PSA: Running really close to Mother's Day and stuck for a gift? Scroll straight down for the most delicious afternoon tea delivery services out there.
Afternoon tea is British institution, whether you're enjoying finger sandwiches in a ritzy London location (pretending that you're a royal princess as you sip from decorative bone china and nibble on smoked salmon blinis optional) or at a local café, with scones laden high with clotted cream and jam. Not only does it hit that little slump we get in the afternoon where our sweet senses prick up and our eyes begin to wander around the room in search of a sugary snack, it's also a brilliant way of trying as many sweet treats and beautifully prepared sandwiches as physically possible.
An afternoon tea always feels like a treat, and though we're big believers that we should indulge ourselves whenever and wherever we please, there's no denying that an afternoon tea for two (or more, if you so please) is an ideal way to celebrate Mother's Day. And even better - given that the weather doesn't seem to be playing ball at the moment - why not get it sent to your home, with an afternoon tea delivery service? It's an ideal option if you're stuck for a pressie (though don't worry, we've rounded up planted of Mother's Day gift ideas here), perfect if you, or your mother figure, don't really live near anywhere that does an eye-wateringly good afternoon tea and a lightbulb moment for anyone who feels that just can't buy supermarket flowers again.
From special Mother's Day hampers brimming with goodies - packed with traditional baked goods (think mini quiches, Victoria sponge and decadent brownies) and memorable savouries - to delicate gift boxes of cakes, scones and bagels that come beautifully arranged and ready to impress, an afternoon tea at home is one of the most joyful ways to spend an afternoon at home (tied with curling up on the sofa and binge-watching your favourite Netflix show).
The question is, which one do you order? Well, fret not, fellow afternoon tea lovers, because we have tirelessly (and selflessly) scoured the entirety of the country to find the best afternoon tea delivery services, ideal for Mother's Day and beyond. Whether you're after a traditional afternoon tea - arriving complete with fruit scones and teabags - a boozier option with Prosecco, or a little afternoon tea box that your maternal figure can enjoy all to herself, wherever she is, we've got you covered. We've also got options for if you're wanting to send a friend a little treat to celebrate her very first Mother's Day, because, let's face it, after weeks of no sleep, nothing feels more welcome than a big pot of tea and a thick slice of lemon drizzle cake.
Afternoon tea at home has never tasted so good.
The most delicious afternoon tea delivery services for Mother's Day
Below, we've rounded up our favourite options for afternoon tea delivery services, from some big brands that you'll know well to a few lesser-known ones that have really nailed their cream tea-based offerings. Whether your maternal figure is a fan of a savoury afternoon tea (hello, cheese-themed options) or a big fan of giant scones with pots of cream and homemade jams and curds, we've found something for every taste and budget. All you need to do is pick your most-favoured option and take it to the check-out. Our one piece of advice? You might want to make sure that you're actually with your mum on Mother's Day so that you can dig in too!
Fortnum & MasonProbably the poshest place to have afternoon tea across the entirety of the UK, Fortnum & Mason's Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon was opened by Her Late Majesty the Queen in 2012 and has attracted a steady stream of well-heeled visitors through its doors gold-gilded doors ever since. If, however, you can't make it to the esteemed shop, the royal-approved shop has created a luxury celebration cream tea selection, as well as a special Easter version and a Mother's Day Tea Hamper, brimming with delicious teas and treats galore, that can be sent directly to you. Who says you can't enjoy the finer things in life while clad in your pyjamas with your hair up in a messy bun?
Each afternoon tea arrives in a special Fortnum's cooler bag - easily repurposed for summer picnics and days at the beac once summer hits - and includes Rosé Champagne, Pink Champagne Truffles and Piccadilly Chocolate Pearl Biscuits - the perfect accompaniment to a cup of Afternoon Blend Tea, created by the shop themselves. Freshly-baked mini scones can be enjoyed with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, and it's all topped off with a gooey almond brownie. Pure joy.
Fortnum & Mason Celebration Cream Tea SelectionFortnum & Mason's Mother's Day Tea HamperSelfridgesSorry, but is there anything more exciting than receiving an iconic yellow box from Selfridges? We think not. And even though we're always secretly hoping for a pair of Gucci shoes, a burgeoning box of afternoon tea goodies comes a pretty close second. Their Afternoon Tea gift box, packed into a sunny yellow display box, includes a selection of Selfridges' tea blends, traditional salted caramel shortbread bites, all-butter shortbread bites, a pot of lemon curd, a pot of British cherry jam and a British salted caramel milk chocolate bar thrown in for good measure. No scones in this one, but with so much else on offer, we're sure no one will notice.
And, if you want to spend a little less but still make a big impact, the Exclusive Thinking of You gift box, is ideal, with beautifully displayed Cartwright & Butler sea salted caramel biscuits, acacia honey with comb and whole leaf classic tea.
Selfridges' Afternoon Tea gift boxSelfridges' Cartwright & Butler Exclusive Thinking of You gift boxSave when you shop for afternoon tea delivery services with these Selfridges discount codes.
M&SYou've got two options when it comes to Marks & Spencer's at-home afternoon tea offering. You can either go all out and create an afternoon tea to order or opt for one of the pre-packaged gift sets - both delicious in their own right. The former, which includes platters of finger sandwiches, full cakes and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, is ideal if you're planning on hosting a slightly bigger event - perhaps one with all the siblings involved, or even one that all the female-figures in your life can join in with - as portions are larger and can be individually ordered to really give you full control over what's included.
The latter though, is perfect if you're opting for tea for two, or just want to send a taster of favourite treats. From the Afternoon Tea Letterbox gift - crammed with Victoria sandwiches, All Butter Milk Viennese Chocolate Dipped Fingers and luxury tea bags among other goodies - to a hamper packed with chocolate and champagne (including biscuits, truffles, florentines and hot choccie), M&S certainly don't do things by halves.
M&S's Afternoon Tea LetterboxSave when you shop for afternoon tea delivery services with these Marks & Spencer discount codes.
Harvey NicholsNothing says “favourite child” like a present from Harvey Nichols, and their food hampers in particular are legendary. So it shouldn't surprise you that the iconic shop has made it into our roundup of the best afternoon tea delivery services, in fact they say that their afternoon tea hampers are specially designed to combat that “sinking feeling” that comes in the late afternoon. Their quintessential Afternoon Tea Hamper includes English Sparkling Wine and Earl Grey tea bags, as well as buttery shortbread made to an old family recipe, truffles crafted with Marc de Champagne and some of the most chocolatey biscuits imaginable. There’s also a duo of boozy preserves for spreading and squares of creamy fudge. Smaller options, like the Afternoon Tea Gift Box, are less bank-breaking but will still offer your maternal figure that taste of luxury, including a mix of teas, jams, biscuits and fudge.
Harvey Nichols' British Afternoon Tea HamperHarvey Nichols' Afternoon Tea Gift BoxNot On The High StreetAn absolute treasure trove of afternoon tea delivery options, Not On The High Street doesn't disappoint when it comes to sheer choice afternoon tea boxes, hampers and gifts. Seriously, you could spend days (and we basically did) going through everything on offer here, and options start from just £10.99 (which is music to our ears given the current cost of living crisis). From a ‘Thank You’ Afternoon Tea For Two Gift - including salted caramel, honeycomb, oreo and peanut butter brownies with Teapigs Everyday Brew Tea Temples - priced at £21, to a £135 Mother's Day Luxury Hamper Gift Set Afternoon Tea, brimming with organic tea, wildcrafted honey, sweet treats, brass accessories, linen tea towel and even a soy wax candle for the ultimate at-home afternoon tea experience.
There are also letterbox gift options in case you've got a very busy maternal figure and you just can't be sure she's going to be at home to take delivery of her special gift, and also savoury-themed gift sets - like the Cheese Selection Afternoon Tea For Two - for mums' who would rather skip the sweet stuff.
NOTHS' Thank You Afternoon Tea For Two GiftNOTHS' Cheese Selection Afternoon Tea For TwoSave when you shop for afternoon tea delivery services with these Not on the High Street discount codes.
John LewisAh, trusty John Lewis. As well as traditional afternoon tea option they also have a generous collection of beautifully-presented teas and biscuits for you to create the perfect ‘treat at home’ hamper yourself. From decorative tubes of House of Edinburgh Handmade Rich Dark Chocolate Shortbread to a tree, yes a tree, of jams by Edinbrugh Preserves and a Whittard's Taste of Tea Gift Set, with flavours ranging from Mango & Bergamot to good old English Breakfast. Ideal for those with slightly pickier mothers, or who want to be able to mix and match to their budget and tastes, you're also able to opt for gift wrapping at checkout to make it all feel extra special.
If you want everything pre-picked and packed for you though, their Afternoon Tea Hamper includes a variety of treats presented in a traditional lidded wicker basket. Think: chocolate chip biscuits, macarons, handmade strawberry jam, handmade shortbread, chocolate cake, love heart chocolates and two flavours of push pops for a thirst-quenching refresher.
John Lewis' Afternoon Tea HamperSave when you shop for afternoon tea delivery services with these John Lewis discount codes.
LibertyA Liberty of London print is instantly recognisable anywhere, but it does come with a price tag. However, we've found a pretty good loophole in the shape of their afternoon tea-style hampers, which all come packed in gorgeous suitcases, ideal for reuse on a chic mini break or just piled up in the corner of the living room. From specially-designed Mother's Day hampers, which include a miniature bottle of sloe gin and pink champagne truffles, to the Rachel Heritage Suitcase Hamper, with a hand-picked selection of tantalising treats from their Heritage Food Collection including, all-butter shortbread, smooth milk chocolate and a small batch of strawberry jam, even the most discerning gourmand will be won over.
Liberty Rachel Heritage Suitcase HamperHarrodsThe World's Leading Luxury Department Store and arguably the most expensive in London has really gone to town on its afternoon tea offerings. Available for delivery up-and-down the country, there's something for every taste and budget here, ranging from £50 up to a very generous £1,000 (we should think the latter probably counts for every single Mother's Day, past and future, combined).
Our favourite? The Tea Time Treats Hamper, which includes a selection of tea, coffee, biscuits and sweet treats, is perfectly-priced at £80 and comes beautifully packaged in a wicker hamper. You know, the kind that can be used again and again - and shown off to friends (if you feel so inclined…).
Harrods' Tea Time Treats HamperCutter & SquidgeLondon's only all-natural bakery, Cutter & Squidge is possibly Soho's worst-kept secret, drawing sweet-toothed punters from all around to enjoy their biskies - a unique sandwiched dessert that's a cross between a cake and a cookie filled with a cream and all sorts of other delicious spreads - and dine out on thick wedges of their buttercream-topped cakes. And the afternoon tea - available for delivery across the UK - is equally as delicious.
A brilliant option for those who are chronically indecisive as the bakery have two options when it comes to post-lunch delights: afternoon tea for two and afternoon tea for two with Prosecco. That's it, that's the only choice you need to make - all the rest is done for you. The generously stocked hampers are filled with lemon loaf cakes and sumptuous brownies, as well as savoury treats such as herb and cheese swirls, made with fresh, homemade parsley garlic pesto, and buttery scones (enough for two each), come with pots of Rodda's Clotted Cream, as well as jams and chutneys to go on top (or underneath, depending on where in the country you reside).
Cutter & Squidge Afternoon Tea for 2 with ProseccoHampers.comHampers.com do exactly what they say on the tin (read: website), they create perfectly-packed hampers for every budget, occasion and taste, and their afternoon tea offering is no less thought through. With 10 different options to choose from, ranging between £25 and £65, you can go full indulgence with Rosé Prosecco sets or keep it small but pure, with boxes of giant scones, clotted cream and jam, Earl Grey tea and biscuits.
One of their most popular options is the Afternoon Tea Delights Hampers, which includes a trio of macaroons, apple & custard biscuits, almond thins and a delicious Dundee Cake, best enjoyed with a great cup of tea. There's even smooth clotted cream fudge and salted caramel chocolate to complete the set. And we love the sound of the Mother's Day Garden Tea Break Hamper, ideal for the green-fingered among us, packed with wildflower seeds, including oxeye daisy, sunflowers, cornflower, forget-me-nots and others, as well as fine English afternoon tea and selection of sweet treats, including baked apple and custard biscuits and a fruit cake. Plus a Kew Garden's magnolia & pear hand cream and a scented candle with an uplifting, fresh fragrance, all delivered in a gorgeous willow tray. You don't get much more of a treat than that.
Hampers.com Afternoon Tea Delights HamperHampers.com Garden Tea Break HamperPiglet's PantryAnd, of course, we couldn't create an afternoon tea delivery round without including Piglet's Pantry, who popped up on seemingly everyone's Instagram stories during the various lockdowns. Their gargantuan, homemade afternoon teas can be sent for one or two, but we guarantee that you'll have lots left over to save for a picky-bits late dinner or even lunch the next day.
An example of just how much you get, take their Classic Afternoon Tea for Two, priced at £30, which includes ham hock & cheddar quiches, scotch eggs, sausage rolls, buttermilk scones, Rodda's Clotted Cream, strawberry jam, carrot cakes, blueberry, banana and lemon curd cakes, a lemon drizzle loaf cakes and two tea bags to wash it all down. Or, make it super simple and take it back to basics with the Cream Tea Hamper, a straightforward selection of four scones, a pot of cream, pots of jam and tea bags - a true cream tea at its finest.
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