London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour

REVIEW · LONDON

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour

  • 4.4422 reviews
  • 1.5 hours
  • From $85
Book on GetYourGuide →

Operated by Brigit's Afternoon Tea · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 4.4 (422)Duration1.5 hoursPrice from$85Operated byBrigit's Afternoon TeaBook viaGetYourGuide

Tea and London landmarks, one easy bus ride. On this 1.5-hour ride from Victoria Coach Station, you pair high tea with views of Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, plus an English audio guide and music.

I especially like how the crew keeps service moving, with refills and sweet hits like macarons and scones, alongside classics like sandwiches and cakes. One thing to plan around: upper-deck seats are limited and not guaranteed, and there are no toilets on board.

Key things to know before you go

  • High tea on the move: sandwiches, cakes/pastries, and hot drinks served during a sightseeing loop
  • Big-city landmarks: you’ll pass spots like Big Ben, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye area
  • Comfy, decorated double-decker: music and onboard atmosphere make it more fun than a standard bus tour
  • The crew matters: service is part of the experience, with staff who keep food and drinks flowing
  • Pick your seat smart: upper deck is limited, so aim early if that’s where you want to be

What Makes Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Bus Tour a Fun London Add-On

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour - What Makes Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Bus Tour a Fun London Add-On
This isn’t just sightseeing with a snack. It’s London sightseeing with a proper afternoon-tea format: hot drinks, sandwiches, and sweet bakes served while the city slides by outside your window.

The best part, in my view, is the pacing. In 1.5 hours you get the “greatest hits”—Big Ben area, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, and more—without needing to plan a route, hop stops, or figure out timing. You’re set up for an easy afternoon when you want comfort and momentum at the same time.

Getting On at Victoria Coach Station (And Avoiding the Usual Confusion)

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour - Getting On at Victoria Coach Station (And Avoiding the Usual Confusion)
Your starting point is Victoria Coach Station. The key practical move: check the TV screen at the entrance for the gate number showing Brigit’s bakery afternoon tea bus tour, then go to the right gate.

This matters because buses are on schedule and cannot wait for late passengers. If you’re the type who likes to linger, arrive early anyway. The station is busy, and even with clear signage, it’s smart to give yourself a cushion so you don’t feel rushed before you sit down with your tea.

Also note: you’ll use a separate entrance for skip-the-line boarding. That’s a quiet win if you’re arriving during peak travel hours.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in London.

The High Tea Setup: What You’ll Actually Eat and Drink

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour - The High Tea Setup: What You’ll Actually Eat and Drink
You’re not paying $85 just for the bus ride. The experience includes food and hot drinks—plus music and an English audio guide.

From the menu info, you can choose different diets when you book:

  • vegetarian
  • pescatarian
  • halal
  • vegan
  • gluten free (with the note that it may contain traces)

There’s a clear boundary on special diets. This high tea unfortunately does not cater for coeliacs, and it also isn’t designed for people who need a nut-free menu. If that’s you, double-check before booking, because the plan is “special options exist,” not “everyone with the strictest restrictions is fully covered.”

On top of the basics, the sweets reputation is strong. People highlight macarons and scones, and they also mention that service includes refills on beverage. That’s important: afternoon tea is fun once, but it gets better when you can keep trying different teas or keeping your cup topped up.

The Sights: A 90-Minute London Loop You Can Enjoy Without Overplanning

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour - The Sights: A 90-Minute London Loop You Can Enjoy Without Overplanning
This tour is timed at about 1 hour 30 minutes, and traffic can shift the exact flow. The route is designed so you pass major Westminster and central landmarks, giving you big-picture London fast.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament area

When you’re looking out for photos, this is the classic starting glow. It’s one of those “I know this from movies” landmarks, and being on the bus keeps you from having to fight crowds on foot.

One drawback: like many London viewpoints from a moving bus, your view depends on traffic and where the bus positions. If you want the cleanest shots, choose a seat where you can see forward/diagonal through the window rather than one blocked by interior angles.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey shows up as part of the core political and historic spine of central London. From the bus, it’s less about walking up to the doors and more about catching the scale and location in context.

St James’s Park and Hyde Park

You get a quick shift from hard landmarks into green-city edges. Even a short look from the bus helps you understand where the major sights sit relative to each other—especially if it’s your first day and you’re still building a mental map.

Royal Albert Hall and Marble Arch

These stops add variety. Royal Albert Hall brings in that grand, formal vibe, while Marble Arch helps ground the route as you move east-west through central streets.

If you’re sensitive to noise, keep in mind that city sounds can compete with the English audio guide. Having a seat with an easier view of where the bus is facing can help you connect the narration to what you’re seeing.

Nelson’s Column and Downing Street

This is the “history and power” stretch. You’ll pass Downing Street and major government landmarks, plus the unmistakable column area.

For the fact-checking types: the audio narration is automatic and can be off or outdated on some famous stops. If you care about precision (Prince Harry/Kensington Palace came up as an example), you might notice mismatches. I’d treat the narration as helpful context, not a perfect encyclopedia.

London Eye and the wider skyline

Even when you’re not hopping out to stand close, you still get that iconic skyline moment. The bus perspective helps you see how the city’s landmarks line up along major corridors.

How the Double-Decker Ride Changes the Tea-Tour Game

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour - How the Double-Decker Ride Changes the Tea-Tour Game
A big reason this tour works is the bus itself. It’s a comfortable double-decker setup, and the interior is decorated in a way that makes the whole thing feel like an event rather than transportation.

On a more practical level, you’re served while moving. That requires good timing and skilled staff—people repeatedly note how the servers manage service on a moving bus.

Onboard touches: music, fans, and blankets

A few small extras can matter a lot in London:

  • Fans may be handed out during hot weather.
  • Blankets may be provided at tables if it’s cooler.
  • There’s music onboard, often described as setting the right mood.

These details aren’t just “cute.” They affect whether you can actually enjoy your food and conversation comfortably, instead of spending the whole time thinking about the temperature.

Who you might meet on the day

The crew can include friendly staff members such as Tommy, Salma, and Gentmit (noted for professional, welcoming service), and attendants like Daniella. Another host name that shows up is Tyric, who helped make the trip feel special.

You may not get the same people, but it’s a good sign when multiple departures mention similarly warm, organized service.

Audio Guide Reality Check: Great for Context, Not Always for Every Word

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour - Audio Guide Reality Check: Great for Context, Not Always for Every Word
The tour includes an English audio guide, and it’s paired with music. That’s a fun mix for atmosphere, and it also means you won’t always feel locked into constant narration.

Still, there are two practical audio considerations:

  • The recording can be hard to hear clearly over movement and street noise.
  • Some narration details may be outdated on specific stops.

My advice: if you want the “what am I looking at” value, sit somewhere you can both hear enough and see the landmarks as the bus passes. If you want a fully live, never-wrong commentary, then this style won’t replace a private guide. But for casual sightseeing paired with tea, it’s a good fit.

Price and Value: Is $85 Worth It for 1.5 Hours?

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour - Price and Value: Is $85 Worth It for 1.5 Hours?
At $85 per person for about 1.5 hours, you’re paying for a bundled package:

  • a double-decker sightseeing loop
  • authentic afternoon tea style food and hot drinks
  • music
  • an English audio guide
  • service that stays on pace even while the bus moves

This can be good value if you’d otherwise spend separately on a major sightseeing route plus a proper afternoon tea. It’s also a strong option if your schedule is tight and you want the Westminster-area highlights without building a plan from scratch.

Where it may not feel worth it is if you’re mainly after long stops, deep explanations, and unhurried walking time. This is a moving “taste and see” experience, not a slow, stop-everywhere tour.

Practical Limits You Should Know Before You Sit Down

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour - Practical Limits You Should Know Before You Sit Down
This is a tea tour with real constraints. Knowing them upfront helps you avoid frustration.

  • There are no toilets on board, and the bus cannot stop during the tour.
  • Upper-deck seating is limited and not guaranteed.
  • If you’re sensitive to hearing details, be ready for audio to vary with street conditions.
  • Pets are not allowed.

Accessibility note: wheelchair access is limited to foldable wheelchairs only, and you need to mention it when booking. Also, children under 5 aren’t suitable for the tour.

None of this is unusual for a moving sightseeing bus—but it does shape who will feel comfortable on the schedule.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Prefer Something Else)

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour - Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Prefer Something Else)
This tour is ideal if you want a classic London afternoon with a twist: tea service plus a sightseeing loop. It’s especially good when:

  • it’s your first day and you want the central sights to “make sense”
  • you don’t want to manage tickets, routes, and timing for multiple stops
  • you’re traveling with friends and want a fun, social activity
  • weather is unpredictable and you want to stay seated most of the time

You might skip it if you need:

  • guaranteed upper-deck seating
  • frequent stops to take photos or explore on foot
  • strict coeliac or nut-free accommodations

Should You Book Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour?

If you’re aiming for comfort, convenience, and a proper afternoon-tea meal while seeing London’s landmarks from a great viewpoint, I’d say yes. The combination is genuinely enjoyable: sweet and savory food, hot drinks, and an easy route through central icons, all wrapped in a bus experience with music and a friendly crew.

Book it with your expectations set correctly. This is a short, moving tour with no onboard toilet and limited upper-deck space. If that fits your style, it’s a smart, low-effort way to get a memorable London afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the London afternoon tea sightseeing bus tour?

It lasts approximately 1.5 hours (about 1 hour 30 minutes), depending on traffic.

What is included with the ticket price?

The tour includes food and hot drinks, music, and an English audio guide.

Where does the tour depart from?

You meet at Victoria Coach Station. Check the TV screen at the entrance for the gate number for Brigit’s bakery afternoon tea bus tour, then go to the right gate.

Is upper-deck seating guaranteed?

No. Upper-deck seating is limited and cannot be guaranteed. Your seating assignment depends on availability.

Are there vegetarian or halal options?

Yes. Vegetarian, pescatarian, halal, vegan, and gluten-free menus are available when you submit your dietary requirements upon booking.

Can people with coeliac disease or nut allergies join?

This high tea does not cater for coeliacs or for people who are nut-free.

Are pets allowed on the bus?

No, pets are not allowed.

Is there a toilet on board?

No. There are no toilets on board, and the bus cannot stop during the tour.

Is the audio guide available in English?

Yes. The audio guide is included in English.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in London we have reviewed

Scroll to Top

Find Your Cup

Every kind of tea experience, in every place we cover.