Gin and tea on a bus. London nails it. I love the vintage Routemaster sightseeing and the fact that Brigit’s Bakery scones with jam and cream are part of the package, not an afterthought. One drawback to plan for: the classic double-decker style means the upper deck can feel exposed, so colder or rainy days may be less comfy.

You’ll board in Central London (often around Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square) and glide past major sights like the London Eye and Westminster Abbey with an English audio guide running in the background. The tour is built around one big theme: a proper gin-and-tea experience with three different gin & tonic styles from Bombay Sapphire.

Key points before you book

• Routemaster bus views of Central London from a classic double-decker ride
• Brigit’s Bakery afternoon tea with savories, cakes, and scones plus jam and cream
• Three gin cocktails in the Bombay Sapphire family (Bombay Sapphire, Citron Pressé, Bramble)
• Unlimited hot drinks and water to keep you fueled for the full 1.5 hours
• Audio guide in English helps you make sense of what you’re passing
• No toilets onboard and no mid-route stops, so go before you board

London’s Gin Lovers Tour: What You’re Really Buying

This isn’t just a standard city tour with snacks tossed in. You’re paying for a tightly packaged pairing of Central London sightseeing plus a themed food-and-drink experience, served right as you move between landmarks.

The big appeal is the match between mood and location. Afternoon tea feels classic and refined; a double-decker bus feels old-school London; and a Bombay Sapphire gin tasting gives the whole thing a fun, modern twist. In 90 minutes, you get a scenic overview of iconic areas without needing to plan a route, pick meeting points, or time multiple stops.

The value question comes down to your priorities. If your goal is detailed history or museum-level learning, this may feel like it’s more about experience than depth. If your goal is a memorable outing built around tea, gins, and big views, the format makes a lot of sense for the money.

Boarding at Victoria or Trafalgar Square and Getting Seated Fast

Your meeting point can vary by option, but it’s centered on convenient, famous areas—commonly Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square. That matters because it reduces transit friction. You’re not hunting for a “nearby” address in a quiet side street; you’re starting in the thick of the city.

Two practical things to remember before you arrive:

• The bus is on schedule and cannot wait for late passengers.
• You’ll want to show up with enough time to find the line, get your boarding details, and choose your spot.

Also, the top deck availability can’t be guaranteed. If getting the best views is your priority, arrive early and keep your expectations flexible.

Finally, this tour runs rain or shine, and the bus ride is part of the experience. Dress for London weather, not for a guaranteed sunny afternoon.

Central London Sights from a Vintage Routemaster Route

You’ll spend your 1.5 hours cruising through Central London on a Routemaster bus, the classic vintage style that makes the windows feel like a feature, not just a barrier. The route focuses on well-known highlights, including:

• London Eye
• Westminster Abbey
• Marble Arch

What you’ll actually enjoy is the way these landmarks look from a moving vantage point. On a bus, your eyes get a faster “map in motion” than you would walking a long stretch. You also get the advantage of being transported between photo angles without the effort of re-routing.

That said, the bus style has one major consideration: it’s a classic double-decker format and can feel more exposed. One review notes it’s more comfortable in warmer weather, largely because the bus does not have the kind of enclosed setup you’d expect from a fully modern coach. Plan accordingly—bring layers if the temperature drops, and keep rain protection in mind.

One more operational reality: the bus can’t stop during the tour, and there are no toilets onboard. So think of this as sightseeing-in-motion. You’re here for the views as you go, not for short breaks.

The Gin Tasting Part: Bombay Sapphire’s Trio on Wheels

The headline here is gin, and the tour is built to treat it like a tasting experience rather than just a drink ticket. You get three gin cocktails as part of the package, and they’re described as a trio from Bombay Sapphire’s collection.

The three styles highlighted are:

• Bombay Sapphire
• Bombay Citron Pressé
• Bombay Bramble

So you’re not just repeating the same flavor three times. You’re sampling different profiles—citrus-leaning, berry-leaning, and the core style—while you watch Central London roll by.

A practical note: this is not a slow, sit-down tasting at a bar. Because it’s served during a moving tour with no toilet stops and a fixed duration, pace yourself. If you want to enjoy the full experience (food plus three gin cocktails plus photos plus audio guide), slow down your drinking and save your most photo-friendly moments for when you can hold steady.

Also, since smoking, vaping, and intoxication aren’t allowed, you’ll get a more relaxed, orderly atmosphere than some pub-style outings.

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

Food is a big part of why this works. The afternoon tea setup is handled by Brigit’s Bakery, and the menu includes a mix of:

• savories
• cakes
• scones with jam and cream

There’s a reason this pairing gets high marks: it feels like a real afternoon tea, not a token snack. You’re getting enough variety to keep you comfortable through a full 90-minute ride, especially since you’re also sipping multiple drinks.

If you love the classic tea routine, the scones are the anchor. Jam and cream are what you remember later, and this tour makes sure you don’t just get one small bite. If you prefer lighter tastes, the savories and cakes help spread out the flavors rather than turning the ride into one-note sweetness.

Two important limits to know up front:

• Nut-free and coeliac diets can’t be catered to.
• If you have dietary restrictions beyond what’s explicitly possible here, you’ll need to plan your expectations carefully.

And remember: no toilets onboard, so eat with comfort in mind and stay aware of how long you’ll be out before you can step away.

Unlimited Hot Drinks and the Best Use of 90 Minutes

Beyond the gin cocktails, you get unlimited hot drinks—coffee, tea, and hot chocolate—plus water. That detail matters more than it sounds. When you’re mixing alcohol with time outdoors (even partially), it helps to have plenty of non-alcohol options available.

It also means you can fine-tune the experience:

• If you want to stay warm, hot chocolate can make the ride more comfortable.
• If you want to stretch the flavors and keep a steady pace, tea or coffee is there for you.

This is one of those tours where the duration is short enough that you should plan your energy. In 90 minutes, the goal is not to linger over every single bite. The goal is to enjoy the flow: settle in, listen to the audio guide, take in landmark views, and snack in sync with the drinks.

The English Audio Guide: How to Make Sightseeing Click

You’ll have an English audio guide included, and it’s the engine that turns “passing landmarks” into something closer to “understanding what you’re seeing.”

What you’ll gain is continuity. Without the audio, you might recognize London Eye or Westminster Abbey but miss the context around them. With audio, you’re nudged to notice architectural details, street layouts, and why these spots matter.

You’ll want to listen in short bursts rather than trying to focus continuously while also aiming for photos, eating, and keeping your footing on a bus. Think of it like a moving playlist of explanations. That’s often the easiest way to get value from audio on short tours.

Comfort, Rules, and the Stuff That Can Affect Your Day

This outing has a few “small” rules that can actually shape your experience.

First, the tour takes place rain or shine, and the bus is a vintage double-decker. Dress for weather changes. Bring something practical: a light waterproof layer, a hat, or a compact umbrella you can manage without blocking others.

Second, there are no toilets onboard and the bus can’t stop during the tour. This means you should plan ahead. Use facilities before boarding, and don’t count on a break midway through.

Third, the tour isn’t suited to everyone:

• not suitable for people with motion sickness
• not suitable for children under 18
• smoking, vaping, and intoxication aren’t allowed

Finally, you’ll need a passport or ID card to participate.

These rules aren’t there to be annoying. They protect the pace of the tour and keep the group experience smooth in a busy city.

Price and Value: Is $94.29 Worth It for Tea and 3 Gins?

At $94.29 per person for about 1.5 hours, this isn’t a budget sightseeing option. The value comes from what’s bundled together.

You’re getting:

• a Routemaster Central London bus tour
• an afternoon tea spread (savories, cakes, scones with jam and cream)
• unlimited hot drinks and water
• three gin cocktails (Bombay Sapphire collection styles)
• an English audio guide

If you’d normally pay separately—bus tour plus afternoon tea plus multiple drinks—this package often starts to look like a reasonable shortcut. You also remove the mental load of coordinating timing. The food and tastings are scheduled for the tour, so you’re not trying to make afternoon tea reservations and fit them around sightseeing.

Where you might reconsider is if you only want basic sightseeing, or if gin cocktails aren’t your thing. In that case, you may feel like you’re paying for the theme rather than the route.

For the right person, the pricing is basically for a curated experience: tea plus three gin styles plus landmark views in one fixed block of time.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Not)

This is a strong fit for:

• gin lovers who want three different flavors rather than one drink
• people celebrating birthdays, girls’ nights, or a special treat day
• anyone who wants a single planned outing covering major sights fast
• tea fans who care about having real afternoon tea items, not just snacks

It may not fit if:

• you have motion sickness
• you need nut-free or coeliac-friendly options (these can’t be catered to)
• you’re looking for a long, in-depth sightseeing day with restroom breaks

Also, if you’re hoping for the smoothest fully enclosed bus comfort, note the double-decker setup. One review points out that the bus is more recommended for warmer weather. Even if it’s not sweltering, cold wind can change how enjoyable the upper deck feels.

Should You Book This London Gin and Afternoon Tea Bus Tour?

If your ideal London day includes three things—iconic landmarks, afternoon tea that feels legit, and a guided gin tasting—this is an easy yes.

I’d book it if you want a memorable, low-planning outing where everything is handled: the route is set, the audio is included, and the food and drink are part of the schedule. You’ll get a good snapshot of Central London in about 90 minutes, and you won’t have to build a mini itinerary from scratch.

I wouldn’t book it if you’re planning around strict dietary needs, you don’t tolerate motion well, or you need bathroom flexibility. With no toilets onboard and no mid-tour stops, this is best for people who can commit to a continuous ride.

FAQ

How long is the London Gin and Afternoon Tea bus tour?

The tour duration is about 1.5 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

The meeting point can vary depending on the option you book, with common starts around Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square.

What’s included in the afternoon tea?

You’ll get a selection of savories and cakes, plus scones with jam and cream.

How many gin cocktails are included?

You’ll receive 3 gin cocktails as part of the tour.

Are non-alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water are included, and hot drinks are unlimited.

Is an audio guide included?

Yes. The tour includes an English audio guide.

Does the bus have toilets or can it stop during the tour?

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

Is this tour suitable for children?

No. It isn’t suitable for children under 18 years.

Can the tour accommodate nut-free or coeliac diets?

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

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