Buckingham Palace & Afternoon Tea Sightseeing Tour with PG Tips

Royal rooms, city landmarks, and tea in one afternoon. This experience packs a lot into a short London visit, pairing a panoramic coach tour and freshly prepared afternoon tea with entry to Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms. I especially like the chance to see rooms such as the Throne Room and White Drawing Room, and the handy mix of sightseeing and food for anyone short on time. The main drawback is the tight schedule: the tea tour ends near Victoria Station at about 3:30 PM, while palace entry is set for 4:15 PM, and the walk between them is not included.

The Buckingham Palace visit is self-guided, so you can move at your own pace inside the State Rooms rather than follow a guide through every room. That works well for visitors who prefer an audio tour, but the palace can become crowded, and some people find the audio stops between rooms or requires you to find small room numbers.

Key points to know before booking

• The palace visit begins at 4:15 PM: You finish the tea bus near Victoria Station first, then walk about 10 to 15 minutes to Buckingham Palace.
• Afternoon tea is served on a sightseeing bus: You get tea or coffee, prepared food, and a branded travel cup while London sights pass outside.
• The State Rooms are self-guided: An audio device gives context on the art, furniture, rooms, and royal collection.
• You see major landmarks from the coach: The route includes views of the London Eye, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and St Paul’s Cathedral.
• The timing is useful but fixed: The experience begins at 2 PM, and you should arrive by 1:30 PM. Children under five are not allowed.
• The $151.24 price buys convenience: It can make sense if you want afternoon tea, city sightseeing, and palace admission in one booking, but it is less appealing if you only want palace tickets.

A three-part London afternoon

This outing is best understood as three separate experiences joined together: a London sightseeing ride, afternoon tea on board, and an independent Buckingham Palace visit.

The first part takes place on a tea bus after you meet at Evan Evans Tours, 258 Vauxhall Bridge Road. The departure time is 2 PM, and arriving 30 minutes early is wise. The bus tour finishes near Victoria Station at about 3:30 PM.

That leaves roughly 45 minutes before your 4:15 PM palace entry. The walk from Victoria Station to Buckingham Palace takes about 10 to 15 minutes, but you still need to allow time to get off the bus, orient yourself, and find the correct entrance. This is not a guided transfer, so you are responsible for making the connection.

The palace portion lasts about two hours for many visitors, though the exact length depends on how quickly you move through the rooms and exhibitions. The total experience is advertised at about four and a half hours, but the afternoon is not one continuous guided tour. Knowing that in advance prevents confusion.

Afternoon tea with London outside the window

Afternoon tea is served on board the sightseeing bus, which gives the meal a more unusual setting than a hotel dining room. You receive a selection of teas and coffees, freshly prepared afternoon tea, and a branded souvenir travel cup. A glass of prosecco is included in the supplied details, and prosecco is available only to adults aged 18 and over.

The appeal is not fine dining. It is the combination of a light meal and a moving view of London. You can eat while passing some of the city’s most recognizable sights, which makes good use of an afternoon when you might otherwise spend time moving between separate attractions.

The service style also matters. One critical experience found the tea room disappointing because the food was served on flimsy paper plates and in paper cups. That complaint is worth taking seriously if you picture a formal, polished afternoon tea with china and silver service. This is a sightseeing meal on a bus, so the setting is casual and practical rather than grand.

Menus are seasonal and can change. If you have dietary requirements, you need to notify the operator at least 72 hours ahead by email. The bus has a toilet, which is useful during a food-and-sightseeing outing of this length.

The London sights from the coach

The panoramic tour gives you a broad first look at central London. The listed sights include the London Eye, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and St Paul’s Cathedral.

You should think of these as viewing points from the coach, not separate stops where you get out and explore. That distinction is important. If you want photographs at each landmark, your opportunities may be limited by traffic, windows, and the movement of the bus.

The London Eye gives the route an instantly recognizable modern landmark. Big Ben brings you close to the parliamentary heart of the city, while St Paul’s Cathedral offers one of London’s most familiar historic profiles. Tower Bridge adds a different character, with its distinctive structure over the Thames.

I like this part of the plan for a first visit or a short break. You get a quick visual survey of several major sights before spending focused time at the palace. I would not choose it as your main sightseeing tour if you want long stops, detailed walking commentary, or time to enter the landmarks.

The experience includes a live guided panoramic tour, but the palace visit itself is not led in the same way. This difference should be clear when you book: the coach portion has live guidance, while the State Rooms are explored independently with an audio device.

Entering Buckingham Palace at 4:15 PM

The palace is the main reason to book this experience. Entry to the State Rooms gives you access to the official London residence of the King, including important ceremonial spaces such as the Throne Room and White Drawing Room.

Inside, the appeal is the scale and detail of the rooms. You see royal paintings, furniture, decorative features, and grand interiors in the setting for which they were made. The Grand Staircase and Marble Room are also among the spaces visitors have particularly enjoyed.

The State Rooms are not simply a glimpse through a doorway. The visit gives you time to walk through a series of rooms and exhibitions, then continue toward the Garden Cafe and gift shop. The palace audio guide adds useful explanation without forcing you to stay with a group. Several visitors have found that the commentary gives just enough information, rather than overwhelming the visit with a long lecture.

You should also know what the palace visit is not. It is not access to every part of the building, and you cannot photograph inside the State Rooms. The route can feel crowded, especially when several groups arrive close together. You may need to keep moving, with limited places to sit and pause.

One visitor praised the chance to take as long as needed, while another found the crowd flow too much like a queue. Both impressions can be true. The self-guided format gives you some control, but the number of people around you affects how long you can linger in front of a painting or architectural detail.

The audio equipment has one small irritation. It may stop as you move between rooms, and you may need to restart it or locate a small number that matches the next section. If you dislike handling an audio device while walking, this can take away from the ease of the visit.

The palace gardens and the final exit

The palace route ends near the rear of the building, with views toward the gardens. Standard State Rooms admission does not necessarily let you wander freely through the gardens.

A separate garden tour may be available for an additional cost, but it needs to be booked with the palace visit. It may not be possible to add it at the end, so decide before the day if garden access is important to you.

You can usually spend time at the Garden Cafe and gift shop after the rooms. The cafe has been described as reasonably priced by one visitor, which makes it a useful place to pause after the indoor route. The garden access limits are worth noting because some people expect palace admission to include a broad walk through the grounds.

Is $151.24 good value?

At $151.24 per person, this is not a budget way to see Buckingham Palace. The price includes the palace State Rooms admission, afternoon tea, tea or coffee, a live guided coach tour, a prosecco serving, and a branded travel cup.

The value depends on how many of those pieces you want. If you were already planning to buy palace admission, arrange afternoon tea, and pay for a central London sightseeing tour, combining them can save planning time and reduce the risk of missing one reservation. The fixed schedule also works well for a short stay.

If your only goal is to see Buckingham Palace, buying palace tickets directly may cost less and give you more control over your timing. One important distinction is that this package does not provide a palace guide. The palace audio tour is useful, but it is not the same as having a person answer questions or explain the building as you walk.

The package is strongest as a convenience purchase. You are paying for the combination, the central scheduling, and the chance to fit several classic London activities into one afternoon. You are paying less for luxury than for a tidy itinerary.

Who will enjoy this afternoon most?

I would recommend this tour to first-time London visitors who want a broad introduction without arranging several separate bookings. It suits couples, families with older children, and adults who like the idea of afternoon tea but also want to see major sights.

It is also a good fit for anyone with only a day or two in London. The coach handles the movement between several famous areas, and the palace visit gives the afternoon a clear main event.

The experience is less suitable if you want a quiet palace visit, a formal tea service, or long stops at the London Eye, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and St Paul’s Cathedral. It may also frustrate visitors who need flexible timing, since the coach departure and palace entry are fixed.

Children and babies under five are not permitted. All visitors should expect a moderate amount of walking and standing, especially during the palace portion and the transfer from Victoria Station.

Practical timing tips for a smoother day

Arrive at Evan Evans Tours by 1:30 PM, not at 2 PM. The starting point is at 258 Vauxhall Bridge Road, and the tour departs at 2 PM.

Keep your palace details easy to reach when you leave the bus. The tea tour ends by Victoria Station around 3:30 PM, and you must walk to the palace for the 4:15 PM entry. The route is manageable, but this is not the moment for a long cafe stop or a detour into a shop.

Tell the operator about dietary needs at least 72 hours in advance. Do not assume that changes can be made on the day, since menus are seasonal.

Allow about two hours for Buckingham Palace if you want to listen to much of the audio commentary and look carefully at the rooms. Do not plan another tightly timed attraction immediately afterward unless you are comfortable leaving early.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and the experience requires a minimum number of bookings to operate.

The bottom line: should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a convenient London sampler that combines famous sights, a casual afternoon tea, and Buckingham Palace in one afternoon. The State Rooms are the clear highlight, with grand interiors, royal art, and a well-liked audio format that lets you move at your own pace.

Think twice if you want formal tea service, a personal palace guide, or a calm visit with plenty of room to stop. The timing between Victoria Station and the palace is workable but fixed, and crowding can reduce the sense of leisure.

For a time-pressed visitor, the package earns its price through convenience. For a palace specialist, direct State Rooms tickets may offer better control and potentially better value.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The afternoon tea sightseeing tour starts at 2 PM. You should arrive at Evan Evans Tours, 258 Vauxhall Bridge Road, at least 30 minutes before departure.

When do I enter Buckingham Palace?

Your Buckingham Palace State Rooms entry time is 4:15 PM.

Is transport provided from the tea bus to Buckingham Palace?

No. The tea sightseeing tour finishes near Victoria Station, and transport to the palace is not provided. The walk takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

How long does the full experience last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes. The sightseeing and afternoon tea portion finishes around 3:30 PM, followed by the 4:15 PM palace entry.

Is Buckingham Palace admission included?

Yes. Admission to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms is included.

Is the palace tour guided?

The palace visit is taken independently after the sightseeing and afternoon tea portion. An audio guide is provided for the State Rooms.

Is prosecco included?

A glass of prosecco is included in the supplied tour details. Prosecco is available only to adults aged 18 and over.

Are children under five allowed?

No. Children and babies under the age of five are not permitted on this experience.