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. Ranging from wizard teas to iconic film locations and even a trip on a steam train, there are a ton of Harry Potter afternoon tea ideas in this list that will make you feel like you’re living in your favourite wizarding series.
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 Manchester 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 vegan afternoon teas, themed afternoon teas and teas for kids 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. 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 Wands and Wizard Exploratorium, Soho
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What: You wouldn’t believe it, but nestled in the heart of Soho is a Wands and Wizards Exploratorium housing five floors of pure magic. Created by The Cauldron Company, you can choose from a range of wizard experiences including its bewitching Wizard Afternoon Tea. Choose your wand, use it to unlock a chest of magic ingredients, then experiment brewing up your very own teas! You’ll also receive a selection of sand-witches and desserts, including 'elven' scones, rhubarb trifle and colourful macarons.
Why: Complete with working magic wands, interactive teas and an assortment of fantastical treats, Harry Potter-themed afternoon teas don’t get much more magical than this. It lasts 1 hour 45 minutes, which is slightly longer than most standard offerings. Plus, there are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and kids menus available too, so everyone can take part.
Where: 26 Greek Street, W1D 5DE
How much: £42 per person (for adults)
Cutter & Squidge -The Potion Room, Soho
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What: Wrap your wizard’s cloak around your shoulders and take a seat at a school desk in potions class. The potions master will arrive shortly and take you on a spellbinding journey that gets the cauldron bubbling. Mix your own potions and see it magically transform before your eyes before you eat and drink your creepy concoctions. The menu tantalises with a few magical surprises alongside Yorkshire pudding with beef and horseradish, scones, butterscotch biscuits, sandwiches and the Galaxy Juice potion with hibiscus, passion fruit, and unicorn tear tea.
Why: Although not Harry Potter affiliated, this afternoon tea is one of the most delightful immersive experiences in the capital. The Potion Room is decorated with faux school badges, beakers of brews, and other-worldly knick-knacks everywhere you look. Cutter & Squidge also cater for dietary requirements, offering vegan, gluten-free and halal menus.
Where: 20 Brewer Street, W1F 0SJ
How much: £49.50 for adults and £39.50 for kids
Book now: Cutter & Squidge
Wizard Afternoon Tea at the Georgian House Hotel, Pimlico
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What: The Georgian House hotel’s enchanted themed afternoon tea involves three courses of not-as-it-seems treats. Start with the likes of a ‘magical mackerel’ mousse tart and a ‘hidden secrets’ ham and tomato baguette, before tucking into sweet delights such as a ‘chillingly delicious’ chocolate cake and scones with jam and curdled cream. If you feel like making it boozy, upgrade the adults to bottomless bubbles for an extra £20.
Why: In keeping with the theme of the hotel's wizard chambers, the enchanted afternoon tea is the ideal way to complete your magical experience at this hotel. Not a guest? No worries 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. Plus, it offers kids’ and vegan-friendly menus, too!
Where: 35-39 St George’s Drive, SW1V 4DG
How much: £40 per person
Book now: Georgian House Hotel
The Hansom at St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London, King’s Cross
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What: Visit one of the franchise’s most famous locations, King’s Cross station, where Harry caught the Hogwarts Express steam train from platform 9 ¾. See the gothic architecture, find The Harry Potter Shop, and pose at the trolley in the wall. Then finish it off with an afternoon tea in the Hansom Lounge at St Pancras Renaissance hotel in parts of the original rail station. Tuck into delicacies including banana and peanut macaroons, ‘red brick’ Batternberg and smoked salmon with citrus herb mayonnaise sandwiches.
Why: This unapologetically British hotel is a sight to behold and is just a four-minute walk from platform 9 ¾. Although the afternoon tea isn't strictly Harry Potter themed, this one really is all about the location and you can take part in all manner of Harry Potter-inspired activites while you're there.
Where: Euston Road, NW1 2AR
How much: From £49 per person, £58 with a glass of Champagne
Book now: The Hansom
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. Check out some of the afternoon teas we love below.
Afternoon Tea at Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Watford
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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, with particularly fun treats including a Golden Snitch choux bun, a brie and cranberry envelope and a Luna Lovegood little loaf.
Why: 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!
Where: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London Studio Tour Drive, WD25 7LR
How much: From £70 per person
Book now: Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Platform 10, Bridgnorth
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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', Bertie Bott's jelly beans, 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!
Why: At £17.50, or £12 for kids, it's excellent value. Plus, the cafe is decorated with a starlit ceiling, velvet sofas and items and ornaments inspired by the Harry Potter books and movies. This Harry Potter themed tea certainly gets top marks for attention to detail.
Where: 10 Bank Street, WV16 4AJ
How much: £17.50 per person
Book now: Platform 10
Durham Cathedral, Durham
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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 seperately in the grounds.
Why: 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.
Where: The College, DH1 3EH
How much: 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 Williams
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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 Ploughman’s sarnies, homemade cakes and scones with strawberry preserves and clotted cream.
Why: The 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.
Where: Tom-na-Faire, Fort William, PH33 6EN
How much: £27 per person
Wizard Afternoon Tea at The Cauldron Company, Edinburgh
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What: Similarly to its location in London, The Cauldron Company also offers its Wizard Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh, where guests can take part in an immersive tea-brewing experience complete with real magic wands, two self-brewed teas (supervised by the potions-master) and a series of unique treats. Once you’ve finished crafting your teas, tuck into a selection of elven scones, wizard sweets and and sand-witches.
Why: This afternoon tea is all about experimentation, surprising twists and mastering the art of brewing – wizard-style! Vegan and gluten-free teas are also available, and you can even hire out the entire space for a truly magical private event.
Where: 57a Frederick Street, EH2 1LH
How much: £40 per person
Inverlochy Castle, Fort Williams
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What: Feel like you’ve stepped into the Wizarding World with the idyllic 19th century Inverlochy Castle in Fort Williams 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 sandwiches including whisky-cured smoked salmon with avocado and wasabi cream. You can even add a glass of rosé Champagne to top it all off.
Why: 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), and head to Fort Williams to board the Jacobite steam train or take a trip up to Loch Eilt, the famous resting place of Albus Dumbledore.
Where: Torlundy, Fort William PH33 6SN
How much: £35 per person
Book now: Inverlochy Castle
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 to 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.
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), see our list of the best afternoon teas in London.
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.