London: “Here We Go Again” Afternoon Tea Bus

The best thing about this experience is the mix of London sightseeing and ABBA sing-along. You ride through central London while tea, scones, sandwiches, and sweets arrive at your table. It is part sightseeing tour, part themed party, and part very British afternoon treat.

I like the friendly hosting, especially the personal service reported from Chris and Odun. I also like the easy format: you get major London sights without walking between them, and the prosecco, reusable cups, colored sunglasses, and occasional birthday shout-outs add a playful touch.

The main catch is that the music may not always focus on ABBA’s biggest hits, and the bus can get hot. You also need to remember that there is no toilet onboard, tables may be shared, and the route can change with traffic or road closures.

Key points to know before booking

• A 90-minute ABBA-themed bus ride: Travel through Waterloo, Westminster, and London Bridge while singing along to ABBA tracks.
• Afternoon tea served at your seat: Expect finger sandwiches, fresh scones, sweet treats, tea, and prosecco or a soft drink.
• Major sights without a long walk: Look for Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Big Ben, the Shard, and the Tower of London.
• Hosts make a real difference: Chris and Odun received particular praise for friendly, attentive service and helping with photographs.
• Plan for a few practical limits: There are no toilets onboard, alcohol is for those aged 18 and over with valid ID, and dietary requests must be made at least 24 hours ahead.

Why this London tea bus works

London has no shortage of afternoon tea rooms and sightseeing buses. This experience combines both, then adds ABBA songs and a bright, deliberately silly mood. You are not booking a quiet, formal tea at a grand hotel. You are booking a moving party with sandwiches.

That distinction matters. If you want hushed service, fine china, and a calm view of one landmark at a time, choose a traditional afternoon tea instead. If you want to sing along while passing central London, this format gives you something more social and relaxed.

The bus lasts about 1.5 hours, which is long enough to see a good selection of central sights without using up your whole day. I see it working especially well as a birthday outing, a girls’ afternoon, or a lighthearted activity for a group that already enjoys ABBA.

It is also a useful choice when you want sightseeing with less walking. You remain seated as the route passes through some of London’s most familiar areas. The tradeoff is that traffic, road closures, and the exact route can affect what you see and how long the bus spends near each sight.

Finding the pink-striped bus at Golden Tours Stop 1

The meeting point is Golden Tours Stop 1. Look for the pink-striped bus with the large The English Tea Bus sign on its side. Arrive with enough time to identify the correct vehicle, especially if you are unfamiliar with the stop or the wider Golden Tours area.

One important practical lesson is not to rely on another departing bus for information. A passenger who arrived early was told, incorrectly, that the last bus had already gone. Calling the tour provider cleared up the confusion, and the correct bus arrived shortly afterward. If the meeting point seems unclear, contact Golden Tours rather than guessing.

The bus itself is part of the show. The ABBA theme begins before the route gets going, and the setting makes this feel different from a standard sightseeing coach. You may share a table, so do not expect a private dining setup unless the booking arrangement specifically provides one.

Afternoon tea with a London view

The food includes traditional finger sandwiches, sweet treats, fresh scones, cupcakes, and tea. You also receive either a glass of prosecco or a soft drink. For a 90-minute ride, this is a substantial snack or light meal rather than a simple cup of tea and one pastry.

The food presentation helps make the outing feel like an occasion. One birthday group received a personal shout-out, and staff were praised for taking photographs. Small touches like these matter because you are paying for a themed event, not just transportation.

The food appears to be generally satisfying, but it is not a luxury hotel tea. Several comments praised the meal as tasty and plentiful, while one noted that the sandwiches could be better. I would set your expectations at a pleasant, well-presented afternoon tea served in a moving bus.

Tea is included, and the prosecco adds value for adults who want the full celebratory feel. A soft drink is available instead. Alcohol is served only to those aged 18 or older, and you need valid identification.

Dietary choices include standard, vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free menus. You must provide special dietary information at least 24 hours before departure. If you wait until the day itself, the standard meal may be served. Golden Tours also cannot guarantee that food has had no contact with nuts or other allergens, so anyone with a serious allergy should consider that carefully.

The ABBA soundtrack and the mood onboard

The music gives this tea bus its reason to exist. You can sing along to ABBA while moving through London, and the colorful sunglasses add a knowingly cheesy 1970s touch. Some departures also provide a reusable cup or a small gift, although you should treat these as extras rather than guaranteed inclusions.

The mood depends heavily on the host. Chris was praised for making the trip fun, while Odun was singled out for being kind, friendly, helpful with photographs, and good at keeping the party spirit going. That kind of hosting is important in a shared setting. A quiet bus could feel awkward, but a good host helps everyone relax.

The music selection is not perfect for every ABBA fan. Some passengers wanted more of the familiar songs and found that several tracks were less well known. If you expect a continuous run of the group’s biggest hits, you may be disappointed. The experience promises ABBA music and a sing-along, not a carefully edited greatest-hits concert.

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

Waterloo, Westminster, and the route through central London

The route takes you through several central areas, including Waterloo, Westminster, and London Bridge. These are not formal stops where you get off for a guided visit. Think of them as parts of a moving sightseeing loop.

Waterloo gives the trip a busy central London setting and helps connect the tea experience with the city’s transport heart. Westminster brings the most recognizable political and royal landmarks into view, including Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. You will want your camera ready, though traffic and passing buildings mean some views may be brief.

The London Eye is another major sight along the way. From the bus, you see the wheel as part of the wider city scene rather than taking a ride on it. This is a good chance to photograph it from street level, particularly if you prefer to keep your itinerary moving.

London Bridge and the Tower of London add a different feel to the route. The Tower is one of the city’s most famous historic buildings, while the area around London Bridge offers a strong mix of old and modern London. The Shard provides the sharp modern contrast, rising above the surrounding streets.

The experience information also describes views of the city from the water, but the meeting point and vehicle details identify this as a bus tour. You should book it for road-based sightseeing, not as a river cruise. The appeal is seeing these landmarks while seated at a tea table, not reaching each attraction’s entrance.

What you can realistically see in 90 minutes

Ninety minutes sounds generous, but London traffic can quickly change the pace. You may get a clear look at several landmarks, while others pass by in a few moments. The route is subject to traffic and road closures, so no exact sequence or guaranteed viewing time should be assumed.

That uncertainty is normal for a moving London tour. You are buying a broad overview with food and entertainment, not a detailed architectural tour. If one sight matters most to you, visit it separately on foot or with a dedicated attraction ticket.

The best way to use the ride is to keep your camera ready and enjoy the overall flow. You might see Big Ben, the London Eye, the Shard, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London in one compact outing. You will not get the same depth as visiting each location, but you also avoid the planning and walking needed to connect them.

Is $79 good value?

At $79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see London. A public bus ride costs very little, and a basic afternoon tea can be found at a lower price. The value comes from combining the meal, the moving city tour, the ABBA theme, the host, and the special-event atmosphere.

For a birthday or group celebration, that package can make sense. You are paying for a ready-made occasion, with food delivered at your table and no need to organize a route between sights. The included prosecco also helps the price feel more reasonable for adults.

For a solo visitor focused mainly on London history, the value is weaker. The commentary is limited to an English-speaking driver and the route is built around entertainment rather than detailed guiding. You may get more from a traditional walking tour plus a separate tea if landmarks and historical context matter most.

The strongest value comes when you would otherwise pay for both a sightseeing bus and afternoon tea. It also saves time during a short London visit, although the shared tables and fixed menu mean you give up some privacy and choice.

Comfort, access, and small details

There are no toilets onboard. Use one before boarding and avoid treating the bus as a place for a long, leisurely tea if you need frequent facilities.

The bus can become hot. One account specifically pointed out the temperature, so dress in layers and bring water. Smoking is not allowed, and alcohol or drugs other than the included prosecco are not permitted.

Children aged 15 and under must be with a paying adult. Children under 5 are not allowed. The event can suit a family group with older children, though the ABBA theme and shared seating may appeal more to adults and teenagers than to very young children.

The information gives conflicting signals about wheelchair access. Wheelchair users may sit on the lower deck, but they must use one of the fixed-position seats, and the experience is also listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users. Contact Golden Tours before booking to confirm that the vehicle and seating arrangement can meet your needs.

Pregnant people and those with back problems are also listed as unsuitable. That makes sense for a moving vehicle with fixed seating and the possibility of uneven road movement, but you should make your own decision with medical advice if needed.

Bring a camera and water. The camera is worthwhile because the route includes several famous sights, while water helps if the bus runs warm.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for someone who wants London sightseeing with a party mood. It suits ABBA fans, birthday groups, friends looking for a playful afternoon, and anyone who likes the idea of singing along rather than sitting quietly.

It also works well for a first look at central London. You can get familiar with the positions of Big Ben, the London Eye, the Shard, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London before returning to the ones you want to explore properly.

I would not make it your main London tour if you want detailed history, a guaranteed landmark route, or a quiet meal. The music may include lesser-known ABBA tracks, the route can change, and the bus environment is more cheerful than refined.

Should you book the ABBA afternoon tea bus?

Book it if you value fun over formality. The strongest parts are the combination of tea and sightseeing, the warm hosts, the birthday-friendly atmosphere, and the chance to pass major London landmarks while singing ABBA.

Skip it if you need a toilet onboard, have serious mobility or back concerns, want a luxury afternoon tea, or expect every song to be a famous ABBA hit. At $79, it is best understood as a themed London event with food, not as the most efficient or educational city tour.

If you do book, arrange dietary needs at least 24 hours ahead, arrive at Golden Tours Stop 1 with time to find the pink-striped bus, bring water, and keep your camera ready. That preparation lets you enjoy the silly sunglasses, the music, and the city views without being caught out by the practical limits.

FAQ

How long is the ABBA afternoon tea bus experience?

The experience lasts 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 drinks are included?

The menu includes traditional finger sandwiches, sweet treats, fresh scones, cupcakes, tea, and a glass of prosecco or a soft drink.

Is prosecco available to everyone?

No. Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and over, and valid identification is required.

Are dietary menus available?

Yes. Standard, vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options are available. You must provide dietary information at least 24 hours before the experience.

Is there a toilet on the bus?

No, there are no toilets onboard.

Can children join the experience?

Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. Children under 5 are not allowed.

Can wheelchair users take the tour?

Wheelchair users may sit on the lower deck but must use one of the fixed-position seats. The experience is also listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users, so confirm the arrangement with Golden Tours before booking.