Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason: A London Tradition
History, elegance, and a surprisingly relaxed afternoon in one of London's most beloved institutions.
With so many wonderful places to enjoy afternoon tea in London, choosing a department store might seem an unusual decision. But Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason is hardly an ordinary experience—and this historic Piccadilly institution proves that world-class tea doesn't have to feel stuffy.
Founded in 1707 by William Fortnum, a former footman to Queen Anne, and his landlord Hugh Mason, Fortnum & Mason has been supplying fine teas, foods, and luxury goods for more than three centuries. With its longstanding connections to the British Royal Family, Fortnum's is as much a part of London's history as it is a destination for shoppers and tea enthusiasts.
Even the exterior has a story to tell. Above the Piccadilly entrance sits the famous Fortnum's clock, installed in 1964, where four-foot-tall figures of the founders emerge every hour to bow to one another. It's a wonderfully theatrical touch, and a fitting introduction to what awaits inside.
We entered through the Duke Street entrance, where carved figures of footmen holding illuminated candelabras greeted us beside the grand staircase. From there, we made our way to the lift and up to the fourth floor, home of the beautiful Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.
Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason
The salon was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee. Decorated in Fortnum's signature Eau de Nil—a delicate shade somewhere between pale blue and green—the room is bright, airy, and wonderfully elegant. In a particularly charming coincidence, the Queen arrived for the opening dressed in an outfit that matched the store's signature color.
Although we arrived late in the afternoon, the salon was still bustling with guests. After checking in at reception, we were invited to relax in a comfortable waiting area before being escorted to our table.
We were seated in a plush booth, surrounded by crisp white tablecloths, beautiful china, and the soft sounds of the resident pianist. Our server introduced us to a Tearista, Fortnum's own version of a tea sommelier, who helped guide us through the extraordinary tea menu.
And extraordinary it is. With approximately 150 teas to choose from, ranging from familiar British blends to more unusual varieties from around the world, even a devoted tea drinker could feel a little overwhelmed. Fortunately, our Tearista was knowledgeable and happy to help.
Once we'd made our selections, our tea arrived promptly, leaving us plenty of time to settle in and enjoy the surroundings before the food appeared.
A Beautifully Traditional Afternoon Tea
Fortnum's offers several afternoon tea options, including traditional, savory, and more substantial high teas. We chose the Classic Afternoon Tea, which arrived on an elegant silver stand laden with finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and an assortment of exquisite little pastries.
The sandwiches were everything a traditional afternoon tea sandwich should be: neatly trimmed, beautifully presented, and delicious. The selection included familiar favorites such as cucumber with cream cheese, egg mayonnaise, Coronation chicken, and ham with mustard.
The scones were light and fluffy and accompanied by the traditional preserves and cream. The pastries were little works of art—delicate, colorful creations that looked almost too pretty to eat.
Almost.
Everything was beautifully prepared, and the quality was exactly what we had hoped for from an establishment with Fortnum's reputation.
But perhaps the nicest surprise was the atmosphere.
With all the elegant surroundings, fine bone china, and impeccable service, you might expect a certain degree of formality. Instead, we found the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon remarkably relaxed.
The room was filled with a lively mixture of visitors and Londoners, and although most guests were smartly dressed, we saw everything from pretty summer dresses to jeans and sneakers. There was a lovely sense of occasion without any feeling that you needed to be on your best behavior.
It's an appealing combination, particularly for anyone who enjoys a traditional afternoon tea but prefers to do without the formality sometimes associated with London's grand hotels.
The afternoon tea is undeniably expensive, but it is also generous. Refills of sandwiches, scones, pastries, and tea were included, although we found our first servings more than sufficient. When we couldn't manage the remaining sweets, our server thoughtfully packed them into one of Fortnum's signature Eau de Nil gift boxes to take with us.
A Little Shopping Before We Leave
Of course, one of the pleasures of afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason is that the experience doesn't have to end when you leave the dining room.
Before heading out, we stopped in the tableware department, where we purchased two beautiful Camellia White teacups and saucers, similar to the china used during our tea service. They seemed the perfect souvenirs of such a lovely afternoon.
And as wonderful as the afternoon tea was, Fortnum's has plenty of other temptations.
In fact, we love the store so much that during a return trip to London in July 2026, we had to visit again—this time simply to shop. Fortnum's had recently unveiled its much-anticipated Biscuitorium, an entire department devoted to that most British of teatime accompaniments—the biscuit.
As if the displays weren't tempting enough, a friendly staff member greeted us with complimentary samples. Clearly, Fortnum's understands its customers.
The Biscuitorium is conveniently situated on the mezzanine level above the tea department, where Fortnum's also offers a bespoke tea-blending service. For tea lovers, it's an irresistible combination, and we found ourselves wandering happily between the two departments, in no particular hurry to leave.
And I haven't even mentioned the legendary gift hampers, chocolates, preserves, and countless other delights tucked away throughout the store.
You really could spend an entire day at Fortnum's.
A London Afternoon to Remember
Looking back, what I remember most fondly about our afternoon tea isn't simply the beautiful salon or the delicious food. It's how comfortable we felt in such grand surroundings.
Fortnum & Mason manages something special: preserving centuries of British tradition while making visitors feel genuinely welcome. The experience is elegant without being intimidating, luxurious without being stuffy, and steeped in history without feeling the least bit old-fashioned.
And now, whenever we bring out our Camellia teacups at home, we're reminded of a lovely afternoon in London—and a department store that turned out to be so much more than a place to shop.
At a Glance
Location: Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER
Our visit: Afternoon tea in May 2025; returned to explore the store in July 2026.
Atmosphere: Elegant and traditional, yet welcoming and relaxed.
Dress code: None officially required; smart casual is a comfortable choice.
Afternoon tea: Classic, Savoury, and High Tea options
The Perks: Refills of sandwiches, scones, pastries, and tea were included during our visit; leftover pastries were beautifully boxed to take home.
Reservations: Strongly recommended. Book several weeks in advance, particularly for weekends.
Price: Afternoon tea currently starts at £88 per person (October 2026). Check the website for current menus and prices.
