England · AFTERNOON TEA & HIGH TEA EXPERIENCES
Sandwiches, then scones, then cake — and a booking made further ahead than you expect. These 15 range from hotel drawing rooms to a moving Routemaster bus, with prices, dress codes and how long each sitting runs.
Afternoon tea on a 1960s Routemaster bus from Victoria, past Harrods, Hyde Park, and Mayfair, with table service and recorded sights.
“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.”
Royal High Tea at Kensington Palace Gardens: a guided stroll past Hyde Park landmarks, plus Orangery tea with sandwiches, scones, and cakes.
“This experience for me was a bit underwhelming. Paul was our tour guide and he was nice, but it was just my sister and I so it felt a bit rushed. He also answered his phone at the very beginning of our tour which was a bit off putting. Also this is not a botanical garden tour Kensington Gardens is a public park with runners and dogs (unleashed) everywhere which cheapened the experience for me. The tea in the orangery was okay but my socks were not blown off! I can almost guarantee there were better and cheaper tea experiences in London! I did love seeing the Diana statue and…”
Cozy Thames cruise with afternoon tea, unlimited tea or coffee, and big-window views of Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Westminster.
“An amazing experience. Just so relaxing to have tea with more food than you can imagine eating. And then when the sun sets and you’re seeing these amazing views out the window, you realize just how wonderful London really is. Highly recommend!”
London afternoon tea on a double-decker bus with panoramic views of Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, and more.
“Could not fault the service from the staff, the driver, all involved in the service it was spectacular, great way to make festive memories.”
90-minute Oxford Thames cruise with live commentary and The Folly afternoon tea, passing Christ Church Meadows and Iffley Lock.
“Enjoyable boat ride and tea. I would have given it a 5 but the vegetation covered up a lot of the sites along the route. But still a very enjoyable trip with a great guide,”
See Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and St Paul’s by coach, then step into Buckingham Palace State Rooms with afternoon tea and a prosecco option.
“Grand staircase, marble room Audio guide was perfect—just enough information Well organized Short wait time”
2-hour Skipton canal cruise with classic afternoon tea, countryside views, and a licensed bar. Relaxing North Yorkshire value.
“Allow plenty of time to get parked. We nearly missed the boat because of the queue at the parking meter. The food was nice and fresh but the scones were very small. The cruise was very nice, but no running commentary on history etc. because there was really nothing to comment on, just lovely views of fields and trees.”
Hampton Court Palace with a guided Tudor walk, 60-acre gardens access, and classic afternoon tea with scones, plus time to explore on your own.
“I had a wonderful experience. Julie is filled with knowledge and information about Hampton Court. Having grown up in the area, she has personal memories to share. She is personable, friendly and very professional.”
Afternoon tea at The Rubens by Buckingham Palace, with a Royal Mews view, classic scones, multiple tea choices, and optional champagne upgrade.
“Beautiful place and excellent food. Highly recommend this place for afternoon tea. We had a table right across from Buckingham Palace.”
London bus afternoon tea with panoramic views of Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and more, plus tea and a Prosecco or soda.
“The tour was fun and the staff was so friendly. All I would say is that it would be nice to receive a map so you are better able to identify the sights you are seeing. When no one announced what we were driving past, and I didn’t have a map, I honestly had no idea what I was looking at a lot of the time. I would have enjoyed it more if I had known since I was using this tour to see the city while there for just a day. The food was good, the atmosphere was fun, and the staff was kind and friendly.”
ABBA-themed London afternoon tea on a double-decker bus, with prosecco, landmark audio in English, and a fun sing-along feel.
“Great fun singing along to Abba as we travelled through London. The food and drink was also very good.”
A London Eye add-on bus tour with afternoon tea, Prosecco, and scenic Thames views, plus Wi-Fi and USB charging.
“What a fun and tasty bus trip around the city! Lovely and light hearted. Only concern is hearing the information well enough and early enough. Some notifications occur at or after the point of interest.”
Traditional afternoon tea at The Milestone Hotel London, with a three-tier menu, clotted cream, premium teas, and optional Champagne.
“Me and my mother had a wonderful time at The Milestone Hotel! Everything was perfect and the afternoon tea was amazing.”
VIP walk through Kensington Palace Gardens to the Orangery for Royal High Tea, with an alcoholic drink and small-group guide time.
“The best part of the tour was our guide Simon. What a treasure. So knowledgeable, funny and kind. Worth every penny! The gardens were lovely and my favorite thing was the Peter Pan Statue. It was a long walk but the weather was glorious and Simon kept us entertained. The tea at the Orangery was very nice.”
Walk Kensington and royal landmarks with a guide, catch a prime Changing of the Guard, enjoy Orangery afternoon tea, then visit Kensington Palace.
“Such a great tour experience! While we didn’t get to see the changing of the guard due to the London Marathon, we ended up being the only group on the tour so we didn’t feel like we missed anything at all. Judd was fantastic! He was very kind and easy to talk to - we had an amazing time getting to know him and about London on our walk through Hyde Park to Kensington Palace. Thank you so much, Judd!!”
By region, by ritual, and by what the weather is doing.
