Experience a quintessentially British afternoon tea, done The Athenaeum way. Our chefs have been inspired by the British tradition of Fondant Fancies and the natural surroundings of our iconic vertical Living Wall and Royal Parks. Our Fancies & Foliage afternoon tea includes exquisite cakes, handcrafted sandwiches and a unique tea blending experience.
Time for tea?
A classic pastime
Inspired by fondant fancies, our Living Wall and the greenery of London's Royal Parks, our afternoon tea puts a playful twist on a much-loved British tradition.
Settle in with a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, followed by warm plain and raisin scones served with strawberry and raspberry jam, alongside generous spoonfuls of clotted cream. Then comes the sweet finale: a collection of handcrafted cakes and pastries, each thoughtfully created by our pastry team.
Served daily from 12 noon to 5:30pm, our afternoon tea is £60 per person.
A ritual as unique as you
Add a creative twist to your afternoon tea with our signature tea blending experience. Guided by our expert team, you’ll explore up to 45 bespoke ingredients to create your own personalised blend, developed with renowned Master Tea Blender Alex Probyn. The selection includes English-grown teas from Tregothnan in Cornwall, alongside seasonal botanicals such as cherry black, coconut fruit and rose petals.
Take time to relax with a cocktail while your blend is brewed and perfectly paired with your afternoon tea. The tea blending experience is available as an upgrade for £70 per person.
Bottomless afternoon tea
Enhance your afternoon tea experience with bottomless Prosecco. Enjoy our signature Fancies & Foliage afternoon tea, featuring delicate sandwiches, cakes, pastries and traditional scones, all served with free-flowing Prosecco for 90 minutes.
Perfect for a special occasion or just because.
Cream tea
Craving something sweet? Sometimes only freshly baked scones will do. Includes traditional homemade scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam with your choice of artisan tea. Just £15 per person.
Give a sweet treat
Our afternoon tea voucher makes the perfect gift for a loved one celebrating a special occasion. Treat them to a quintessentially British experience with one of our gift vouchers.
Afternoon Tea FAQs
Open for answers to everything you need to know
When is afternoon tea served?
Afternoon tea at The Athenaeum is available daily from 12 noon to 5:30pm.
Do you cater for afternoon tea dietary requirements?
The Athenaeum offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free afternoon tea menus, just let the team know your requirements when booking.
What is included in the Fancies & Foliage afternoon tea?
Your afternoon tea includes a selection of handcrafted sandwiches, warm scones with classic jam and clotted cream, and beautifully crafted sweet pastries inspired by the hotel’s iconic living wall and the nearby Royal Parks. A range of additional upgrades is also available, including bottomless Prosecco and our signature tea blending experience, allowing you to tailor your afternoon to suit the occasion.
Can I personalise my tea experience?
Yes. You can upgrade to the tea blending experience, where you’re guided through up to 45 bespoke ingredients to create your own custom tea blend, paired with a welcome cocktail while it’s brewed.
Can I add bubbles to my afternoon tea?
Yes. You can upgrade your Fancies & Foliage afternoon tea with 90 minutes of free-flowing Prosecco, ideal for celebrations.
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