Mother's Day Afternoon Tea

Tradition, elegance, style, luxury and relaxation are all synonymous with the very English tradition of afternoon tea - as are (delicate) piles of sandwiches, cakes, scones, petit fours, jam and lashings of cream. Yum. What better way to treat your mum this Mother's Day than to invite her to afternoon tea at one of London's grandest hotels?

Claridge's

Brook Street, Mayfair, W1K 4HR
Princes, politicians and personalities have all graced the sumptuously decorated foyer at Claridge's for afternoon tea. And your mum will thank you for treating her likewise! The Art Deco interior of this hotel is simply stunning with the centre piece of the foyer - where tea is served - dominated by a huge glass chandelier by Dale Chihuly. The opulent interior is worth a look even if you're not having tea. With a selection of over 30 different blends of tea from around the world, you are spoilt for choice, as you are with the food. The ample selection of classic sandwiches, pastries and, of course, moist, fluffy homemade scones served with jam and clotted cream, will purge any hunger pangs, and probably negate the need for dinner. With a pianist and harpist to accompany your tea, you'll be swept away by their soothing airs to a bygone era, set in stone at Claridge's. Mum will love it.

Claridge's - Information

The Dorchester

Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1QA
Winner of numerous awards, this hotel has been a byword for style and comfort for over 70 years. Of the 3,000 meals served daily at the Dorchester none receives more care and attention than its fabled afternoon tea. Mum will definitely have heard of it. Tea is taken in the famous Promenade, and your party will be made to feel truly privileged by the lavish setting and polished service. You can plump for either Traditional Afternoon Tea, Champagne Tea, or the Spatisserie Afternoon Tea served in an opulent but intimate tea salon open to spa users. Choose from a varied selection of 20 imported teas, or go for the Dorchester's very own delicate blend. The hotel employs its very own tea chef, solely in charge of the afternoon's selection of finger food, not to mention the 15-strong team of pastry chefs who intricately fold together the mouth-watering range of sweets. Their scones have been made to the same delicious recipe for over 50 years, and we can tell why.

The Dorchester - Information

The Ritz

150 Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1J 9BR
Tea at the Ritz is synonymous with the comfortable colonialism of the old British aristocracy. For Londoners, it conjures an image of luxury, indulgence, formality and impeccable service. The Palm Court, where afternoon tea is served, is an exemplar of lavish Louis XVI luxury. Lofty ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and draped floral curtains all combine for a visual treat of the old Establishment. Waiters, dressed immaculately in tails, serve up tea with exact precision while a pianist tinkles the ivories in the background. Step back to a more refined era and see how the gentry took their tea in the days of the Empire. On Mother's Day tea at The Ritz is a full-on three-course feast of sandwiches, freshly baked scones followed by pastries and Ritz chocolate cake and finishes with a gift box of Ritz Top Hat Chocolates. This is one sure way to make mum feel special on her day.
NOTE: Booking in advance is strongly recommended, particularly at weekends. Tables may need to be reserved at least 12 weeks in advance.

The Ritz - Information

The Berkeley

Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL
Served in the appropriately themed Caramel Room with its low-lighting, chocolate-coloured wall coverings and snappy faux-crocodile fabrics, afternoon tea at the Berkeley is a modern, stylish affair. From the contemporary design (courtesy of Alexandra Champalimaud) of the room to the unusual, striking design of the cakes and pastries this is an afternoon tea experience for those who like to mix tradition with innovation. While the traditional elements of the meal still remain, The Berkeley has added its own creative twists to the ritual, bringing this centuries old institution into the 21st century by producing cakes and pastries inspired by each fashion season's catwalk designs. With a choice of over 30 teas from around the world, an array of finger sandwiches and sweet pastries and a selection of freshly baked raisin and apple scones with tea-infused jam and Devonshire clotted cream. This is the perfect Mother's Day treat for truly modern mums.

The Berkeley - Information

The Lanesborough

Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA
Earning the Award of Excellence from the The Tea Guild in 2010 and 2009 as well as their Top London Afternoon Tea the year before, an afternoon brew at The Lanesborough is a bit of a treat. The stylish early 19th century hotel sits right on Hyde Park Corner and tea is served in its redecorated restaurant, Apsleys, with its beautiful glass roof. The formal ceremony of afternoon tea here takes on an undisputable air of sophistication with the steaming tea served from silver pots - a Russian samovar if you need to know - and poured into fine bone china cups, a stack of crustless finger sandwiches to accompany it. While a resident pianist plays diners' requests in the background, finger sandwiches, crumpets, scones, French pastries, petit fours and tea are served with all due sobriety on Royal Worcester silver. The Lanesborough Tea includes a variety of teas, scones, pastries, teacakes and finger sandwiches. Or customers can upgrade to the Belgravia Tea which also includes champagne, strawberries and cream. Sunday service, including Mother's Day, takes place from 4pm to 6pm.

The Lanesborough - Information

Brown's

Albemarle Street, Mayfair, W1S 4BP
Established in 1837 for 'genteel' folk, James Brown's charming hotel instantly became synonymous with the refined tradition of afternoon tea. A popular haunt of royalty and statesmen, the hotel has also attracted and inspired a number of famous guests. Graham Bell made his first successful British telephone call from Brown's in 1876, Rudyard Kipling wrote 'The Jungle Book' here and regular visitor and author Agatha Christie based her book 'At Bertram's Hotel' on Brown's. Lord Byron who once described the founder, his former valet, as the "gentleman of gentlemen", also supped in these elegant surroundings. The English Tea Room is a wonderfully refined, discrete setting from which to enjoy a choice of teas - including Brown's own blend - finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones, Brown's famous home-made jams and clotted cream, and a selection of cakes and delicate pastries. Sink deep into an armchair, relax in front of the fire to the sounds of a piano, enjoy your chosen blend of tea from fine Wedgwood porcelain and select your desired delicacy from a Victorian silver tea-stand as you form part of history at Brown's. A traditional, suitably historic way to mark Mother's Day.

Brown's - Information

The Connaught

Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2AL
The Connaught in Mayfair was originally intended as an oasis of calm for the landed gentry of England to retire to during their hectic visits to the capital. Little has changed since the opening of the hotel in 1897 - doormen in top hats and white gloves still usher guests into the majestic entrance hall with its magnificent mosaic floor and grand wooden staircase, and the historic tradition of afternoon tea is still re-enacted daily. Afternoon tea is served from cake stands in the Espelette dining room from where you can sample some of Helene Darroze's more informal dishes. The handiwork of New York interior designers, the Connaught's Espelette brasserie style dining room exudes peaceful, pared down elegance and provides the perfect, luxurious setting for afternoon tea. Film stars Sharon Stone and Lauren Bacall are among the celebrities who have sampled the Connaught's Traditional Tea which consists of finger sandwiches, pastries, cakes and tarts served alongside a selection of teas (including a special Royal Connaught Afternoon blend), coffee and infusions.

The Connaught - Information

The Cadogan

75 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SG
Join the Queen Mother, Lord Cadogan, Oscar Wilde, King Edward VII and Lillie Langtry by becoming a visitor to this historic, timelessly stylish town house hotel. After a morning's hectic shopping in nearby Knightsbridge why not treat your mum to afternoon tea at this legendary hotel this Mother's Day? Traditional English afternoon tea is served every day from 3pm to 5.30pm in the Cadogan's wood-panelled Drawing Room. Lined with rich, heavy saffron curtains and adorned with gold-stemmed, up-lighter lamps the room is enveloped in a soothing soft glow which emanates from the warm apricot hues of the traditional fabrics. Sink into one of the deep, dark green velvet twill Edwardian armchairs as you escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and savour a selection of sandwiches, freshly baked scones, fruit cake and tea. For that extra touch of decadence why not celebrate the day and finish off your Mother's Day afternoon tea with a glass of champagne?

The Cadogan - Information

Flemings Mayfair Hotel

Half Moon Street, W1J 7BH
For a glamorous way to enjoy Afternoon Tea step into The Front Room at Flemings Mayfair, one of London's oldest hotels, located just minutes from the designer stores of Bond Street and Jermyn Street. Cupcakes, Champagne and canapes are served in the eccentrically decorated Front Room, done up by interior designer Grant White who has created what he describes as "an elegant luxurious cocoon". Instead of boring old beige and brown the interiors are rich and bold with reflective surfaces and crystal lights lending plenty of sparkle and shine. Leather banquettes and velvet chairs invite you to put your feet up and enjoy one of three afternoon tea options: Traditional Afternoon Tea, Chocolate Afternoon Tea, or the Savory Martini Afternoon Tea. Dammann Freres teas are complemented by beautifully decorated Primrose Bakery cupcakes (fans include Kate Moss, Elton John, U2, Paul Smith, and Jude Law), smothered in thick butter cream icing. Prefer something savoury? Order the Martini tea and you'll get cheese straws, black pudding Scotch egg, and a dark chili chocolate tart to finish.

More info: Flemings Mayfair Hotel Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

St James's Restaurant

Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER
From the day Fortnum & Mason opened its doors to the nation back in 1707, tea has been one of their main concerns. The charming St James's Restaurant opened just a few years after the British discovered their now beloved cuppa. Fortnum's is the original London tea house. The fabulous food hall downstairs stocks over a century of blends including India, Nepal, Japan, Sri Lanka, along with their own in-house infusions, green teas and all sorts of fruity numbers. Tea tasting really is a fine art and these are the experts with nearly 300 year's experience. The calm atmosphere, pacifying piano and broad view of Piccadilly makes the fourth floor St James's Tearoom a tranquil haven away from the sea of shoppers outside. The reputation of the food hall precedes it, and the sandwiches and pastries live up to expectations. Choose from a Traditional Tea, a Champagne Tea or the more substantial High Tea. Of course, if buying Mum a gift did completely slip your mind, Fortnum and Mason has plenty of opportunities: "I thought you'd like to choose yourself..."

NOTE: Reservations are recommended. For weekdays one day in advance is recommended and for Saturdays, two to three weeks are advised.

Fortnum & Mason - Information

Did you know??

- Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, is famed with inventing the tradition of afternoon tea in the early 1840s. The Duchess, who couldn't wait until 8.30 or 9pm when dinner was traditionally served, decided to ask her staff to serve bread, butter, cakes, biscuits and tea at mid-afternoon when she became peckish.

- Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese wife of Charles II, made tea the official court beverage in the 1660s.