Few things pair better than gin and sightseeing. This London Gin Lovers Afternoon Tea Bus Tour mixes a vintage Routemaster bus ride with real afternoon-tea comfort and three Bombay Sapphire gin cocktails. It’s a fun way to see classic sights like the London Eye and Westminster Abbey without needing to plan the route.

I like the practical setup: afternoon tea plus unlimited hot drinks, all included while the city rolls past your window. I also love that the gin part isn’t just a gimmick—this tour offers three distinct gin-and-tonic styles, including Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Citron Pressé, and Bombay Bramble.

One thing to weigh: the bus is a classic double-decker and (per the tour’s style) can feel more exposed than a typical enclosed coach, so colder or rainy weather can make the experience less comfortable. Also, there are no toilets onboard and the bus can’t stop during the tour.

Gin-and-tea inside a sightseeing bus format

You get a full afternoon-tea spread while you’re already doing the Central London “greatest hits” route.

Three Bombay Sapphire gin-and-tonic styles included

Expect variety, not a single generic pour—Bombay Sapphire plus Bombay Citron Pressé and Bombay Bramble are part of the tasting.

Brigit’s Bakery treats are built into the experience

Cakes, savories, and scones with jam and cream turn the ride into a true food-focused outing.

Audio guide keeps you in the moment

You’ll get landmark context through an audio guide in English, so you don’t need to juggle apps.

Vintage Routemaster views can be hit-or-miss with weather

Top deck availability isn’t guaranteed, and the open feel can matter if you run cold.

Gin, Tea, and the Routemaster Factor in Central London

This is one of those London experiences that feels made for a specific mood: relaxed, a little celebratory, and very “we’re on a holiday, so yes, we’re doing the fun thing.” You’re not trekking across the city. You’re sitting on a vintage Routemaster and letting the sights come to you.

The big win here is how the meal and the sightseeing are married together. Instead of fitting afternoon tea into a separate schedule, this tour bakes it into the ride. That means less time commuting and more time enjoying the landmarks—especially if you only have a short stay or you don’t want to over-plan.

And because it’s a bus tour with an audio guide, you still get that classic London storytelling. You know what you’re looking at, even if your day is otherwise stuffed.

Your Route: From Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square to Westminster Abbey and the London Eye

Boarding point depends on the option you choose, with departures from either Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square. Either starting place puts you close to the action. From there, the tour is built around Central London icons you can spot quickly from the bus.

As you roll through the route, you’re set up to see major landmarks such as:

• London Eye
• Westminster Abbey
• Marble Arch

Why this matters: if you’ve been to London before, you’ll recognize the skyline fast. If it’s your first time, you’ll get a strong sense of where the city’s “postcard” landmarks sit relative to each other. You’ll also avoid the common problem with self-guided sightseeing—standing in one spot too long, then missing the view from another angle.

One practical consideration: this is a scheduled bus experience. The bus can’t wait for late passengers, and it can’t stop during the tour. So arrive early enough to board without stress. Then once you’re moving, you settle in—this isn’t the kind of tour where you hop off for photos.

Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea: Savories, Cakes, and Scones With Jam and Cream

The afternoon tea part is from Brigit’s Bakery, and it’s not just “a pastry and tea.” Your set includes savories and cakes plus scones with jam and cream, which are the comfort-food anchors of a proper afternoon tea.

Think about what this does for the whole experience. Gin and tea can be a risky combo if you’re too light on food. Here, you’re eating enough to keep you comfortable and able to enjoy the tasting as the tour goes on. It also makes the vibe more “outing” than “drinking tour.”

And the tour includes unlimited hot drinks—coffee, tea, and hot chocolate—plus water. That’s a big deal because you can pace yourself. You’re not stuck with one beverage choice the whole time, and you can switch to hot chocolate if you’re feeling cold on the ride.

Food for you to note: nut-free or coeliac diets can’t be catered for. If you’re dealing with allergies or specific dietary needs, this is the kind of tour you’ll want to double-check in advance.

Bombay Sapphire Gin and Tonic Tasting: Three Distinct Styles Included

Now for the main attraction for this specific tour. You’ll enjoy a gin-flavored afternoon tea experience plus a trio of gin-and-tonic styles from the Bombay Sapphire collection.

Included in the tasting are three cocktails (listed as Slingsby gin cocktail options), featuring:

• Bombay Sapphire
• Bombay Citron Pressé
• Bombay Bramble

This is where the experience becomes more interesting than a simple “you get one drink.” The variety matters. Different gins often taste very different, and when you sample three styles in one session, you learn what you personally prefer—citrus-forward, berry-forward, or the classic profile.

The tour also frames this as a culinary pairing: they add “a generous splash of G to your afternoon T.” That’s playful marketing, but the practical result is that your afternoon tea isn’t just served alongside gin—it’s meant to be part of the same tasting moment.

Two pacing tips if you plan to fully enjoy the tasting:

• Sip hot drinks between gin pours, especially in cooler weather.
• Eat steadily. The scones and cakes aren’t just filler; they make the tasting feel smoother.

Audio Guide in English: Seeing Landmarks Without Staring at a Screen

You’ll get an audio guide in English, which is included. This is one of those “quietly excellent” additions for tourists who want context but don’t want to spend the whole tour reading.

The audio guide helps you connect what you see to what it is—so when the bus passes big landmarks like Westminster Abbey or the London Eye, you’re not just collecting photos. You’re collecting meaning, fast.

Why this is valuable: London landmarks can look obvious in pictures, but the details are what make your memory stick. An audio guide gives you that without you needing to hunt for Wi-Fi or stop walking to read.

The Routemaster Bus Experience: Top Deck Chances, Weather Reality, and No Bathroom Stops

The ride is on a vintage Routemaster bus, and that comes with its own personality. The classic style can be more exposed than a modern, fully enclosed coach. That’s part of the charm—especially when the weather cooperates.

A review-style takeaway I’d trust: this tour is best when you’re prepared for a warmer outing, since the double-decker feel can be breezy. If you tend to feel cold easily, bring layers you can keep on your lap or wear through the whole route.

A few key logistics points that affect comfort:

• There are no toilets onboard.
• The bus cannot stop during the tour.
• Top deck availability can’t be guaranteed.

This last point matters more than people expect. If you really want the best skyline views, you should mentally plan for the possibility that you might not end up on the top deck. Still, you’ll have plenty of views from the lower level, and you’ll be moving through Central London at a good sightseeing pace.

Also, the tour runs rain or shine. So bring weather gear and a calm attitude. You’re on a sightseeing ride, not a sheltered café.

Duration, Group Feel, and Why 1.5 Hours Works

This tour runs for about 1.5 hours. That timing is practical. It’s long enough to enjoy the food, the tasting, and the audio guide, but short enough that you’re not exhausted by the time you’re done.

Because you’re on a fixed route with no stops, the experience stays focused. You’re not waiting around for long photo breaks. You’re settling in, eating, sipping, and watching London slide by.

The vibe also fits special occasions. The tour is positioned for birthdays, family outings, and girls’ nights, and it makes sense. It’s structured enough that planning feels easy, but it still feels personal because the focus is on your shared meal and tasting moment.

Not suitable for:

• Children under 18
• People with motion sickness
• People with nut allergies (and nut-free/coeliac diets can’t be catered to)

Price and Value: Is $94.29 Worth It for Gin, Tea, and a Central London Tour?

At about $94.29 per person, you’re paying for more than transport. You’re paying for three main things bundled together:

1. A 1.5-hour Central London bus tour on a vintage Routemaster
2. Afternoon tea from Brigit’s Bakery (savories, cakes, scones with jam and cream, plus unlimited hot drinks)
3. Three included gin-and-tonic style cocktails from the Bombay Sapphire collection

Here’s how I think about value on a tour like this: if you’d otherwise buy afternoon tea and then pay separately for a guided experience, you’re already stacking costs. Add in the gin tasting component—three distinct styles—plus the sightseeing structure, and the price starts to look less random.

Is it a budget option? Probably not. But it’s a “worth it” option if you want a single-ticket experience that’s food-focused and view-focused at the same time. You’re buying convenience and a curated theme, not just a seat on a bus.

Who Should Book This Gin Lovers Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

This works best if you:

• Want a memorable London outing without jumping between multiple locations
• Love the idea of afternoon tea paired with an actual gin tasting
• Are comfortable on a double-decker bus and don’t need bathroom stops
• Want a guided feel with an audio guide rather than self-planning every detail

It’s less ideal if you:

• Get motion sickness easily
• Have nut allergies or need nut-free/coeliac meals
• Are traveling with someone who needs accessibility accommodations beyond what’s described (only foldable wheelchairs are permitted, and you must mention this at booking)

Should You Book This Tour?

If your goal is a stylish, time-friendly way to see Central London while enjoying Brigit’s Bakery afternoon tea and a three-part Bombay Sapphire tasting, I think this is a strong match. It’s especially appealing when the weather is likely to be cooperative, because the double-decker vibe can feel more exposed.

I’d say skip it if you’re sensitive to motion, need dietary flexibility for nuts/coeliac, or you rely on toilet breaks during sightseeing. Otherwise, book it as a treat-day plan: get fed, sip, and let the landmarks roll past for 90 minutes of low-effort fun.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours.

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from either Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square, depending on the option booked.

What sights will I see on the route?

The tour includes views of landmarks such as the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, and Marble Arch.

What’s included in the afternoon tea?

You’ll get savories and cakes, plus scones served with jam and cream. It also includes unlimited hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) and water.

What gin is included?

You’ll receive three Slingsby gin cocktail tastings from the Bombay Sapphire collection, including Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Citron Pressé, and Bombay Bramble.

Is an audio guide included?

Yes. The audio guide is included and available in English.

Are there toilets onboard?

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

Is this tour suitable for children?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 18.

Can you cater for nut-free or coeliac diets?

No. Nut-free or coeliac diets cannot be catered to.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.