Gluten Free Afternoon Tea's in London
If you are travelling to London, my top recommendation is to get yourself to an Afternoon Tea. I absolutely love them.
In this blog post, I am collating all of the gluten free afternoon tea's I've been to, each with a link to a video I have made and an overall rating of my experience. Please note: the prices are what the standard afternoon tea costs, but if you are are wanting bubbles or champagne with your tea, it'll be a bit more expensive!
P.S I always go for my afternoon tea's at lunch time - it's generally quieter, and more than enough food to last you till dinner!
This was my first ever afternoon tea that I experienced, and to this day remains on of my favourites. A mixture of test tubes, reactions, and dry ice - the Science Afternoon is not just for looks, it is well balanced and incredibly delicious. Probably my favourite gluten free scones I've ever had - and that lemon curd it comes with is magic....or science!
They also offer a Jurassic themed afternoon tea as well.
Nearest Tube: South Kensington
Price: £59.5 for adults, £39.5 for kids
Booking required: Yes!
Overall Rating: 9/10
Other Dietary Requirements: Please ask when booking.
Refills: Yes!
Wheelchair Friendly
A delightful culinary experience, inspired by Alice in Wonderland. You will find little references all throughout your meal, like a clock macaroon, a 'drink me' potion, a Queen of Hearts cheesecake. And it's not all for show either, they absolutely hit the mark on taste. Do not worry if you can't see the scones in the picture, they are served to the side.
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road
Price: £55 for adults, £35 for kids
Booking required: Yes!
Overall Rating: 8/10
Other Dietary Requirements: Gluten free & Vegan options available
Refills: Yes! (sandwiches only)
Wheelchair Friendly
One Aldwych is a hotel that's also home to the restaurant Indigo, which is completely gluten and dairy free. While this afternoon tea isn't apart of that restaurant, the knowlegde of allergens is still incredible throughout all their eateries. At the Charlie & the Chocolate factory, you are able to have an afternoon tea with multiple dietary requirements, of course give them a call when booking so they know to expect them - but I've always found them really good at handling them. And do not worry, this afternoon tea isn't actually *that* chocolate-y, it's very considered how much chocolate is throughout the experience so you never feel overly sweet!
This afternoon tea is another one of my favourites, it has a higher price point but you can tell from the quality. Plus, you can get as many refills as you like!
Nearest Tube: Temple or Holborn
Price: £70 for adults, £50 for kids
Booking required: Yes!
Overall Rating: 9/10
Other Dietary Requirements: Gluten free & dairy free, vegan available
Refills: Yes!
Wheelchair Friendly
This is as much of an experience as a meal! The Wizarding Afternoon Tea is a host-led experience where you get to dress up, use wands, brew potions and create spells. While it is a fun couple of hours, the food isn't the best (at least not the gluten free version). I found the cakes & sandwiches a bit dry and slightly stale. The scone and teas were a highlight but it's not one I'd rush back to!
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square
Price: £51 for adults, £38 for kids
Booking required: Yes!
Overall Rating: 5/10
Other Dietary Requirements: Gluten free available
Refills: No
Not accessible
For a very traditional afternoon tea, the Langham might be your place of choice. Everything from the dining hall, the cutlery, the live jazz piano, to the food - screams fancy. The afternoon tea is served in courses, you might think there would be 3 but there is 5! Aside from the sandwiches, scones and cakes, they also serve a savoury cheese scone, and a secondary dessert. It's very good, especially if for a special ocassion, but it's not one I'd hurry back to as I think you can get just as good quality food at other places with a lower price point. You can't beat it on atmosphere though!
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus
Price: £85 per person
Other Dietary Requirements: No gluten menu available. Lots of the cakes contained gluten free oats.
Refills: Yes
Booking required: Yes!
Wheelchair Friendly
Overall Rating: 7/10
For an afternoon tea experience at a lower price point, I would recommend Brown's. Presented nicely, and with pretty decent sandwiches and scones, I really appreciate this afternoon tea for what it is. While the cakes leave a bit to be desires, with a mouse, strawberries and a brownie, I still think it's enough to fill you up. They are also accredited by Coeliac UK, for that extra added bit of reassurance!
Nearest Tube: There are multiple Brown's in the city, check where's closest on their website!
Price: £30 per person
Booking required: Yes, for gluten free it's a good idea!
Overall Rating: 6.5/10
Other Dietary Requirements: Gluten free available.
Refills: No
Wheelchair Friendly
At only £10, this afternoon tea is by far the cheapest you'll find - and do you know what, it's not that bad! For what you are getting, it's definitely great value for money, you could almost consider it the ultimate meal deal. The only downside is that it's hard to come by. They only offer it from 2pm but that's dependant on whether they have any of the sandwiches left after the lunch rush. Sadly you can't book, so just bear that in mind if you go seek it. If you miss out, I would consider trying the gluten free mozzarella and pesto toastie!
Nearest Tube: There are multiple M&S Cafes - I've been most successful at the Oxford Street locations
Other Dietary Requirements: Gluten free & vegetarian
Price: £10 per person
Refills: No
Booking required: No
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
Wheelchair Friendly
For a London themed afternoon tea, I'd recommend The Dilly! Set in their Terrace restaurant, which is a massive atrium, you can experience an afternoon tea delivered on your very own red bus. The cakes are all based on London landmarks, and are created with some very impressive chocolate moulds. The scones & sandwiches were a highlight for me and the sweeter bits were just a bit too sweet for me to finish, but I really enjoyed the experience and the atmosphere.
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Price: £49 for adults, £39 for kids
Booking required: Yes
Overall Rating: 6.5/10
Other Dietary Requirements: Gluten free available
Refills: No
Wheelchair Friendly
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