Afternoon Tea and a Tour of London with B Bakery
What’s more quintessentially London than afternoon tea and a double-decker bus? How about afternoon tea ON a double-decker bus! That is exactly what Miss P, Miss V, and I did when we went to London and took the B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. The Lovely Ladies and I had been to London before (you can read about those experiences here, here, and here), so we were looking for something a little different, and indulging in a proper British afternoon tea, while sightseeing around the city definitely fit the bill.
The Setup
The B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour is a light-hearted, whimsical way to enjoy London’s main sights. Guests board a vintage 1960’s Routemaster bus, and are directed to their tables, which are already set and look stunning!
Photo credit: Monique White
We took our seats on the top deck (because you HAVE to sit on the top deck of a double-decker bus) and nibbled on a selection of amazing finger sandwiches and pastries, and sipped tea from souvenir cups with lids to prevent spilling as we passed iconic London landmarks such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Victoria and Albert Museum and Buckingham Palace.
As delightful as the B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour is I should caution you that it is by no means a traditional tour. It is not a hop on – hop off bus that allows you to get off and have a more in-depth look at the sights. The bus whizzes by various landmarks, and what you actually see can depend on where you’re sitting or if the bus is stopped at a red light.
Additionally, there is music playing, people chatting away, and the jostling that comes with eating and drinking in a moving vehicle, so the commentary is muddled. My advice to any first-time visitors or people who want a more substantial sightseeing experience is to supplement the tea bus tour with another tour.
Afternoon Tea
Where the sightseeing aspect of the tour may be lacking, the afternoon tea part absolutely makes up for it. B Bakery is an actual brick-and-mortar, family-owned bakery in Covent Garden, so the treats, which include a variety of sandwiches and an assortment of desserts, were delicious! And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, they brought out warm scones with jam and clotted cream!
The tea flows freely and as frequently as you’d like, however, there are no additional servings of the food, but the finger sandwiches and pastries were quite filling, and I was happy for the to-go boxes that were provided for the leftovers.
B Bakery has several tours to choose from, including an afternoon tea cruise on the Thames, an afternoon picnic tea, a Gin lovers tea, and they offer gluten-free, vegetarian and Halal options for a slight additional cost.
Prices for the B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour start at £45 (€51, $60), and I recommend booking in advance to guarantee a table on the top deck of the bus.
For more information on the tour, visit the B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus, website.
It looks like you had a blast! I think that so “London” of you all. It looks like a fun way to see the sights.
It was sweet, and a fun way to see London.
London is on my travel bucket list. I would love to do the tea bus tour with my daughter. She is totally into fancy tea. This is the perfect idea to combine two of the things London is very well known for.
It is such a great mommy-daughter thing to do. I definitely recommend it.
I’ve always wanted to go to London. This looked like such a fun trip. The train ride looked great.
Well, when you go to London, take this tour!
Oh how cute is this! I love London and afternoon tea so will for sure add this tea bus to my list for my next visit.
It's a really fun concept, especially if you've been and are looking for a different way to experience London.
This looks and sounds like it was a fun and delicious bus tour, plus you were able to get out of the rainy London weather. I wish we had done this while there.
It's always good to have rainy day alternatives when in London.
Oh my, this looks like so much fun! I would love a bus tour in London!!!
Touring London in the revamped doubledecker was quite nice.
London is definitely on my bucket list of places to go. I love the city life but also the quaintness of all the cute bakeries and such.
This is a cute idea, London is at the top of my travel list. I'm a daily tea drinker at home so I know I need to experience it in London.
It is a fun idea, and well executed. Definitely put on your to-do list for when you visit London.
Aw, that looks like a lovely time. A tour and tea sound like a fun girls day out.
It was a great girls day out.