About this tour
When Tom from our Global Hobo crew boarded this 1960s Routemaster for afternoon tea, we found a genuinely clever idea executed with real charm. You're served a proper spread of sandwiches, cakes, and pastries from Brigit's Bakery while rolling past Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, and the Royal Albert Hall. It's 1 hour 25 minutes of London scenery paired with actual food — no pretence, no gimmicks. The vibe is relaxed and a bit retro, and it draws a mixed crowd of tourists and locals after something a bit different.
Highlights
- Vintage Routemaster bus creates authentic 1960s London atmosphere genuinely
- Afternoon tea served at your seat while passing major landmarks
- Artisan bakery pastries and sandwiches actually taste good, not mediocre
- No stops means continuous views and unrushed eating experience
- Multiple dietary options pre-bookable including vegan and gluten-free
- Lower deck seats guaranteed; upper deck a bonus if you're lucky
- Compact 1 hour 25 minute window keeps momentum without fatigue
What to expect
You'll board at ground level (upper deck seating is a lottery on the day), settle in, and start moving immediately. Tea service begins straightaway — think finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, and pastries arriving at your table as London rolls past your window. There's no sitting still at a cafe; instead you're moving through central London while eating, which sounds odd but works surprisingly well. The pace is leisurely, so you're not cramming landmarks and cake into a frantic hour. The Routemaster itself is the draw — it looks and feels period, though it's a working bus with actual traffic around it, so expect the odd jolt.
Tom found the food quality solid for a moving cafe. The bakery items didn't taste like afterthoughts, and dietary swaps are genuinely accommodated if you pre-book. Crowds vary, but you're sharing the experience with up to 44 others, which means it never feels intimate but also never feels claustrophobic.
What travellers say
- Genuine novelty — afternoon tea on a moving vintage bus works
- Food quality holds up; not token snacks from a chain
- Efficient 85 minutes; fits a London day without bloat
- Dietary options pre-bookable and taken seriously in practice
- Retro Routemaster atmosphere adds to the experience authentically
- Upper deck seating is luck of the draw, not guaranteed
- No onboard toilet and no stops during the tour
- Menu and decor vary seasonally; promotional images not guaranteed
- Weather sensitivity — windows don't offer full protection from rain
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This actually delivers on its promise. You get real afternoon tea, real London landmarks, and real novelty without being gimmicky. It suits anyone after something different from the standard tour bus — families with kids aged 5+, couples after a quirky date, tourists who want sightseeing without a lecture. The short duration means it fits easily into a London day. Dietary needs are taken seriously if you plan ahead.
Upper deck seats aren't guaranteed, and that's where the best views are — you might land downstairs. There are no toilet stops during the tour and no onboard loo, so sort yourself before boarding. The menu and decorations shift seasonally and by availability, so don't expect the exact spread in promotional images. It's not wheelchair-accessible upstairs and quite narrow for mobility aids. Kids under 5 aren't permitted. Weather matters — you're on a bus with windows, not a covered cafe, so rain or cold can dull the charm.
Book your dietary preference in advance (vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free available; no nut allergy accommodation). Capacity is 32–44 depending on which bus. Peak times are weekends and school holidays. Bring a light layer — the bus moves and there's air. Service animals welcome.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.