London: Royal Tour with Afternoon Tea at the Rubens

The best part of this experience comes at the end: afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace, where you can look toward the Royal Mews while working through scones, clotted cream, preserves, sandwiches, pastries, and a broad tea selection. Before that, a professional Blue Badge guide leads you past London’s royal and political center, with a stop for the Changing of the Guard when the ceremony is scheduled.

I like the combination of a one-hour city tour and a proper British meal, since it gives first-time visitors a useful introduction without requiring a full day. I also like the onboard Wi-Fi, USB charging, and personal headset, practical touches on a busy sightseeing day. The main caution is logistics: the tour leaves from the coach station, not Victoria Underground Station, and the tea is an independent visit that may be booked at an earlier time than you expect.

Key points

• The Changing of the Guard runs on selected days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, subject to availability.
• The meeting point is inside Victoria Coach Station: Find the Evan Evans kiosk opposite Gate 1.
• The Rubens tea is generous: Sandwiches, scones, cakes, and tea can be replenished.
• The Royal London portion is mainly a bus tour: You see many sights, but do not expect long stops at every landmark.
• The tea is separate from the guided tour: You make your own way to The Rubens at the Palace at the assigned time.
• The price is $174 per person: It makes the most sense if you value both a guided overview and a full afternoon tea.

Starting at Victoria Coach Station, not Victoria Station

Your day begins at the Evan Evans kiosk opposite Gate 1 inside Victoria Coach Station. This detail matters. London has several nearby transport points called Victoria, and the coach station is different from the Victoria train and Underground station.

Allow time to find the correct building and kiosk. One customer missed the entire tour after following directions toward the train and Underground station, even though the coach station was only a short distance away. The pickup error also made it impossible to join the group later, so I would treat this meeting point as the first important part of the itinerary.

The tour includes a superior coach with Wi-Fi and USB charging. You also receive a personal audio headset for the live commentary. That setup helps when traffic noise, a large group, or a seat toward the back makes it harder to hear the guide.

The full experience lasts five hours, but that does not mean five hours of continuous guided sightseeing. The London tour, the Buckingham Palace stop, and the tea visit have separate rhythms. You should also check the actual tea booking time before the day begins. One booking had afternoon tea scheduled for noon, which came as a surprise to the customer.

Seeing Westminster and Big Ben from the coach

The first sightseeing portion lasts about an hour and covers central London by coach. You see major sights including Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, along with other well-known royal and political landmarks.

This is a good introduction if you are new to London. From a coach, you can cover more ground than on foot, and the guide can connect the buildings to stories about the city and its government. You get orientation quickly, which can help you decide where to return later for a closer look.

The tradeoff is equally clear. This is not a series of long visits inside each attraction. Admission to attractions is not included, and the supplied details describe a scenic bus tour rather than extended interior visits. If your priority is entering Westminster Abbey or spending serious time at one museum, you need a separate plan.

I would think of this hour as a moving introduction. You get the big London picture, with commentary in English from the guide and additional audio support in German, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Spanish. The live guide language is English.

Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

The Buckingham Palace portion is listed at about one and a half hours. Its main event is the Changing of the Guard, the formal handover that brings scarlet tunics, bearskin caps, marching music, and plenty of ceremony to the palace forecourt.

The ceremony takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, subject to availability. That schedule is useful, but it is not a guarantee. Military ceremonies can change, so do not book this experience solely for the hope of seeing the guards if your date is uncertain.

Your guide helps position the group for the viewing. Sheila received especially warm praise for keeping the group moving quickly enough to find a good spot. That advice is worth taking seriously. The best views can depend on where the group reaches the route and how early it gets into place.

The palace stop is strongest for first-time visitors who want the classic royal spectacle. You see the uniforms and hear the band as the new guards arrive to take responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace. It is formal, theatrical, and unmistakably British.

You should also keep your expectations in check. The description of the experience does not promise entry into Buckingham Palace, and admission to attractions is not included. The focus is the exterior setting and the ceremony, not a palace interior tour.

Afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace

After the Royal London tour, you visit The Rubens at the Palace for afternoon tea in the Palace Lounge. The hotel is close to Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews, and the seating looks toward the Queen’s former stables, now associated with the Royal Mews.

This is the part that gives the experience its sense of occasion. You are not simply stopping for a quick cup of tea. The menu includes sandwiches, freshly made scones, clotted cream, homemade preserves, pastries, and cakes. The tea selection is broad enough to let you try several varieties.

The food appears to be a strong point. The sandwiches, scones, and cakes can be replenished, so you do not need to treat the first serving as your only chance. If you prefer a traditional British afternoon tea with a handsome setting, this meal is a serious part of the value rather than a minor add-on.

The service is also important here. The Rubens is a luxury hotel, and the tea is served in its lavish Palace Lounge. Champagne is not included, so you would pay extra if you want it.

Keep the arrangements straight: afternoon tea is an independent visit on the same day as the Royal London tour. You are not simply carried from the coach into the dining room with the guide. Check your tea time and plan the transfer carefully. The provided information does not specify transportation between the tour finish and the hotel, so do not assume the coach will deliver you directly to your table.

What the $174 price really covers

At $174 per person, this is not a bargain sightseeing bus. The price makes more sense when you treat it as two linked experiences: a professionally guided royal London overview and a full afternoon tea at a luxury hotel.

The sightseeing portion includes the Blue Badge guide, coach transportation, Wi-Fi, USB charging, and an audio headset. The tea includes the food and service at The Rubens. Together, those elements can be useful if you are trying to fit London highlights and a traditional meal into one day.

The value is less convincing if you want attraction entry or a slow walking tour. Admission to attractions is not included, and the bus portion naturally limits how long you can spend at each sight. You may prefer to arrange Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace area sightseeing yourself if you want to control every stop.

I would also factor in the cost of your time. The five-hour format is efficient, but the independent tea visit can create a gap or require your own transfer planning. Read the assigned times closely before you pay, especially if you have another booking later that day.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend this experience to a first-time London visitor who wants a polished introduction to royal London without researching every detail. It suits someone who enjoys seeing major sights from a comfortable coach, listening to a guide, and finishing with a formal meal.

It is also a good match for families and multigenerational groups who want a clear plan. The coach reduces the walking required during the sightseeing portion, while the tea gives the day a calm finish after the crowds around Buckingham Palace.

It may not suit you if your main goal is independent exploration. The schedule is fixed, the guard ceremony depends on availability, and the palace sightseeing does not include an interior visit. You also need to be comfortable separating from the guided group for the tea.

Smart ways to plan the day

First, verify the meeting point in Victoria Coach Station. Do not use Victoria Underground Station as your destination simply because both names contain Victoria.

Second, check the Changing of the Guard schedule against your date. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday are the listed days, but the ceremony remains subject to availability.

Third, confirm the tea time. Do not assume afternoon means midafternoon. One booking had tea set for 12, and an earlier start can affect breakfast, lunch, and other plans.

Fourth, wear something suitable for a luxury hotel tea, while still dressing for London sightseeing. You will be outside around Buckingham Palace and may spend time moving with the group before sitting down.

Finally, use the guide’s positioning advice during the guard ceremony. Staying with the group matters, and Sheila’s ability to get people into a good viewing spot shows why you should not wander off for photos at the wrong moment.

The good and the less convenient parts

The strongest combination is the guide-led orientation followed by The Rubens tea. You get famous London sights, royal ceremony, and a classic British meal in one booking. The tea is not skimpy: the sandwiches, scones, and cakes can be replenished, and the selection of teas gives you room to try more than one.

The weakest point is clarity around logistics. The coach station meeting point can be confused with Victoria train and Underground stations, and the tea time may not feel obvious unless you check it carefully. The experience also needs a more exact mental label: it is a sightseeing coach tour with a palace ceremony, not a full tour of Buckingham Palace or Westminster Abbey.

The overall rating is 4.3 out of 5 from 12 reviews, but the individual experiences show why the details matter. The Rubens portion received especially strong praise, while the most serious complaint involved the pickup instructions and customer service rather than the food or the ceremony.

Should you book this Royal Tour and tea?

Book it if you want a convenient first look at London’s best-known sights, a chance to see the Changing of the Guard, and a substantial afternoon tea in a royal setting. The Rubens meal is the clearest reason to choose this package over an ordinary city sightseeing tour.

Skip it if you need guaranteed palace entry, long stops at museums, or total control over your schedule. You can also visit The Rubens independently if the tea is your main goal, but confirm the timing and location carefully either way.

For the best fit, choose a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday, confirm that the guard ceremony is operating, and double-check both the Victoria Coach Station meeting point and your tea reservation time. Those simple checks address the main practical risks and let you focus on the uniforms, music, royal views, and very good scones.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Evan Evans kiosk opposite Gate 1 inside Victoria Coach Station.

Is the meeting point at Victoria Underground Station?

No. The meeting point is inside Victoria Coach Station, which is separate from Victoria train and Underground Station.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is five hours.

What language is the live tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Which languages are available through the audio guide?

Audio support is available in German, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Spanish.

Does the tour include the Changing of the Guard?

The Buckingham Palace portion includes a stop to watch the Changing of the Guard when the ceremony is available.

On which days does the Changing of the Guard take place?

The listed days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, subject to availability.

Is entry to Buckingham Palace included?

No. Admission to attractions is not included.

Is afternoon tea included?

Yes. Afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace is included.

Is champagne included with afternoon tea?

No. Champagne is not included.

Is the afternoon tea part of the guided tour?

The tea takes place as an independent visit on the same day as the Royal London tour.

What food is served at The Rubens?

The tea includes sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and homemade preserves, pastries, cakes, and a selection of teas.