The Most Charming Tea Rooms in London

Highness Café is one of Islington’s many little gems, with a warm, cosy interior a world away from bustling Highbury Park outside. The tea room gives off a simple, rustic atmosphere, with a particularly lovely upstairs seating area full of mismatched wooden chairs and dimly lit lamps, tucked away at the top of a spiral staircase. The selection of freshly baked cakes is impressive; with a large selection of Christmas treats on offer during the winter months such as mince pies, stollen and a pear and cinnamon cake. The selection of loose leaf teas is also good, offering a number of classics alongside some more unusual concoctions, such as orange peel and pomegranate and there are plenty of coffees available for non-tea drinkers too.

While Oxford Street’s department store House of Fraser may not seem like the obvious place to house a tea room, The Tea Terrace is a surprisingly charming oasis in the middle of an otherwise wild metropolis of frantic shoppers and dawdling tourists. Although the tea room is rather large and gets pretty busy at times, the pastel coloured décor, floral teapots and the adornment of poetry across the walls instantly boost the Tea Terrace’s charm factor. And, most importantly of course, the food is excellent; cream teas, stylish sandwiches and light meals, combined with table service, add a touch of luxury to this tea room.

While a venture out to Zone Four may seem a little daunting, Pembroke Lodge’s location in the heart of Richmond Park is difficult to beat. The elegant white building, with its paved terrace outside, is a popular spot for weddings and family gatherings, and is definitely also the perfect place for a cream tea. It really is worth grabbing a table on the outdoor patio on a warm afternoon, with its stunning hilltop view across the park. Cream teas (scones with clotted cream and jam with a cup of tea or coffee) are excellent value for money and if you’re lucky, the scones may still be warm when they come out. A wide variety of cakes and more substantial meals are also available.

A tiny tea room situated in the basement of an independent bookshop, Tea and Tattle is an incredibly charming hidden gem, remaining largely unnoticed by the many passers-by of its central London location. A full afternoon tea costs only £17, a great price for a normally luxurious item, and comes with dainty sandwiches, fresh scones and a generous slice of cake and, of course, a tea of your choice (these items can alternatively be bought separately). The interior decor is simple but attractive, and the Oriental-style pictures on the wall blend the quaint with the exotic, providing a delightful atmosphere for a bit of respite from the bustle of Bloomsbury.