London: Riverside Afternoon Tea with Champagne or Gin

London afternoon tea gets a riverside setting at Clipper Lounge on Embankment Pier, where you can look across the Thames while working through scones, sandwiches, and sweet treats. The setting feels more relaxed than a grand hotel tea, with the river and central London landmarks right outside.

I like the choice of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail, and I like that the sandwich menu goes beyond the usual meat selection. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and children’s platters make this easier to book for a mixed group.

The main drawback is the short one-hour duration. You’ll have enough time for a pleasant tea, but not a long, leisurely afternoon with several rounds of drinks. Book your sandwich choice at least 72 hours ahead, and arrive ready to settle in without delay.

Key points to know before booking

• Riverside setting: Enjoy your tea from Embankment Pier, with views of the River Thames and central London landmarks.
• One drink included: Choose Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne, a Clipper Cup gin cocktail, or a soft drink.
• Classic afternoon tea food: Expect fresh scones with jam and cream, finger sandwiches, sweet treats, and tea or coffee.
• Good dietary range: Classic, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free sandwich platters are available.
• Family-friendly option: Children receive their own tea menu, a hot chocolate or soft drink, and a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck.
• Short and easy to fit in: The experience lasts one hour and is wheelchair accessible.

A Thames-side setting instead of a hotel dining room

The appeal here begins before the food arrives. You are at Embankment Pier, in central London, with the Thames providing the backdrop. It is a useful choice if you want afternoon tea without giving up your sightseeing day to a long formal meal.

The location also gives the experience a lighter feel. You can take in riverside views and nearby landmarks while enjoying tea, rather than sitting in an enclosed dining room with no sense of the city outside. I like this balance: you still get the familiar afternoon tea format, but the setting feels tied to London.

Keep your expectations clear. This is a riverside café bar experience, not a sightseeing cruise. The supplied details describe views from Embankment Pier, not a route along the river. If you want afternoon tea while actively sailing past landmarks, this is not that product.

The accessible entrance is reached via the Embankment Pier exit. That detail matters if you use a wheelchair or need step-free access. An English-speaking host or greeter is available, and the experience is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What arrives on the afternoon tea stand

The food follows the classic afternoon tea pattern. You’ll receive fresh scones with jam and cream, a selection of finger sandwiches, and sweet treats. Tea or coffee is included, giving you the familiar combination of small savory bites, something warm to drink, and a sweet finish.

The one-hour schedule makes the order of attack important. Start with the sandwiches while they are fresh, then move to the scone, and save the sweet treats for the end. If you spend too much time taking photos of the river, you may find the final course feeling rushed.

The exact sweet treats are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular cake or pastry. The same applies to the tea selection. You are promised a choice of tea or coffee, but not a named tea menu.

The portion description is traditional rather than extravagant. You get enough variety to make this a proper light meal, but the experience is not presented as a large feast. One Belgian customer described the amount of food as more than sufficient, which suggests the platter should satisfy most people looking for a substantial snack or light lunch.

Champagne, gin, or a soft drink

Your included drink is one of the better reasons to compare this experience with an ordinary café tea. You can choose a glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail. A soft drink alternative is also available.

The Champagne makes the experience feel more like a celebration, while the gin cocktail gives it a distinctly British afternoon-out flavor. If you are not drinking alcohol, the soft drink option means you do not have to skip the experience altogether.

Tea or coffee is included as well. That gives you a second drink to enjoy with the food, though additional drinks are not part of the price. Keep that in mind if you expect to linger or want another glass of Champagne.

I see the drink choice as good value at a listed price of $57 per person, particularly for a central London setting with Champagne included. The value is less convincing if you mainly want a filling meal and do not care about the drink or riverside location. In that case, a standard café lunch may cost less.

Choosing the right sandwich platter

You select your sandwich platter when booking, then confirm your menu choices at least 72 hours before the selected date. This is not a detail to leave until the morning of your tea. Give yourself time to check the platter and make sure it suits everyone in your party.

The classic mixed platter includes:

• Roast chicken salad
• Mature Cheddar ploughman’s
• Tuna, sweetcorn, and cucumber
• Egg mayonnaise and cress
• British ham and mature Cheddar

This is the broadest choice if your group has no dietary restrictions. It includes familiar British fillings, along with chicken and tuna for extra variety.

The vegetarian platter includes mature Cheddar ploughman’s, egg mayonnaise and cress, and Mexican bean and avocado. It gives vegetarians more than a token cheese sandwich, though the selection is smaller than the classic platter.

The vegan platter includes Mexican bean and avocado, vegan Cheddar ploughman’s, This Isn’t Coronation Chicken, and This Isn’t Chicken and Sweetcorn. Choosing it also changes the rest of the tea: you receive vegan scones and plant-based sweet treats instead of the traditional offerings.

That last point is useful. You do not need to worry about receiving standard scones and cakes alongside vegan sandwiches. The meal is adjusted across the platter, scone, and sweet course.

A gluten-free platter includes chicken salad and Cheddar ploughman’s. The information provided does not list the gluten-free sweet treats or scone details, so confirm the full arrangement when you make your menu choice.

A better-than-basic option for children

Children receive their own menu rather than simply sharing an adult platter. It includes a scone with cream and jam, bite-sized sandwiches, sweet treats, and a hot chocolate or soft drink.

The children’s mixed platter contains plain cheese, plain ham, and tuna sweetcorn. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free children’s platters are also available, with the specific selections based on the listed options.

The small gift is a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck. It is an amusing touch, especially for a birthday or a family afternoon in London. The gift may help keep younger children interested during the meal, though you should still remember that the experience lasts only one hour.

The children’s menu makes this more practical for families than many formal afternoon teas. You can enjoy the Champagne or gin while your child has a familiar drink, and the menu avoids forcing children into a full adult selection.

A birthday can also be marked with extra warmth from the team. A staff member named Cheryl has been associated with especially friendly service, including a child’s birthday being acknowledged with cake. That does not guarantee a cake for every celebration, so make any special request in advance rather than relying on a surprise.

How the one-hour timing affects the experience

One hour is enough for the basic afternoon tea format, but it shapes the pace. You are not booking an open-ended lounge visit. Food, drinks, views, and conversation all need to fit into a compact sitting.

I would choose an earlier or later sightseeing slot rather than trying to squeeze this between two activities with no margin. The location is convenient for a central London day, but the fixed duration means you should not plan an important timed attraction immediately afterward unless you have allowed extra time.

The short format can also be a benefit. If you want a taste of afternoon tea without spending half a day at a hotel, this is a tidy option. It works well as a planned break between museums, shopping, or riverside sightseeing.

The experience has received a top rating from the small set of submitted ratings, with particular praise for the calm setting, friendly service, and generous food. One January visit was described as a very pleasant high tea on the boat, while another family visit highlighted the warm attention given to a birthday child. Those details point to a relaxed mood rather than a stiff, formal ceremony.

Price and what you are really paying for

At $57 per person, the price covers more than sandwiches and cake. You are paying for the central London riverside setting, the one included Champagne or gin cocktail, tea or coffee, and the convenience of a prepared experience at Embankment Pier.

For a special occasion, I think the price is reasonable if you value the location and the drink. Champagne alone changes the feel of the meal, and the Thames view gives you something a basic afternoon tea room cannot provide.

The calculation changes for children. A child receives a dedicated menu, a hot chocolate or soft drink, and the rubber duck gift, but the adult-style Champagne or gin is not the point of their ticket. Families should decide if the riverside setting and themed menu justify the cost for each child.

Additional drinks are not included. If you want to extend the sitting with more alcohol or soft drinks, budget for that separately. Since the appointment lasts one hour, most people may find the included drinks enough, but big drinkers should take note.

Dietary planning needs advance attention

The range of menus is a strong feature, but the booking process requires care. You must select the sandwich platter and confirm your choices at least 72 hours before the date.

For a group with mixed diets, place the full order early. A classic platter can cover several preferences, while vegetarian and vegan diners need their own selections. Vegan diners also receive vegan scones and plant-based treats, so this is not simply a sandwich substitution.

Gluten-free choices are listed, but the details are less extensive than the vegan menu. Ask the team to confirm the complete gluten-free arrangement when you book, especially if cross-contamination or strict dietary needs are important to you.

The information does not provide a full ingredient list or allergen policy. For serious allergies, contact the provider before the 72-hour deadline and get clear confirmation.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to you if you want a short, scenic afternoon break in central London. It suits couples looking for a simple celebration, families who want an activity that includes children, and visitors who like the ritual of afternoon tea without committing to a long hotel sitting.

It is also a good fit if you want a Champagne or gin option built into the price. The riverside location adds atmosphere without requiring a separate cruise booking.

Families should pay close attention to the children’s menu and duck gift. Those details make the experience more child-friendly than many afternoon teas, while the adult menu still feels like a proper London treat.

I would be cautious about booking it if your main goal is a long, formal afternoon tea with extensive tea choices, multiple drink refills, or a grand hotel interior. The one-hour limit and café-bar setting keep things casual and compact.

Practical details before you go

The meeting point is the accessible entrance via the Embankment Pier exit. The location can be entered using the plus code style directions provided as ///catch.jaws.deep, which is useful if you are using a mapping app.

The host or greeter speaks English. Free cancellation is available up to three days in advance for a full refund, giving you some flexibility if your London plans change.

Book at least 72 hours in advance, especially if you need a vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or children’s platter. Bring your confirmation of the selected menu, and do not assume you can change dietary choices at the last minute.

The experience is wheelchair accessible. If you have specific access needs, contact the provider before arrival so the entrance arrangement is clear.

Should you book the Embankment Pier afternoon tea?

Book it if you want a one-hour Thames-side treat with Champagne or gin, a choice of dietary menus, and a family-friendly approach. The calm setting, friendly service, and thoughtful children’s details give it more personality than a simple café stop.

Skip it if you want a full sightseeing cruise, a lengthy formal tea, or a meal built around unlimited drinks. For everyone else, the combination of central London views, classic afternoon tea food, and one included celebratory drink makes this a sensible way to add a little ceremony to a busy day.

FAQ

Where does the afternoon tea take place?

It takes place at Clipper Lounge EMB, a riverside café bar on Embankment Pier in London.

How long does the experience last?

The afternoon tea lasts one hour.

What alcoholic drink is included?

You can choose a glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail.

Can I choose a nonalcoholic drink?

Yes. You can choose a soft drink instead of Champagne or the gin cocktail.

Is tea or coffee included?

Yes. A choice of tea or coffee is included with the afternoon tea.

What food is included?

You receive fresh scones with jam and cream, finger sandwiches, and sweet treats.

Are vegetarian and vegan menus available?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan sandwich platters are available. The vegan option also includes vegan scones and plant-based sweet treats.

Is a gluten-free platter available?

Yes. A gluten-free platter is available, with chicken salad and Cheddar ploughman’s listed among its selections.

What does the children’s menu include?

Children receive a scone with cream and jam, bite-sized sandwiches, sweet treats, and a hot chocolate or soft drink. They also receive a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance via the Embankment Pier exit.