“Here We Go Again” London Afternoon Tea Bus

REVIEW · AFTERNOON TEA EXPERIENCES

“Here We Go Again” London Afternoon Tea Bus

4.5 · 110 reviews 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) Tickets from $68 Run by Golden Tours Gray Line London · Sold through Viator
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ABBA songs, tea, and London views on wheels. This Here We Go Again London Afternoon Tea Bus is a fun, low-pressure way to see Westminster, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge while you eat a proper afternoon tea and sing along during an English audio experience. I especially like the small group size, which makes it easy to chat, and the menu options for different diets. One thing to keep in mind: it is not a live-guided history lesson, and the ABBA portion may not feel nonstop to everyone.

You will spend about 1 hour 30 minutes on the route, starting at Golden Tours at Bulleid Way Departure Point (Stop 1). Tickets are mobile, it runs in English, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan to get yourself there on time.

Key highlights if you love ABBA and London landmarks

"Here We Go Again" London Afternoon Tea Bus - Key highlights if you love ABBA and London landmarks

  • ABBA-themed music on an iconic double-decker bus for a crowd-pleasing sing-along mood
  • Afternoon tea with choices including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus
  • Prosecco included for ages 21+ (non-alcoholic drinks for minors)
  • Landmark route with Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge audio highlights
  • Max group size of 26 helps the ride feel social, not packed

ABBA Tea Bus Overview: 90 Minutes, a Double-Decker, and a Sit-Down Meal

"Here We Go Again" London Afternoon Tea Bus - ABBA Tea Bus Overview: 90 Minutes, a Double-Decker, and a Sit-Down Meal
This is the kind of London activity that works when you want a change from museums and walking loops. You get a ride on a classic double-decker, plus a seated afternoon tea meal, plus an English audio guide covering big-name sights along the way. It is not a long tour, and that is part of the appeal.

The vibe is closer to a themed afternoon out than a deep cultural lecture. If you are an ABBA fan, the idea is simple: put the songs to the street scene, eat something comforting, and enjoy London from a moving viewpoint.

It also fits practical schedules. At $68.06 per person for about 1 hour 30 minutes, you are paying for the combo: transport on a bus, a meal, and guided audio. It is not the cheapest way to see the highlights, but it can be good value when you would otherwise pay for a similar sit-down experience plus transit.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in London.

Afternoon Tea on the Bus: Prosecco, Dietary Choices, and What You Actually Get

"Here We Go Again" London Afternoon Tea Bus - Afternoon Tea on the Bus: Prosecco, Dietary Choices, and What You Actually Get
The meal is the headline here, and the inclusions are clear. You get lunch afternoon tea, with the option to choose vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or a standard menu. That matters, because bus tours sometimes forget that half the city eats differently than the other half.

If you are ordering vegan or gluten-free, double-check your selection at booking, and be ready for the reality of buffet-style food service on a moving bus. One more important note: Golden Tours cannot guarantee that all foods have not been in contact with nuts or other allergens. If allergies are a serious issue for you, treat that warning as a real decision point, not fine print.

Alcohol is handled with an age rule. If you are 21 or older, you get a glass of Prosecco. Under 21, you will be served non-alcoholic drinks. This is helpful for mixed-age groups, and it keeps the experience consistent.

A couple of details to expect from the on-bus setup:

  • Service can be fast-paced because there is a driver and at least one tea server working the floor.
  • Drinks and tea may be served in travel-friendly containers. One person noted a cute plastic souvenir mug, and while that is a fun touch, it also means it is not a slow, fancy bar-cart experience.

And yes, temperature can affect comfort. Some people reported the bus felt hot, so if you run warm easily, dress light and plan for an indoor space that is not designed like a café.

Audio Guide vs Live Storytelling, and How the Music Fits the Route

Here is the key trade-off: there is audio guidance in English, but there is no live guide. That is exactly why this works for some people and frustrates others.

If you want interactive storytelling, you will likely wish for a person speaking to the group. The route descriptions are delivered by recording, and that means you get the facts in a steady voice, but not the spontaneous questions and follow-ups that a live guide can provide.

For ABBA music, the overall promise is strong. The experience is marketed around hearing favorite ABBA songs in a new way. Still, one report flagged that ABBA music felt limited during part of the ride, with other music playing early on. That does not ruin the concept, but it is a reminder to set expectations: this is a themed afternoon tea bus, not a full music concert.

My practical take: if ABBA is your top priority, go in expecting a fun soundtrack, not a guaranteed uninterrupted playlist. You are there for the combo of landmarks and tea, and if the music lands for you, great. If you are ultra-specific about the soundtrack, you might end up comparing it to something more hardcore.

Westminster Abbey From the Road: Coronations and a Parliament Square Stroll

"Here We Go Again" London Afternoon Tea Bus - Westminster Abbey From the Road: Coronations and a Parliament Square Stroll
Westminster Abbey is the first big anchor point on the route. You see it in the context of Parliament Square, next to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. The audio guide focuses on what makes it iconic: it began as the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, and it has long been a traditional place of coronation.

From a tour-reviewer standpoint, this stop is valuable because it gives you orientation. Even if you never walk inside, you get a sense of where the building sits in London’s political and ceremonial core. It is an easy landmark to recognize later, which helps if you plan to return on your own.

The downside is also predictable. From a bus, you are not going to absorb architectural details at street level. You mostly get the context and the visual silhouette, plus the audio facts. If you hoped for close-up photo angles or a walking moment, you might find the time tight since the emphasis stays on the ride and meal.

Still, the location is a win. Even brief views can make your later London walks feel more connected, because you can match what you see with what you heard.

London Eye Facts During the Ride: The 135 Metre View Without the Capsule

The London Eye stop is all about perspective. The audio highlights what it is and what it represents: you enter one of the glass capsules and rise 135 metres for a city view. The tour mentions the choice between fast track and standard tickets, which is useful information if you decide later that you want to ride.

Important reality check: none of that means the Eye ride itself is included in your afternoon tea experience based on what is listed as included. So treat this as a landmark highlight plus planning help, not as a guaranteed capsule ticket.

This is still worth it. The Eye is one of those London symbols you want to see in person, and a bus gives you a quick, low-effort look. If you are building a London day that mixes a paid attraction with free wandering, this kind of “you’ll want to come back” information helps.

One more practical point: views from the bus depend on the condition of the windows. At least one person reported dirty windows that made it harder to see clearly. You can reduce the problem by choosing a seat with the best line of sight, and by taking photos with your head up and phone steady, since moving vehicles make blur part of the game.

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Tower Bridge Walkway Details: Steel, Build Time, and Photo Points

Tower Bridge is where the audio facts get extra specific. You hear that its history spans over 135 years, and you also get the build-time punchline: it took 8 years to build, using over 11,000 tonnes of steel for the towers and walkways.

That kind of detail is useful because Tower Bridge can feel like a simple postcard image from far away. When you hear the numbers, the structure feels more real. It also helps you understand why this bridge is treated like a landmark by itself, not just a crossing.

From the bus, your experience is still about seeing the bridge and photos, not walking on the walkways. So if you want the full interactive bridge experience, you would likely need to plan a separate visit.

But as part of an afternoon tea bus, Tower Bridge is a strong finale. It is visually dramatic, it is instantly recognizable, and it gives you a satisfying big-London ending point before you return to the start.

On-Board Practicalities: Windows, Heat, and How Service Works

This is the section that saves your trip day.

First, seating and views. Some people noted the windows were dirty, which can cut down on the whole point of viewing London from the bus. If you can choose your seat, prioritize the window angle over the urge to sit dead center. A small adjustment can make a noticeable difference once the bus is moving.

Second, temperature. One report described the bus as miserably hot, to the point that a family member felt unwell and could not comfortably drink hot tea. That is not something you can fully predict, but you can protect yourself by dressing in breathable layers and planning for a warmer interior.

Third, service flow. On a double-decker, your meal service has to happen quickly. You should expect a straightforward process: tea and sandwiches arrive, then desserts, then a drink check for alcohol eligibility. One report mentioned the workload, with a driver and a tea server handling guest service. That can be totally fine, but it also means you should not expect barista-level attention.

One final tip: bring your appetite mindset. Afternoon tea is part snack, part meal, and part ritual. Some reports described sandwiches as okay, even slightly soggy, while desserts were tasty. Translation: arrive hungry, but don’t expect a perfect café presentation. Think comfort food on the move.

Price, Value, and Booking Timing for 68 Dollars

At $68.06 per person, you are paying for a package, not just a ride. Your inclusions are afternoon tea plus an audio guide, and Prosecco is included if you are 21+. That can be strong value when you consider how quickly London add-ons add up.

Also note the group size cap of 26. Smaller groups often feel more social, which matches the best part of this experience: meeting people, chatting, and enjoying the themed atmosphere together.

When the value is best:

  • You want a seated meal without planning a restaurant reservation.
  • You are okay with an audio guide instead of a live host.
  • You are in the mood for ABBA-themed fun, not a textbook tour.

When the value is weaker:

  • You need spotless viewing conditions and perfect comfort, every time.
  • You want deep landmark storytelling from a person on board.
  • You are hoping the music is the main event from minute one to minute ninety.

One practical note: the tour is often booked around 51 days in advance on average. If your calendar is fixed, booking ahead helps you lock in a time that fits your London schedule.

Who This ABBA Bus Is For, and Who Might Want Something Else

This is a great fit for London ABBA fans who want a fun, themed afternoon rather than a serious history program. It also works well if you are traveling as a small group or with mixed ages, since the alcohol policy is clear and there are non-alcoholic options.

It is also ideal if you like the idea of a “greatest hits” London route. Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge are three landmarks people often mention in the same breath, and here you get audio context while you eat.

You might want to skip this if you are picky about music pacing. One report described the ABBA portion as only part of the trip, and another described the overall experience as not matching the ABBA expectation. If ABBA is everything, you may prefer something more clearly centered on music with a full live performance vibe.

You might also want to consider alternatives if you need close-up sights or a live guide. Since there is no live guide, you get recorded narration and you get it consistently. If you prefer conversation and on-the-spot detail, audio alone might feel thin.

Should You Book the Here We Go Again Tea Bus?

Book it if you want an easygoing London afternoon where landmarks, music, and tea all happen in one compact 1 hour 30 minutes. The combo of afternoon tea with dietary choices plus Prosecco for 21+ plus a double-decker view route is exactly the kind of plan that works on days when you do not want to think too hard.

Skip it, or at least compare options, if you are mainly chasing a live guide experience, or if you know you hate window glare and warm interiors. Those can affect the enjoyment more than you might expect, and they can turn a fun theme into a frustrating commute.

If you do book, go in with a simple game plan: pick a window seat if possible, dress for heat, and treat the audio as the background facts that set up your later London wandering. If the ABBA mood hits, it can be a genuinely happy way to spend a London afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the Here We Go Again London Afternoon Tea Bus?

The experience runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Golden Tours, Bulleid Way Departure Point (Stop 1), Bulleid Way, London SW1W 9SR, UK, and it ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the ticket price?

You get lunch afternoon tea, an English audio guide, and (if you are over 21) a glass of Prosecco.

Are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus available?

Yes. You can choose between vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or standard menu options.

Is alcohol included, and are there age limits?

Alcohol is available as a glass of Prosecco for travelers 21 years old and above. Minor travelers below 21 will be served non-alcoholic drinks.

Is there a live guide on board?

No. This experience includes an English audio guide, but it does not include a live guide.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 26 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.