The Complete Afternoon Tea Venue Rental Guide
Freshly baked scones, clotted cream, homemade strawberry jam, traditional cream tea, cream cheese, and finger sandwiches—the table is set for a fantastic afternoon tea. And while the food and beverages are undoubtedly crucial elements of a delicious afternoon tea, the venue you choose is also a huge factor in determining the success of your event.
The right afternoon tea party venue will turn even the humblest of gatherings into something special, which is where Giggster comes in. With our carefully selected range of exceptional, one-of-a-kind venues, your event space will be just as much the hero of the day as your mouth-watering afternoon tea menu. So, regardless of whether you're hosting a traditional afternoon tea or something with more of a modern twist, here's how to find your ideal setting.
Afternoon Tea Venues Curated by Giggster
From the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon to Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Sweetshop Afternoon Tea, there's a huge range of iconic venues in London and right around the country where you can host the best afternoon teas. But if you're looking for a completely unique venue where you can enjoy everything from roast chicken and smoked salmon to fruit scones, chocolate mousse, mini cakes, sweet pastries, and more in absolute style, you'll find the space of your dreams on the Giggster app.
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Where better to sit down to afternoon tea on a gorgeous spring afternoon than in a lush private garden? With the sun shining, flowers in bloom, and a table full of tasty treats in front of you, you'll relish every last bite.
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Add a touch of luxury to your afternoon tea by hosting it in the luxury surrounds of a private mansion. Now doesn't that sound like a perfectly glamorous setting for a Champagne afternoon tea?
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Want to offer more of a homestyle afternoon tea experience to your guests? A cosy countryside cafe is the perfect setting for some delicious scones, homemade raspberry jam, and other sweet treats.
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When you want your guests to enjoy afternoon tea in a location that's truly special, an intimate rooftop terrace or lounge is ideal for finger sandwiches, pastries, and good times.
Plan an Amazing Afternoon Tea Starting at Just £13/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: With 10000 stunning and memorable locations to choose from on the Giggster app, your perfect tea room is just a few taps away. So no matter how or where you want to experience afternoon tea, you'll find a host of wonderfully inspiring event spaces to choose from.
Hassle-Free Booking: Booking a space for a traditional tea event has never been easier. Just use the search filters to find venues with all your must-haves, compare prices and venue details upfront, and get in touch with the property owner directly if you need more info.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Book a space at least 48 hours before the event date, and we'll give you the flexibility of free cancellations within 24 hours of confirming your booking. Know that if your ideal venue is larger than the one you first booked, it's easy to change.
Platform Protections: With optional damage, liability, and cancellation insurance all available, you can enjoy added confidence when booking a space for a tea party, bridal shower, anniversary reunion, and more.
Choosing the Right Type of Location for an Afternoon Tea
No matter whether you prefer tucking into sweet or savoury treats, there's no shortage of high-quality locations to choose from in the bustling capital city and in towns and cities right around the country. Here are just some of the ideal spaces for your perfect afternoon tea. A special venue like Downtown Bright Hard Loft with Natural Light is perfect for a baby shower, afternoon tea, or a get-together "just because".
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Private Gardens – Outdoor Ambience. If a relaxed atmosphere is what you're craving, an elegant party in a lovely private garden fits the bill perfectly. Choose teacups with flowers to match the specialty plants in the rose garden section.
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Dining Rooms – Refined Elegance. Choose a formal dress code, line up some five-star dishes, and get ready for an elegant gathering in a private dining setting.
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Private Homes – Select the Style. From the drawing room of a historic mansion to the sleek modern kitchen of a penthouse apartment, hosting your afternoon tea in a private residence gives you the flexibility to choose the style of space that matches your desired event ambience.
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Rooftop Lounges – Take it to the Top. No matter whether you've got a sweet tooth or you love devouring savoury delights covered in chilli sauce, the local produce will stand out even more when you enjoy it in a cosy rooftop lounge.
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Art Galleries – Blank Canvas. The great thing about an art gallery is that not only does it boast plenty of interesting works to spark conversation, but it also gives you the freedom to customise the look of the space to meet your needs.
Essentials for an Incredible Afternoon Tea Experience
What must-haves should you look for in an afternoon tea venue? Keep an eye out for the following features.
It's got to have "the look". Whether you're in a five-star hotel, a grand saloon, or a humble cottage, the ideal space for your high tea will need to have the perfect look and feel for the ambience you want at your classic afternoon tea party.
Convenience always matters. Next on your afternoon tea menu of must-haves is a convenient location, one that's easy for your guests to get to. Look for a setting well served by public transport.
Make sure it features your essentials. Put together a checklist of all the features you need to host a traditional afternoon tea, from parking and seating arrangements to accessible bathrooms and attentive staff. Use the checklist when comparing afternoon tea venues.
Never neglect your budget. Finally, don't forget to keep your spending limit in mind at all times, and use our price search filter to limit property results to locations you can afford.
Organising a Special Afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is a proud British tradition, so make your occasion one to remember by following these steps during the planning process.
Name the Occasion – Is there a special milestone you're celebrating, or are you simply catching up with friends? Will it be a themed afternoon tea or something more traditional? Make sure you have a clear idea of the type of event you want before moving on to the next steps.
Know Your Budget – Set yourself a realistic spending limit, then tally up all your predicted expenses to see whether you have a chance of coming in under budget.
When and Where – Choose a date for your afternoon tea and contact guests in advance to make sure they'll be available. Then, you can compare an extensive range of event venues to find the perfect space along with staff who can provide exceptional service.
Who's Catering the Event – Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea? Coronation chicken or Victoria sponge? Clotted cream or lemon curd? No matter whether you want traditional elements or a modern take on afternoon tea cuisine, make sure to choose a venue or caterer that can cater to your tastes perfectly.
Think About Entertainment – If you are providing any live entertainment, like an acoustic musical performance at your event, make any essential bookings now.
Is There Anything Else You Need – Make any other arrangements to ensure that the event is as enjoyable as possible for kids and adults alike. This could mean hiring extra furniture or renting party games and additional AV equipment.
Afternoon Tea Expenses to Remember
It's hard to properly enjoy a classic afternoon tea when you know it's costing you a pretty penny, so use these tips to help ensure that your special event comes in under budget.
Compare menu packages.
Whether the food is provided by the venue or an external caterer, take your time comparing the different menu packages on offer. Many companies will offer a choice of price-per-person packages to suit different tastes and budgets, so shop around to find an affordable menu that suits your desired afternoon tea experience.
Know where to cut costs.
Make a list of all the expenses you're expecting to pay for your afternoon tea, and then rearrange the list in order of priority. This will help you work out which costs are going to use the largest portion of your budget, and you'll be able to identify those non-essential cost areas where you can potentially cut back. The decor is often an area where the venue can step up—an English garden is already colourful, for example, saving you the purchase of extra decorations.
Shorten the guest list.
No matter what sort of private event you're hosting, the easiest way to reduce costs is to trim the guest list. If it looks like your afternoon tea is going to break the bank, think carefully before inviting guests you can't reasonably afford to cater for. Who do you most want there? Start with the must-invites and whittle from there.
Host a Marvelous Afternoon Tea With Giggster
Make your next tea party a truly special occasion—download the Giggster app today to find afternoon tea venues you'll adore today. From a Notting Hill home to a basement bar, the perfect venue awaits your creative transformation!
