Best of · LONDON TEA EXPERIENCES

The 15 Best Afternoon Tea Sittings in London

49 tea experiences  ·  from $44 a head

London has more afternoon tea than any city on earth and the best rooms go a fortnight out. The 15 below compare the palace sittings, the Routemaster buses and the Thames cruises on price, length and what actually arrives.

London: Afternoon Tea Bus Tour - 1960s Routemaster Bus - What you eat and drink on the bus
Afternoon Tea Bus Tours, Afternoon Tea Experiences, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, UK Tea Experiences

London: Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – 1960s Routemaster Bus

1.Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – 1960s Routemaster Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,032 reviews · 1 hour 25 minutes (approx.) · from $87Our pick

Ride a vintage 1960s Routemaster from Victoria Coach Station through central London while enjoying tea, sandwiches, scones, cakes, and pastries. You may sit upstairs or below, with seating assigned on the day. Recorded commentary covers sights near Harrods, Hyde Park, Mayfair, and central London.

“What a delight! Was a little concerned that it might be kinda gimmicky, but Cara made it a real treat. Food was good and more than enough and the tea choices fabulous and hot ! Would recommend and would do again with friends.”

Check availability →Read our full review

London: Afternoon Tea Bus with a Glass of Prosecco - What arrives on the afternoon tea stand
Afternoon Tea Bus Tours, Afternoon Tea Experiences, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, UK Tea Experiences

London: Afternoon Tea Bus with a Glass of Prosecco

2.Afternoon Tea Bus with a Glass of Prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,853 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $64

Ride a traditional double-decker through central London while enjoying sandwiches, scones, cakes, tea, and Prosecco. Choose an upper or lower deck, arrive 15 minutes early at Golden Tours Stop 1, and expect staff-led landmark highlights rather than a full guided tour.

“the service by the2 staff was excellent and the driver gave us a nice smooth,smooth ride”

Check availability →Read our full review

The Kensington Palace Gardens Royal High Tea - What you see on the garden walk
Afternoon Tea Experiences, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, UK Tea Experiences

The Kensington Palace Gardens Royal High Tea

3.The Kensington Palace Gardens Royal High Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 934 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $158

Walk from Queensway Station through Kensington Gardens with guides such as Doug, Paul, Paddy, or Barbara, then enjoy sandwiches, scones, cakes, and tea at the Orangery beside Kensington Palace. Palace entry is optional, and the two-hour outing suits visitors who want royal history with a relaxed tea stop.

“We had the pleasure of having an exceptional tour guide named Doug. He was extremely knowledgeable, accommodating, pleasant, and helped us understand a lot of the historical facts of London. The High Tea experience was superb and the food was extremely delicious. We highly recommend this experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Afternoon Tea River Cruise on the Thames - Tea with London moving past the windows
Afternoon Tea Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, UK Tea Experiences

Afternoon Tea River Cruise on the Thames

4.Afternoon Tea River Cruise on the Thames

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 884 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Board City Cruises at Tower Pier for a 90-minute afternoon tea sailing past the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, and Westminster. Enjoy sandwiches, cakes, scones, unlimited tea or coffee, and panoramic river views from the indoor saloon or open-air deck.

“This was such a fun and memorable experience for my family! The snacks and cakes were delicious and there were generous portions. The staff were very attentive and the views were spectacular! This was a fun twist on afternoon tea on the river, rather than at a hotel or restaurant.”

Check availability →Read our full review

London Afternoon Tea Bus with Panoramic Tour - The Food: Pleasant Tea Fare With Some Variation
Afternoon Tea Bus Tours, Afternoon Tea Experiences, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, UK Tea Experiences

London Afternoon Tea Bus with Panoramic Tour

5.London Afternoon Tea Bus with Panoramic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 763 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67

Enjoy finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, tea, coffee, and a drink while a double-decker bus rolls past Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square. This is a scenic tea outing, not a fully narrated sightseeing tour.

“The tea and sandwich was lovely, the staff friendly but I did expect more than just driving us around and eating. There was some good views of iconic places but keep in mind it was by bus and no history or notification of places we went by.”

Check availability →Read our full review

London: Traditional English Scone Making and Tea Workshop - Learning what makes a British scone British
London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Making Classes, Tour Reviews, UK Tea Experiences, Workshops

London: Traditional English Scone Making and Tea Workshop

6.Traditional English Scone Making and Tea Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 702 reviews · from $45Best value

Meet your English-speaking instructor at De Hems Dutch Cafe Bar in central London for a hands-on hour of scone making, tea, baking tips, and British food history. You will eat one warm scone, take three home, and leave with a We Are London baking certificate.

“Highly recommend this workshop! It was a great experience. Our host was helpful and engaging, and the scones were great.”

Check availability →Read our full review

London: Great British Afternoon Tea Bus Tour - What Arrives on the Afternoon Tea Stand
Afternoon Tea Bus Tours, Afternoon Tea Experiences, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, UK Tea Experiences

London: Great British Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

7.Great British Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 616 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $80

Ride a Union Jack-painted 1960s Routemaster from Embankment, enjoying afternoon tea and live English commentary from guides such as Lucy and Cameron. You’ll pass St Paul’s, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and more in 1.5 hours.

“I highly recommend this bus tour. Even if you know London quite well already it gives you a different perspective and is just great fun for a day out. The food is fantastic, excellent quality and more than you can eat. The staff on the bus are fantastic and look after you really well. Excellent value.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Buckingham Palace & Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Tour with PG Tips - London landmarks from a moving tea bus
Afternoon Tea Experiences, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, UK Tea Experiences

Buckingham Palace & Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Tour with PG Tips

8.Buckingham Palace & Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Tour with PG Tips

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 540 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $151

Start with a guided London coach tour and freshly prepared afternoon tea on a tea bus, then walk to Buckingham Palace for a self-guided visit to the State Rooms at 4:15 PM. Expect an audio tour inside the palace, no hotel transport, and a group of up to 52 people.

“Oh my!! The Palace is opulent beyond expectations. Wish photos were allowed in the State Rooms as you cannot describe the splendor.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Afternoon Tea at the British Museum - What arrives on the afternoon tea stand
Afternoon Tea Experiences, London Tea Experiences, Museums, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, UK Tea Experiences

Afternoon Tea at the British Museum

9.Afternoon Tea at the British Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 511 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $58

Meet at the Great Court Restaurant for a 90-minute English afternoon tea beneath the British Museum’s famous glass roof. Choose organic loose-leaf or flowering tea, then enjoy sandwiches, pastries, cakes, and scones with clotted cream and jam. Prosecco is available as an optional extra.

“Everything was delicious, served nicely. Service was good, everybody was friendly. This was my first afternoon tea in UK ever and was very nice experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour - Starting inside Victoria Coach Station
Afternoon Tea Experiences, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, UK Tea Experiences

London: Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour

10.Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 422 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $85

Settle into Brigit’s decorated double-decker bus for 90 minutes of tea, sandwiches, pastries, music, and London landmarks. You’ll pass Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Hyde Park, and more. English audio commentary is included, but upper-deck seats are limited and not guaranteed.

“Had an enjoyable time the Tea and eats were appetising and sights on the tour interesting; our tour bus attendant Daniella was friendly and polite and made sure we were comfortable”

Check availability →Read our full review

London: Kensington Palace Afternoon Tea & Guided Walk - Meeting at Queensway Station
Afternoon Tea Experiences, Guided, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, UK Tea Experiences, Walking Tours

London: Kensington Palace Afternoon Tea & Guided Walk

11.Kensington Palace Afternoon Tea & Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 341 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $151

Meet your English-speaking guide at Queensway Station for a 50-minute walk through Kensington Gardens, with stories about Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Princess Diana, and the royal family. Finish with a reserved afternoon tea table at the Orangery, including tea, sandwiches, scones, cakes, and optional sparkling wine.

“Lively tour and nice explanation about the garden. Also, very nice garden. High tea was decent, but not superb:very noisy restaurant, scones were wonderful, tea was good, cakes were mediocre and I guess I dont care much for brittish tea sandwiches in general. The guide was funny and very Brittish ( in a good way:)). Entrance to the Palave was not included, I went there afterwards (would recommend). I was a lone traveller, it was me and a very friendly American family of 3.. I have enjoyed my afternoon! I would have like to hear even more stories about the garden and the palace though!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Notting Hill Walking Tour with Cream Tea - Portobello Road Market beyond the movie image
Afternoon Tea Experiences, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, UK Tea Experiences, Walking Tours

Notting Hill Walking Tour with Cream Tea

12.Notting Hill Walking Tour with Cream Tea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 319 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $81

Spend about four hours walking from Notting Hill Gate through Portobello Road and Kensington Gardens to Royal Albert Hall. Guides such as Paddy, Maddie, and Elliott have led past departures. You’ll see film locations, market stalls, royal sights, and finish with takeaway tea, scones, cream, and jam.

“Lost the tour director in the market. Went to meeting point. But no one was there. So we never saw Kensington gardens, Diana’s memorial or had cream tea. Very disappointed. Wouldn’t recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

London: Traditional English Scone Making and Tea Workshop - Learning what makes a British scone British
London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tea Making Classes, Tour Reviews, UK Tea Experiences, Workshops

London Traditional English Scone Making and Tea Workshop

13.London Traditional English Scone Making and Tea Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 271 reviews · from $48

In a one-hour London West End workshop, a local baker guides you through mixing, rolling, shaping, and baking traditional scones. You will enjoy tea, clotted cream, and jam, take home extra scones, and receive a recipe and baking certificate. Groups are limited to 15.

“Great workshop. The hosts were very knowledgeable and entertaining. Would definitely recommend for anyone traveling to London.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hampton Court Guided Tour. Full day Access & High Tea - Meeting at Hampton Court station at 11 a.m.
Afternoon Tea Experiences, Full-Day, Guided, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, UK Tea Experiences

Hampton Court Guided Tour. Full day Access & High Tea

14.Hampton Court Guided Tour. Full day Access & High Tea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 270 reviews · 4 hours 5 minutes (approx.) · from $212

Meet at Hampton Court station at 11 a.m. for a guided palace visit with guides such as Tom, Julie, Suzanne, and Prue. Hear Tudor court stories, tour the gardens, enjoy tea, scones, sandwiches, and cake, then keep your ticket for independent exploring.

“Oliver was so knowledgeable and accomodating. My husband and I throughly enjoyed this tour! The afternoon tea was definitely the cherry on the cake.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace - Entering the Palace Lounge
Afternoon Tea Experiences, London Tea Experiences, Tea Experiences, Tour Reviews, UK Tea Experiences

Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace

15.Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 236 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $114

Enjoy traditional afternoon tea in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens at the Palace, opposite Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews. Expect finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, freshly brewed tea, and an optional Champagne upgrade. Allow about two hours and dress smart-casual.

“We had a lovely time at Rubens. The atmosphere was charming and the afternoon tea was splendid... especially the actual tea itself”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in London Tea Experiences

★ 3.3Christmas Lights Afternoon Tea Bus TourFrom $6620 reviews
★ 4.5Afternoon Tea and Visit to Cutty Sark Ship in LondonFrom $6625 reviews
★ 4.0Taylor Swift-Inspired London Afternoon Tea BusFrom $6732 reviews
★ 4.5Tower, Cruise, & Harrods Tea Full-Day ExperienceFrom $21833 reviews
★ 4.6Cutty Sark Entrance Ticket & Afternoon TeaFrom $6437 reviews
★ 4.8Afternoon Tea at The Milestone with Champagne OptionFrom $11436 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour: Royal High Tea At Kensington Palace GardensFrom $27239 reviews
★ 4.5Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon TeaFrom $14939 reviews
★ 5.0A Fun Afternoon of Baking Scones and Afternoon TeaFrom $6138 reviews
★ 4.5Christmas Lights Afternoon Tea Bus TourFrom $6738 reviews
★ 5.0Tea Time & Doughnuts at Borough Market: A Proper London TreatFrom $4441 reviews
★ 4.8Buckingham Palace Walk & Tea at Kensington PalaceFrom $16050 reviews
★ 4.5“Here We Go Again” Afternoon Tea BusFrom $7958 reviews
★ 4.5Lake District Tour with Cream Tea & CruiseFrom $43857 reviews
★ 4.7VIP Kensington Palace Gardens Tour & Royal High TeaFrom $15559 reviews

Keep browsing

Food & Drink31Wine Tours7Museums5Walking Tours17
Scroll to Top

Pick a kind of tea day

A ceremony, a garden, a tasting bench or a tiered stand.

The ceremony

Tea CeremoniesIn KimonoMaking ClassesBrush & BowlSweets & Tea

The gardens

Plantation DaysFactory FloorsTastingsFarm Visits

Afternoon tea

Afternoon TeaBus TeasBoat TeasCakes & Sweets

And the rest

MatchaTurkish TeaBubble TeaCoffee