Quintessential English afternoon tea

For less than 30 quid

Once upon a time, you can have the full afternoon tea experience for £20. While these are few and far between, there are ones for less than £30. And best of all they are conveniently located by some of London’s most popular attractions:

The Crusting Pipe Wine Bar & Restaurant (Covent Garden) — Located in the heart of Covent Garden, the covered terrace is protected from the elements. Afternoon served daily between 2:30-5:30 pm.  A scone, clotted cream and preserve will only set you back £4.95. When booking request a ‘window’ table so you can watch live musical performances.
Starting at £27.95 / person, (inside Covent Garden)
www.davy.co.uk/wine-bar/crusting-pipe ✆ +44 2078 361415
27 The Market Building, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RD

The English Rose Café & Tea Shop (Buckingham Palace) — This independent family run café on Lower Grosvenor Place and Trip Advisor Hall of Fame honoree serves Afternoon Tea for 2 £38 (£19 for each additional person) 12 pm-5pm. The tea consists of finger sandwiches, cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam, and a pot of tea.
Afternoon Tea for 2 £38, (7 minute walk to Buckingham Palace)
www.theenglishrosecafe.co.uk ✆ +44 2079 766280
4 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EJ

The Ivy Tower Bridge (Tower Bridge) — The Ivy has a number of brasseries and cafes located throughout the UK. Their afternoon tea served 3-5 pm daily changes depending on the season. They also offer a cream tea of scones, clotted cream, jam and tea or coffee for £8.75.
Starting at £26.95 / person, (2 minute walk to Tower Bridge) www.theivytowerbridge.com ✆ +44 2031 467722
One Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2AA

Great Court Restaurant (The British Museum) — No visit to London is complete without a visit to The British Museum, The first museum of its kind in the world includes over 8 million works. Enjoy an afternoon tea break 11:30 am-5 pm complete with Earl Grey tea-soaked and Somerset butter scone and classic Cornish clotted cream.

Starting at £26 / person, (inside The British Museum) 
www.britishmuseum.org ✆ +44 2073 238299
Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG

Tea & Tattle (The British Museum) — Established as a bookshop in 1903, Arthur Probsthain Bookseller is one of the leading Oriental and African booksellers in the world. The downstairs tearoom offers a no-frills traditional English afternoon tea featuring loose leaf teas, homemade cakes, jams and sandwiches and just baked scones. Instead of tea for two you have the option of smoothies or coffees for two and all options come with homemade lemonade.
Starting at £24 / person, (across the street from The British Museum) 

www.tea-and-tattle.com ✆ +44 7722 192703
101 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QQT

The Wallace Restaurant (The Wallace Collection) — The Wallace Collection of 15th-19th century fine and decorative arts was open to the public in 1900. One stipuliaton is that no object should leave the collection and until 2019 not even on temporary loan. The indoor, light-filled courtyard is protected from the elements and a perfect break from the busy West End.

Starting at £24.95 / person, (inside The Wallace Collection)
www.wallacecollection.org ✆ +44 2075 639500
Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN

At these prices you can enjoy afternoon tea more than once!