Afternoon tea isn't just a prim and proper activity for ladies that lunch. Oh no. Here are 10 of the best alternative afternoon teas out there that all have a little something special going on! Move over cucumber sandwiches, it's time to shake things up!

1. Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa Champagne afternoon tea - Piccadilly

Ever wanted an afternoon tea with a smoky, BBQ edge? Jamie Oliver has made it happen at his steakhouse, Barbecoa. He's brought flavours from all over the world together under one roof. From Japanese robatas to Argentinian grills, classic wood-fired ovens and Texan pit smokers, there's a BBQ for everyone. On the menu are Wagyu beef sliders, short rib croquettes, yuzu lemon meringue pie, blood orange panna cotta and more alongside scones with clotted cream, seasonal jam or the US classic peanut butter and strawberry ‘jelly’.

2. The Scottish gents' club

How cool is this Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea at the Dalmahoy Hotel Country Club, Edinburgh? Perfect for guys that love a get-together but fancy something with a bit more clout than teeny sandwiches and tea. "Gourmet sausage rolls, mini pork pies and delicious Scottish cheese and chutney make for afternoon tea nibbles worth making a trip for, with your choice of craft beer or a single malt whisky making it a proper Scottish country club treat."

3. William Drabble's Playful afternoon tea

Bored? No. Board games! William Drabble's board game based afternoon tea is coming to you fresh from a collaboration with Hamleys! Tuck into delicious treats in the style of classic board games like Snakes & Ladders, Scrabble and Chess whilst playing your fave board game too.

4. The vintage tour of London

The B Bakery's tour of London comes complete with gorgeous afternoon tea and takes place on a vintage 1960’s Routemaster Bus, taking a tour of some of London’s top sights. You're served all your usual afternoon tea delights such as cakes and scones but you also get freshly squeezed orange juice. Perfect for a summer's day.

5. One for the crazy cat lovers

High tea for two at Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is 90 minutes of unlimited tea, coffee and hot drinks, your serving of delicious cakes, sandwiches and scones and, the best bit, 17 feline friends running around you! Lady Dinah's is the UK’s longest-running cat café, it opened in 2014. Plus, this tea experience is only £40 for two people when you purchase it with your UNiDAYS membership!

6. Some like it hot

Normal afternoon tea a bit bland for you? Fear not! The chilli afternoon tea for two from the Edible Kitchen is perfect if you like things spicy! Your usual scones are replaced with chilli chocolate muffins and as well as sandwiches you get treated to tortilla chips and sweet chilli sauce! Glasses of milk are available and you also get a delicious Italian hot chocolate as your warm drink.

7. The best of Manc

This Manchester themed afternoon tea for two is so exciting if your homeland is Manchester or you're simply studying there and you want to find a little bit more out about the history! "Each element of your afternoon has been spiced up with brands made famous in Manchester, from the Patak’s spices in your Coronation (Street) Chicken wraps and the Boddington chutney with Cheshire cheese sandwiches to the Bury black pudding and scotch eggs with a Kellogg’s Corn Flakes crumb. There are sandwiches, scones, sweet treats (including a homemade Jaffa cake) and more, just as you’d expect, but the Mancunian twist means this afternoon tea would struggle to be more British and northern."

8. The tiger came to tea

The Paradise Wildlife Park is home to this awesome afternoon tea with the tigers experience. If you're an animal lover (or know someone who is!) then this day out will be so exciting. You get a guided tour of the Big Cats Territory, aided by a member of the park’s knowledgeable staff. You then head to the cafe for some amazing panoramic views of the tigers and scones and sandwiches galore. You're even able to head back into the park after your afternoon if you'd like.

9. Get locked up for tea!

The Jailhouse Rock Champagne Afternoon Tea is located inside a beautiful Grade two listed building which was once a courthouse and is now the 5* Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch. The infamous Kray twins were even sentenced here! Filled with tasty treats and gourmet pastries this is a super exciting tea experience.

10. Putting the ‘high’ into high tea

The View from The Shard & afternoon tea at 5* Shangri-la is a pretty extravagant afternoon! Obviously the view is incredible, you can see over 200 of London's landmarks and the food looks just as delicious - locally sourced market ingredients go into making the traditional sandwiches and they also host London's largest and finest tea collection.

You can save 20% on all of these offers from Virgin Experience Days when you use your UNiDAYS membership! Virgin Experience Days is a commercial partner of UNiDAYS. Our members can get a discount through our services.