London: “Here We Go Again” Afternoon Tea Bus

ABBA songs, a glass of prosecco, and London landmarks make this a cheerful way to spend 90 minutes. You ride a pink double-decker bus, eat afternoon tea at your seat, and sing along as the city rolls past. It is part sightseeing tour, part musical party, and part British tea break.

I like the friendly hosting, with staff such as Chris and Odun adding energy, helping with photos, and marking birthdays. I also like the easy sightseeing, since you can see Big Ben, the London Eye, the Shard, and the Tower of London without changing trains or walking across central London.

The main caution is that this is a road-based bus tour, not a boat cruise, despite the water-themed description. The ABBA playlist may also include less familiar songs, and some people have found the bus too warm.

Key points to know before booking

• A pink double-decker sets the mood: Meet at Golden Tours Stop 1 and look for the bus marked The English Tea Bus.
• The tea is served while London moves past: Expect finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, cupcakes, tea, and prosecco or a soft drink.
• The route covers major sights: Waterloo, Westminster, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben, London Bridge, the Shard, and the Tower of London may feature.
• The music is central to the experience: You sing along to ABBA songs, though the playlist is not limited to the best-known hits.
• Hosts can make the occasion special: Chris and Odun have earned praise for warm service, photos, and birthday touches.
• Plan around the limits: There are no toilets on board, tables may be shared, and the route can change with traffic or road closures.

A London tea party with a Dancing Queen soundtrack

This experience works because it does not take afternoon tea too seriously. You are not sitting in a hushed hotel lounge beneath silver teapots. You are on a decorated double-decker bus, moving through central London while ABBA plays and the staff serve food at your table.

That makes it a good fit for a birthday, a girls’ day out, a family celebration, or anyone who wants sightseeing with a bit of silliness. You can wear the supplied colored sunglasses, sing along, and enjoy the fact that this is not trying to be a formal tea ceremony.

The bus ride lasts about 1.5 hours. That is long enough to see a useful stretch of central London, but short enough that the experience does not take over your entire day. You can fit it between other plans, though you should leave room for London traffic.

The experience is sold for about $79 per person. I consider that a moderate to high price for a short sightseeing ride, so the value depends on what you want. If you are mainly after a cheap city tour, this is not the economical choice. If you want tea, a drink, music, staff entertainment, and a relaxed view of central London in one booking, the price makes more sense.

Starting at Golden Tours Stop 1

Your starting point is Golden Tours Stop 1. Look for a pink striped bus with a large The English Tea Bus sign on the side. That visual detail matters because central London has plenty of bus stops and plenty of tour vehicles. Arrive with enough time to identify the correct bus rather than relying on a last-minute dash.

One group had trouble because an earlier driver gave confusing information about the departure. The practical lesson is simple: if anything seems unclear at the meeting point, contact the tour provider instead of assuming you have missed the bus. The later bus did arrive, but you will have a calmer start if you check the stop and timing in advance.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to the meeting point and continue independently after the tour.

Tables may be shared. That is normal for a social bus experience, but it matters if you expect a private table for your group. The compact setup also means you should think about comfort before booking, especially if you have back problems.

What the afternoon tea includes

The food follows the familiar afternoon tea format. You receive traditional finger sandwiches, fresh scones, sweet treats, cupcakes, and tea, along with either a glass of prosecco or a soft drink.

The serving style is part of the entertainment. Instead of stopping for tea in a restaurant, you eat while the city passes outside. You can look up from your plate and see London landmarks, then return to your tea and music without managing a separate itinerary.

Food quality appears to be good overall, though not flawless. Several people have found the tea and sweets enjoyable, while one comment specifically suggested that the sandwiches could be better. That is a fair expectation to set: this is a sightseeing tea on a moving bus, not a high-end hotel afternoon tea.

You can request standard, vegetarian, vegan, halal, or gluten-free food. You must provide dietary information at least 24 hours before the visit. If you wait until the day itself, the standard meal will be served, and the operator cannot promise a last-minute change.

The operator also warns that food may have been in contact with nuts or other allergens. If you have a serious allergy, read that warning carefully before paying.

The prosecco is available only to people aged 18 and over, and you need valid identification. A soft drink is available instead. Alcohol is not something you may bring onto the bus, and smoking is not allowed.

The London route from Waterloo to Westminster

The exact route can change with traffic and road closures, so you should treat the sightseeing list as a guide rather than a guaranteed sequence. Still, the central London coverage gives the ride much of its value.

Waterloo places you near the South Bank and several major attractions. From a bus seat, you may get a useful sense of how the railway station, riverfront area, and central roads connect. This part of London is busy and practical rather than polished, which makes it a good opening to the city’s changing character.

Westminster brings the grandest views. Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster are the headline sights, and this is likely to be one of the best moments for photos. You may also see Buckingham Palace, adding a royal landmark to the route.

The road setting gives you a different view than a walking tour. You are not stopping for a detailed explanation at each monument, so you will not get the depth of a specialist guide. In return, you can cover more ground without the tired feet.

London Eye, London Bridge, and the Shard

The London Eye is one of the easiest landmarks to recognize from the city streets. Its huge circular frame gives you a strong photo opportunity, especially when the bus reaches a clear viewpoint.

The Shard changes the skyline in a different way. Its sharp glass profile is visible from several parts of central London, and seeing it from the road helps you understand how close the historic City of London sits to newer high-rise architecture.

London Bridge adds another central stop in the sightseeing mix. The area around the bridge is packed with history, food, offices, and river views, though road conditions can affect how long you spend near it.

The Tower of London brings the route toward one of the city’s most important historic landmarks. You should not expect to enter the Tower or receive an extended talk about it. The value here is seeing it as part of a wider London circuit while you remain seated with your tea.

The experience description refers to seeing the city from the water, but the practical setup is a bus on London roads. You may catch views toward the Thames and riverside landmarks, yet this is not a river cruise and does not provide a boat’s perspective.

ABBA music, colored glasses, and the social side

The music is not background decoration. Singing along is one of the main reasons to book this experience. If you know ABBA’s major hits, the format gives you permission to join in without worrying about being too loud or too enthusiastic.

The playlist is not perfect for everyone. Some people have wanted more of the biggest, most familiar songs and felt that less well-known tracks took up too much time. If you only want the famous numbers, you may find the musical selection uneven.

For ABBA fans, that is a minor risk. For people who want a quiet afternoon tea, it is a bigger issue. The bus encourages participation, so do not expect a peaceful, silent meal.

The colored sunglasses add a playful touch, and reusable cups have sometimes been given as souvenirs. Small extras like these help the experience feel like an event rather than a standard bus tour. Birthday recognition can also be arranged informally by the host, and one birthday group received a thoughtful shout-out.

This is an unofficial ABBA-themed product. It is not endorsed by ABBA, so book it as a tribute experience rather than an official band attraction.

The hosts make a real difference

The staff can shape the tone of the whole ride. Chris has been praised for making the food presentation and trip feel special, while Odun has been singled out for kindness, friendly service, and taking as many photos as needed.

That matters because the bus has limited space and the sightseeing commentary is not the only entertainment. A warm host can help people settle in, keep the singing going, assist with photos, and make a celebration feel personal.

The driver also has an important job. Serving hot drinks and food on London roads is not easy, and careful driving matters. You will be eating at a moving table, so expect some movement and keep cups secure.

Service is not guaranteed to feel identical on every departure. The experience depends partly on the host and the group atmosphere. Still, the strongest part of the feedback is clearly the staff, and that is a good sign for anyone booking a special occasion.

Comfort, seating, and practical limits

There are no toilets on board. Use one before you arrive, especially if you plan to drink prosecco or tea. The 90-minute duration is manageable, but traffic can make the overall outing feel longer than the advertised ride.

A previous departure was described as too hot inside the bus. Temperatures may vary, but dress in layers so you can adjust if the upper deck becomes warm.

Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. Children under five are not allowed. The activity is suitable for a wide range of ages, provided everyone is comfortable with music, shared tables, and a moving meal.

The information lists the activity as not suitable for wheelchair users, while also noting that a wheelchair user may sit on the lower deck in a fixed-position seat. That is an important distinction. If you use a wheelchair, contact the operator before booking and confirm exactly what seating and access are available.

The activity is also listed as unsuitable for pregnant people and people with back problems. A moving bus, fixed seating, and limited room may make the ride uncomfortable.

Who will get the most from the $79 price

I would recommend this most strongly for an ABBA fan, a birthday group, or someone looking for a lighthearted London outing. It gives you several things at once: a city tour, an afternoon tea, a drink, a soundtrack, and a social atmosphere.

It is also useful early in a London visit because you can see where several major sights sit in relation to one another. Do not treat it as a replacement for visiting Westminster, the Tower of London, or the London Eye. Treat it as a pleasant orientation ride that can help you choose where to return later.

The value is weaker for a serious food enthusiast. The sandwiches and cakes are part of a moving sightseeing service, and the food will not match a carefully presented tea at a top hotel.

It is also a poor choice if you want detailed history, a quiet meal, or an exact route. Traffic and road closures can change the itinerary, and the guide’s main role is to keep the party moving rather than deliver a long historical lecture.

Cancellation is free up to three days before the activity, which gives you some protection if your London plans change. After that point, check the booking terms carefully.

Should you book the afternoon tea bus?

Book it if you want fun over formality. The combination of ABBA, London views, prosecco, and tea is unusual, and the best hosts can make it feel genuinely special. It is particularly well suited to birthdays, friend groups, and people who enjoy joining in.

Skip it if you want a traditional luxury tea, a quiet bus ride, a river cruise, or a detailed guided tour. Also think twice if you have back problems, need guaranteed wheelchair access, or have strict allergy concerns.

For the right audience, $79 buys more than sandwiches and sightseeing. It buys a short, cheerful London memory with a soundtrack.

FAQ

How long is the ABBA afternoon tea bus experience?

The bus ride 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?

The experience includes finger sandwiches, sweet treats, scones, cupcakes, tea, and either a glass of prosecco or a soft drink.

Can children join the experience?

Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. Children under five are not allowed.

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. These options are available if you notify the operator at least 24 hours before the visit. If you do not make a request in advance, the standard meal will be served.

Is there a toilet on the bus?

No. There are no toilets on board, so use one before arriving.

Can wheelchair users join?

Wheelchair users may be able to sit on the lower deck in a fixed-position seat, but the activity is also listed as not suitable for wheelchair users. Contact the operator before booking to confirm access and seating.