Family days out

The Peter Pan trail in London that ends with afternoon tea at The Shard

Families looking for something a little more imaginative than the usual day out in London can follow a Peter Pan-inspired trail that turns the city into a storybook setting.

Starting at Waterloo, the experience invites children to help the Lost Boys solve a series of clues, guiding them through central London before reaching the final destination at The Shard.

It’s an easy way to make a walk through the city feel purposeful, giving children something to focus on while keeping the experience relaxed enough for parents.

Aqua Shard afternoon tea

Aqua Shard has created the ultimate trail for Peter Pan fans

Follow the clues to The Shard

The trail builds towards a finish at Aqua Shard, located on Level 31 of one of London’s most recognisable landmarks.

Children who complete the route receive a prize, while adults are greeted with a complimentary glass of fizz on arrival. It’s a small detail, but one that helps position the experience as something that works just as well for grown-ups as it does for kids.

A theatrical afternoon tea with a Neverland twist

At the top, the reward is a Peter Pan-themed afternoon tea designed to feel playful without losing the classic elements people expect.

Savoury options include sausage rolls and traditional sandwiches, presented in a Neverland-style treasure box. The centrepiece is a Jolly Roger cake stand inspired by Captain Hook’s ship, complete with dry ice for added drama.

Sweet treats include Battenburg and fairy cakes, alongside warm scones served with jam and clotted cream. There’s also a chocolate crocodile egg inspired by the story’s famous ticking crocodile.

Aqua Shard afternoon tea

The reward is a Peter Pan-themed afternoon tea

Drinks, views and a good cause

Drinks options lean into the theme, with choices like Tinkerbell’s hot chocolate and The Flying Punch, alongside a range of teas for adults.

The experience runs from 12:15pm to 3:30pm and includes panoramic views across London, taking in landmarks like Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Thames.

It also has a charitable element, with £2 from every afternoon tea donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.

Last chance for the interactive trail

The clue-led trail element is only running for a limited time, making this the final chance to experience the full interactive version before it ends.

From 14 April, the Peter Pan afternoon tea will continue as a standalone experience, meaning families can still book in for the themed dining and views, even once the trail has finished.

Aqua Shard easter

Turn a London afternoon into something memorable

Why it’s worth booking

What sets this apart is the combination of movement and reward. Rather than sitting down straight away, children are part of the experience from the start, which makes the final afternoon tea feel earned rather than expected.

For families with younger children especially, it’s a simple way to turn a London afternoon into something far more memorable.

 

Find out more and book your afternoon tea at The Shard today

Last updated: 10 April, 2026

Author

Harriet Mallinson

Harriet Mallinson is Editor of Family Traveller and an award-winning cruise and travel journalist with more than 10 years of experience. She was named Specialist Travel Writer of the Year at the 2024 Travel Media Awards, was chosen as a judge the following year and has been shortlisted for a slew other gongs. The trip she can't stop raving about is her recent cruise to jaw-dropping Antarctica, bookended with time in gorgeous Buenos Aires, and this year hopes to head East as well as ticking off some European hotspots she can't believe she hasn't visited yet.

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