The summer is hanging on in there: just in time for Afternoon Tea Week, always one of our favourite excuses to load up on masses of jam, cream, and fancy little sandwiches. This year the city's pastry chefs are definitely going the extra mile, with all sorts of creative ideas. Here's our pick of some of the best: and remember, Afternoon Tea Week is for life, not just for August.
For a vista over London
Head up Aqua Shard for the Roald Dahl 100 Afternoon tea, created to mark the author's hundredth birthday. The chefs have come up with a selection which reflects Dahl's world of "pure imagination", where even the menu (presented as a book) is edible. There's Mr Twit's bird pie, a BFG breakfast sandwich, a giant peach meringue, a white chocolate crocodile egg - and even a Willy Wonka golden chocolate bar to take home. Violet Beauregard-style strops are optional.
For ice cream lovers
The Fortnum & Mason iconic tea already has tourists and scone lovers queueing in droves. Now the team has brought out a range of ice creams to match, with four new flavours. Choose from rose ripple, strawberry and scones, cucumber and mint - and, for the brave - coronation. They're available in tubs to take away, or you can go the whole hog and have all four scoops in a massive tower with layers of tea syrup, cucumber ribbons, popping candy, Italian meringue, half a scone and half an eclair. Now that's a feast.
For music lovers
Mews of Mayfair have partnered with the Handel and Hendrix museum to lay on a combined afternoon Tea with a guided tour of the historic house, and a live music recital. In memory of Handel and Jimi Hendrix - the special menu includes a salt beef bagel, opera cake, and a dark chocolate, salted caramel and whisky hardshake. Plus, of course, a glass of Pommery champagne.
For a blissful treat
Try the Cabbages & Roses Afternoon Tea at Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill. You could be drinking their special Bramble Royale cocktail or a glass of rose champagne, eating a range of floral inspired treats - while enjoying luxurious mini treatments from Elemis. Plus a goodie bags to take home including gifts from Elemis, Newby Teas and Cabbages & Roses.
For fine tea lovers
Head to the Ritz, for an Epicurean tea tasting led by the hotel's certified Tea Master (for there is such a thing), Giando Scanua. He promises a three-hour journey of discovery through some of the finest and rarest teas from across the world, paired with a selection finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and perfect French patisserie by executive chef John Williams and his team. A very fine way to spend three hours.
For stay at home tea lovers
If you can't get 3 hours off work in the middle of the afternoon (come on... it's August...) then more than 20 venues are offering a special picnic version of their tea, so you can scoff it at home, on the 243 bus to Waterloo, or in the park. Some top hotels are taking part - including the Lanesborough in Knightsbridge and the St Pancras Renaissance, which has a rather nifty Railway Children theme going on.
