London: “Here We Go Again” Afternoon Tea Bus

The best part of this ABBA afternoon tea bus is the mix of London sightseeing and cheerful musical theatre. You sit with tea, finger sandwiches, scones, cupcakes, and a glass of prosecco or a soft drink while ABBA songs play around you. It is sightseeing with a beat, not a quiet tea room.

I like the pink double-decker setting, which gives the outing a playful London feel, and I like the chance to see Big Ben, the London Eye, the Shard, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace without planning a string of separate stops. Host Odun has also been praised for keeping the party spirit going, while the careful driving matters when food is on the table.

The main catch is that this is a short, traffic-dependent bus ride, not a full sightseeing tour with long stops. Tables may be shared, there is no toilet on board, and the ABBA playlist may not contain every song you hope to hear. At $79.47 per person, the value depends on wanting the food, music, and novelty as much as the views.

Key points to know before booking

• A 90-minute moving tea room: You eat and drink while the bus passes through Waterloo, Westminster, London Bridge, and other central areas.
• A proper afternoon tea menu: Expect finger sandwiches, sweet treats, fresh scones, fine teas, cupcakes, and prosecco or a soft drink.
• An ABBA sing-along: The music is central to the experience, with songs playing as you pass London landmarks.
• A praised host: Odun has been singled out for friendly service and for keeping the group involved.
• Shared tables are possible: This works best if you are comfortable sitting close to other people.
• Plan dietary requests early: Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free menus are available with at least 72 hours notice.

What the pink ABBA bus experience is really like

This outing turns a familiar London bus ride into a themed afternoon tea. You meet at Golden Tours Stop 1 and look for the pink-striped bus with The English Tea Bus written prominently on the side. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup across town.

Once seated, you can expect a traditional tea spread rather than a simple drink and snack. The meal includes finger sandwiches, sweet treats, fresh scones, cupcakes, and tea, with prosecco for adults or a soft drink for those who prefer not to drink alcohol. Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and over, and you need valid identification.

The ABBA theme gives the ride its personality. You are encouraged to sing along as the bus moves through London, so this is not the place for a silent meal or a formal, hushed tea service. I would book it for a birthday, a family outing with older children, or a group of friends who enjoy ABBA and do not mind being part of the entertainment.

The ride lasts 1.5 hours. That is long enough for a relaxed meal and a useful look at central London, but too short for a stop-and-explore sightseeing tour. You stay on the bus throughout, and the route can change because of traffic or road closures.

Seeing Waterloo, Westminster, and London Bridge from your table

The route takes you through several of London’s best-known areas, including Waterloo, Westminster, and London Bridge. The exact order and route can change, so you should treat the outing as a moving overview rather than a guaranteed checklist of photo stops.

Waterloo gives the ride a useful central London starting point, with access to views toward the South Bank area and the London Eye. Westminster brings the grandest landmarks, including Big Ben and the surrounding government buildings. The London Eye is especially easy to recognize from the bus, rising above the riverfront with its large circular frame.

As the bus continues, you may see the Shard, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and other monuments. The Shard provides a sharp contrast to older royal and historic buildings, while the Tower of London adds one of the city’s most recognizable medieval sights to the route.

The supplied description refers to taking in views from the water, but the meeting point, bus, and named streets make clear that this is a road-based experience. You should expect views from the bus rather than a boat journey. That distinction matters if you are comparing it with a Thames cruise.

The views are best treated as a bonus to the meal and music. Traffic may slow the bus, which can help you take photos, but a closure can also alter the planned route. You will not get a guaranteed pause at Big Ben or the Tower of London, and the driver does not provide a walking tour at each landmark.

Afternoon tea with scones, sandwiches, and prosecco

The food is a major part of the price. You receive the familiar elements of British afternoon tea, including small sandwiches, scones, cakes, cupcakes, and tea. The portions are designed for eating at a table while moving through the city, so do not expect a long restaurant meal or an elaborate multi-course service.

I like the way the menu keeps the experience recognizably British. If you are visiting London for the first time, afternoon tea gives you a local tradition while the bus adds a lighthearted twist. The prosecco makes the outing feel more celebratory, though a soft drink is included for anyone avoiding alcohol.

The food is served while the bus is moving, which is part of the fun but also worth considering. A careful driver helps, and one person specifically praised the driving given the challenge of navigating London streets with afternoon tea on the tables. Still, this is not the setting for delicate table manners or a meal that requires lots of room.

Dietary planning is important. Standard, vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options are available, but you must give notice at least 72 hours before the visit. If you wait until the day itself, the standard meal will be served. The operator also cannot guarantee that food has not been in contact with nuts or other allergens, so people with serious allergies should check carefully before booking.

ABBA songs and the role of the host

The music is not a small extra. It shapes the whole outing. You hear ABBA’s best-known songs as the bus moves around London, and the format invites you to sing with the people at nearby tables.

That makes the experience more social than a standard sightseeing bus. The right group will enjoy the shared energy, while a quiet couple looking for a calm tea may find the theme too loud or too playful. I would also keep expectations sensible about the playlist. One account praised the fun but wished for more well-known ABBA hits, so the exact song selection may not satisfy every fan.

Host Odun received particular praise for being friendly and keeping everyone in the party spirit. That is useful information because the host helps bridge the gap between a bus ride and a live themed event. The driver’s job is different, but careful driving is just as important here because drinks, hot tea, and plates are in front of you.

The experience is conducted in English. You do not need specialist ABBA knowledge, but the more you enjoy singing along, the more you will get from the ride.

How the seating and group atmosphere affect your visit

You may have to share tables. This is common for a moving tea service, but it affects the feel of the outing. If you want private space for a special occasion, check the seating arrangement before paying. A small group can still have a good time, but you may sit beside people you have not met.

One outing had only 11 people on the double-decker bus, which created a more relaxed setting and worked well for a 21st birthday. The group size can vary, so you should not book on the assumption that every departure will be small. A fuller bus may make the sing-along more lively, but it can also make the seating feel tighter.

Arrive with enough time to find the correct stop. Golden Tours Stop 1 can be confusing if you do not know what to look for, so focus on the pink-striped bus and the large The English Tea Bus sign. If you are uncertain on the day, contact the provider rather than assuming you have missed the departure. A mix-up at the stop was resolved after the provider confirmed that another bus would arrive shortly.

There are no toilets on board. Use one before boarding, especially if you are traveling with children or plan to drink the prosecco and tea.

Is $79.47 a fair price?

At $79.47 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see London or have afternoon tea. You are paying for several elements at once: a 90-minute sightseeing route, a themed double-decker setting, food, tea, a drink, and organized entertainment.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for afternoon tea and a sightseeing ride. You also avoid the planning involved in fitting Big Ben, the London Eye, the Shard, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace into one short outing. The bus gives you a city overview while you eat, which is useful early in a London visit.

The value is weaker if your main goal is detailed sightseeing. You do not get time off the bus, a walking guide, or guaranteed photo stops. Traffic can change the route, and you may spend part of the 90 minutes watching the city pass rather than learning detailed facts about each landmark.

I see this as a special-event purchase rather than a budget sightseeing ticket. For a birthday or a first afternoon in London, the music and setting can justify the cost. For a serious history-focused visit, spend the money on a walking tour, museum visit, or Thames cruise instead, then have afternoon tea somewhere stationary.

Who will enjoy this most

This experience suits ABBA fans, families with children over five, and friends looking for an easy London activity with food built in. Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult, and children under five are not allowed.

It also fits visitors who want a celebration without arranging separate restaurant reservations and transport. The birthday outing with a 21-year-old shows how well the format can work for a milestone, especially if everyone in the group enjoys singing.

You may want to skip it if you dislike group participation, need a quiet meal, or want a precise sightseeing schedule. People with back problems and pregnant women are advised not to book. The information also says the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, though it notes that a wheelchair user may sit on the lower deck in a fixed-position seat. That mixed guidance deserves a direct check with Golden Tours before booking.

Bring a camera and water. Smoking is not allowed, and you cannot bring alcohol or drugs on board.

Booking advice for the smoothest ride

Give all dietary requests at least 72 hours before the visit. This is the most important practical step because the standard meal is served if no request arrives in time.

Check the available departure time carefully and allow extra time to reach Golden Tours Stop 1. Look for the pink-striped bus rather than relying only on a street address. Since the route can change with traffic and closures, keep your sightseeing plans before or after the ride flexible.

If prosecco matters to you, bring valid identification if you look under 18. Otherwise, choose the soft drink option. Use a toilet before boarding, and expect to share a table unless told otherwise.

The activity offers free cancellation up to three days in advance for a full refund. That gives you some protection if your London plans change, but it does not help with a last-minute dietary request or a same-day cancellation.

Should you book the ABBA afternoon tea bus?

Book it if you want a themed London celebration, enjoy ABBA, and like the idea of combining tea, landmarks, and a group sing-along. The food, the pink bus, and the friendly hosting create a clear sense of occasion, and the route covers several famous sights in a short time.

Skip it if you want a quiet afternoon tea, a detailed history lesson, or guaranteed close-up views at every landmark. At this price, you should value the entertainment as much as the meal and transport. If that sounds right for your group, the 90-minute ride offers an easy, memorable way to see central London while singing along to familiar songs.

FAQ

Where does the ABBA afternoon tea bus start?

The bus starts at Golden Tours Stop 1. Look for a pink-striped bus with a large The English Tea Bus sign on its side.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point where it begins.

How long does the bus ride last?

The experience lasts 1.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What food and drinks are included?

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

Can I request vegetarian, vegan, halal, or gluten-free food?

Yes. These menu options are available, but you must provide the request at least 72 hours before your visit. Dietary needs cannot be added on the day.

Are children allowed on the bus?

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

Is there a toilet on board?

No. There are no toilets on the bus, so use one before boarding.

Can wheelchair users take part?

The information says wheelchair users can sit on the lower deck in a fixed-position seat, but it also lists the experience as not suitable for wheelchair users. Contact Golden Tours before booking to confirm whether the current vehicle and seating can meet your needs.