The 8 Afternoon Tea Experiences in Britain That Earn Their Price

1.Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,274 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $53Our pick

Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea aboard a City Cruises boat from Tower Pier. Over 90 minutes, you’ll pass Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, The Shard, the London Eye, and Parliament while eating sandwiches, warm scones, cakes, and unlimited tea or coffee. Commentary adds context along the way.

“Excellent cruise. Service was impeccable. We were able to see all the major tourist attractions. We had a lovely time as a family of four with 2 kids. Thank you!”

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2.Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – 1960s Routemaster Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,032 reviews · 1 hour 25 minutes (approx.) · from $87

Ride a vintage 1960s Routemaster through central London while enjoying tea, sandwiches, scones, cakes, and French-style pastries. Staff such as Alex, Taiwo, Azucere, and Nella serve the meal as recorded commentary points out Harrods, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, Mayfair, and other sights. Choose from several afternoon departures, but note that top-deck seats are not guaranteed.

“Absolutely amazing - to see the Christmas lights and get the full afternoon tea experience in the dark around the main attractions of London - it was brilliant - thank you. I would highly recommend this.”

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3.Afternoon Tea Bus with a Glass of Prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,853 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $64

Enjoy a 90-minute afternoon tea aboard a traditional double-decker bus, passing the London Eye, Tower of London, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. You’ll get sandwiches, scones, cakes, tea, and Prosecco or a soft drink. Staff such as Ayaan, Dee, and Wumi are warm and attentive, but landmark commentary is limited and sometimes mistimed.

“Great tour lovely staff and great food - excellent value for money and something different to do would recommend”

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4.Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,275 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60

Ride a vintage Routemaster bus from Waterloo Place for 70 to 90 minutes while enjoying sandwiches, a warm scone, petit fours, cupcakes, and unlimited tea or coffee. This is a dining experience with city views, music, and friendly hosts such as Stuart, Helen, Ellis, Mark, Jim, and Freya, not a formal guided sightseeing tour.

“What an experience!!! The food was great. The music was fabulous. Everything about the tea tour was a memorable experience! Everyone was extremely nice!!!”

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5.Afternoon Tea River Cruise on the Thames

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 884 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Board at Tower Pier at 3:30 pm for a 90-minute City Cruises tea service along the Thames. You will see the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Shard, Shakespeare’s Globe, St Paul’s, the London Eye, and Westminster while enjoying sandwiches, cakes, scones, and unlimited tea or coffee. Tables are assigned in advance.

“This was such a fun and memorable experience for my family! The snacks and cakes were delicious and there were generous portions. The staff were very attentive and the views were spectacular! This was a fun twist on afternoon tea on the river, rather than at a hotel or restaurant.”

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6.London Afternoon Tea Bus with Panoramic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 763 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67

Enjoy finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, tea, and a drink while a double-decker bus circles central London for about 90 minutes. You’ll pass Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Charing Cross, and Trafalgar Square. This is a scenic tea ride, not a fully narrated tour, and seating is shared.

“Beautiful bus decorated, service was great by both girl Abi and saner. Thankyou for a great experience”

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7.Glasgow Afternoon Tea Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 735 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $61

Ride a vintage Routemaster through Glasgow while enjoying sandwiches, warm scones, petit fours, cupcakes, tea, and coffee. The 70 to 90 minute outing passes George Square, Glasgow Cathedral, the Necropolis, the Clyde, Kelvingrove, and more. Expect a lively dining experience with occasional commentary, not a formal guided tour.

“This was a fantastic afternoon tea experience that I would 100% recommend. The food and drinks were excellent and our host/tour guide Helen was even better!!”

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8.Afternoon Tea Cruise in North Yorkshire

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 388 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45Best value

Settle into a comfortable canal boat at Coach Street in Skipton for a two-hour afternoon tea cruise. You’ll have your own table, sandwiches, scones, desserts, tea or coffee, and views of fields, wildlife, and canal-side villages. The crew, including a server named Harry on some sailings, provides attentive service, while the bar sells alcoholic drinks.

“A great tour and good food with fantastic service would highly recommend. Nice relaxing tour and very great value”

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