“At half past three everything stops for tea,” the old song goes and quite right too. It’s a lovely, comforting ritual easily included in your London spa break, first introduced by the Duchess of Bedford in the early 1800s. Here are our top 10 spa breaks for afternoon tea…

The Marylebone Hotel, Marylebone

Maybe, just maybe, your visit to London will incorporate some shopping. If so the Marylebone Hotel & Spa is ideally situated for Oxford street and is just 10 minutes walk from Bond Street tube station. Take some time out from London’s frenetics with a Relaxation Spa Day at the Marylebone Hotel & Spa which includes a 50 minute treatment, robe, towel and slippers, full use of the spa facilities and the lovely indulgence of afternoon tea in the 108 Pantry.

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Crowne Plaza, London Battersea

Afternoon tea whilst looking out over the River Thames - what a quintessentially English thing to do. The chic Crowne Plaza in Battersea will see to all your spa needs at the Spa Verta whilst also giving you time to relax over some tempting teatime delicacies in Ambrosia or on the terrace. London’s attractions such as Buckingham Palace and the London Eye are within easy reach; in fact you can see many of them from your hotel!

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Intercontinental London the O2 Spa, Greenwich

There’s not only the famous O2 Arena to lure you to the Intercontinental at historical Greenwich, there’s afternoon tea in the bespoke tea salon and a state of the art spa as well! Moments from public transport and five minutes from the pier for easy access to London’s other sites this luxury hotel is great for a group London spa break or a romantic city break. Methinks the Afternoon Champagne Tea Spa Package including a massage or facial, afternoon tea, champagne, robes etc and full use of the spa facilities including indoor pool is an ideal prelude to attending an evening concert or West End theatre trip!

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St.Pancras Spa, Renaissance London Hotel, St. Pancras

Seriously convenient and seriously popular it’s worth getting your booking for a spa break with afternoon tea in quickly at the St.Pancras. Situated beneath the razzmatazz and romance that is St.Pancras International Station the spa brings you into another world of peace and tranquillity. Its sapphire blue relaxation pool is as inviting as you can get, there are plump duvets to nestle under whilst undergoing the ultra modern treatments and afternoon tea, taken upstairs in the Hansom Lounge, serves such exquisites as Dorset crab and asparagus brioche, apricot and lavender tart, champagne, cocktails and tea from China, Japan, India, Italy and, of course, St. Pancras English Breakfast.

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Spa Mika at the Dorsett, Shepherds Bush

Tea, a treatment and tranquillity with great shopping up the road at the Westfield Centre and London to explore - that’s yours for the booking at Spa Mika at the Dorsett in Shepherds Bush. This stylish and historic hotel offers a scrumptious afternoon tea and you can push it up a notch with some champagne if it takes your fancy. The Spa is all about relaxation with fruit featuring quite a lot - a strawberry and cream moisture body polish, fig and vanilla body salt scrub and coconut massage for instance. Don’t think you have to miss out on your daily exercise whilst you stay either; the gym is open 24 hours a day.

VISIT SPA MIKA AT THE DORSETT

Sofitel So SPA, Central London

Be prepared for a slice of French style luxury, along with your slice of cake on your spa break with afternoon tea at the Sofitel So Spa, just a stone’s throw from Oxford Street, St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace. It’s urban serenity at its best with the hotel and spa exuding Parisian style. There are dual treatment rooms and one with a private hot tub; the treatments are by exclusive brands such as Cinq Mondes. Afternoon tea is served in a rose filled retreat where a harp is gently played. Naturally, French patisserie forms a part of it and a nice touch for children - there own tailor made tea served in an artist’s paint box with a colouring kit.

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K West Hotel & Spa, Shepherd’s Bush

As befits a hotel that was formerly a music studio where legends like The Kinks and David Bowie played, the K West offers something with a bit of edge. The spa has London’s first snow experience for instance, a cabin reminiscent of a snow drift which forms part of its heat and ice experience and a Glam Rock afternoon tea is served with just a bit more rock and roll than usual! Yet one of the things people notice about the hotel is that it is uncannily quiet despite being just five minutes from Shepherd’s Bush tube station. It is ultra fashionable and a favoured spot for the world of celebrity.

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The Mayfair Hotel, Mayfair

Is heaven made of chocolate? I think it is. If you are like me you will be transported there whilst enjoying the Charbonnel & Walker Chocolate Afternoon Tea at the Mayfair. Don’t worry though, those odd people who don’t like chocolate will find other options on the menu. Indulge before, during or after a spa experience where they take great care to provide the right treatment for every individual that comes through their doors so you will be really delighted with the results. This five star boutique hotel is right at the heart of sophisticated London with a feast of shopping and sightseeing opportunities around. It is also one of our accessible spas with some wheelchair accessible bedrooms and a lift to all floors including the basement spa.

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Sanook Spa at the Courthouse Hotel, Soho

Well this is a new one - Japanese afternoon tea at the Silk Asian Restaurant at the Courthouse, it ‘s pretty healthy too with rice cakes with Aduki bean filling, cucumber Maki roll and green tea mousse amongst the selection, although a traditional afternoon tea is also on offer at the Carnaby. The Sanook Spa (meaning enjoy yourself in Thai) carries on the Asian feel with products by Sultane de Saba and there’s another not to be sniffed at benefit at this very convenient place yards from Liberty’s and loads of other shops and theatres, a heated indoor pool, sauna and fitness room. They also have their own cinema with a cinema club on Saturday nights. It’s all five star so no worries about that.

VISIT SANOOK SPA AT THE COURTHOUSE HOTEL

Le Kalon Spa at the Bentley, South Kensington

Step into luxury at the Bentley, tucked away quietly in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. A renowned traditional afternoon tea is served in opulent surroundings; it’s an ideal setting to meet and socialise with friends whilst also enjoying the Le Kalon Spa where a collection of beautiful treatments are available as well as a hamman, gym and sauna. This is a luxurious place to stay for your afternoon tea spa break, in an exclusive area - who can resist a snoop round Harrods, a walk around Kensington Gardens or perhaps a visit to the Princess Diana fashion exhibition at Kensington Palace on until the end of February 2018.

VISIT LE KALON SPA AT THE BENTLEY