If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know that my daughter and I absolutely love a good themed afternoon tea, and the Jurassic Afternoon Tea at Apero in the Ampersand Hotel is easily one of the best we’ve tried. It’s a short walk from the Natural History Museum, which already sets the tone perfectly if you’re planning a dinosaur-themed day out. You’ll find it at 2 Harrington Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3ER, and it’s very easy to reach by tube, with South Kensington station only a few minutes away.
We had high expectations because we previously loved their Science Afternoon Tea, and this one didn’t disappoint at all. The moment we sat down, you could see how much detail had gone into the whole experience, from the dinosaur-themed menu cover to the themed tea stand that arrived later. My daughter was given a dinosaur mug with hot milk and everything she needed to make her own hot chocolate, including a dinosaur-shaped chocolate stirrer, sprinkles and marshmallows. It was such a fun way to start the experience.
The children’s afternoon tea arrives on a bright green dinosaur stand, and honestly, my daughter’s face lit up the second she saw it. She had a mini hot dog, a T-Rex foot cheese straw and a dinosaur-shaped jam sandwich. She tried everything, but the pastries were the real winner for her. The dark chocolate and caramel dinosaur egg nest looked incredible and tasted even better. Seeing her genuinely excited about every part of the experience made it feel even more special.
Because of my nut allergy, our afternoon tea may have looked slightly different to the typical one, but it was still fantastic. They also offer vegetarian and gluten-free options, which is great if you’re looking for flexibility. My favourite part was the brioche with roast beef, watercress and cornichons. It was so good that I asked for a refill, which says a lot. The scones were also delicious, especially with the passionfruit curd, which I’d happily buy a jar of if I could.
One thing I really liked is that the Jurassic Afternoon Tea isn’t just about eating; they turn the whole thing into an experience. At the end, my daughter became a “mini palaeontologist”, dusting for chocolate fossils hidden in edible “soil”. It was such a clever way to finish and made the whole afternoon feel even more memorable.
You can choose between the Jurassic, Kids, Vegetarian or Gluten-Free menus, and you also have the option to add a glass of Champagne, Wild Idol alcohol-free sparkling rosé or one of their Jurassic Teapot Tails. I tried the non-alcoholic Dino Sour, made with Lyre’s non-alcoholic gin, lemon, passionfruit purée and pineapple juice, and I honestly loved it. It’s rare to find a non-alcoholic cocktail that feels properly made and not just sweet juice in a fancy glass, but this one was genuinely refreshing and matched the theme perfectly.
What makes this afternoon tea even better is how close it is to the Natural History Museum. If you want to make a whole day of it, you can easily combine both, and it’s ideal for dinosaur lovers of all ages. The Jurassic Afternoon Tea is served daily from 12 noon until 7pm, and the kids’ afternoon tea starts from £39.50.
It’s a fun, creative and well-thought-out experience, and definitely one of the best themed afternoon teas in London for families. If you’re planning something special or you just want a unique day out, this one is absolutely worth it.
