Tiny Table: Kid Friendly Afternoon Tea in London

We are so excited that Nicola Wilson, founder of Tiny Table has shared with us her top picks for a child friendly afternoon tea in London. A perfect treat for February Half Term.

Tiny Table is a fresh and exciting online guide dedicated to family-friendly dining in London and across the UK. The values underpinning Tiny Table are simple – to inspire, to delight and to unite parents who long for fuss-free dining with their little ones. She is also the driving force behind Tiny Table’s initiative designed to change the conversation around loneliness and motherhood - The Together Table 
www.tinytable.co.uk | IG: @tinytableofficial | FB: @tinytableofficial | TW: @mytinytable

Steeped in English history and a meal guaranteed to be overflowing with cakes. If you’ve shied away from indulging in afternoon tea en famille for fear that all that pomp and ceremony is most certainly not for children then think again! London is awash with child-friendly afternoon teas.  Whether given a contemporary twist or nod to whimsical classic childhood tales, we’ve picked twelve of the best for you and your little ones to enjoy…

Science Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel
Calling all mini biology buffs, chemistry kids and physics fans, have we found an afternoon tea for you! The Ampersand Hotel’s hugely popular Science afternoon tea was inspired by their South Kensington neighbours – the Science Museum. You can expect a mix of exciting and curious dishes, from jams served in petri dishes, to chocolate spacemen and dinosaur biscuits. Each treat is expertly prepared by our chefs, and served with tea, coffee and for thirsty mamas and papas, a cool glass of champagne! With vegetarian and gluten-free versions, this tea really is out of this world. Served from 2.30pm to 5.30pm, from Monday to Friday.
Where: 10 Harrington Road, London, SW7 3ER 
Nearest Tube: South Kensington

The Rosebery Lounge at The Mandarin Oriental
Sitting proud in the heart of Knightsbridge, The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is a chic spot for afternoon tea with older kids. If you’ve spent a morning exploring South Kensington’s amazing array of museums, be sure to book a table at The Rosebery Lounge for a Children’s Afternoon Tea at The Zoo. Little ones can take a walk on the wild-side with a menagerie of pastries including Zebra Lollipops, Pistachio Mambas, Reindeer Swiss rolls and Chocolate Penguins. Team with child-friendly finger sarnies think Peanut Butter & Grape Jam and Turkey & Cheddar Cheese, mini plain and raisin scones and a rather scrummy Valrhona hot chocolate milk. Plus, if you’re in the mood for treating, your kids can take home a Harrods’ Joshua Bear as a souvenir (£12 supplement).
Where: 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA, United Kingdom
Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge

Children’s Afternoon Tea with Daunt Books at The Langham Hotel
If your little ones adore books, then The Langham Hotel‘s newest afternoon tea will delight. Their Children’s Afternoon Tea with Daunt Books means little literary lovers can select their own new book from a specially curated library before they embark on tasty treats. Specially conceived for creative young minds our tea is interactive; there are jigsaw puzzle sandwiches to un-piece and for the sweet element children can assemble a cake into the shape of a dog before devouring it!  Children’s Afternoon Tea at Palm Court costs £29.50 for guests aged 12 and under.
Where: 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London, GB W1B 1JA
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus

Award Winning Children’s Tea at Fortnum and Mason
If a regal afternoon tea is in order, Picadilly’s Fortnum and Mason’s Children’s Afternoon Tea is an award winning choice, notching the top spot at the Afternoon Tea Awards 2018 where they won the the children’s category. Pink meringues, jammy dodger biscuits and strawberry swirl cakes are a sweet miniature treat as are the selection of plain and fruit flecked scones served up with Somerset clotted cream, lemon curd and strawberry preserve. Crisp, cold glasses of milk or juice are ideal for those who haven’t yet graduated to taking tea and for those looking for a nibble on the way home, be sure to box up any leftovers. Suitable for kids aged 4-10 an afternoon at the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon really is a memorable experience for the whole family.
Where: 181 Piccadilly, London, W1A 1ER
Nearest Tube: Green Park

Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at The Sanderson Hotel
Bunny hop over to the Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson Hotel for a true twist on afternoon tea. Inspired by the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland, this children’s classic has been brought to life with a tea party so wacky it would wake even the sleepiest of door mice. With menus hidden inside vintage books and teapots adorned with kings and queens, Sanderson’s Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea is brimming with sweet and savoury treats including Queen of Hearts rose and strawberry jammy dodgers, the Hare’s vanilla pocket watch macaroon and just in time for Easter, a celebratory chocolate bunny cake. Kids can wash everything down with Alice’s cinnamon, apple and peach “Drink Me” potion, whilst Mum and Dad can enjoy a well-deserved glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne. Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea is served daily and is priced from £58 per person and £35 per child (for children 4-11 years old).
Where: Sanderson Hotel, 50 Berners St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3NG 
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus

Vegan Afternoon Tea at OXO Tower Restaurant
If you’re on the hunt for a stand-out family vegan afternoon tea be sure to scale the heights of the South Bank and enjoy the vista of London from Harvey Nichols’ OXO Tower Restaurant. Their expertly-crafted vegan afternoon tea has all the classics – homemade scones, clotted ‘cream’ and even ‘cheese’ sandwiches, but there are a few surprises too, like sage and onion stuffing sandwiches on cranberry bread, chestnut and mushroom ‘sausage’ rolls. Plant-based puds include a light as a feather apple mousse and an insanely impressive lemon meringue pie. The Brasserie also serve up a super Children’s Not Afternoon Tea for £18 – a lighter take on tea, pairing non-alcoholic cocktails with mouth-watering dessert plates.
Where: Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House St, South Bank, London SE1 9PH
Nearest Tube: Blackfriars

Betty Blythe’s Children’s Tea Parties
Stuck for ideas when it comes to planning a party with a difference for you little ‘un? Betty Blythe’s tea emporium offers an afternoon laced with decorum and delicious cakes! With a dressing up box overflowing with vintage charm, little girls will adore accessorising with 1920s and 30s feathers and fascinators whilst tucking into pink wafer biscuits, popcorn and mini muffins. Add in activities such as jewellery making, biscuit decorating or even tea-set painting for an afternoon tea to remember. Pint-sized starlets round off their teatime fun with a Hollywood style photoshoot…say cheese! Suitable for children over the age of 5 and under the age of 11.
Where: 73 Blythe Road, London W14 0HP
Nearest Tube: Hammersmith

Grover’s Children’s Tea at The Grosvenor House Hotel
If your idea of a cracking family afternoon tea is laden with champagne, finger sandwiches and oodles of perfect pastries then Anna’s Afternoon Tea at The Grosvenor House Hotel is just the ticket. However, whilst you scoff, sorry delicately nibble, fig bakewells, pear and almond tartlets and lemon cheesecake, your mini ones will be going ga-ga for Grover’s Children’s Tea. Banana sandwiches, miniature knickerbocker glories and double chocolate brownie cornets are just three of the treats on this clever kids menu. Served alongside a hot milk or fresh juice, tots can even take home their very own Grover to soothe them into sugary slumber.
Where: Park Lane, London, W1K 7TN 
Nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner

Children’s Afternoon Tea at The Potting Shed
Sandwiched between Baker Street and Marylebone Station is The Potting Shed at the Dorset Square Hotel. Acclaimed for their family-friendly virtues including milk and cookies at bedtime, this Regency townhouse hotel designed by Kit Kemp is part of the Firmdale Hotel group and offers a stylish and contemporary backdrop for afternoon tea. The Children’s Afternoon tea at The Potting Shed is a firm favourite with kids who love getting creative thank to their canny create your own cupcakes. A plain sponge cupcake is plated and ready to be adorned by budding little artists. Fruit skewers, an array of sarnies and scones keep creative juices flowing. £15 per child, dietary requirements can be accommodated.
Where: 39-40 Dorset Square, Marylebone, London, NW1 6QN
Nearest Tube: Baker Street / Marylebone Station

Brigit’s Bakery – B Afternoon Tea
If you’re little ones are train and bus obsessed this is the afternoon tea for you! It’s all aboard as kids over five can whizz around London on Brigit’s Bakery vintage Routmaster bus whilst they devour  a French inspired afternoon tea. Whilst you munch your way through brioche sandwiches, miniature quiches and dinky patisseries, the route will take you on an one hour and thirty minute tour of Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St James’s Park, Hyde Park, The Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch, Nelson’s Column, Downing Street and more. Tickets please!
Where: Tours depart multiple times each day from 8 Northumberland Avenue, off Trafalgar Square, or from Victoria Coach Station. Daily departures at noon, 12.30, 2.30, 3, and 5

The Potion Room at Cutter and Squidge
Purveyors of the much sought after Biskie, Cutter and Squidge invite you to the Potion Room at the Cutter & Squidge Soho – a secret School of Wizarding Alchemy and bewitching teatime fun. Delicious food and magical potions combine at their new afternoon tea just in time for witching season!  As a wizard-in-the-making, you will be invited to join their Potion Master to learn some of his secrets in an immersive experience, whilst enjoying a family feast for all senses. Parents can sip on on Galaxy Juice infused with unicorn tear tea whilst little ones can enjoy Pumpkin Juice. Rock cakes laden with blood curdling jam, glowing amber butterscotch biskies and a whole load of magical surprises await. Wheat-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options of the tea are also available. Nab your tickets here.  Whilst you’re there don’t forget to pick up your batch of Cookie Monster and Bewitched Cauldron Biskies! The Potion Room is for ages 8+ and under 18’s must be attending with an adult.
Where: 20 Brewer St, Soho, W1F 0SJ
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road

Teddy Bears’ Picnic Afternoon Tea at Hilton Park Lane
Picnic time for teddy bears! Enter a whimsical world at the Hilton Park Lane for they have teamed up with toy emporium Hamley’s to present a brand new Teddy Bears’ Picnic Afternoon Tea. With a menu crafted by Executive Chef Anthony Marshall and recent winner of Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals, Pastry Chef Emmanuel Bonneau, tots will adore teddy bear sandwiches, meringue mushrooms, cake-pops, and miniature fancies. In true toyshop fashion, no one leaves empty handed – each mini guest goes home with a complimentary Hamleys teddy bear.  £24 per child (aged 4-12 years), weekdays between 2 pm and 5 pm and weekends between 12:30 pm and 5 pm.
Where: Podium Restaurant, 22 Park Lane, London, W1K 1BE
Nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner