Review: Alice in Wonderland Afternoon Tea @ The Alice, Randolph Hotel

Stepping into The Alice at The Randolph Hotel for their new Alice in Wonderland-themed afternoon tea feels like entering a storybook. The décor is gorgeous, whimsical yet elegant, and the atmosphere is peaceful – a perfect retreat from the bustle of Oxford. The attentive staff add to the charm, making the experience feel special from start to finish.

Drinks – A Sparkling Start

The Drink Me Mocktail was a delightful surprise. Often, mocktails can feel like an afterthought, but this one was beautifully balanced, syrupy but not overly sweet, with a mix of flavours that felt carefully considered. If you prefer something with bubbles, they offer a glass of Nyetimber, (one of my favourite English sparkling wines), which pairs beautifully with the sweet and savoury treats to come.

With both afternoon tea options, you’re offered a tea menu which has all the classics, as well as some more interesting options (my mum went for the Chai tea which was a lovely spicy blend and something a bit more interesting than the classic Breakfast Tea). As someone who is more into herbal teas, I opted for the Jasmine Tea, which was the perfect calming accompaniment to all the indulgent treats.

A Generous Spread – Afternoon Tea Done Right

Portion sizes here are generous, so come hungry.

The sandwiches were soft and fluffy, each with a well-balanced filling that tasted incredibly fresh. They were the perfect start before moving on to the more indulgent elements of the tea.

What really impressed me were the Alice in Wonderland-themed desserts. They are not just there for show – these treats have real substance. As someone who usually is not swayed by fancy desserts, I was won over especially by the chocolate mousse hearts which were creamy, light, and airy, with a raspberry coulis in the centre that cut through the richness beautifully. Everything was perfectly fresh.

And then, the scones.

Wow. Hands down the fluffiest, lightest scones I have had in a long old while. Served warm, they were an absolute joy, especially when slathered with fresh clotted cream and gorgeous strawberry jam. (A recent Bitten Instagram poll shows most of us prefer jam THEN cream!). We were served two fruit scones and two plain scones – and somehow managed to find space for both, which meant we didn’t have space for all the sweet treats, but were kindly given a very cute branded box to take them home in (no food waste – another win!)

Priced at £39.50 for afternoon tea, or £49.50 for afternoon tea plus a glass of Nyetimber, this is a reasonably priced treat that delivers on both style and substance.

Whether you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland or just love a beautifully executed afternoon tea, The Alice at The Randolph Hotel is one I’d recommend. With its stunning setting, warm service, and impressive attention to detail, it is a truly magical way to spend an afternoon. It’s also worth checking out their a la carte and offer menus.