London: “Here We Go Again” Afternoon Tea Bus

London sightseeing gets a playful twist on this ABBA afternoon tea bus, where scones, finger sandwiches, cupcakes, and city landmarks share the same 90-minute itinerary. You ride a pink-striped double-decker from Golden Tours Stop 1, singing along to ABBA as you pass Big Ben, the London Eye, the Shard, and the Tower of London.

I like the mix of proper afternoon tea and moving sightseeing, especially if you want a break from London’s pavements. I also like the friendly hosting: Chris and Odun have received special praise for keeping the mood warm, helping with photos, and marking birthdays. The main catch is that the music selection may include lesser-known ABBA songs, and the bus can feel hot.

Key points

• A 90-minute ABBA road trip: Ride through Waterloo, Westminster, and London Bridge while the city rolls past your window.
• Afternoon tea is included: Expect finger sandwiches, scones, fine tea, cupcakes, other sweet treats, and prosecco or a soft drink.
• Big landmarks pass by: You may see Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben, the Shard, and the Tower of London.
• Hosts make a difference: Chris and Odun have been especially warm, helpful, and good at taking photos.
• Prepare for a lively group setting: You may share a table, and the ABBA sing-along is central to the experience.
• Plan ahead for restrictions: There is no toilet on board, the route can change, and dietary requests must be made at least 24 hours ahead.

A pink bus, afternoon tea, and ABBA in the capital

This is not a quiet, formal tea at a grand hotel. It is a moving party with sandwiches and cake. The bus takes you through central London while ABBA plays, and the staff encourage you to sing along, wear the supplied colored sunglasses, and enjoy the silliness.

The setting suits a birthday, hen party, girls’ day out, family celebration, or anyone who would rather see London with music than with a standard recorded commentary. Children are welcome from age five, provided they are with a paying adult. The atmosphere is more playful than polished, so you should book it for fun rather than for a serious lesson in London history.

The experience is sometimes described with views from the water, but the supplied meeting point, bus description, and route details make clear that this is a road-based sightseeing tour on a double-decker bus. You will see the city from the street, not from a boat. That distinction matters if you are specifically searching for a Thames cruise.

Starting at Golden Tours Stop 1

You meet at Golden Tours Stop 1, looking for a pink-striped bus with The English Tea Bus written prominently on its side. Arrive with enough time to identify the correct vehicle, especially if you do not know the area well. One party had trouble finding the right departure after arriving early, and staff at the meeting point were not immediately helpful. A call to the tour provider cleared up the confusion.

That is useful advice: if the bus you first see appears to be leaving, do not assume you have missed your ride. Ask the provider directly if there is any uncertainty. The departure arrangement can be confusing when more than one bus is operating.

Once aboard, seating may involve a shared table. That is part of the social feel, but it can be a drawback if you expected a private table for your group. Wheelchair users can sit on the lower deck in a fixed-position seat, though the experience is also listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users. Contact the provider before booking if access is important, since the information points to limited accommodation rather than full wheelchair-friendly service.

Waterloo, Westminster, and London Bridge by bus

The route takes you through several central London areas, including Waterloo, Westminster, and London Bridge. You are not getting off for formal visits at each sight. Instead, you watch the city through the bus windows while tea is served and music plays.

Waterloo gives you a lively central-London setting, with major roads and a useful view toward the South Bank area. Westminster is the grandest section of the ride, with the chance to see Big Ben and the surrounding parliamentary district. London Bridge brings the route toward the historic eastern side of central London, where the Shard and Tower of London are among the major sights.

The route is subject to traffic and road closures. That means the order can change, and the bus may not pass every sight exactly as expected. I would treat the landmarks as a bonus view rather than the main reason to book. If your priority is a close look at Big Ben, the Tower of London, or Buckingham Palace, a walking tour or dedicated sightseeing bus will give you more time and context.

Still, there is value in seeing these places while seated with food in front of you. London sightseeing can involve long walks, crowded pavements, and frequent stops for directions. Here, you get a short rest while the city comes to you.

Big Ben, the London Eye, and the Shard

The landmark list is strong for such a short outing. You may see Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben, the Shard, and the Tower of London, along with other central monuments.

Big Ben is the classic photo moment, particularly from the Westminster section of the route. The London Eye gives the ride a South Bank reference point, while the Shard changes the skyline farther east. The Tower of London adds older royal and military associations to an otherwise modern city view.

You should keep your camera ready. The bus is moving, traffic can interrupt a clear view, and the best angle may last only a few seconds. A phone is easier to use than a large camera while tea is on the table. Bring water too, especially because the bus has no toilet and can become warm.

The sightseeing is strongest for first-time visitors who want a quick orientation, or for returning visitors who want a lighthearted way to revisit familiar landmarks. It is less useful if you want detailed explanations. The driver speaks English, but the published details do not promise a full live commentary at every monument.

What arrives on your tea table

The food follows the familiar afternoon tea pattern: traditional finger sandwiches, fresh scones, fine teas, cupcakes, and other sweet treats. You also receive a glass of prosecco or a soft drink. Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and over, and you need valid identification.

The tea is a proper part of the experience, not an afterthought. Several parties found the food enjoyable, and one birthday group particularly liked the presentation and service. Another person felt the sandwich quality could be better, so expectations should stay sensible. This is a themed bus experience, not a luxury hotel tea with an extensive menu.

The food is likely to feel filling for a light meal. You get both savory and sweet items, plus a drink, which helps the $79 price make more sense. If you are comparing it with a standard sightseeing ticket, remember that you are paying for food, service, entertainment, and transport together.

Dietary options include standard non-vegetarian, vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free meals. You must give the provider at least 24 hours’ notice for a dietary request. If you wait until the day itself, the standard meal will be served, and allergies cannot be handled at short notice. The provider also cannot guarantee that food has not been in contact with nuts or other allergens.

The ABBA soundtrack is the real theme

The bus plays ABBA songs throughout the journey, and singing along is encouraged. This works best if your group already knows the big hits and is happy to join in. The mood is more Dancing Queen than discreet afternoon tea.

The music selection is the one area where expectations need care. Some departures have included songs that not everyone knew, while several people wanted more of the best-known tracks. So do not assume the entire playlist will be a greatest-hits set. You may get familiar favorites, but the program can also include less familiar songs.

Colored sunglasses and small souvenirs add to the theme. One group was allowed to keep reusable cups, and another received a free gift at the end. These extras are not the reason to book, but they make the outing feel more like an event than an ordinary bus ride.

The product is not official and is not endorsed by ABBA. That does not stop it from being a cheerful tribute, but it is worth knowing if you are expecting an official ABBA production or branded concert experience.

The hosts can make or break the ride

Service seems to be an important part of the experience. Chris was praised for exceptional hosting, while Odun was described as kind, friendly, attentive, and willing to take as many photos as needed. One host also arranged a thoughtful birthday shout-out, which is exactly the sort of small touch that can turn a themed outing into a personal celebration.

You should expect staff to serve the food, help keep the sing-along moving, and support photo-taking. The mood depends partly on the host and partly on the group. A quiet bus may feel more like afternoon tea with background music, while an enthusiastic group can turn it into a full sing-along.

The driver also deserves some credit. Handling London traffic while passengers eat from moving tables is not simple. One party specifically appreciated careful driving, though road conditions still mean the ride may have occasional stops and delays.

Is $79 a fair price?

At $79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see London. You can visit many landmarks from the outside for free, and a regular bus ride costs far less. The price becomes more reasonable when you count the afternoon tea, prosecco or soft drink, themed entertainment, hosted service, and 90-minute sightseeing route.

I would call it fair value for a special occasion, not a budget sightseeing choice. If you mainly want photographs of Big Ben and the London Eye, spend your money on a regular sightseeing ticket or a self-guided walk. If you want an afternoon activity with food, music, and a clear theme, the bundled price is easier to justify.

The experience also saves you the effort of arranging tea and sightseeing separately. You sit down, receive your food, and let the city pass by. That convenience has real value during a short London visit, especially when you want one easy activity rather than another complicated day of transport and reservations.

Who should book this bus

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• ABBA fans who enjoy singing along in public
• Birthday groups and celebratory outings
• Families with children aged five and older
• People who want a gentle sightseeing activity with food included
• Visitors who enjoy themed experiences more than formal tours
• Anyone needing a short break from walking around central London

It is less suitable if you want a silent, elegant tea, a serious guide, or a tightly controlled landmark itinerary. It is also a poor fit if you dislike shared tables, warm vehicles, loud music, or uncertain traffic conditions.

Pregnant people and those with back problems are listed as unsuitable for the activity. Under-fives are not allowed. There is no onboard toilet, so use one before departure. Smoking, alcohol brought from outside, and drugs are not allowed.

My practical booking advice

Tell the provider about dietary needs at least 24 hours before the departure. Do not rely on staff to change the meal on the day. If you need wheelchair seating, ask before booking because the lower deck has fixed-position seats and the activity is also marked as unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Bring a camera and water. Keep valuables and phones secure on the table, since the bus will move and the best views may come quickly. Wear something comfortable, and be prepared for the temperature to rise inside the bus.

The activity offers free cancellation up to three days before departure for a full refund. Check the available start times when booking, since the duration is fixed at 1.5 hours but the departure schedule can vary.

Should you book the ABBA afternoon tea bus?

Book it if you want a cheerful London memory rather than a serious sightseeing lesson. The combination of tea, landmarks, friendly hosts, and ABBA gives you something different from a normal bus tour or hotel afternoon tea. Chris and Odun show how much the staff can add, and the birthday touches, photos, sunglasses, and souvenirs make it well suited to a celebration.

Skip it if the $79 price feels high for a passing view of the landmarks, or if you need a quiet tea, a predictable greatest-hits playlist, or a fully accessible vehicle. For the right group, though, this is a fun way to see central London, eat a decent tea, and be silly for 90 minutes.

FAQ

Where does the ABBA afternoon tea bus depart?

Meet at Golden Tours Stop 1. Look for a pink-striped bus with The English Tea Bus written on its side.

How long does the experience last?

The bus ride and afternoon tea last 1.5 hours.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive traditional finger sandwiches, scones, fine tea, cupcakes, sweet treats, and either a glass of prosecco or a soft drink.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. Children under five are not allowed.

Are vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free meals available?

Yes. These options are available, but you must request them at least 24 hours before the visit. Dietary needs cannot be changed on the day.

Is there a toilet on the bus?

No. There are no toilets on board, so plan to use one before departure.