London: “Here We Go Again” Afternoon Tea Bus

London sightseeing usually asks you to choose between a bus tour and afternoon tea. This pink ABBA-themed double-decker lets you do both, with finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, tea, and a soundtrack of familiar hits. I like the easy 90-minute format and the way the music gives the ride a cheerful party feel rather than a standard sightseeing lecture.

I also like that the route passes major sights including Big Ben, the London Eye, the Shard, and the Tower of London without making you change trains or plan a complicated day. The main drawback is that traffic and road closures can change the route, and there are no toilets on board.

Key points to know before booking

• ABBA soundtrack: Sing along during the ride, with a host helping keep the mood lively.
• Classic tea service: Expect finger sandwiches, scones, sweet treats, tea, and prosecco or a soft drink.
• Major London sights: The bus passes Waterloo, Westminster, London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and more.
• Short and simple: The round trip lasts about 1.5 hours and returns to the starting point.
• Food planning matters: Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free meals require at least 72 hours’ notice.
• A few restrictions: Children under five are not allowed, and wheelchair users must use a fixed-position lower-deck seat.

A London afternoon tea with a Mamma Mia mood

This is not a quiet, formal tea in a grand hotel. It is a moving afternoon tea set to ABBA, served on a pink bus as London rolls past the windows. The appeal is the mix of familiar British ritual and light entertainment. You can sip tea, eat small sandwiches, and sing along as the city supplies the scenery.

The experience lasts 90 minutes, which is long enough to feel like an outing but short enough to fit around a museum, shopping, or an evening show. I see it working especially well for a birthday, a family celebration with older children, or an afternoon with friends who would rather laugh and sing than sit through a serious history tour.

The ABBA theme is not an official production and has no endorsement from ABBA. That matters if you are expecting a concert-quality tribute or a formal musical show. Think of it as a sightseeing tea bus with ABBA songs in the background, and you will have the right expectations.

Starting at Golden Tours Stop 1

You meet at Golden Tours Stop 1. Look for the pink-striped bus with a large English Tea Bus sign on the side. This detail is useful because the meeting area may serve more than one bus, and one person arriving early had confusion after an earlier driver gave unclear directions.

I recommend arriving with enough time to identify the correct bus rather than relying on a general stop name. If something seems wrong, contact the tour provider directly. On one occasion, a call to the provider cleared up confusion and confirmed that the correct bus was due shortly after another vehicle left.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to central London and plan your onward journey from there.

The tea service: sandwiches, scones, and something sparkling

The food is the heart of the experience. Your afternoon tea includes traditional finger sandwiches, sweet treats, fresh scones, cupcakes, and tea, along with either a glass of prosecco or a soft drink. Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 or older, and you need valid identification if you want prosecco.

This is a sightseeing meal rather than a full restaurant lunch. Finger sandwiches and small cakes are easy to eat at a compact table, though the moving bus means you should take care with hot tea and delicate food. One person who celebrated a 21st birthday found the service and food enjoyable, even with a relatively small group on the bus.

Food requirements need advance planning. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options are available, but you must notify the provider at least 72 hours before the visit. If you wait until the day of the tour, the standard meal will be served. The provider also cannot guarantee that food has not come into contact with nuts or other allergens, so you should consider that carefully if you have a serious allergy.

Tables may be shared. That is normal for this kind of social bus experience, but it is worth knowing if you want a private celebration or a quiet meal for two.

Waterloo, Westminster, and the first city views

Once the bus gets moving, the route takes you through several central London areas, including Waterloo and Westminster. These districts give you a quick look at the contrast between transport hubs, government buildings, historic streets, and the Thames-side part of the city.

The bus offers a different view from a walking tour. You do not stop for long visits at each landmark, but you can see a broad selection without covering miles on foot. That makes the ride useful early in a London visit, when you want to get your bearings before choosing which sights deserve a closer look.

The route is subject to traffic and road closures, so no sightseeing bus can promise an identical sequence every time. Consider the landmarks a moving sampler, not a list of guaranteed photo stops. You may get a clear view of a building from the bus window, but you should not book this as a replacement for entering the Tower of London, visiting Buckingham Palace, or going inside Westminster Abbey.

Big Ben, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace

The central portion of the ride includes some of London’s best-known sights. Big Ben is the obvious star, and the London Eye gives the route a modern counterpoint. Buckingham Palace adds the royal association that many first-time visitors expect from London.

These sights are valuable here because you can connect them in one outing. If you are still learning how London is laid out, seeing Westminster, the London Eye, and the palace area in the same trip helps turn a map into a real sense of place.

There is a tradeoff. You are viewing the sights from the road, not from a dedicated observation deck or a river boat, and the bus may be slowed by traffic. The supplied description refers to taking in London from the water, but this is a road-based bus experience, not a cruise. You should expect street-level and window views rather than a voyage on the Thames.

London Bridge, the Shard, and the Tower of London

The route also heads toward London Bridge and the Shard, with the Tower of London among the major sights along the way. This gives you a useful sweep from the royal and political center of London toward the City and the historic riverside area.

The Shard is easy to recognize by its sharp modern profile, while the Tower of London brings a much older feel to the route. You will not tour the Tower during this experience, but passing it can help you decide if you want to return for a full visit.

Again, the value is breadth. In 90 minutes, you can see parts of London that might otherwise take several separate walks to connect. The limit is depth. You will get views and orientation, not extended commentary or time to explore each district.

The ABBA sing-along and the role of the host

The music changes the tone of the ride. Instead of treating the bus as a quiet viewing platform, the experience invites you to sing along to ABBA’s best-known songs. It is deliberately light and social, with a 1970s feel that suits the Mamma Mia connection.

The host can make a real difference. Odun was specifically praised for keeping the group in a good mood while the bus moved through London. That kind of hosting matters because the experience depends less on detailed historical explanation and more on creating a comfortable, playful atmosphere.

The music selection may not satisfy every ABBA fan. One person enjoyed the ride but wanted more of the best-known songs. If you know every album and want a carefully staged tribute, this may feel casual. If you simply enjoy familiar songs with tea and city views, the format should work better.

How much value do you get for $79.47?

At $79.47 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see London, and you should not compare it with a basic public bus ride. The price covers a prepared afternoon tea, a prosecco or soft drink, a 90-minute sightseeing route, and hosted entertainment.

I think the value depends on what you want from the afternoon. It is reasonable for a celebration or a first London outing where you want food and sightseeing combined. It is less appealing if your main goal is detailed history, substantial dining, or long stops at individual landmarks.

A standard afternoon tea in London can take a large part of an afternoon and may cost a similar amount before sightseeing is added. Here, you pay for the novelty and convenience of having the city pass by while you eat. You also avoid arranging transport between several central areas.

The price is harder to justify if you dislike shared tables, sing-alongs, or food eaten while a vehicle is moving. In that case, a fixed afternoon tea venue and a separate walking tour may suit you better.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the bus to:

• ABBA fans who want a relaxed themed outing rather than a formal concert
• Families with children aged five and older
• Couples looking for an unusual London date
• Groups celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• First-time visitors who want a quick look at several central landmarks
• People who enjoy afternoon tea but prefer a lively setting

It may not suit you if you have back problems, are pregnant, or need a fully accessible sightseeing vehicle. The activity information lists it as unsuitable for wheelchair users, although wheelchair users can sit on the lower deck in one of the fixed-position seats. That restriction deserves clarification before booking.

Children aged 15 and under must be with a paying adult, and children under five are not allowed. Smoking, alcohol brought from outside, and drugs are not permitted.

Practical details that affect the ride

The driver speaks English, and the experience is conducted in English. The bus has no toilets, so use facilities before boarding. Bring a camera and water, though the tea service provides the main refreshment during the ride.

The route can change because of traffic or road closures. London traffic is part of the bargain, and a careful driver matters when people are eating at tables. One ride was praised for careful driving, which is especially important on a moving afternoon tea bus.

Cancellation is free up to three days in advance for a full refund. That gives you some flexibility, but it does not solve same-day food issues. Dietary requests must still be submitted at least 72 hours before the visit.

The experience has a rating of 4.4 from 14 reviews, with especially strong praise for the food, friendly service, host, and ABBA theme. The lower scores still point to useful limits: the music selection may not include enough famous songs for serious fans, and meeting-point communication can be confusing if you arrive too early and speak with the wrong driver.

Should you book the ABBA afternoon tea bus?

Book it if you want food, sightseeing, and music in one easy package. It is a cheerful way to mark a birthday, give children a taste of London, or see the main central sights without planning a complex route.

Skip it if you want a quiet luxury tea, a serious history lesson, or guaranteed close-up time at every landmark. For most people, the best reason to book is not the bus route alone. It is the combination of scones, city views, and a willing group singing ABBA together. Just plan your meeting point carefully, submit dietary needs early, and arrive ready for a social rather than formal afternoon.

FAQ

How long does the ABBA afternoon tea bus last?

The experience lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Where does the bus depart?

You meet at Golden Tours Stop 1. Look for a pink-striped bus with a large English Tea Bus sign.

Where does the experience finish?

The bus returns to the meeting point at the end of the activity.

What food is included?

The afternoon tea includes traditional finger sandwiches, sweet treats, fresh scones, cupcakes, and tea.

Is a drink included?

Yes. You receive a glass of prosecco or a soft drink. Prosecco is served only to people aged 18 or older with valid identification.

Are dietary options available?

Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options are available if you provide the request at least 72 hours before the visit.

Are there toilets on the bus?

No. There are no toilets on board.

Can children join the experience?

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

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

Wheelchair users can sit on the lower deck, but they must use one of the fixed-position seats. The activity is also listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users, so you should confirm the arrangement before booking.

Can the route change?

Yes. Traffic conditions and road closures can cause the route to change.

Is the experience officially connected with ABBA?

No. The product is not official and is not endorsed by ABBA.