London: Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – 1960s Routemaster Bus

A vintage double-decker bus, a tiered afternoon tea, and London sliding past the windows make this a clever way to combine sightseeing with lunch. You stay seated as the Routemaster rolls through central London, passing Harrods and Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, Mayfair, and other famous sights.

I like the freshly prepared sandwiches and pastries, plus the choice of teas, coffee, and hot chocolate. I also like the friendly service. Hosts such as Alex, Taino, Azu, Nella, Cristian, Cara, Azucere, Dolcas, and Taiwo have helped make birthdays and family outings feel special. The main catch is simple: traffic, heat, and limited commentary can take some shine off the ride.

Key things to know before you book

• A moving afternoon tea: You eat and drink while the bus follows a sightseeing route through central London.
• A real vintage Routemaster: The 1960s double-decker gives the outing a classic London feel, though it is a working vehicle rather than a luxury coach.
• Fresh bakery food: Expect sandwiches, scones, cakes, and French-inspired pastries, with enough food that you may want a takeaway box.
• Several dietary menus: Traditional, vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices are available if requested when booking.
• No guaranteed upper-deck seat: Staff assign tables on the upper or lower level, so you cannot count on the classic top-deck view.
• Plan around the weather: The bus has no air conditioning, and there are no toilets or scheduled stops.

Tea, cake, and London from a Routemaster

This is not a standard sightseeing bus with a cup of tea added as an afterthought. The meal is the main event, and the bus turns it into a moving dining room. You sit at a small table while staff serve hot drinks, sandwiches, scones, cakes, and pastries.

The vehicle is a 1960s Routemaster, the familiar red double-decker associated with old London. That gives the outing a sense of occasion that a regular restaurant cannot match. The experience feels especially fitting for a birthday, a family treat, or a first visit when you want one activity to cover both lunch and city views.

The food leans toward a modern bakery interpretation of afternoon tea. You get savoury sandwiches first, along with sweet items such as cupcakes, scones, and French-style pastries. The food is described as fresh from a local bakery, and the portions are generally generous. Several people have found they had enough left to pack away for later.

Tea and coffee are included, and the tea is unlimited. Hot chocolate has also been a hit with children and anyone who prefers something sweet. You receive your hot drink in a reusable cup with a lid, which is a useful detail on a moving bus and a small keepsake at the end.

Leaving Victoria Coach Station

The tour begins at Victoria Coach Station, at 164 Buckingham Palace Road. This is a practical starting point, close to central London transport links and within reach of Victoria Underground and railway stations.

Arrive with enough time to find the correct boarding area and settle in before departure. The bus returns to the same meeting point after roughly 1 hour and 25 minutes, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup across town.

You choose from several afternoon departure times when booking. That helps you fit the tea around a museum visit, a theatre booking, or other sightseeing. Still, do not schedule something immediately afterward. London traffic can slow the bus, and a meal served on a moving vehicle should not be rushed.

The bus has a maximum capacity of 32 people on one vehicle and 44 on another, although the advertised activity may be capped at 32. In practical terms, this is a small group experience by sightseeing-bus standards, but tables are close together and the interior can feel crowded.

The upper deck or the lower deck

The classic choice is obvious: sit upstairs for the best sense of being on an old London bus. But you are not guaranteed an upper-deck table. Staff assign seats on the upper or lower level, and you generally cannot choose your position.

That uncertainty matters if you are booking mainly for views. The upper deck should give you a broader outlook over streets and buildings, while the lower level may feel easier for anyone who prefers less movement or has trouble with stairs. The experience keeps everyone seated so staff can serve food safely, but the arrangement also means you cannot wander around to find a better view.

Tables are set for dining, not for stretching out. Keep your belongings compact, especially if you are carrying coats or shopping bags. The bus has no toilet, and there are no stops during the route, so use the facilities before boarding.

Harrods, Knightsbridge, and Hyde Park

The sightseeing begins as the Routemaster moves through central London. One of the early visual highlights is the drive past Harrods and Knightsbridge, an area known for grand shops, polished streets, and some of the capital’s most recognisable architecture.

You will not get a long stop or a chance to shop. Think of this part as a moving introduction to London’s more fashionable districts. Keep your camera ready, but remember that traffic, parked vehicles, and window reflections can limit photographs.

The route also takes in Hyde Park. From a bus seat, you get a quick look at one of central London’s best-known open spaces without spending your afternoon walking across it. That is useful if you have limited time or are saving your energy for a museum or evening show.

The drawback is pace. London traffic can make the ride slow, yet the bus may still pass each sight fairly quickly. You see a good number of places, but you do not study them in detail. If you want to enter Harrods, walk through Hyde Park, or examine buildings up close, schedule those as separate visits.

Mayfair and the heart of London

Mayfair adds another polished central district to the route. The streets here offer a change from Hyde Park’s open space, with elegant buildings, busy roads, and the atmosphere of old and new London sharing the same few blocks.

The recorded commentary explains some of the history and architecture along the way. Music fills the gaps, creating a light, social mood rather than a formal lecture. That suits the meal, but the narration is not always easy to hear when people are chatting or when street noise rises.

I would treat the commentary as background guidance, not as your main London history lesson. It helps point out what you are passing, but you should not expect the detail of a walking tour. Some sections can feel short and widely spaced, especially when traffic slows the bus.

This is one reason the outing works best early in your London stay. You get an overview of central sights and can note places you want to revisit on foot. If you book it on your final afternoon, the route may feel less useful because you may already have seen the landmarks.

What arrives on the tea stand

The menu includes savoury sandwiches and a range of cakes and pastries. The savoury selection may look modest at first, but the portions are filling. The sweet course is generous enough that some people have needed boxes for the leftovers.

The scones are a particular strength, and jam and cream add the expected afternoon-tea touch. The cakes and cupcakes make the presentation fun, especially for children. The French-inspired pastries give the menu a slight twist instead of making it feel like a plain tea tray.

You can request a traditional, vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, or gluten-free menu in the special requirements section when booking. Do this in advance. Nut allergies are not catered for, so anyone with a serious nut allergy should not assume the alternative menus solve that problem.

The food is not the same as a high-end hotel afternoon tea. You are paying for a meal, a vintage vehicle, service, and sightseeing together. The presentation and atmosphere do much of the work. At about $87.01 per person, the value is strongest if you genuinely want the bus ride and the tea as one experience, rather than comparing the price with a basic cafe lunch.

Friendly service makes a difference

The staff do more than place food on the table. They keep the tea moving, check on dietary needs, and help the bus feel festive. A child who dislikes a chosen drink may be offered a more suitable replacement, and birthday celebrations can receive extra attention.

The service names that have received special praise include Alex, Taino, Azu, Nella, Cristian, Cara, Azucere, Dolcas, and Taiwo. Staff energy matters here because the recorded narration is limited. A cheerful host can turn a slow patch of traffic into part of the entertainment.

You should also expect a casual setting. Some staff wear bright traffic-style safety vests while serving, which is practical on the road but less elegant than the formal look of a hotel tea room. If you want a refined, quiet afternoon tea, this may feel too informal.

Heat, traffic, and other practical drawbacks

The biggest comfort issue is temperature. The bus does not have air conditioning, and it can become uncomfortably warm even on a moderately hot day. Staff can provide ice water, but that does not change the basic limitation of the vehicle.

I would check the expected weather before booking. On a cool day, the vintage bus atmosphere can be pleasant. On a warm day, the lack of air conditioning may affect the whole outing, especially on the lower deck or during long traffic delays.

The bus also makes emergency stops possible, just like any vehicle on a city street. Plates and tea service are handled with care, but you should keep food and drinks steady and avoid loose belongings near the table edge. Comfortable clothes are a better choice than anything you would hate to stain.

There is no toilet on board and no stop during the ride. This is not a problem for most people during 85 minutes, but it matters for families with young children or anyone who needs regular breaks. Children under five are not allowed for safety reasons.

Who will enjoy this London tea bus

I would recommend this for first-time visitors who want an easy overview of central London without spending the afternoon on foot. It also suits families, birthday groups, couples, and anyone who likes food-based sightseeing more than a formal guided walk.

Children often enjoy the bus itself, the music, the cakes, and the hot chocolate. The hosts can add warmth to the occasion, and the sightseeing gives younger visitors something to watch between courses.

It is also a good choice if you have already planned museums and walking tours and want one lighter afternoon. You sit throughout, eat at a relaxed pace, and still pass several famous districts.

I would hesitate if your priorities are detailed history, guaranteed top-deck views, strong air conditioning, or a quiet luxury setting. A traditional hotel tea gives you a more polished room and steadier conditions. A walking tour gives you better access to architecture and more detailed explanations. This bus combines several pleasures, but it does not perfect any one of them.

Is the $87.01 price worthwhile?

The price makes sense when you count the included meal, unlimited tea or coffee, service, and sightseeing in one booking. You also avoid paying separately for a restaurant lunch and a central London bus tour, though this is not a direct replacement for either one.

The value improves if you appreciate the vintage Routemaster and want a memorable occasion. A birthday, anniversary, or family day can justify the premium more easily than a simple meal.

The value drops if you mainly want transport or a detailed tour. London traffic can keep the bus moving slowly, and the commentary may be hard to hear. You are paying for the unusual combination and the mood, not for the fastest route around town.

The experience earns a 4.4 rating from more than 2,000 reviews, which fits the pattern: excellent food and service for many people, with heat, seating, traffic, and commentary as the main weak points.

Should you book the 1960s afternoon tea bus?

Book it if you want a distinctly London afternoon built around tea, cakes, and a vintage double-decker. Choose an early date in your visit if you want the route to help you decide where to return, and request your dietary menu when booking.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed upper-deck seat, air conditioning, a toilet, or a detailed live guide. Check the weather, allow time before your next appointment, and treat the commentary as an extra rather than the heart of the tour. With those expectations, this is a fun and filling way to see a broad slice of London while doing something you cannot easily reproduce at home.

FAQ

Where does the afternoon tea bus tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Is afternoon tea included in the price?

Yes. Tea or coffee is included along with sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and other afternoon-tea items.

Are dietary menus available?

Yes. Traditional, vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, and gluten-free selections are available when requested in the special requirements section while booking.

Can the bus cater for nut allergies?

No. Nut allergies are not catered for.

Can I choose a seat on the top deck?

No. Upper-deck seating is not guaranteed, and staff assign tables on the upper or lower level.

Are there toilets or stops during the tour?

No. The bus has no toilet, and the tour does not stop during the route.

Are young children allowed?

Children under five years old are not permitted for safety reasons.