An Afternoon Tea with a Twist in London

[Travel Intelligence]

There are plenty of places in London to get a traditional afternoon tea, and lord knows I've sampled enough of them. From the elegant surrounds of Brown's in Mayfair to the grandest dame of the all, The Ritz, if you're after scones and strawberry jam, Victoria sponge cake and Earl Grey, there's no shortage of places to try.

If however, you fancy something a little different, you could do a lot worse than give one of the capital's modern luxury hotels a go. Here are two of my favourite afternoon teas with a twist...

Originally supposed to be a bit of promotion for Tim Burton's Alice film, the Sanderson in Fitzrovia has now extended its Lewis Carroll-inspired tea indefinitely. A three-tiered stand is piled high with treats that wouldn't look out of place in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

From pineapple lollipops that turn from hot to cold in your mouth, popping candy cupcakes and rainbow-coloured sandwiches, it's nothing short of fantastical. The tea costs £20; book well in advance as it’s very popular.

Another one that should be high on anyone's list is Prêt-à-Portea at the Berkeley. Its ever-changing menu of delicate cakes, biscuits and savouries lends heavily from the world’s most famous catwalks; London, Paris, Milan and New York.

Right now you can tuck into an apricot sponge cake shaped like an Anya Hindmarch bag and a Jason Wu poppy-seed cocktail dress biscuit amongst other things. It really is cute beyond words and one of the best ways to spend £35 I can think of.

Planning to visit the capital? Then do browse Travel Intelligence’s collection of luxury hotels in London...