This meticulously designed afternoon tea menu has been designed by chef pâtissier Benoît Blin, who Bake Off fans will recognise as one of the judges for Bake Off: The Professionals. Monsieur Blin’s fine dining afternoon tea menu is a distinctively seasonal affair, with a gallic twist to the quintessentially British tradition. 

Expect treats like a Cornish lobster brioche roll topped with Oscietra caviar; salted caramel pastries filled with light and airy silky smooth caramel cream; and, of course, the requisite freshly baked scones with clotted cream and handmade jam. Served sans the traditional stand, the afternoon tea is served as independent courses, with the final course of cakes served from a stylish cake trolley for a touch of tableside theatre.

Price: from £75 pp

When: served daily from 12pm to 6pm

For reservations by phone, call 020 8089 707, email dining.cad@belmond.com

The Carlton Tower Jumeirah has partnered with Jessica Prealpato, named the world’s best pastry chef in 2019, for a menu inspired by the floral delights of Kew Gardens. Her proprietary ‘Desseralité’ concept involves using only the highest-quality, locally sourced seasonal ingredients and relies on naturally occurring sugars for sweetness. This is certainly one for a special occasion.

Price: from £75 pp. Served with Champagne, from £85 pp

When: served daily between 2:30pm and 5:45pm, and at weekends between 12pm and 5:45pm

Just like everything else that Anya Hindmarch creates, the afternoon tea at her café on Pont Street is filled with humour and fun touches. Expect traditional sandwiches, heart- and cloud-shaped cakes and smiley-face icing.

Price: afternoon tea served with a selection of coffees or teas, £35 pp. Served with a glass of Esterlin NV Champagne, £50 pp

When: served daily between 2pm and 5pm

The team at Bluebird creates brilliant seasonal afternoon tea menus (offering a handy excuse for return visits), but the main menu features wonderful spins on the classics, such as coronation chicken sandwiches on toasted caraway loaf, and rare-breed hen egg, mustard cress and truffle sandwiches on onion-seed loaf. Sweet treats include strawberry delice (a mousse-like dessert) and a millionaire bar – all washed down with a wide array of teas or a glass of British sparkling wine Nyetimber.

Price: £32 pp. Add a glass of Nyetimber Cuvee Classic for £10, or a glass of Nyetimber Cuvee Rosé for £13.50.

When: served Thursday to Sunday from 3pm to 4.30pm

In the elegant surrounds of its drawing room, 11 Cadogan Gardens honours the traditions of this very British pastime with fluffy scones and homemade savoury sandwiches including Coronation chicken and egg and watercress. There are sweet treats, too, of course, and though you can have tea, it’s all best enjoyed with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne.

Price: £45 pp, or £55 pp for Champagne Afternoon Tea

When: served Monday to Sunday between 12pm and 6pm