5 Afternoon Teas With Excellent Views In London

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 64 months ago

Last Updated 15 August 2019

5 Afternoon Teas With Excellent Views In London
Afternoon tea at Library at the Marriott County Hall with views of Big Ben, London Eye, River Thames and Westminster
The Library at County Hall offers views over the river and Westminster

With themed afternoon teas, vegan afternoon teas and super-glamourous afternoon teas, an afternoon tea has to something special to stand out these days. With views over the capital, the skyline and the river, this lot are certainly special.

Afternoon tea at The Shard

London's tallest building seems the obvious place to head when you want a view of any sort, and afternoon tea fans are catered for in abundance.

Mary Poppins afternoon tea at AquaShard with views of the London skyline
Mary Poppins afternoon tea at Aqua Shard

Aqua Shard on the 31st floor offers a Mary Poppins afternoon tea complete with carpet bag, umbrella, and candy floss. Inspired by P.L. Travers' book, itself set in and above London, the menu contains nods to various characters who Mary and the Banks children meet on their adventures.

Afternoon tea at Gong at Shangri-La in the Shard,with views of the London skyline
Image: GONG at the Shangri-La

Further up, a more traditional afternoon tea is served in the Shangri-La Hotel, in Ting on the 35th floor and in GONG on level 52. The same menu is served in both establishments (a summer special, at time of writing), at the same price in each, so if higher is better in your book, head for GONG.

The Library at Marriott County Hall, South Bank

afternoon tea at Library at the Marriott County Hall with views of Big Ben, London Eye, River Thames and Westminster
Traditional afternoon tea at The Library at County Hall

Watch traffic chug by on the River Thames, and gaze across at (the currently-scaffolded) face of Big Ben at The Library, inside The Marriott at County Hall, which is located right next to the London Eye. Choose your seat carefully for views of the ever-rotating wheel, or across to the splendid buildings of Westminster. You might be too busy watching the world go by to even tuck into your traditional afternoon tea, but do take time to look inside the window too — the gorgeous, book-lined establishment is like a great big hug.

Afternoon tea at 5th View, Waterstones Piccadilly

Afternoon tea at 5th View in Waterstones Piccadilly, with views towards Westminster
The view from 5th View at Waterstones Piccadilly. Photo: Londonist

If you've never ventured to the top of the huge Waterstones on Piccadilly, you won't know about 5th View. The venue doesn't really seem to know whether it's a cafe, restaurant or cocktail bar, but we find its at its best on a weekday morning, when you can pop in for a coffee and have the place to yourself.

For afternoon tea though, drop in between 3pm-6pm (12pm-5pm on Sunday), and tuck into finger sandwiches, a roast beef Yorkshire pudding, traditional scones and homemade cake. It's a budget-friendly option, and views of London's rooftops towards Westminster are thrown in. It may not be as conventionally appealing as some of the other views on this list, but we could spend hours gazing out, trying to identify every building in the panorama.

Afternoon tea at OXO Tower

Afternoon tea at Oxo Tower Restaurant, with views of St Paul's, the Square Mile/City of London and River Thames
The view from OXO Tower Restaurant

Another river view, this one further east, focusing on St Paul's Cathedral. Located on the eighth floor of the South Bank structure, Oxo Tower Restaurant serves a traditional British afternoon tea, its glass windows offering views of the City skyline.

Afternoon tea at Oxo Tower Restaurant, with views of St Paul's, the Square Mile/City of London and River Thames
Afternoon tea at OXO Tower Restaurant

The menu consists of sandwiches, mini Yorkshire puddings, choux buns and traditional scones, followed by elderflower and strawberry mousse and chocolate and cherry bakewell.

See a variety of views on an afternoon tea bus tour

 Brigit's Bakery afternoon tea bus tour with views of the London Eye
Take an afternoon tea bus tour

Can't settle on just one landmark to gaze on while you graze? See multiple London sights on an afternoon tea bus tour. Book your seat on a specially kitted out double decker, and board at either Northumberland Avenue or Victoria Coach Station.

Brigit's Bakery afternoon tea bus tour going past Westminster Abbey
Watch London's sights roll pass on a Brigit's Bakery bus tour

Once everyone's on board and tea is served, the bus takes a route passing the likes of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Hyde Park, the Royal Albert Hall, Marble Arch and Trafalgar Square. Traditional, vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free menus are available.

A word of warning — there are no toilets on board, so go easy on the tea.