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From the dainty little teacups to the adorable crustless sandwiches to the bitesize Victoria sponges, afternoon teas are a delightful way to spend, well, an afternoon. And London is certainly not short of them. You’ll find exceptional afternoon teas at loads of the capital’s chicest restaurants and poshest hotel dining rooms, many offering their own creative twists on the classics.
But according to lifestyle publication Muddy Stilettos, there’s one afternoon tea in London that’s better than all the others. After counting nearly half a million votes from its readers as part of the Muddy Awards 2026, the guide revealed that the top afternoon tea in the capital is at the Richmond Hill Hotel.
There are two kinds of afternoon teas to choose from at the Richmond Hill Hotel. Its ‘Enchanted Treehouse Afternoon Tea’ (£46 per person) is inspired by Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree, with unusual treats like chicken mousse, tarragon and celery in a charcoal tartlet and fig frangipane with mascarpone cream, alongside classics such as egg mayo on spinach bread and lemon meringue tart.
Then, for those who will always pick starter over dessert, there’s the savoury afternoon tea. At £46 each, instead of the sweet stuff it includes ham hock and pea croquettes, spicy sticky cauliflower bites and sweet and smoky chicken tenders. And instead of classic scones and jam, you’re served caramelised onion and rosemary scones with black garlic hummus.
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There’s an impressive lineup of loose-leaf teas to accompany all of that, too. Choose from the likes of Chinese lapsang souchong, Rwandan virunga or Taiwanese oolong. For an extra £10 you can add a glass of champagne or a gin cocktail, or for £12 more you’ll get a glass of English sparkling rosé wine.
The hotel was up against a strong lineup of finalists which included Sketch and Fortnum & Mason, both of which feature on Time Out’s guide to the finest afternoon teas in the capital.
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