There’s something fun and slightly dangerous about gin on a double-decker bus. This London gin afternoon tea bus tour pairs a vintage Routemaster ride through Central London with afternoon treats from Brigit’s Bakery plus a trio of Bombay Sapphire-style G&Ts as you go. I like it for two reasons: the big, fast views from a classic bus route and the fact that the tasting is built into the experience, not tacked on at the end. One thing to plan for: the bus feels more open than a modern tour vehicle, so the top deck can be breezy on cooler days.

You’ll hop on from Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square (depending on the option you book) and roll past major sights like the London Eye and Westminster Abbey while an English audio guide keeps the landmark context coming. You also get practical perks that make the whole thing feel like a real outing, not a “sit and watch” tour.

This isn’t a short snack-and-scoot. The schedule is about 1.5 hours, with afternoon tea service plus unlimited hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) and water, so you can pace yourself and still enjoy the sights.

Key highlights to look forward to

• A vintage Routemaster bus route with Central London views that feel classic and photogenic
• Brigit’s Bakery afternoon tea, including cakes, scones with jam and cream, plus savories
• Three gin tasting pours in a themed lineup from the Bombay Sapphire collection
• Unlimited hot drinks and water, so the tea portion actually feels substantial
• English audio guide, which helps you connect faces on the skyline to the landmarks you’re seeing
• A more open-air top deck feel, so dress for wind and weather

What the experience feels like on board

This tour has a very clear mood: treat time meets sightseeing time. You start with a bus ride that gives you broad sightlines across Central London, then you layer in a proper afternoon tea service and a gin tasting that turns the ride into a sensory experience, not just motion and photos.

I especially like that it’s structured around timing. A lot of sightseeing tours scatter food plans across the day. Here, food and drink are part of the pacing, which means you can settle in, eat, sip, and watch the city move past the windows without constantly re-planning.

The audio guide matters too. When you’re passing places like the London Eye and Westminster Abbey, it’s easy to see a famous shape and move on. With the guide, you get enough context to make those moments stick, even if you’re not a deep-history person.

One more practical point: this is a vintage Routemaster-style bus, and that shows in the feel. The classic double-decker design is part of the fun, but it also means you should expect less protection from the elements than you’d get in a modern coach.

Routemaster ride through Central London icons

Your ride centers on the most recognizable stretch of London. Boarding happens at either Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square, and from there you cruise through Central London’s major landmarks during the ~90-minute tour.

Here’s how to think about the sightseeing portion:

London Eye views (fast and easy photo wins)

You’ll be near the London Eye, and from a bus you get quick, angled views that are great for photos because you’re not stuck in one spot. The audio guide helps here, because the landmark is so iconic that it’s tempting to just snap pictures. The guide keeps you from treating it like a blur.

Tip: if you want the best angles, go for the side that faces the landmark when your route lines up. You can often adjust slightly once you’re seated, but don’t move around a lot once service starts.

Westminster Abbey and the parliamentary area (best as “glance-and-learn”)

When Westminster Abbey comes into view, the bus format is ideal. You can take in the scale and then listen to the audio guide to understand what you’re seeing. It’s the kind of stop you don’t need a long walking detour for, because the bus gives you the big picture fast.

This also makes the tour feel beginner-friendly. Even if you’ve been to London only once—or you’re brand new—the route hits the sights most first-timers want.

Marble Arch area (a nice “London in one ride” feeling)

The route also includes views near Marble Arch, which helps balance the ultra-famous duo of London Eye and Westminster Abbey. It gives you a sense of how the city’s landmarks connect, rather than feeling like you’re only seeing two tourist magnets.

That’s the key value here: you’re not doing a checklist across multiple transit hops. You’re doing one loop, with food and gin built in.

Brigit’s Bakery afternoon tea: what you actually get

Afternoon tea on paper can sound like a cute extra. On this tour, it’s a real meal-in-miniature.

You’ll have a selection of savories and cakes, plus scones with jam and cream. You also get unlimited hot drinks like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, along with water. For me, this is the difference between a “tea themed tour” and an actual afternoon tea experience.

A few ways to make the most of it:

• Start with the savory items so you’re not chasing gin flavor with an empty stomach.
• Save the scones for the middle phase if you can. Scones are best when they’re still warm, and they’re the kind of treat that benefits from a slower moment.
• Don’t forget the jam-and-cream part is central here. It’s not just a garnish.

Brigit’s Bakery is the name attached to the service, and that matters because it signals this isn’t just a generic pastry basket. The experience is built around proper tea-time comfort food.

Bombay Sapphire gin tasting: three pours, one theme

Now for the main event: three gin and tonic-style servings from the Bombay Sapphire gin collection.

The tasting lineup is specifically described as Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Citron Pressé, and Bombay Bramble. That’s a fun spread because it gives you at least three different flavor directions: classic gin character, citrus lift, and a berry-leaning profile.

You also get what the tour describes as 3 Slingsby gin cocktail servings. Since the experience is framed around the Bombay Sapphire collection pours, you can expect these cocktails to align with those gin-tasting flavors during your afternoon tea service.

How I’d approach it if you’re new to gin tastings:

• Take small sips first and let each drink warm up a little in your mouth before deciding what you like.
• Alternate between a sip and a bite. The scone and cake textures can change how the gin reads on your palate.
• If you’re sensitive to alcohol flavors, go slow. The tour includes multiple items and you’ll want to enjoy the ride, not just get through it.

This is also where the tour earns its reputation. The pairing of sightseeing + themed tasting makes the gin feel like part of the story, not a separate “drinks stop.”

Audio guide strategy: how to listen without missing the views

The English audio guide is your best friend on a fast, one-route tour. The biggest mistake people make is trying to focus on the screen-less narration and ignore the street scene.

Here’s the better rhythm:

• When you see a landmark coming into view, glance once, then press play and listen for the specifics.
• When the narration shifts to something else, look back out the window so you’re not zoning out.
• Don’t treat it like homework. Think of it like a running commentary that helps you spot and name what you’re looking at.

Because the tour route includes things like the London Eye and Westminster Abbey, you’ll hear enough about them to make sense of their real placement in the city. It turns the bus journey into more than just motion.

Timing and logistics that affect your comfort

This is a 1.5-hour tour, and it runs on a strict schedule. The bus is on schedule and cannot wait for late passengers. That means you’ll want to arrive a bit early and be ready to board without last-minute searching.

Also, a big reality check: there are no toilets onboard, and the bus can’t stop during the tour. You’ll be sitting through the full ride and service window without breaks, so plan accordingly before you meet your group.

Weather is another comfort factor. This tour runs rain or shine, and because it’s a vintage-style open-top feel on parts of the bus, you should dress for the elements. If you want the warm-weather review vibe, it’s for a reason: in cooler months, wind can make the experience feel less cozy.

Finally, top-deck placement can vary. The tour notes that availability of the top deck can’t be guaranteed, so if your heart is set on the highest views, keep your expectations flexible.

Price and value: is $94.29 worth it?

At $94.29 per person, you’re paying for a bundle: sightseeing time, a vintage bus ride, afternoon tea, and a three-part gin tasting, plus unlimited hot drinks.

Is it expensive? In London, yes, it sits in the “premium but not outrageous” band because you’re getting several included components at once. The value comes from three things:

1. You’re not buying tea separately. Afternoon tea service alone can be pricey in the city.
2. The gin tasting is part of the package, not just a random bar stop.
3. You get structure for 90 minutes. You’re using a guided route to see top icons without stitching together multiple transit legs.

If your ideal London day includes a classic landmark loop plus a real tea-and-treat break, this price can feel fair. If you’re trying to do London on a tight budget and you mainly care about walking and free viewpoints, you might feel the cost more sharply.

Who this tour suits best

This is designed for adults and for people who want a social, taste-forward outing.

It’s a good fit if:

• You’re planning a birthday, a girls’ night, or a special celebration where food and a fun activity both matter.
• You like gin and you want to sample three distinct flavors.
• You want the big-hits sights—London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Marble Arch—without committing to a long day of hopping between stops.
• You prefer an audio-guided approach where you can listen at your pace while enjoying the views.

It’s not for everyone. It’s not suitable for:

• Children under 18
• People with motion sickness
• People with nut allergies or those needing nut-free or coeliac diets (the tour can’t cater to those requirements)
• Anyone who’s expecting lots of onboard comfort breaks, since there are no toilets onboard and the bus can’t stop

Also, there’s a rule against intoxication and vaping, and the tour doesn’t allow smoking. Keep that in mind if you’re thinking of it as a party-night alternative. It’s fun, but it’s still an organized experience.

Should you book this London gin and afternoon tea bus tour?

If you want a London day that mixes iconic sights with a real afternoon tea and a guided gin tasting, I think this tour is an easy yes. The Routemaster ride keeps it playful and classic, and the combination of Brigit’s Bakery treats with three Bombay Sapphire-style pours makes it feel like more than “just another tour.”

Book it if you:

• Like food-focused experiences
• Want Central London highlights without multiple transit steps
• Are comfortable with an experience that’s about 90 minutes with limited onboard breaks

Skip or rethink it if you:

• Get motion sickness
• Need nut-free or coeliac-safe dining (it can’t be catered to)
• Expect easy restroom stops or a fully protected bus ride in cool, windy weather

FAQ

How long is the London Gin and Afternoon Tea Bus Tour?

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You’ll meet at a meeting point that can vary depending on the option booked, with departures from Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the afternoon tea?

You get a selection of savories and cakes, plus scones with jam and cream, along with unlimited hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) and water.

Is the gin tasting included?

Yes. The tour includes 3 gin cocktail servings, with the gin tasting described as Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Citron Pressé, and Bombay Bramble.

Are there toilets on the bus?

No. There are no toilets onboard, and the bus cannot stop during the tour.

Who can’t take this tour?

It’s not suitable for children under 18, people with motion sickness, and it cannot cater to nut-free or coeliac diets. Nut allergies are specifically noted as not suitable.

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