiches included. It’s cheaper than an afternoon tea. Lots of cafes and hotels including The Wolesely in Piccadilly and the Muffin Man in Kensington offer this.

Another option is to grab a take out afternoon tea or afternoon tea for delivery. Bridget’s Bakery provide an afternoon tea picnic for £28 per person. If the weather is good, you can order this 24 hours in advance and enjoy at a London park.

Look out for options and discounts on direct websites. This make take a bit of Internet trawling but at the moment you can get 20% of sweet shop afternoon tea at the Chesterfield Mayfair for groups of 6 people or more until 31st October.

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