If you don’t have ticket to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships, you can still gain entry to the courts and to the viewing area on Henman Hill by queueing for day tickets: you can find out how to do this on our event page. However, for the prime spots you should be prepared to queue overnight and if you’re looking for a more sedate way to enjoy London’s world-class tennis, read on to find the best viewing spots around town. All are open for the duration of the tournament, unless stated otherwise.

Attending an outdoor screening is a great way to recreate the tournament’s electric atmosphere,  and best of all they’re all free! Land Securities  are hosting screenings in three locations this year: Cardinal Place in Victoria, Bankside Mix in Southwark and New Street Square (weekdays only) in Holborn. Best of all, the venues all offer a range of food and drink that can be delivered straight to your deckchair! Over in Chelsea, the Wimbledon semi-finals and finals will be screened live in Duke of York Square, where you can lounge on pre-booked cushions and enjoy a glass of bubbly from the Pommery champagne tent.

For something slightly more weather-proof, yet still very summery, check out the Pimm’s Summer Garden. Not only can you enjoy a glass of Pimm’s while you watch the screenings, but you can even order a special picnic in advance, or emulate your favourite  tennis stars by taking part in the venue’s Pimmbledon game.

Bluebird Chelsea will showing the matches on their giant outdoor screen in their courtyard. You can enjoy BBQ,  Pimm’s and champagne while you watch your favourite players during the tournament, or splash out on their acclaimed three-course set menu (£55) during the men’s final. For more tennis-themed foodie treats, head over to Gaucho Piccadilly, which will once again be turning its terrace into a tennis court, on which you’ll be served tibits from their Wimbledon menu by waiters in tennis whites.

If watching all that sport makes you peckish, why not indulge in one of London’s special Wimbledon afternoon teas? The Ampersand Hotel will be offering a special tea (£27.50) in their drawing room for the duration of the tournament, which includes delicacies such as tennis racket shortbread and strawberry tarts. Alternatively, you can enjoy Afternoon Tea by the water at the Wyndham Grand’s Harbour Bar, whose special tennis menu includes Pimm’s jelly and cucumber sandwiches. For the heights of luxury it’s hard to beat the Dorchester, and their Wimbledon Afternoon Tea (£55 with champagne) certainly doesn’t disappoint – check out this photo of their tennis-themed pastries.

Photo by Paula Funnell via flickr

With the royal baby due this summer all eyes are currently on Kate Middleton’s bump. With just under one month until her expected due date in mid-July, several packages are on offer around London to mark the arrival of this most eagerly anticipated baby. Whether you’re an expectant mother yourself or just want to celebrate his or her arrival in true British style, here are five of our favourites:

A Royal Summer at the Athenaeum

With the impending arrival of a new royal baby take a look back at previous royal babies, at “The Royal Child” photography exhibition, at the Athenaeum. The hotel, which sits within sight of Buckingham Palace, will offer private viewings of more than 40 rarely seen photos of royal children from Victorian times to the present day. Curator of the exhibition, Ian Pelham-Turner, who has worked with four generations of the royal family over the past 46 years, will be on hand. He will talk about his time working with the family as a royal photographer and the history behind the photographs on display. Plus the hotel, winner of the 2012 “Top London Afternoon Tea” from The Tea Guild, will serve guests their award-winning Royal Summer Afternoon Tea. Available 22 June to 31 August, £60 includes exhibition and tea.

The Royal Baby Shower Afternoon Tea St James’s Hotel and Club

Kate is reportedly the first ever royal to have a baby shower, so why not join her. Until 31 July fellow mothers to be will receive the royal treatment at this five star hotel, starting with a luxury baby gift to the value of £85, from a baby boutique. They will then receive a pregnancy treatment at Spa Illuminata, one of the finest spas in central London. This is followed by afternoon tea courtesy of award-winning executive chef, William Drabble. The package is £89 each, with a minimum of eight people, and for each one purchased, you can win a three-course meal for two at Michelin-starred Seven Park Place, including a glass of champagne if the mother-to-be delivers on the same day as Kate Middleton.

Due Date: The Cinnamon Club Delivers Royal Labour of Love Menu

For years it’s been said that eating curry induces labour, so kick-start yours so Kate doesn’t steal your thunder! From 17 June to 20 July, the £45 Royal Labour of Love menu at The Cinnamon Club will include ingredients that curb cravings, keep mum and baby healthy, potentially kick-start labour, and help recuperate and restore. Five courses mimic the stages of a nine month pregnancy; Expecting, 9 months, and breathe, overdue, special delivery. If this old wives tale is true and you go into labour in the restaurant, you will receive a free meal every year on the anniversary…just hope your child likes curry!

Baby-moon at The Lanesborough

Enjoy a last romantic break at The Lanesborough before the new addition to the family arrives and brings sleepless nights. Arrive to a welcome cocktail… non-alcoholic of course and enjoy spa treatments whilst your personal butler unpacks your bags. Then take a trip to Knightsbridge, where you will be guided to the best baby shops in town. After a restful night’s sleep enjoy a full English breakfast. This package is available at weekends and priced from £615 to £755.

“Mums only Sleepover” at The Bingham

If you need a night away from your big kid as well, why not check into The Bingham. Every Sunday until 31 December the hotel is offering sleep deprived mums the opportunity to check into one of their Queen Single Bedrooms for much needed rest and relaxation. Read a book or potter around boutique shop, have a hot bath with Abhana bath oils and scented candles, followed by room service or dinner in the river view bar (up to £25). After a night of uninterrupted sleep, enjoy a peaceful breakfast before you leave to head back to the madness (from £150).

More royal London

Afternoon tea is one of life’s indulgences. But where does a tea-fanatic turn when they’ve crossed all the fancy hotels and the classic sandwiches off their list? Take your teatime into more adventurous territories with these options that offer twists on the old favourite.

Thai Afternoon Tea at Nipa Thai
Nipa Thai, based on the first floor of the Lancaster London hotel, is one of the top Thai restaurants in London. It is launching its first afternoon tea on 1 June, with nibbles including mango scones with strawberry and basil jam or orange and jasmine marmalade, melt-in-the-mouth coconut and rice balls, and a refreshing Thai jelly shot with lychee, pineapple and coconut to finish.

Afternoon Tease at Volupté Lounge
A naughty teatime at cabaret club Volupté means that scones and jam are served by singing and dancing hostesses in suspenders, who perform while you enjoy your tea. A titillating afternoon, but perhaps one to visit with friends rather than the parents.

American afternoon tea at BRGR.Co
Not a scone in sight at BRGR.Co, the new burger joint which has introduced a platter of mini-burgers in a decidedly American take on the classic. One burger in the trio is filled with lobster and bacon, and tiny donuts are also on the menu. The tea comes iced as standard, but you can request hot tea if you’d prefer.

Prêt-à-Portea Tea at The Berkeley
Fashion-conscious diners will notice that the biscuits and cakes at the Prêt-à-Portea tea in The Berkeley’s Caramel Room are all modelled on individual catwalk outfits from this season. A trendy, flamboyant tea that is exceptionally well put together – and it tastes good too.

Mad Hatter’s Tea at The Sanderson
The edgy Sanderson Hotel offers a trip into whimsy with afternoon tea inspired by Alice In Wonderland. Just like the book, the tea is packed with playful touches. Riddles are wrapped in napkins and menus are hidden in vintage books, which reveal treats like marshmallow mushrooms and melting mango cheesecake, before a trip to ‘jelly wonderland’ for an array of jellies made with Victorian jelly molds.

Taste of Yauatcha at Yauatcha
This delectable tasting menu includes eight kinds of dim sum and Chinese tea, at contemporary dim sum tea house Yauatcha. Our top picks would be the har gau - translucent shrimp dumplings – and crispy sweet potato mushroom mei-si rolls.

Gluten-free Afternoon Tea at various hotels
Those who are gluten-intolerant or cutting out wheat need not miss out: various hotels create a spread of gluten-free goodies, such as Browns, Claridge’s and St James’s Hotel and Club.

More afternoon teas in London

The Belgraves Edible Garden

Between 21 and 25 May the Belgraves hotel, located in Knightsbridge, is transforming its terrace into an Edible Garden that features a wall of edible flowers and an interactive cocktail station. Not only will there be cocktail classes and ‘food and flower pairing’ tutorials, but guests can also take away seed packets so they can enjoy the same tastes at home. Those staying in the hotel can opt for the full Bed, Brunch and Botany’experience, which features delights such as brunch in bed, an edible flower recipe book and complimentary cocktails.

Chelsea in Bloom

For eight years Chelsea in Bloom has been extending the wonders of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show throughout the entire borough by encouraging local retailers to create their own floral displays. These creations, this year themed on ‘decades’ to mark the centenary of the prestigious flower show, are assessed for prize-worthiness by official RHS judges and can be viewed between 20 and 25 May. To see them all, join the regular tours, which take place every half hour.

A Guide to Green Scents at the Athenaeum Hotel

Not only is this 5 star hotel on Piccadilly offering a menu of delicious floral cocktails for the duration of the Chelsea Fringe, but it is also hosting ‘a guide to green scents’ on 21 May. This evening event is inspired by the hotel’s landmark Living Wall (right), and features a talk by perfume specialist Lila Das Gupta on perfumes that capture the fragrance of nature, plus a guide to the scented flowers that are grown on the Athenaeum’s wall. Tickets for the talk cost £15 per person and include the talk, canapés and a cocktail. Send an email to reserve your place.

Chelsea Flower Show Menu at LIMA

For the duration of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show LIMA, the Peruvian restaurant in Bloomsbury, is putting on a celebratory menu that puts a flowery twist on their national cuisine. Dishes include orange and pisco poached lobster salad and steamed fillet of halibut with rhubarb blue potato aji Amarillo. Guests can either opt for a three course menu which includes a Chelsea Cocktail of melon and pink Champagne (£60) or order from the a la carte. The menu is available from the 20 to 26 May.

Floral Afternoon Teas

Given the traditional nature of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, it’s no wonder that many venues are serving special afternoon teas during the week to celebrate. Radission Blu Edwardian, Vanderbilt, for example, is serving a Floral Afternoon Tea throughout May that includes rose fruit jellies and orange blossom and lavender scones (£29.50). Nearby, the Royal Garden Hotel offers elderflower posset, jasmine opera and rose marshmallow as part of its celebratory Afternoon Tea during Chelsea week, which is accompanied by tunes from the resident pianist (£24). Further east, The Dorchester has worked with the team behind Laurent-Perrier’s 2013 show garden to create a menu that includes delights such as a ‘lavender basket’; a dark chocolate tartlet infused with lavender scent and decorated with a spun sugar handle. This afternoon tea menu is available between 20 and 26 May for £56.

Floral Facials and Cocktails

The Jumeirah Carlton Tower is offering a range of excellent floral indulgence options; why not follow one of their new Rose Facials (£65) with a Chelsea Flower Show-themed cocktail in the hotel’s Rib Room Bar? Guests can choose between rose, camomile and elderflower martinis – yum!

The Avant Garden in Covent Garden

Head to the Covent Garden piazza to see Crabtree & Evelyn’s twist on the classic British herb garden. Created by garden designer and rising star Emma Coleman, ‘The Avant Garden’ will be a tranquil urban oasis that promises to be a highlight of the 2013 Chelsea Fringe Festival from 14 May to 9 June.

Floral Cocktails at Barts, South Kensington

Popular speakeasy Barts, situated close to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, is offering a special cocktail in honour of the event. ‘The Chelsea Flower’ is a mix of home-made lavender-infused Grey Goose Vodka, peach liquor and jasmine essence, garnished with a molecular raviolo of lavender. Furthermore, guests can really get into the spirit of the occasion by availing themselves of the bar’s dressing-up box, which will feature a range of floral-themed items during the show week.

Floristry classes and lunch at Tom Aikens, Chelsea

Learn the delicate art of floristry at the Michelin-starred Tom Aikens restaurant in Chelsea, where you can create a stunning arrangement of freshly-cut blooms to take home, before tucking into a delicious three course lunch that contains edible flowers. The package also includes coffee and pastries and a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne. Classes run throughout the RHS Chelsea Flower Show week, as well as on selected other May dates, and cost £120.

Chelsea Fringe at Battersea Power Station

This free event takes place between 17 to 19 May and 21 to 26 May, and allows visitors to enjoy a variety of entertainment and activities in the newly-opened temporary riverside park at Battersea Power Station. The focus of the fringe hub at Battersea will be installations, including one that features 35 people planted knee-deep in soil to promote conversations on sustainability. See the website for opening times and full details.

This month, we’ve got the latest hotel openings, hotel deals and news of how London’s hotels are preparing for the fashion crowd to hit town.

Don’t forget, if you’re planning a (very) last-minute Valentine’s break in London, check out the capital’s romantic hotels.

New openings

First up, the ibis Styles London Excel (formerly Custom House Hotel) has re-opened following extensive refurbishment of its bedrooms and public spaces. The hotel is handy if you’re in London for a conference, as it’s located next to ExCeL Exhibition and Convention Centre. It’s also an easy journey to The O2, Westfield Stratford City, the Olympic Park and Greenwich.

Luxury hotel ME London opens next month in Marconi House, the original home of BBC Radio. The hotel features 157 guest rooms, including 16 suites and a two-storey penthouse. The hotel’s hotspot will be the Radio Rooftop Bar and Restaurant, offering panoramic views over London.

London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week is on its way and official hotel partner The May Fair is sporting illustrations by designer Manolo Blahnik on its façade from today until 19 February to celebrate.

St James’s Hotel and Club are launching a gluten-free afternoon tea in time for Fashion Week. Indulge for £19 (or £34 with a glass of champagne). Available from 15 February.

Special offers

Last chance to book a two-for-one Detox Spa Day at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall. The deal includes use of the hotel’s gym and a 60-minute power plate session; access to the Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room; plus a 60-minute Dr Murad treatment. £125 for two people. Offer available until 28 February, for reservations call +44 (0)20 7902 8023 or email mhrs.lonch.theclub@marriotthotels.com

Apex City of London Hotel is offering two complimentary travelcards with their London Unlimited package on stays before 14 April. Rooms from £131 per night. Find out more

Enjoy a free airport transfer from Heathrow or Gatwick for stays before 15 March with onefinestay. The company offers holidaymakers the chance to live like a local by staying in a Londoner’s home while they’re out of town.

Extra, extra

Cheval Residences will be opening a new set of serviced and non-serviced apartments, Cheval Three Quays, in 2014. The apartments will be within walking distance of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and The Shard.

More hotels in London

In one of the tastier celebrations of the Tube’s 150th birthday, The Park Lane Hotel’s pastry chef has created a London Underground-themed afternoon tea.

Among the treats on offer are a London Bridge roll, Circle and District Line roulade and Royal Oak smoked salmon bagel. The sweet offerings include Limehouse curd and Victoria plum jam and clotted cream, a white chocolate Oreo Swiss roll Cottage and a selection of London Underground pastries.

The London Underground Afternoon Tea at The Park Lane Hotel costs £41 per person and is available until 10 February. The tea is served from 3pm to 6pm weekdays and 2pm to 6pm at weekends. Bookings must be made in advance. To book, call The Palm Court on +44 (0)20 7290 7328 or visit www.palmcourtlondon.co.uk

When it comes to presents and luxury experiences, there are far more options out there for the ladies. Here, we’re tipping the scales in favour of boys. They deserve fun too – and some of these experiences could make a great last-minute Christmas treat.

Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea

Tiny scones and cucumber sandwiches are delicious. But if you want something equally miniature but more macho, establishments like Chapters brasserie in Blackheath have come up with a hearty alternative to the traditional afternoon tea. They have replaced the cakes and tea with Greenwich Meantime beer, salt beef on toasted rye bread, mini-burgers and champagne-glazed oysters. More meat-focused, but no less indulgent. The tea isn’t available in December but will be back in January.

Men-only Spa Day

We all like a bit of self-maintenance, and Nickel Spa in Westminster caters only to men. Gents can choose a male or female therapist for treatments including massage, body treatments, facials and microdermabrasion. If you’re a first-timer to a spa and aren’t quite sure how to act, they offer a handy etiquette guide.

The Perfect Steak

London is blessed with many excellent steak restaurants. Hawksmoor and Gaucho are solid choices, but the newly-opened MASH would be my top pick (the name stands for modern American steak house). MASH has an elegant art deco interior, fantastic wine list and an owner who can advise on your carnivorous choices if you need some help.

Go Karting

Adventurous types will love zooming round the track at one of Team Sport’s two London go karting tracks. Each centre at Tower Bridge and Enfield boasts a 400m track and karts that can reach 40mph. At the end of a session, drivers are given a full race report detailing track times and where they ranked against other competitors.

A Trip to the Barber

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about an old-fashioned barber’s shop. Murdock has branches in Shoreditch, Soho, Covent Garden, Spitalfields and Mayfair, and you can come away with some beautiful shaving accessories that could make stylish presents.

Know of any other pampering activities for men in London? Or have you tried some of these out? Let us know below.

Christmas is the perfect time for indulgence, and there are few better ways to treat yourself than a decadent afternoon tea. Many London venues have put together special festive teas to celebrate the season, and we’ve picked out 10 of the best below. Don’t forget to book in advance and, if you’re looking for something really special, remember that you can supplement any of them with a glass (or two!) of champagne.

Afternoon Festivi-Tea at the Corinthia Hotel 
Sit under the spectacular chandelier in the Corinthia Hotel’s Lobby Lounge and enjoy a sumptuous variety of festive treats. Their Christmas confections include cranberry macaroons filled with fresh fruit crème and a snow egg of chocolate mousse, which is covered with vanilla marshmallows and coconut. £39, until 5 Jan

Christmas Shopping and Afternoon Tea at St James’s Hotel & Club
Find the perfect excuse to indulge at the St James’s Hotel & Club, where Afternoon Tea comes with a 10% discount card for stylish department store Liberty and the nearby Burlington Arcade shops. Better still, the delicious afternoon tea is made by the hotel’s Michelin-starred chef, William Drabble. £19, until 30 Dec

Festive Afternoon Tea at The Athenaeum
As the winners of the Tea Guild’s 2012 Best Afternoon Tea award, The Athenaeum are guaranteed to provide a great festive treat. Highlightsof their Festive Afternoon Tea include turkey and cranberry sandwiches, mulled wine jellies and chocolate yule logs. £29.50, until 30 Dec

Christmas Afternoon Tea River Cruise
Combine dining with sightseeing on this fun river cruise, which allows you to see London’s landmarks from the Thames whilst you enjoy mulled wine and a full afternoon tea. Board the festively decorated boat from Tower Pier at 3.30pm for a 90 minute cruise, professional commentary and lots of scrumptious treats. £25, until 29 Dec

12 Days of Christmas Afternoon Tea at the InterContinental Park Lane
Featuring confections themed around the 12 days of Christmas song, the InterContinental’s pretty tea is sure to get you in the festive spirit. Delights include a golden treacle tart with chantilly and gold leaf, a walnut powder crusted chocolate torte made to look like a drum, and a partridge, mushroom and foie gras pie. £28, until 6 Jan

Traditonal Afternoon Tea at The Petersham
Head to leafy Richmond for a festive afternoon tea with spectacular views at the Petersham Hotel. You can enjoy seasonal pastries such as Christmas spiced financiers, star-shaped linzer biscuits and warming gingerbread macaroons whilst overlooking the Thames. £25, until 6 Jan

Free-flowing Champagne with Festive Afternoon Tea at the Mandeville Hotel
Featuring brandy mince pies, mulled plum fancies and Dundee Christmas cake, the Mandeville’s Festive Afternoon Tea is already a winner. Between Friday-Sunday, however, you can make it even better thanks to a special offer from afternoontea.co.uk, which allows you to add a mulled wine cocktail and unlimited champagne to the package. £32.50, until 23 Jan 

Sugar & Spice Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych 
The hotel’s Sugar & Spice Afternoon Tea gets a special mention for including bacon-wrapped sausages, which are surely an essential part of any Christmas-themed meal! If you’re not a fan of pork, however, there are plenty of other tempting morsels including chestnut delice, eggnog mousse  and mandarin trifle. £26.50, until 31 Dec

Chocolate Afternoon Tea at the Hilton Park Lane
Ever heard the expression “it’s so good, I could lick the plate”? At the Hilton Park Lane you actually can, because their Festive Afternoon Tea is served on one made of solid chocolate. Atop this unique treat is a host of other cocoa-based goodies such as gift-shaped chocolate fancies, which are accompanied by traditional favourites including freshly-baked scones and open sandwiches. £32.50, until 4 Jan

Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Wyndham Grand 
This chic Chelsea Harbour hotel is offering a seasonal afternoon tea that features turkey and stuffing sandwiches, Christmas pudding and a quirky selection of mince pies. The hotel is close to the King’s Road, so it’s a great place for a post Christmas shopping treat! £35, until 31 Dec

Have a craving for Christmas confections but no time to stop for tea? You can pick up seasonal cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery, acclaimed mince pies from Konditor and Cook, or lebkuchen from Bea’s of Bloomsbury.

The Langham London hotel is honouring the achievements of Team GB with a specially designed afternoon tea.

The patriotic treats include a Cornish sea salt caramel-filled “torch”, a bright red dome to symbolise the ball sports and a Union flag macaroon.

Tea GB is available in the Palm Court at The Langham London priced at £40 per person.

Some of Team GB’s greatest athletes have been giving us their tips on what to see in London. Here are the results:

Afternoon Tea
Silver medal winning rower, Zac Purchase loves a traditional afternoon tea: “One of my favourite things to do is to have afternoon tea. It’s such a fantastic British tradition. Choose a good hotel or restaurant and dress up. Make an occasion of it, and you won’t need any more food for days!”

The O2 (North Greenwich Arena)
Bronze medal winner in the team Gymnastics, Louis Smith is a big fan of watching gigs at The O2. With big names like Cheryl Cole, Jessie J, Justin Bieber and J Lo all performing at the venue in the coming months, this Olympic venue has got a lot to look forward to.

Oxford Street
When she’s not perfecting her heptathlete events, gold medal winner Jess Ennis is a big fan of shopping on Oxford Street. Home to some of London’s greatest department stores, as well as that gigantic Top Shop, it’s no wonder Oxford Street is a favourite with this London 2012 legend.

St Paul’s Cathedral
Triathlete Helen Jenkins picked out St Paul’s Cathedral as her must-see London attraction. One of London’s most iconic landmarks, St Paul’s should definitely be on any history or architecture fan’s sightseeing bucket list.

The Thames
Silver-medal winning rower Mark Hunter, a qualified Thames Waterman, suggests a trip down the Thames as his unmissable London activity. If you’re not into rowing yourself, why not try one of the riverboat cruises or even a speedboat tour on London’s most famous river? You can even take a kayak down the Thames…

Nelson’s Column
The central Trafalgar Square landmark is a favourite for sailor Ben Ainslie. I wonder what Ben makes of Lord Nelson’s new hat?

Buckingham Palace
Wheelchair racer Shelly Woods picks the Queen’s official residence as her favourite place in London. Perhaps unsurprisingly, as Buckingham Palace will be where she finishes her marathon at the end of The Mall later in the summer.

The top three essential places to visit from a poll of the Team GB athletes are as follows:

• London Eye
• Buckingham Palace
• River Thames

What’s your favourite London landmark? Let us know in the comments below.