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. From the theatrical to the immersive, there are some really cool offerings out there - 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.
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

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 £42.50 per adult (although studio tour tickets are also required)
Book now: Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Wizarding Afternoon Tea at The Grand, York

What: Once a whimsical hub for railway travellers, The Grand is drawing on its enchanted roots to bring you a special Wizarding Afternoon Tea. With a focus on fine dining fare, expect a luxurious twist on traditional afternoon tea including refined savoury snacks, freshly baked scones and intricate tasty treats. The menu gently hints at the spooky wizarding theme, with 'Enchanted Broomstick' lemon and poppyseed cakes alongside the 'Book of Spells' vanilla sponge. 
Suitable for: Fine dining enthusiasts, both adults and kids
Where: Station Rise, YO1 6GD
How much: From £42.50 per adult
Book now: The Grand, York

Witches & Wizards Afternoon Tea at 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. 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: £23.50 per adult and £16.50 per child
Book now: Platform 10

Harry Potter Afternoon Tea at Borgyn & Bakes, Westgate-on-Sea

What: Brews, bakes and broomsticks are the name of the game at Borgyn & Bakes, a Harry Potter-themed venue offering afternoon tea alongside a cinema experience and a 'potion room' bar. The afternoon tea menu takes you on a journey through Hogwarts, kicking off with a leaky cauldron special made with cod goujons and homemade chips, as well as 'dragon scales' aka tortilla chips with salsa, cheese and sour cream. For sweets, enjoy a chocolate frog brownie, a platter of honeydukes sweets and an ice cream cauldron. You even get a free drink!
Suitable for: Harry Potter fanatics and immersive experiences
Where: 5 Station Road, CT8 8RB
How much: £23.50 per adult and £16.50 per child
Book now: Borgyn & Bakes

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, where you'll feel like an extra in one of the Harry Potter movies.

High Tea at 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 William 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)
Book now: High Tea at Jacobite Steam Train

Afternoon Tea at 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. 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 film location for Dumbledore's white tomb scene.
Suitable for: Weekend getaways, staycations, and more elegant afternoon teas
Where: Torlundy, PH33 6SN
How much: From £50 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 does a Harry Potter afternoon tea typically involve?

Harry Potter-themed afternoon teas vary from place to place. Some offer snacks inspired by the films, like frog-shaped chocolate brownies to mimic the chocolate frog from the iconic trolley. Others place more of an emphasis on the setting, with afternoon teas that take place at filming locations or on a steam train. You'll also find venues across the UK that are specially dedicated to Harry Potter, including themed cafes and the Warner Bros. Studio. Here, you can combine afternoon tea with immersive experiences like movie screenings and guided tours.

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. Harry Potter characters, names and related information are registered trademarks of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.