It’s a British institution up there with fish and chips and our very own Big Ben, so it’s no wonder that you’re planning to truly spoil yourself with a proper English Afternoon Tea on your next visit to London.

The only problem is where to go.

With so many tea shops, cafés, and restaurants all turning tea time into a truly inspired art form, knowing where to find the best spreads in town can be a challenge unto its own.

Fortunately, help is at hand.

Here at the Amsterdam Hotel in Kensington & Chelsea, we’ve been fortunate enough over the years to get out and about and sample for ourselves some of the most satisfying pots of tea, the most delicious sandwiches, and the most delightfully yummy scones can be found.

Here, our team offer their picks of the top five places to enjoy the perfect English Afternoon Tea in London.

The Ritz

150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR

Daily from 11.30am to 7pm (booking required)

Famed throughout the land for its prestige and unrivalled extravagance, afternoon tea at The Ritz has been a staple of high society life in London since the venue first launched in 1906.

That exceptional luxury and remarkable longevity make this veritable British icon a must for those visiting the UK for the first time and looking for the perfect place to experience that sense pomp and nobility we’re known for over the ocean.

It also means that the venue’s daily offerings, which will set you back £54 for regular afternoon tea or £71 if you include champagne, are often in high demand.

Book early then, and dress to impress, as formal attire is required, especially if you wish to truly feel at home at this most lavish of afternoon tea spots.

Town House

109-113 Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London SW7 5LR

A favourite among both our staff and guests alike thanks to its close proximity to our Kensington & Chelsea hotel, Town House does tea time like nowhere else in London.

Perfectly in keeping with the upper-class charms of Kensington, the splendidly posh interiors set the perfect scene for a little high-society get together, whilst the unlimited sandwiches and heaven-sent cakes are presented with an extravagance that is rivalled only by their outstanding taste.

Aqua Shard

The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, SE1 9SG

Monday to Friday, 1pm – 5pm | Saturday and Sunday, 1pm – 4pm

When it comes to afternoon tea in London, it’s usually the deliciousness of the food and the mouthwatering taste of freshly prepared tea that we look for when determining our favourite spots.

Yet whilst Aqua Shard certainly delivers both on an almost unprecedented scale, it’s the magnificent view across the capital that really makes this one a must-visit.

Located on level 31 of The Shard, the iconic building that stands as the tallest anywhere in the UK, Aqua Shard offers up a magnificent and wholly unique look across the London skyline that is worth the £45 price tag (champagne options are available for £58 per person) alone.

Don’t get us wrong though, once you’ve got your breath, be prepared to indulge yourself with some truly exceptional treats.

Fortnum & Mason

181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER

Monday to Saturday, 11.30am to 7pm, Sunday, noon to 6pm

Just minutes away from our hotel in Kensington and Chelsea via Earls Court Station, Fortnum & Mason is a high brow department store which gives Kensington’s own Harrods a run for its money when it comes to superior quality and exquisite style.

So, as you can probably imagine, the way they really spare no expense when it comes to delivering the ultimate afternoon tea experience.

A delectable array of beautifully crafted (and beautifully tasting) sandwiches and scrumptious cakes are available on an unlimited basis, so you really can spoil yourself by indulging in a little bit of everything, all washed down with your choice from an impressive selection of teas, including some rare blends from across the globe.

Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason costs between £44 and £48 depending on the brew you choose, and it’s well worth the cost just to soak in the atmosphere, with a talented pianist providing light background music on a grand piano, and an elegant decor that few others can match.

The Georgian at Harrods

87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL

Monday to Saturday, 11.30pm – 8pm | Sunday, 11.30AM to 6pm

It’s Harrods – so would you really expect anything less than a truly grandiose affair complete with tasty tea, treats, and sandwiches that are on a completely different level from anything else in the capital?

The Georgian’s opulent surroundings and exceptional attention to detail leave you feeling like royalty for the afternoon, whilst the Champagne tea is ideal if you’ve got something to celebrate.

Though it may be a little busier, we think the best times to visit are Friday and Saturday afternoons, when a live pianist compliments the sophisticated ambience with a selection of classics.

Experience the very best that London has to offer with the Amsterdam Hotel in Kensington and Chelsea. Book your stay online today, or call our team now on 020 7370 5084.