If you're part of the 84% of the British population that enjoys tea, there's a good chance you've considered purchasing a tea set. Not only do they transform afternoon tea into something of a Bridgerton-style event, but tea sets are also visually appealing and can make a terrific gift set! With 100 million cups of tea being consumed daily in the UK, you can rest assured that it will get plenty of use!
You may be wondering where to start looking for your new teapot set, as they come in all shapes and sizes. From traditional and Japanese tea sets to vintage bone China sets. Luckily, our buying guide runs through everything, from style preferences to practical considerations. We'll even count down our top ten, including tea sets from Amazon, John Lewis, and Japan Centre, for further inspiration. Put the kettle on and get reading!
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of tea sets available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() ruxinggu | 2 ![]() Japan Centre | 3 ![]() Spode | 4 ![]() fanquare | 5 ![]() Wedgwood | 6 ![]() pols potten | 7 ![]() Japan Centre | 8 ![]() fanquare | 9 ![]() Eleanor Bowmer | 10 ![]() Sara Miller |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Ceramic Afternoon Tea Set | Pink Rabbit Ceramic Teapot and Mug Set | Creatures of Curiosity 22-Carat Gold Band Set | British Royal Afternoon Tea Set | Butterfly Bloom Cup and Saucer Set | Grandpa Cup and Saucer Tea Set | Ceramic Polka Dot Tea Set | Portable Japanese Tea Set | Rainbow Tea Set | Chelsea Collection Teapot & Tea Cup Set |
Features | A Full 6-Piece Tea Set for a Reasonable Price, Complete With a Fancy Metal Stand | An Elegant, Hand-Painted and Colourful Feast for the Eyes | A Pretty Design Featuring a 22-Carat Gold Rim for a Fair Price | An Ornate Tea Set That’s Fit for a Queen and Includes 5 Cups and Utensils | A Charming Cup and Saucer From a British Institution With a Hand-Printed Design | A Pricey Set of Colourful Tea Cups That Combines Tradition With Playfulness | Hold Your Own Tea Ceremony With This Traditional Japanese Set | A Portable Japanese Tea Set for Four People That’s Perfect for Picnics | A Colourful Tea Set Embellished With Illustrations That’s Guaranteed to Raise a Smile | A Bright and Luxurious Tea Set With a Touch of Traditional Elegance |
Price | £36.70 | £20.00 | £28.00 | £104.99 | £55.00 | £145.00 | £49.98 | £28.99 | £55.00 | £79.50 |
Style | Vintage | Modern | Vintage | Vintage | Vintage | Modern | Modern | Vintage | Modern | Modern |
Extra Utensils | Pot, saucers, spoons, metal stand | Pot | Saucer | Pot, saucers, sugar bowl, milk jug | Saucer | Saucers | Pot | Pot, canister, towel, tea pod, travel bag | Pot | Pot, saucers |
Material(s) | Porcelain | - | Fina china, 22-carat gold | Porcelain | Fine bone china | Glazed porcelain, gold | - | Zisha clay | Bone china | Fine china |
Set Size | For 6 | For 2 | For 1 | For 6 | For 1 | For 4 | For 2 | For 4 | For 2 | For 2 |
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We've been drinking tea since the 17th century in Britain. If you include yourself as part of a tradition that spans over three hundred years, it makes sense to opt for a tea set with a vintage style. Floral patterns, subdued colours and gold edging have stood the test of time and are all commonly found on tea sets with traditional designs.
However, maybe tradition isn't for you. Perhaps you'd rather buck the trend with a tea set that looks just as contemporary as your home. Modern tea sets utilise bright, vivid colours and often feature unique illustrations and embellishments. If the tea set is supposed to be the centrepiece of the afternoon tea ceremony, it makes sense to go with one that'll catch the eyes of your guests!
The term 'tea set' can be a little vague as it doesn't usually indicate how many people it's for or what types of utensils are included. That said, all tea sets have cups, and most include saucers, but you can also find ones that contain extra items such as spoons, milk jugs, and sugar bowls.
Consider how useful these extras will be to you. Those who love a spoonful of sugar will appreciate a sugar bowl far more than those who prefer their tea sugar-free, but every tea drinker can appreciate a teaspoon. Or perhaps practicality isn't a concern for you, and you simply want your tea set to be as visually impressive as possible. In this case, the more utensils, the better!
Looking for a brew that'll 'wow' your guests? Take a look at the Best English Teas.
Tea sets can be made from different materials, and though you might not be able to tell at first glance, there's enough of a difference between them that a tea set made from one material can look considerably different to one made from another. If the visual effect of your tea set is important to you, it's worth considering the material before buying.
The two most commonly used materials are porcelain and china. Bone china and fine bone china have been used to make tea sets for hundreds of years, as they're lightweight materials that remain strong and resistant to chipping. Bone china is snow white, while fine bone china possesses slightly warmer hues.
The other most commonly used material is porcelain. Porcelain is a hard, non-porous material with a bright, white appearance. However, porcelain is heavier than china and more brittle, meaning it's easily chipped. Also, don't be confused by the material 'ceramic', as this is actually a broad term that encapsulates both porcelain and china.
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£36.70
Style | Vintage |
---|---|
Extra Utensils | Pot, saucers, spoons, metal stand |
Material(s) | Porcelain |
Set Size | For 6 |
£20.00
Style | Modern |
---|---|
Extra Utensils | Pot |
Material(s) | - |
Set Size | For 2 |
£28.00
Style | Vintage |
---|---|
Extra Utensils | Saucer |
Material(s) | Fina china, 22-carat gold |
Set Size | For 1 |
£104.99
Style | Vintage |
---|---|
Extra Utensils | Pot, saucers, sugar bowl, milk jug |
Material(s) | Porcelain |
Set Size | For 6 |
£55.00
Style | Vintage |
---|---|
Extra Utensils | Saucer |
Material(s) | Fine bone china |
Set Size | For 1 |
£145.00
Style | Modern |
---|---|
Extra Utensils | Saucers |
Material(s) | Glazed porcelain, gold |
Set Size | For 4 |
£49.98
Style | Modern |
---|---|
Extra Utensils | Pot |
Material(s) | - |
Set Size | For 2 |
£28.99
Style | Vintage |
---|---|
Extra Utensils | Pot, canister, towel, tea pod, travel bag |
Material(s) | Zisha clay |
Set Size | For 4 |
£55.00
Style | Modern |
---|---|
Extra Utensils | Pot |
Material(s) | Bone china |
Set Size | For 2 |
£79.50
Style | Modern |
---|---|
Extra Utensils | Pot, saucers |
Material(s) | Fine china |
Set Size | For 2 |
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