Best cake stands to buy for home bakers 2024 UK

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Read on for the best crockery for serving your afternoon tea and the perfect cake ideas for each. For more inspiration, read our guide to the best stand mixers and cookie cutters. If you're short of time for something impressive to display, check out our review of the best online cake delivery services, including Cutter & Squidge and Lola's Cupcakes.

Best cake stands at a glance

Best cute cake stand: Vaisselle Baby Cakes Lilac cake stand, £90
Best arty cake stand: Wini Spatter ceramic cake stand, £39.50
Best scallop-edged cake stand: Ricky cake stand, £38
Best whimsical cake stand: Cabbage cake stand, £59
Best cake stand for afternoon tea: Fortnum's St James Two Tier cake stand, £155
Best unique cake stand: Anna Gong folding stainless steel cake stand, £210
Best contemporary cake stand: Van Gogh bamboo slat cake stand, £35.99
Best three-tiered cake stand: Sara Miller Chelsea collection cake stand, £60

Best cake stands to buy in 2024

Vaisselle baby cakes lilac cake stand

Available from Fenwick (£90)

Best cute cake stand

This unique, hand-painted cake stand has a fun look that would be perfect for whole cakes and showstopping desserts. The size is ideal for 4-inch or 6-inch cakes and the ruffle edge adds an extra decorative element. Plus, the colour is very on-trend.

Available from:
Fenwick (£90)

Wini splatter ceramic cake stand

Available from Oliver Bonas (£39.50)

Best arty cake stand

We really like this cake stand from Oliver Bonas. It has a modern design with a flat plate sitting on a single pillar, but interest is added to the silhouette by the paint splatter design which is done by hand in Portugal, making every cake stand unique.

Available from:
Oliver Bonas (£39.50)

Ricky cake stand

Available from Anthropologie (£38)

Best scallop-edged cake stand

We're seeing scallop edges everywhere in interiors from tablecloths to plates, so this cake stand is bang on trend. Ideal for a large cake or dessert, this stand is hand painted in contrasting mint and navy blue.

Available from:
Anthropologie (£38)

Cabbage cake stand

Available from John Lewis (£59)

A green cake stand shaped like a cabbage

Best whimsical cake stand

Buy this intricate earthenware cake stand if you want to add some fun to your afternoon tea, then slowly build up the full collection (there are bowls, plates and trays, too). The flat edge makes it easy to remove slices of showstopper bakes – try a generous bundt or towering layer cake.

Available from:
John Lewis (£59)

Fortnum's St James two tier cake stand

Available from Fortnum & Mason (£155)

Best cake stand for afternoon tea

Fortnum & Mason is world-famous for its afternoon tea, and if you're looking to recreate it in your own home, this cake stand is perfect. The classic, elegant two-tiered design would work brilliantly for multiple treats like cakes, scones or finger sandwiches. The stand is made from fine bone china and finished with Fortnum's signature eau de Nil for a timeless effect.

Available from:
Fortnum & Mason (£155)

Anna Gong folding stainless steel cake stand

Available from John Lewis (£210)

SELFRIDGES Alessi Anna Gong folding stainless streel cake stand (2)

Best unique cake stand

This folding luxury option is a totally unique double-tiered cake stand with a modern stainless-steel design by Alessi, perfect if you're not a fan of the vintage or old-fashioned look. The folding design also makes it easy to store when not in use. As well as a modern afternoon tea, we think this would work particularly well for small treats to go with tea and coffee after dinner – think homemade toffees or chocolate truffles.

Available from:
John Lewis (£210)

Van Gogh bamboo slat cake stand

Available from Amazon (£35.99)

Best contemporary cake stand

A great alternative cake stand for a contemporary afternoon tea. Serve savoury snacks on one layer and sweets (try homemade macarons) on the other. With a handy foldable frame, it’s a bargain buy for those who are short on space.

Available from:
Amazon (£35.99)

Sara Miller Chelsea collection cake stand

Available from John Lewis (£60)

Best three-tiered cake stand

Go bold with this unique bird print, three-tiered cake stand with touches of 22-carat gold. A full afternoon tea set is available in the pretty pattern, including matching cake plates, a teapot and cups. Continue the quirky theme by loading up with alternative afternoon tea treats – try indulgent doughnuts, striking cookies or airy meringues served with whipped cream.

Available from:
John Lewis (£60)