“Here We Go Again” London Afternoon Tea Bus

ABBA meets London sightseeing here. This 90-minute ride combines tea, sandwiches, sweets, and music with views of Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge. I like the easy sightseeing format and the chance to share a table with other music fans. I also like that you can choose a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or standard menu. The main catch is simple: ABBA may not fill the whole ride, and the bus experience can vary.

You board at Golden Tours on Bulleid Way, near Victoria, and return to the same place. The bus carries no more than 26 people, so this feels smaller than a standard sightseeing coach, though it is still a shared group experience. You get an English audio guide rather than a live guide, which keeps the mood light but limits the historical detail.

Key details at a glance

• ABBA-themed music: The musical focus is the main reason to book, but the playlist may include other artists too.
• Three major London sights: The route takes in Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge.
• Afternoon tea included: Choose a standard, vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free menu.
• Prosecco for eligible passengers: Alcoholic drinks are served only to people aged 21 and over, with non-alcoholic drinks for minors.
• Small shared group: The maximum is 26 people, with a driver and tea service rather than a live sightseeing guide.
• Good for a relaxed first look: You see central London from a double-decker bus without spending hours on a formal walking tour.

What the 90-minute ride is really like

This is best understood as an afternoon tea with a moving view, not as a serious London history tour. You sit on a decorated double-decker bus, listen to music, and eat while the route passes several famous sights.

That distinction matters. If you want dates, architectural detail, and a guide answering questions at every turn, this is not the right format. If you want a fun break from museums and walking, the combination works well.

The music gives the ride its personality. ABBA songs can turn an ordinary traffic stretch into a singalong, especially if you already know the hits. But you should not assume the bus plays ABBA from start to finish. One account described roughly the first 15 minutes as Adele before ABBA began, while another found that ABBA filled only about half the ride. The exact playlist may vary, so book this for an ABBA flavor, not a full concert.

The audio guide points out sights in English as you travel. It provides a useful layer of context, but it is not the same as having a person explain what you are seeing. You may hear brief facts about a landmark and then move on before you have time to study it.

Starting at Bulleid Way near Victoria

The meeting point is Golden Tours, Bulleid Way Departure Point Stop 1, London SW1W 9SR. The bus returns here at the end, which keeps the logistics simple. You do not need to arrange a separate ride back from an unfamiliar part of the city.

The experience includes a mobile ticket and operates in English. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Bulleid Way. Since the departure point is near public transportation, it is a practical starting place for a sightseeing afternoon, but the supplied information does not give a hotel transfer service or a detailed walking route from specific stations.

The maximum group size is 26 people. That is small enough to avoid the packed feel of a large coach, yet large enough that you will share the occasion with a mix of couples, families, and solo passengers. This can be a pleasant way to meet people, particularly if the music gets everyone singing.

The bus itself is part of the appeal. A double-decker gives you a classic London setting, and the upper level can provide better views. Still, window quality matters here. One poor experience reported very dirty windows, making it difficult to see the sights. That may be a one-off maintenance problem, but it is worth keeping your expectations sensible. You are not guaranteed a crystal-clear panoramic ride.

Afternoon tea with a London view

The food is served during the route, so you are not simply sitting on a bus waiting for the next landmark. The menu includes tea sandwiches, desserts, and hot tea, with a choice of standard, vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options.

The strongest food praise goes to the desserts. They were described as tasty and enjoyable, while the sandwiches received a more mixed assessment. In one account, the sandwiches were a little soggy. That is a familiar risk with food prepared for a moving vehicle, especially when sandwiches sit on serving trays for a while.

The tea is served hot and comes in a souvenir plastic mug. That small keepsake adds a playful touch, though it is not fine china or a formal hotel tea service. If you are booking because you love elaborate afternoon tea presentation, this may feel basic for the price.

Prosecco is included for people aged 21 and over. The operator states that passengers under 21 receive non-alcoholic drinks instead. One report found the Prosecco a little warm, so this is another area where the experience may be pleasant without being luxurious.

Food allergies require care. Golden Tours cannot guarantee that food has not come into contact with nuts or other allergens. If cross-contact is a serious concern for you, the menu choices alone may not provide enough protection. Ask before booking if you need more specific allergy information.

Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square

The first major sight listed is Westminster Abbey, beside the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben on Parliament Square. The abbey is a large Gothic church and a traditional setting for coronations, making it one of the most important buildings on the route.

From the bus, you get a passing view rather than an interior visit. There is no admission to Westminster Abbey included, and there is no stop for a guided walk through the church. That makes this part useful as a first introduction, especially if you are new to London, but it cannot replace a proper visit.

I like this sight in the context of the bus because it gives you a quick sense of how much history is concentrated around Parliament Square. You can spot the Gothic architecture, the nearby parliamentary buildings, and the famous clock tower area without spending another half-day on foot.

The limitation is timing. Traffic, seating position, and the condition of the windows can affect how much you see. The audio guide may point out the building, but you should not expect a detailed explanation of royal ceremonies, memorials, or the abbey’s interior.

The London Eye from the riverside route

The London Eye is another headline view. Its glass capsules rise 135 metres above the city, offering broad views over central London. The attraction is visible from the route, but the afternoon tea ride does not include a ride on the London Eye.

This is an important point when comparing the price. You are paying for the bus, tea, food, music, and sightseeing route. You are not buying a combined afternoon tea and London Eye ticket. If you want to go up in a capsule, that requires a separate choice between standard and fast-track admission.

The bus gives you a relaxed way to see the wheel without joining its queue. That works well if you have limited time or prefer to stay seated. It is less satisfying if the London Eye is one of your main London goals, since the route offers only a passing look.

The Eye also helps break up the food service with a clear landmark to watch for. You may find yourself taking photographs between bites, though the view will depend on where you sit and how clean the windows are.

Tower Bridge and the eastern stretch of the ride

Tower Bridge brings a different kind of visual drama. Its two towers and elevated walkways have dominated the Thames for more than 135 years. Construction took eight years, and more than 11,000 tonnes of steel were used for the towers and walkways.

Again, the bus route gives you an outside view rather than entry to the bridge exhibition. The included audio guide may point out the bridge and share a few facts, but you will not walk through the interactive displays or view the interior exhibits as part of this experience.

I think Tower Bridge is one of the better sights for this format. Its shape is easy to recognize from a distance, and it makes a strong photo subject even during a brief pass. The tradeoff is that you cannot linger. If you want the full story of the bridge, its walkways, and its machinery, plan a separate visit.

Together, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge give you a useful cross-section of London: royal and religious history, modern sightseeing, and Victorian engineering. You see the city’s famous symbols, but only at an introductory level.

ABBA, Adele, and the music question

Music is the heart of the theme, so this is where you need the clearest expectations. The ride can be great fun when the ABBA songs are playing. A shared bus full of people singing along gives the journey a social energy that a standard sightseeing route lacks.

However, the experience is not guaranteed to be all ABBA. Reports describe other music playing for part of the trip, including Adele. One person felt the ABBA theme was not strong enough and marked the experience down for that reason.

My advice is to ask yourself how strict your theme requirement is. If you want a dedicated ABBA event, a playlist that includes other performers may disappoint you. If you would enjoy ABBA mixed with a general pop soundtrack while seeing London, the format makes more sense.

The music also affects the tone of the ride. This is not a quiet meal beside a river or an elegant tea in a hotel. Singing, conversation, and announcements are part of the experience. That can be the fun, especially for a birthday, graduation, reunion, or music-themed afternoon. It may not suit you if you want peaceful sightseeing.

One small service detail is worth noting. The hostess asks about celebrations, but the announcement may focus on birthdays and anniversaries. A graduation or another special occasion might not receive the same mention, so keep expectations modest if recognition is important to you.

Is the $68.06 price good value?

At $68.06 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see London. You can view many landmarks from public buses or on foot for far less, and you can buy tea and snacks separately. The price makes more sense when you value the complete package: a 90-minute double-decker ride, a themed soundtrack, afternoon tea, landmark views, and a small group capped at 26 people.

The value is strongest for:

• ABBA fans who want a lighthearted activity
• First-time visitors who prefer seated sightseeing
• People celebrating a special occasion
• Families or mixed-age groups who want a simple shared activity
• Anyone who enjoys meeting other people during a tour

The value is weaker if your priorities are serious history, premium food, or a full ABBA program. The lack of a live guide means you get less explanation than on a traditional guided tour. The mixed music and possible food-service flaws also make the price feel high if you are judging it only as a meal.

I would compare it with the cost of a London afternoon tea and a separate sightseeing bus before booking. This experience bundles both, but the tea is casual rather than grand. Think of it as entertainment with food, not a luxury dining experience.

Comfort, heat, and seating concerns

A bus interior can become uncomfortable, especially when hot tea is being served and the vehicle is warm. One person found the bus miserably hot, to the point that a young passenger felt unwell and could not drink the tea.

That issue deserves attention because the ride lasts about 90 minutes. You are not free to leave whenever you like, and hot tea may be unappealing in a warm cabin. The supplied information does not promise air conditioning or specific seating arrangements, so you should be prepared for conditions that may not feel perfect.

The windows are another variable. Clean glass is essential when sightseeing from a bus, and dirty windows can defeat the purpose of the route. You may find the view perfectly adequate, but there is no guarantee that every seat offers an unobstructed look.

The bus has a driver and a tea server. There is no live guide. The service team must manage food and drinks while the bus moves, so this is not the setting for elaborate table service. The food arrives as part of a working sightseeing operation, not a slow restaurant meal.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to an ABBA fan who enjoys a social afternoon and does not need every minute filled with facts. The music, shared tables, tea, and city views create a cheerful event, especially when the playlist lands well.

It can also suit you if you have already seen London’s major sights and want something different. You can relax, enjoy a drink, and let the city pass by without planning another route through the Underground.

Families should check the alcohol rule carefully. Passengers under 21 receive non-alcoholic drinks, and the operator specifically limits alcoholic service to people aged 21 and over.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you have severe food allergies, need a quiet setting, or are looking for a formal afternoon tea. I would also choose another activity if your main goal is a detailed history lesson or a guaranteed all-ABBA soundtrack.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep the local cut-off time in mind.

My booking verdict

Book this if you want a playful London outing built around music, tea, and famous views. The best moments come when the ABBA songs start, the bus passes a major landmark, and everyone at the table joins in.

Skip it if you would feel cheated by Adele or other non-ABBA music, or if dirty windows, warm conditions, basic tea service, and limited historical commentary would spoil the day. At this price, the experience needs to match your idea of fun. For the right person, it is a memorable way to see London. For a serious sightseer, it is better treated as a novelty afternoon than a main tour.

FAQ

How long does the ABBA afternoon tea bus experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the bus depart and return?

It departs from Golden Tours, Bulleid Way Departure Point Stop 1, Bulleid Way, London SW1W 9SR. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the experience entirely focused on ABBA music?

No guarantee is given that the full ride features ABBA. Other music may play during part of the experience.

What food choices are available?

You can choose a standard, vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free afternoon tea menu.

Is Prosecco included for everyone?

Alcoholic drinks are served only to passengers aged 21 and over. Minors below 21 receive non-alcoholic drinks.

Is there a live guide on the bus?

No. The experience includes an English audio guide, but not a live guide.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.