Five festive spa afternoon teas not to be missed

Skyline Afternoon Tea at Shangri-La The Shard, London

In the TĪNG Lounge on level 35 of this exceptional London spa hotel, they're pulling out all the stops with their Skyline Afternoon Tea inspired by signature scents from the Jo Loves Christmas Collection created by Jo Malone. The elegant experience features classic, plain and cranberry scones with jam and clotted cream accompanied by special-edition marble cake scones with chocolate and candied orange. Delight in seasonal finger sandwiches including roast turkey with cranberry and beef with horseradish, along with classics such as smoked salmon and cucumber, truffle egg and cress. To finish, there's a miniature Shard pastry decorated with Knotted Sash pattern from designers, Warner House, filled with white chocolate, apple compote and cinnamon sponge, and served over enchanting clouds of dry ice.

Tuck in as part of the Sky Pass with Festive Afternoon Tea from £213 per person and featuring:

• Access to the Sky Pool, Sky Sauna and Sky Gym between 11am–4pm
• Festive Afternoon Tea in TĪNG Lounge is served from 12:30pm-3:30pm
• A glass of Champagne
• Robes, towels and use of lockers

Time for you at The Municipal Hotel Liverpool

Within the spectacular beauty of The Municipal Hotel Liverpool, enjoy the five bubble spa and treatments from Elemis and Grown Alchemist, before heading to the spectacular Palm Court Bar or the Botanic Tearoom for afternoon tea. Having been met by one of their Tea Sommeliers, enjoy three courses of scones, sandwiches, hot treats and desserts. You can even scale things up a little by adding one of their unique tea cocktails, from an Earl Grey Sour to a Matcha Margarita.

Indulge as part of the Time for You spa day from £130.05 per person and featuring:

• A choice of 1 x 50 minute treatment from a Grown Alchemist Facial, Face and Body
• Treatment, Charcoal Body Polish, Mii Manicure (with gel) or Mii Pedicure (with gel)
• Afternoon tea
• Glass of Prosecco
• Full use of the facilities between 10am-6pm
• Robe, towel and slippers provided

Pure indulgence at Rena Spa at The Midland

Spend time in this adult-only award winning spa in Manchester, enjoying unique facilities from the aromatherapy steam rooms and Caribbean storm and Arctic rain experience showers to hanging pods, ergonomic sleep chambers and sound-cancelling egg chairs, before settling in for afternoon tea in your robe and slippers.

Afternoon tea has been a tradition at this hotel since it first opened in 1903, so they really know what they're doing. Experience beautiful details including a selection of sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Mrs. Darlington's jams, home baked treats (we love the pistachio macarons), and the hotel's own blends of loose leaf tea.

Treat yourself as part of the Indulgence spa day from £119 per person, including:

• A choice of 1 x 50 minute treatment
• A choice of lunch or afternoon tea
• £10 voucher to spend on spa products
• Robe, towel and slippers provided
• Allocated time slot for facility use (either 9am - 1pm or 2pm - 6pm)

Midweek treat at Horwood House

This beautiful country house hotel in Buckinghamshire is a tranquil retreat and a total joy to escape to in the middle of the week. Spend the day in the H Spa, looking out at the tranquil gardens from the elegance pool, sauna and steam room and heated loungers, enjoy treatments using vineyard-inspired brand, Caudalie, and then head into the historic hotel itself for a classic afternoon tea.

Bringing culinary artistry to this beautiful tradition, their feast of sandwiches, scones and cakes takes a seasonal twist with details such as brie and red onion chutney, as well as warm pork belly and nigella seed savouries. Fruit and plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry conserve remain a constant, and sweet treats range from salted caramel choir buns to white chocolate and raspberry mousse.

Enjoy it as part of their Midweek Treat spa day from £110 per person and including:

• A choice of one 25-minute treatment per person
• Afternoon tea with a glass of fizz
• Welcome tea or coffee and fruit platter on arrival
• Use of the facilities from 9:30am-2:30pm
• Robe and slippers provided

Aqua thermal journey and afternoon tea at The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village

The Spa Hotel at Ribby Hall Village is famous for being a five-star spa experience in an adult-only haven. The spa garden is amongst its most prized attributes, and its aqua thermal facilities are second to one. Relax overlooking the Lancashire countryside and enjoy treatments from Elemis, Elemis Biotec, ishga, Neom Organics and Natural Spa Factory. Then restore those blood sugar levels with a decadent afternoon tea complete with a selection of sandwiches, sweet treats and hot drink.

Enjoy it all on their Aqua Thermal Journey Experience with Afternoon Tea from £77 per person and including:

• Two hours use of the Aqua Thermal Journey and Zen Garden
• Afternoon Tea (will be scheduled 2.5 hours after your Aqua Thermal Journey Experience)
• Arrival times from 12pm, 12.30pm, 1pm, 1.30pm or 2pm
• Robe and towel provided