London: Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – 1960s Routemaster Bus

London sightseeing comes with cake. This unusual 1960s Routemaster bus tour pairs central London landmarks with afternoon tea, so you can see the city without walking between every sight. You ride through central London, pass Harrods, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, and Mayfair, and enjoy sandwiches, pastries, and hot drinks at your table.

I like the friendly service and generous food, especially the scones, cakes, and wide choice of tea. I also like the easy 85-minute format, which gives first-time visitors a useful look at several famous areas. The main drawback is comfort: the bus has no toilet, no guaranteed upper-deck seating, and can become uncomfortably hot in warm weather.

The experience leaves from Victoria Coach Station and returns there. It is a good fit for a birthday, a family outing, or anyone who wants a distinctly London activity with less walking. Just remember that London traffic can slow the sightseeing, and recorded commentary may be hard to hear over conversation.

Key points to know before booking

• Tea on a moving 1960s bus: You remain seated while staff serve tea, sandwiches, and pastries during the drive.
• Central London route: The bus passes Harrods, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, Mayfair, and other major sights.
• Food choices available: Traditional, vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus can be requested in advance.
• No upper-deck guarantee: Staff assign seating, so you may be upstairs or downstairs.
• Warm-weather warning: The vintage bus does not have air conditioning, and several visitors found it too hot.
• A compact first look at London: The tour lasts about 1 hour and 25 minutes and returns to Victoria Coach Station.

A London afternoon tea with wheels

Afternoon tea is usually a quiet affair in a hotel lounge. This version is livelier, less formal, and far more mobile. You sit at a small table on a vintage double-decker while London rolls past the windows.

The bus is operated by Brigit’s Bakery Bus, and the atmosphere leans toward cheerful sightseeing rather than grand hotel ceremony. Staff serve hot drinks, sandwiches, and sweet treats as the bus moves through central London. Music plays between sections of recorded commentary about the city’s buildings and past.

That combination makes the experience useful for first-time visitors. You get a broad look at several districts, then can decide which places deserve a closer visit on foot. It is not a replacement for walking London, but it can help you get your bearings early in a stay.

I especially like the format for a birthday or family celebration. Children can enjoy the double-decker setting, hot chocolate, cakes, and the novelty of eating while the city moves past. One family even found the staff willing to replace a child’s drink without fuss, which tells you something about the relaxed service style.

Leaving Victoria Coach Station

The meeting point is Victoria Coach Station at 164 Buckingham Palace Road. You should allow time to find the correct boarding area, since Victoria is a busy transport hub and the bus does not function as a hop-on, hop-off service.

Once aboard, staff seat you at a table upstairs or downstairs. You cannot count on choosing the level yourself. That matters if an upper-deck view is a major reason for booking, or if stairs are difficult for you.

The listed group size is limited, with one bus carrying 32 seats and another listed at 44 seats. The activity itself has a maximum of 32 participants. In either case, this is a shared group outing rather than an intimate private tea.

The bus returns to the same meeting point at the end. Since there are no stops, plan to use a toilet before boarding. There is no toilet on the bus, and staff need everyone seated while serving food and drinks.

Children younger than five are not permitted for safety reasons. Service animals are allowed, and the departure point is near public transport.

Harrods and Knightsbridge from the upper road

One of the first notable sections takes you past Harrods and through Knightsbridge. Harrods is one of London’s best-known department stores, while Knightsbridge is associated with luxury shopping, grand buildings, and expensive real estate.

From a moving bus, you get a quick visual introduction rather than time to explore. You will not stop for photographs or shopping, so treat this part as a preview. If Harrods interests you, make a note to return later.

The route gives you a change of scene from the coach station and brings the tea setting into contact with the real city. You may pass busy streets, traffic queues, and ordinary London activity alongside the polished storefronts. That contrast is part of the appeal, although it also means the bus cannot always move quickly.

The upper deck usually offers the more traditional double-decker feel, but it is not guaranteed. Downstairs may be more convenient for anyone who prefers fewer stairs or worries about movement while carrying a hot drink.

Hyde Park and Mayfair at a slower pace

The bus continues toward Hyde Park and Mayfair. Hyde Park provides a welcome stretch of open space in the middle of central London, while Mayfair brings elegant streets, hotels, galleries, and upscale shops.

This section works best when traffic is moving steadily. When the bus slows, you have more time to look out the window, but the sightseeing can feel less productive. London traffic is a real part of the experience, not a minor technical detail.

The route is most useful as an overview. You see several areas in one sitting, then you can return to the ones that catch your attention. If you have already spent several days visiting central London, some of the route may feel familiar. For that reason, I would schedule this tour early in your visit rather than on your final afternoon.

The recorded commentary provides background about London’s architecture and past, with music mixed in. It is not a live walking tour. Some sections may be difficult to hear if other people are chatting, so keep your expectations modest. The commentary adds context, but the main attraction is the combination of views, food, and the vintage bus.

What arrives on your tea table

The menu includes sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and hot drinks. The baked goods have a French influence, while the setting remains recognizably British afternoon tea.

The savory food may look modest at first, but portions can be filling. Several people found they had enough food to take some cakes home, and staff provide boxes for leftovers. That is a useful touch, especially if you are visiting London on a full sightseeing day and do not want to waste the sweet course.

The scones receive particularly warm praise, and the tea selection is a strong part of the experience. Tea is unlimited, and you can also order coffee. Hot chocolate has been a favorite with children and with adults who want something sweeter than tea.

Dietary selections include:

• Traditional
• Vegetarian
• Pescatarian
• Vegan
• Gluten-free

You need to provide your dietary choice in the special requirements section when booking. Nut allergies are not catered for, so this is not the right experience if avoiding nuts is essential.

The staff appear to be one of the strongest parts of the outing. Names praised in the feedback include Alex, Taino, Azu, Nella, Cristian, Cara, Azucere, Dolcas, and Taiwo. The recurring pattern is friendly, attentive service, with staff helping families, late arrivals, and birthday groups.

The vintage bus atmosphere

The bus gives the outing its character. A 1960s Routemaster is much more memorable than a standard restaurant table, especially if you are visiting London for the first time.

The vehicle is decorated for the tea service, and the small tables create a cozy setting. You get the classic double-decker shape without needing to plan a separate city bus ride. A reusable cup with a lid may also be yours to keep, adding a small souvenir to the ticket.

Still, this is an older vehicle. It does not have air conditioning, and the interior can become hot even when the outside temperature is only in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Staff may provide ice water, but water does not solve the basic problem if you dislike warm, crowded spaces.

The bus also has limited room for movement. You remain seated so staff can serve safely, and there is no opportunity to stretch your legs during a stop. If you are prone to motion discomfort, eating hot food and drinking tea on a moving vehicle may not suit you.

A sudden stop is another practical risk. One unfortunate incident resulted in broken plates, jam, and cream spilling onto a passenger’s clothing. That appears to be an unusual event, but it is a reminder to keep your table items steady and avoid wearing an outfit that cannot tolerate a food mishap.

Is $87.01 a fair price?

At $87.01 per person, this is not a cheap way to have tea. You are paying for the food, drinks, staff service, vintage vehicle, and sightseeing route in one package.

The value depends on what you want. If you would otherwise pay for afternoon tea and a separate guided bus tour, the combined format can make sense. You also save time by seeing Harrods, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, Mayfair, and other central areas in one outing.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a detailed tour of London’s landmarks. The bus makes no stops, the commentary is recorded, traffic can reduce the distance covered, and some audio may be hard to hear. You are buying a fun city experience, not an efficient transport option or a serious architecture lesson.

Food quantity helps the calculation. With unlimited tea, sandwiches, pastries, cakes, and possible leftovers, you are unlikely to leave hungry. The reusable cup and attentive service add a little more to the occasion, though they should not be the main reason you book.

I would call the price reasonable for a special outing, but high for a simple meal. Birthday groups, first-time visitors, and people who value unusual settings are most likely to feel they received good value.

When to book it during your London stay

I would choose this tour near the beginning of your London visit. The route gives you a useful overview and may point you toward places to revisit on foot.

Booking it on your last day is less useful if you have already seen all the major areas. The sightseeing may then feel repetitive, leaving the food and bus as the only new parts.

Choose your departure time based on your energy and other plans. Several afternoon departures are offered, so you can fit the ride around a morning museum visit or an evening show. The experience lasts about 85 minutes, but you should allow extra time around the departure because London traffic can affect the schedule.

Warm weather deserves special thought. If the forecast is hot, the lack of air conditioning may outweigh the charm of the vintage bus. In cooler weather, the setting is likely to feel more comfortable and atmospheric.

The tour is booked an average of 42 days ahead, so popular dates may fill early. Since the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed, check the date, time, dietary choice, and group details carefully before paying.

Who will enjoy this tea bus most?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time London visitors wanting a broad introduction
• Couples marking a birthday or special occasion
• Families with children aged five and older
• Afternoon tea fans who want something less formal
• People who prefer seated sightseeing to long walks
• Anyone who enjoys vintage transport and unusual meals

I would be cautious about recommending it to anyone who needs guaranteed upper-deck seating, air conditioning, a toilet during the activity, or a quiet, detailed guided tour.

It also may not suit you if you already know central London well and want to spend your time inside specific attractions. The route gives you glimpses, not admissions or extended visits.

Should you book the Routemaster tea bus?

Book it if you want a cheerful London memory built around tea, cake, and a classic double-decker. The food is plentiful, the staff are consistently warm, and the route covers several famous districts without requiring a long walk.

Skip it if hot weather, traffic, recorded commentary, or fixed seating would spoil the day. For the best chance of enjoying it, go early in your London stay, request your dietary menu in advance, use a toilet before boarding, and treat the sightseeing as a pleasant overview rather than a full guided tour.

For a birthday, family treat, or first afternoon in London, this is a genuinely distinctive choice. It is a little kitschy, a little crowded, and sometimes slow, but that is also part of its charm.

FAQ

Where does the afternoon tea bus tour start?

It starts at Victoria Coach Station, 164 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TP.

Where does the tour end?

The bus returns to the original meeting point at Victoria Coach Station.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes.

What sights does the bus pass?

The route passes Harrods and Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, Mayfair, and other central London sights.

Is afternoon tea included?

Yes. The experience includes tea or coffee, sandwiches, cakes, and pastries.

Can I request a special menu?

Yes. Traditional, vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if requested in advance. Nut allergies are not catered for.

Are upper-deck seats guaranteed?

No. Staff assign seating on the upper or lower level, and an upper-deck seat is not guaranteed.

Is there a toilet on the bus?

No. There is no toilet onboard, and the bus does not make stops during the tour.