Learn everything you need to know about the afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel in London. This is my first hand review which breaks down the venue, the menu, the atmosphere and what recent customers think.
As always, my review is 100% independent and hasn’t been paid for by the venue – keep scrolling for the low down!
My verdict of the Ampersand Hotel science afternoon tea 🧪
I visited the Ampersand Hotel this year and have scored it 82/100. In comparison, this is one of the better afternoon teas in South Kensington. To be honest the food wasn’t anything spectacular, but the overall experience was superb. The science theme was well-executed and the location is a two-minute walk from all the main free museums in London. The afternoon tea is also very inclusive – there are well-crafted vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and children’s menus available.
If you keep scrolling, you can read my full science afternoon tea review and see some photos of the experience! Or if you want more inspo, you can check out our guide to the best quirky afternoon teas in London.
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Want to book?
If you’d like to experience the Ampersand’s Science Afternoon Tea for yourself, you can book today through Buyagift. You can purchase your voucher which is valid all year round with no restrictions – it makes a great gift! And for total transparency, we may earn a small commission if you choose to book via the link below.
Buy though BuyagiftQuick summary of the Ampersand Hotel afternoon tea
| Times | Mon–Fri, 12pm–6:30pm and Sat-Sun, 11:30am-7:30pm |
| Nearest station | South Kensington |
| Dress code | Smart casual |
| Price | From £59.50 for adults, £39.50 for kids |
| Children’s option | ✅ |
| Vegan | ✅ |
| Vegetarian option | ✅ |
| Gluten-free option | ✅ |
| Nut-free option | ❌ |
| Disabled access | ✅ |
Ampersand Hotel afternoon tea review ⚗️
What is the science-themed afternoon tea?
Inspired by the Science Museum just over the road, Ampersand Hotel’s afternoon tea is a love letter to all things science. The high tea comes in a bright red spaceship and consists of sweet and savoury treats. For the most part, these are inspired by the idea of chemistry experiments, planets and outer space.
Fun fact: The menu won the Best Themed Afternoon Tea at the Afternoon Tea Awards 2018!
Note: I visited on a busier day, so sadly didn’t get my own red spaceship! However, the Ampersand Hotel afternoon tea still arrived at our table with dry ice spewing from the top tier – an amazing touch!
The venue – 9/10
Just over the road from South Kensington station, the Ampersand Hotel is a polished boutique hotel built in 1889. The afternoon tea is served in The Drawing Room which is on the right as you come in. The room is cosy and not too crowded, with nice sofas for bigger parties and plush armchairs.
There are plenty of windows and lots of natural light, so you get a view of South Kensington from wherever you are. Plus, the staff at the Ampersand are second to none. I really felt welcomed and cared for by the whole team – they were very attentive to welcome us in and introduce us to the afternoon tea menu.
The only downside here was that the bathrooms were on a completely different floor. You have to walk across the foyer, down a flight of stairs and then hunt around to find them. This wasn’t an issue but just a bit of a surprise. There are elevators, so toilets have disabled access covered.
Range of teas – 10/10
Before you get started, you’re presented with a science experiment to make your own lemonade. This sets the tone of the whole experience. You use mini lab beakers to mix together a bright blue concoction, plus pipettes of juice which then change the colour again! It’s like something out of a chemistry set and will be appreciated by young or older afternoon tea-goers alike.
Then it’s tea time – there were 12 JING teas on offer. This was incredible and quite surprising, most afternoon teas will have a choice of just 3-5 teas. There was of course classic breakfast along with more aromatic options like Phoenix Honey Orchid and Lemon Verbena. Each person gets their own teapot and choice of tea, and your teapot is refilled every time you finish – a nice touch!
Scone quality – 5/10
Each person gets two small scones to tuck into. I was given one plain scone and another that was white chocolate and cranberry, though the flavours were quite similar. The scones were on the smaller side and were a little dry, overall I’d say they didn’t steal the show.
That said, you get good quality clotted cream and jam as well as fun extras to sprinkle on top like freeze-dried strawberries. Though this was a fun addition, I didn’t feel it made for a life-changing scone. But that’s just me!
Sweet treats – 9/10
The sweet treats were hands down the highlight of the afternoon tea. Each treat was unique, tasty and imaginative. There are lots of special touches thrown in too, like mandarin and redcurrant jelly served from a petri dish or macarons that you can ‘inject’ with new flavours. My personal favourite was the chocolate and berry ‘planet’, which came with a soft ice cream on the inside. For a science-themed afternoon tea, you’re really getting what you pay for.
Savoury treats – 4/10
The savoury treats were a little on the stranger side, though this could be because I opted to try the vegan menu. We were presented with a mini vegan hot dog, leek and mushroom tart, and black bean sandwiches. I have to admit, these weren’t great for me personally. The highlight was the sandwiches, but the rest felt a little out of place with the science theme.
The children’s menu also felt a little too rich. You’ll find mini hot dogs, jam sandwiches and cheese straws. However, other kids afternoon teas in London will have a wider range of sandwich options like plain cheese, plain ham etc.
Editor’s insight: The redeeming factor here is that you can ask for more of anything you like throughout the afternoon tea. Plus, you can take what you have left away with you!
Want to book?
If you’d like to experience the Ampersand’s Science Afternoon Tea for yourself, you can book today through Buyagift. You can purchase your voucher which is valid all year round with no restrictions – it makes a great gift! And for total transparency, we may earn a small commission if you choose to book via the link below.
Buy though BuyagiftLocation
| Address | 10 Harrington Road, South Kensington, SW7 3ER |
| On-site parking | ❌ |
| Useful bus connections | Bus 70, 49, 74 |
User reviews
- “Did the science themed high tea and really enjoyed the experience! The food was all delicious and the staff was very accommodating for food allergies. Overall a great outing with friendly staff, good food and a beautiful tea room” JessL, TripAdvisor
- “We had a great experience. Excellent savoury and sweet afternoon tea treats including the gluten free option. Service could not have been better, absolutely first class, making us feel very special.” susan5166, TripAdvisor.
- “This experience was an over-priced miss for our family. Maybe if it had been about half the price, I wouldn’t feel as disappointed, but this cost the same amount as a multi-course sushi dinner at a very nice restaurant in Mayfair the night before.” Brod R, TripAdvisor