A scientific spin on afternoon tea at The Ampersand
📍South Kensington, London
The Ampersand’s Science Afternoon Tea transforms teatime into a playful, interactive experience…
Neighbourhood: At the heart of London’s museum district, The Ampersand sits moments from the Science Museum. South Kensington’s leafy squares and sense of discovery provide the perfect backdrop for a tea inspired by curiosity and creativity.
In a nutshell: An imaginative spin on the traditional offering, The Ampersand’s Science Afternoon Tea transforms teatime into a playful, interactive experience. Expect beautifully crafted pastries, edible experiments, fun cocktails and a nod to the hotel’s museum neighbours.
Setting: Served in The Drawing Rooms, the hotel’s light-filled lounge, the space blends Victorian charm with modern whimsy. Velvet armchairs, bright patterns and artful displays create an inviting environment. Ideal for unwinding while indulging in the theatre of the experience. The service is polished but warm.
“Expect beautifully crafted pastries, edible experiments, fun cocktails and a nod to the hotel’s museum neighbours”
On the menu: A classic selection of finger sandwiches — smoked salmon and cream cheese, coronation chicken, and cucumber — arrives alongside freshly baked scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve. The twist comes with a squeeze tube of passion fruit curd and toppings like freeze-dried pineapple, raspberry and crunchy caramel.
The pastry course is where the creativity truly shines. A Caramel chocolate and raspberry planet, an Apricot, hazelnut and almond mooncake, and a honey chocolate spaceman steal the show, each piece resembling a miniature work of art. The hotel geos to great lengths to make this afternoon tea feel like a joyful, innovatively presented experience. We were given plenty of time to enjoy each scientific surprise and the refills were very generous.
Crowd? A lively mix of museum-goers and visitors who fancied tea with a twist. You will find couples celebrating a special occasion, friends catching up, and tourists looking for a London memory.
Family friendly? Absolutely. The Science and Jurassic teas are designed to engage younger guests just as much as adults. Children can mix, sprinkle and decorate their way through the menu, while parents soeak up the cocktails.
Neighbourhood note: The Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Science Museum, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Albert Hall are all within walking distance, making this the perfect pitstop for a cultural day out.
Book: Reservations are recommended, particularly on weekends and during school holidays. From £64.50 per person for adults and £39.50 per person for children, ampersandhotel.com.