London: “Here We Go Again” Afternoon Tea Bus

Tea, tunes, and London landmarks make a lively afternoon. This 90-minute bus ride pairs traditional afternoon tea with ABBA sing-alongs and views of Westminster, London Bridge, and the Tower of London. I especially like the easy mix of sightseeing and silliness, plus the friendly service praised by visitors such as Chris and Odun. The main caution is that the music may include less familiar ABBA songs, and the sandwiches may not match the quality of the cakes.

You meet at Golden Tours Stop 1 and look for the pink-striped bus marked The English Tea Bus. At about $79 per person, this is not a cheap way to eat tea, but you are paying for a moving city tour, entertainment, service, and a glass of prosecco or soft drink in one package.

Key points to know before booking

• The bus passes major London sights: Expect views connected with Waterloo, Westminster, London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben, the Shard, and the Tower of London.
• ABBA is part of the show: You can sing along to the band’s hits, though the playlist may include songs you do not know.
• Afternoon tea is included: You receive finger sandwiches, scones, fine teas, cupcakes, sweet treats, and prosecco or a soft drink.
• The staff help make the mood: Chris and Odun received especially warm praise for friendly, attentive service and taking photos.
• The bus has limits: There is no toilet onboard, tables may be shared, and the route can change because of traffic or road closures.
• Dietary requests must be made early: Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free meals are available with at least 24 hours’ notice.

What this ABBA afternoon tea bus actually feels like

This is a sightseeing ride with a party soundtrack, not a quiet traditional tea in a hotel lounge. You sit aboard a double-decker bus, watch central London pass by, and eat while the staff keep the ABBA mood going.

The format works best if you want an experience with a clear theme. It gives you something to do with your hands, something to look at through the windows, and familiar music to join in with. That makes it a useful choice for a birthday, a friends’ outing, or a lighthearted afternoon between more serious museum and church visits.

The bus runs for about 1.5 hours. That is long enough to see a good sweep of central London without taking half a day from your schedule. It is also short enough for you to fit around another attraction, though traffic can affect the exact route and timing.

You may share a table with other people. That is worth knowing before you book, especially if you expect a private table for your group. On the other hand, shared seating can suit the social spirit of the event. This is designed for singing, photos, and conversation, not quiet personal space.

Finding the pink-striped bus at Golden Tours Stop 1

The meeting point is Golden Tours Stop 1. Look for the pink-striped bus with the large The English Tea Bus sign on its side.

Give yourself time to identify the correct vehicle. One customer arrived early and found some confusion when an earlier driver gave unclear information about the departure. The provider later confirmed that another bus would arrive shortly, so keep the tour operator’s contact details handy if anything seems wrong at the meeting point.

Once aboard, the staff direct you to your seats and begin the service. The driver speaks English, while the experience itself depends more on the host, the music, and the view than on a long guided commentary.

Waterloo and Westminster: the first big views

The route takes you through areas including Waterloo and Westminster. These are prime places for city sightseeing because several famous London sights gather within a fairly small central area.

From the bus, you can look toward the London Eye and Big Ben. The London Eye gives the South Bank its distinctive profile, while Big Ben remains one of the city’s most recognizable details. You may also see Buckingham Palace along the way, although the precise route can change with traffic and road closures.

This is sightseeing from a moving vehicle, so keep your camera ready. You will not have the same stop-and-stare time you get on a walking tour. The reward is a wider sweep of London without the effort of crossing busy streets or navigating several Tube stations.

The views also change with the weather and traffic. A clear day helps, but the bus gives you shelter when London decides to provide its usual gray skies. One practical concern is temperature. A visitor found the bus uncomfortably hot, so dress in light layers and be prepared for a warm interior.

London Bridge, the Shard, and the Tower of London

The ride continues toward London Bridge and the City of London. This part of the route brings a different side of the capital into view, with modern architecture and older landmarks sharing the same skyline.

The Shard is easy to recognize because of its sharp glass profile. The Tower of London offers a stronger sense of the city’s older character. You may not receive a detailed historical talk about each sight, so treat these landmarks as visual highlights rather than a full history lesson.

The route is especially useful if you are new to London and want an overview before exploring on foot. After the bus ride, you will have a better sense of how Westminster, the South Bank, the City, and the Tower area fit together.

The supplied description refers to admiring London from the water, but the experience is a bus tour on city roads. Think of it as a moving elevated view of the capital, not a river cruise. That distinction matters if you are specifically looking for a boat trip.

Afternoon tea with scones, sandwiches, and sweet treats

The food is served during the ride, so you need to balance eating with watching the city. The tea includes traditional finger sandwiches, fresh scones, fine teas, cupcakes, and other sweet treats. You also receive a glass of prosecco or a soft drink.

The strongest food praise tends to center on the overall presentation, the tea, and the sweet side of the menu. One customer called the food delicious, while another found the tea and presentation excellent. A separate comment suggested that the quality of the sandwiches could be improved, so I would set your expectations accordingly.

This is not a full restaurant meal, but the menu should provide enough for a proper afternoon snack. The combination of savory sandwiches and sweet items gives the service a familiar afternoon tea structure. If you are very hungry, do not assume it will replace lunch or dinner.

The prosecco is available only to people aged 18 and over, and you need valid identification. A soft drink is available instead. Smoking, outside alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

If you have special dietary needs, notify the operator at least 24 hours before the visit. Options include standard non-vegetarian, vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free meals. The staff cannot reliably change the meal on the day, and the operator cannot guarantee that food has not come into contact with nuts or other allergens.

ABBA songs, colored glasses, and the social mood

The ABBA theme gives the ride its personality. You can sing along while the bus passes London landmarks, with the intention of transporting you back to the 1970s.

Several details add to the party atmosphere. Colored sunglasses have been provided, and reusable cups have served as unexpected souvenirs. A birthday shout-out also helped make one celebration feel personal. Staff have been praised for taking photos, helping with celebrations, and keeping the mood upbeat.

The music is the one area where expectations need careful handling. Some people wanted more of the best-known ABBA hits and found that the playlist included songs they did not recognize. Another person felt there was not enough ABBA music overall.

If you know the group’s major hits and want a nonstop sing-along, you might find the playlist uneven. If you are happy with an ABBA-themed setting rather than a concert, the music should work better. The event is not official and is not endorsed by ABBA, so think of it as an independent themed attraction.

The tone is playful rather than polished. That is good news if you want to wear the sunglasses, sing loudly, and enjoy a little harmless silliness. It may not suit you if you prefer a calm, formal tea with soft background music.

The staff can make or break the ride

Friendly service is one of the clearest strengths. Chris received special praise for being exceptional, handling the food and presentation well, and helping create a fun experience. Odun was also praised for kindness, taking photos, and keeping the group in a good mood.

That matters here because you are eating on a moving bus. Plates, cups, and drinks require more care than they would at a stationary table. An attentive host makes the ride feel organized and helps with photographs, celebrations, and small practical needs.

The driver also affects the experience. One customer praised careful driving, which is important when you are holding tea and eating finger food through London traffic. Road conditions are part of the experience, and the route may change because of closures or congestion.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this bus to several types of people:

• ABBA fans who enjoy singing rather than sitting quietly with tea
• First-time London visitors who want a quick look at several major sights
• Birthday groups and friends looking for a shared activity with photos and a clear theme
• Families with older children, provided anyone aged 15 or under travels with a paying adult
• People who enjoy afternoon tea but want something less formal than a hotel setting

Children under five are not allowed. Pregnant people and those with back problems are listed as unsuitable, which makes sense given the seated ride, movement, and fixed bus seating.

Wheelchair users can sit on the lower deck but must use one of the fixed-position seats. At the same time, the activity is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users, so you should confirm the arrangement directly before booking rather than rely on the general description.

Practical tips for a smoother afternoon

Bring a camera and water. You will want the camera for the landmarks, the themed details, and group photos, while water is useful because the bus may feel warm.

Do not count on a bathroom break. There are no toilets onboard, so use one before meeting the bus.

Make dietary requests at least 24 hours ahead. This is particularly important for vegan, vegetarian, halal, gluten-free, and allergy-related needs.

Keep identification with you if you plan to drink prosecco. Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and over.

Arrive with enough time to find the correct bus at Golden Tours Stop 1. If the location or departure becomes confusing, contact Golden Tours rather than assuming the bus has left.

The cancellation policy is fairly forgiving: you can cancel up to three days in advance for a full refund. That helps if your London plans are still shifting.

Is $79 a fair price?

At $79 per person, the price is high for afternoon tea alone. It becomes more reasonable when you count the moving sightseeing tour, the ABBA entertainment, the prosecco or soft drink, the themed service, and the convenience of seeing several central districts without arranging separate transport.

You are not paying for a luxury hotel tea or a detailed private guide. The sandwiches may be the weakest part of the meal, and the playlist may not deliver every famous song you hope to hear. The bus can also get hot, and shared tables reduce privacy.

For a special occasion, I think the price makes more sense. You are buying a memory and a structured activity, not simply sandwiches and tea. For an ordinary afternoon snack, you can find better value elsewhere in London.

The overall rating of 4.5 from 58 ratings fits that balance. The service, fun, tea, and sightseeing receive strong approval, while the main reservations involve food quality, temperature, and music selection.

Should you book the ABBA afternoon tea bus?

Book it if you want a cheerful, social London outing with famous sights, tea, and music in one package. It suits people who enjoy a themed experience and will happily sing along, wear colored glasses, and pose for photos.

Skip it if you want a quiet afternoon tea, a full meal, a detailed historical tour, or a river cruise. You should also think twice if you have back problems, need a toilet during the ride, or expect every ABBA song to be a familiar hit.

For the best match, book this as a birthday treat or friends’ afternoon, make dietary requests early, arrive at Golden Tours Stop 1 with time to spare, and keep your expectations focused on fun rather than fine dining.

FAQ

How long does the ABBA afternoon tea bus last?

The experience lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Where do I meet the bus?

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

What food and drink are included?

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

Is prosecco available to everyone?

No. Prosecco is served only to people aged 18 and over, and valid identification is required. A soft drink is available instead.

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

Yes, but you must submit the request at least 24 hours before your visit. Dietary changes cannot be arranged reliably on the day.

Is there a toilet on the bus?

No, there are no toilets onboard.

Can children and wheelchair users join?

Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult, and children under five are not allowed. Wheelchair users may sit on the lower deck in a fixed-position seat, but the activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users, so confirm the arrangement before booking.