7 of the best Harry Potter afternoon teas in the UK

If you know your Lovegoods from your Longbottoms and your Polyjuice from your Patronus, this list of the best Harry Potter themed afternoon teas around the United Kingdom is sure to tickle your fancy. With options for tea on a steam train, cakes in a castle and even bubbles at some of the series’ iconic film locations, there are plenty of Harry Potter afternoon teas that will make you feel like you’re part of the story. It's the best way to relive the nostalgia from your childhood or take the little ones on a truly magical adventure. 

The British tradition of afternoon tea has been around since the 1840s and even today, it still has its charm, drawing together tea-drinking friends to celebrate bridal parties, birthdays, baby showers or anniversaries. It was first made popular by Queen Victoria as a fashionable grand social ceremony known as a ‘tea reception’, where hundreds of guests were invited to quell their hunger pangs before a dinner later in the evening.  

To cut a long story short, the tradition has stuck. Wherever you are in the UK, you’re bound to be able to find somewhere that serves it. It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for the best afternoon teas in Cardiff or where to eat tea and cake in Leeds, we’ve probably written a guide about where to find the much-loved pastime. But traditional offerings are no longer enough, with themed afternoon teas and child-friendly teas all taking the ritual up a notch.  

Which leads us here: to the best Harry Potter afternoon teas in London and the UK. Believe it or not, there are quite a few, and despite what you might think, they’re not just for kids! Scroll down for our top wizard, witch and magic-themed afternoon teas where you can tuck into a range of enchanted sweets, mystical savouries, and perfectly-brewed pots of tea. So, don your house colours and your best witch's hat and let the magic begin. These are the best Harry Potter afternoon teas in the UK. Accio finger sandwich!

Harry Potter afternoon teas in London

London, a magical city in itself, is home to the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatre play and was the location for many filming spots during the Harry Potter film series, including Harry’s first encounter with magic in the Reptile House at London Zoo and platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross station. So grab your broomstick and get ready to explore.

Wizard Afternoon Tea at the Georgian House Hotel, Pimlico

What: The Georgian House hotel’s enchanted themed afternoon tea involves three courses of treats. An adult wizard menu includes whipped avocado and smoked salmon tartlets or roast beef and horseradish on olive bread, whilst a mini wizard menu offers ham and cheese and egg mayonnaise finger sandwiches. Both include a selection of delicious scones and ‘curious’ desserts, as a sweet way to end your meal. If you feel like making it boozy, upgrade the adults to bottomless bubbles for an extra £20. This enchanted afternoon tea, combined with a stay at the hotel’s wizard chambers, is the ideal way to complete your magical experience. No worries if you're not staying at the hotel, because this tea is open for everyone, whether you are a die-hard wizarding fan or just want something a little bit out of the ordinary.
Suitable for: Boozy bottomless bubbles afternoon tea, immersive experiences, adults and kids alike
Where: 35-39 St George’s Drive, SW1V 4DG
How much: £40 per adult and £20 per child
Book now: Georgian House Hotel

Wizard's Afternoon Tea at Tower Suites, Tower Hill

What: Enjoy a three-tiered selection of afternoon tea treats at Tower Suites, with enchanted dessert options including a Sorting Hat carrot cake, salted caramel Golden Snitch and a cauldron of Butter Beer. All of this, combined with views of the Tower of London, promises a spellbinding experience. It's quirky, fun and even comes complete with various costume accessories! If you've got a bit of time and fancy walking off all those cakes, then take a stroll down the River Thames and along to the Millennium Bridge to tick another of the iconic film locations off your bucket list.
Suitable for: A more affordable Harry Potter afternoon tea
Where: 100 Minories, EC3N 1JY
How much: From £35 per person
Book now: Tower Suites

Harry Potter afternoon teas in England

Other filming locations around the country including Hogsmeade station, Oxford University and various castles where many Hogwarts shots were filmed. So, it's no surprise that there are a handful of wizard-friendly afternoon teas around the UK to choose from.

Afternoon Tea at Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Watford 

What: A two-in-one adventure that will even delight muggles - enter the wonderful wizarding world of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Watford. Available as an add-on to the studio tour, why not finish up a truly magical day with this themed afternoon tea? On the menu is a selection of sandwiches, savouries and sweets, served alongside a collection of loose-leaf teas. You can choose to enjoy your afternoon before or after the studio tour, which is served beneath the enchanted ceiling in the Food Hall. We can’t imagine a more magical afternoon tea!
Suitable for: Die-hard Harry Potter fans, family days out, and special occasions
Where: Studio Tour Drive, WD25 7LR
How much: From £79.90 for two people (although studio tour tickets are also required)
Book now: Warner Bros. Studio Tour 

Platform 10, Bridgnorth

What: This quaint yet quirky cafe in Bridgnorth serves a Witches and Wizards afternoon tea at a very reasonable price, complete with 'Philosopher's scones', an edible wand, forbidden fairy foam, a chocolate frog and butterscotch beer. Plus, your choice of tea or coffee is served in a 'my dear, you have the grim' hand-painted paper cup! The cafe is decorated with a starlit ceiling, velvet sofas and items and ornaments inspired by the books and movies. This Harry Potter themed tea certainly gets top marks for attention to the stories.
Suitable for: Both adults and kids, family days out
Where: 10 Bank Street, WV16 4AJ
How much: £22.50 per adult and £14.50 per child
Book now: Platform 10

Durham Cathedral, Durham  

What: You’ll recognise Durham Castle as a film location for many Hogwarts scenes. Erected in 1093, the cathedral features beautiful Romanesque architecture with rounded arches and school corridor cloisters. There isn't a dedicated afternoon tea offer per se, but you can still indulge in plenty of freshly-brewed teas, scones, homemade cakes and sandwiches separately at The Undercroft Cafe. Durham Cathedral is A UNESCO World Heritage Site, which shows up in the first three Harry Potter movies. See if you can spot where Ron threw up slugs and find McGonagall’s Transfiguration classroom.
Suitable for: Older children, those with an additional interest in the Cathedral’s history
Where: The College, DH1 3EH
How much: Cafe pricing varies, entry is free for the cathedral, but donations are welcome.

Harry Potter afternoon teas in Scotland

Scotland is the mystical land up North where Harry Potter came to life. Venture into the Highlands to find eerie film locations, castles, and steam trains, while in Edinburgh, find the café where J.K. Rowling began her story and stop by Victoria Street, the inspiration behind Diagon Alley.

Jacobite Steam Train over Glenfinnan Viaduct, Fort William

What: Probably the most famous scene in Harry Potter is when the Hogwarts Express steam train travels over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which boasts picturesque Scottish Highlands scenery on every side. You can board the Jacobite steam train from Fort Williams and cross the viaduct while enjoying The Jacobite High Tea in first-class. Bite into Scottish cheddar and coronation chicken sarnies, homemade cakes and scones with strawberry preserves and clotted cream. This luxury experience is magical in many ways – not only do you get an elegant afternoon tea aboard a steam train, but you get to experience the untouched countryside that Harry Potter is famous for.
Suitable for: Adults and older children
Where: Tom-na-Faire, PH33 6EN
How much: £29.50 per person (although train tickets are also required)

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William

What: Feel like you’ve stepped into the Wizarding World with the idyllic 19th-century Inverlochy Castle in Fort William on the banks of Loch Eil. Pair this majestic castle with an afternoon tea complete with scones, cakes and other savouries of the day, as well as gourmet freshly-made sandwiches. You can even add a glass of rosé Champagne to top it all off. Here, you can explore the picturesque Glencoe area and reminisce over the familiar countryside you’ve seen in the Harry Potter films while gracefully tucking into your afternoon tea. You can make a day of it by taking a car ride to find the loch which inspired Hogwarts' Great Lake, Loch Shiel (as seen in the Triwizard tournament) or take a trip up to Loch Eilt, the famous resting place of Albus Dumbledore.
Suitable for: Weekend getaways, staycations, and more elegant afternoon teas
Where: Torlundy, PH33 6SN
How much: From £45 per person
Book now: Inverlochy Castle

All this talk about tea has got us hankering for a freshly brewed pot. If Harry Potter isn’t your cup of tea (sorry, we had to), check out our list of the best afternoon teas in London. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What time is afternoon tea?

Afternoon tea is roughly served between 1-4pm, acting as a light meal between lunch and dinner.

What is the difference between high tea and afternoon tea?

High tea is often confused with afternoon tea, but they are vastly different. High tea is not a social affair with finger sandwiches and scones like its counterpart, but more of a buffet-style sit-down meal served after 5pm. Originally, it was served as the main meal of the day, containing hearty dishes such as pies, sausage, fish dishes, cheesy casseroles, cold meats and cheeses. To clear things up a bit more, afternoon tea is often known as low tea.

How do you dress for afternoon tea?

Afternoon tea is the perfect time to get dressed up, but most teas have a smart-casual dress code. If you’re going somewhere like The Ritz for tea, dress more formally, but otherwise, smart casual is fine. Of course, cloaks, witches' hats and brooms are widely accepted at Harry Potter afternoon teas. 

Can you drink alcohol at afternoon teas?

There are no formalities against drinking alcohol at afternoon teas, and most offer an option to upgrade to a glass of fizz. When adding a glass of Champagne or Prosecco to afternoon teas, it gets the name ‘royal tea’. We somehow think a Butterbeer doesn't quite count, though. 

Let’s get Sirius. The above mentioned afternoon teas are in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Harry Potter or J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. All of which are inspired by alchemy, magic and wizards and not based on any specific story or character, and they are not Harry Potter Afternoon Teas. Harry Potter characters, names and related information are registered trademarks of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.