London Afternoon Tea Cruise

How can you maximise your London trip if you’re short on time? One of my top suggestions is to plan activities that are in close proximity. And the London Afternoon Tea Cruise is a perfect opportunity for this!

After a morning exploring the historic Tower of London, there’s no better way to combine sightseeing than by embarking on a London Afternoon Tea River Cruise.

I recommend booking your visit to the Tower of London as soon as it opens to make the most of your day. For more on Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the Tower of London, watch this TikTok video.

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London Travel Tips for Visiting the Tower of London | London Trip Mistakes to Avoid #toweroflondon #londontravel #visitlondon #traveltips

♬ Bridgerton (Wildest Dreams) – The Theme System

We booked both tickets for the Tower of London and the London Afternoon Tea Cruise through Fever. My experience was complimentary as a Fever Ambassador. Be sure to use the code SUNNYINLONDON10 if you book with them because each month I have some extra events for which you can receive a little discount! (More on that later)

There’s also a Cutty Sark Afternoon Tea in London running through 2024 September. It’s a 3 hour experience. You can have your scrumptious treats, beneath the iconic copper hull of the world’s sole-surviving tea clipper.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them. This comes at no additional cost to you and it helps support the Sunny in London blog.

The cruise itself lasts 90 minutes, with adult tickets priced at £55 each, excluding any alcohol you might wish to enjoy during your cruise.

The Experience

The adventure begins at Tower Millennium Pier, conveniently located at the base of the Tower of London. It’s featured in the image above. Plan to arrive by 3.15pm, with the cruise setting off by 3.30pm.

Our journey first took us west along the River Thames. We were seated on the starboard side, offering us excellent views of iconic landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, the London Eye and The Shard.

Parties of two are seated closest to the windows at tables anchored to the floor, providing the best views. Larger groups seemed to be seated towards the centre of the boat, which means their views weren’t as spectacular. Once you’ve finished your afternoon tea, you can head upstairs to enjoy the 360° views of London’s riverside landmarks. Casual attire is recommended for a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

The Food

The afternoon tea menu offers a lovely array of options, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free selections. However, they are unable to accommodate menus that are both vegan and gluten-free. Be sure to advise them of any dietary requirements at the time of your booking.

The spread includes a variety of sandwiches, mini pastries, and scones served with clotted cream and jam. While you can order wine or champagne for an additional cost, tea and coffee are unlimited throughout the cruise.

The food is delicious, albeit different from what you’d find in a five-star hotel’s afternoon tea offer. The true highlight, however, is the stunning views that accompany your meal.

Our menu included:

• Fish Sandwich (smoked salmon and cream cheese on light Rye and Caraway bread
• Egg Sandwich (egg mayonnaise and watercress on basil & spinach bread)
• Coronation Sandwich (coronation chicken on brown bread)
• Chipotle Sandwich (chipotle and sweetcorn on beetroot & dill bread)
• Plain Scone (with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve)
• Lemon Meringue
• Mango Pebble
• Pink Macaron
• Chocolate Fudge Cake

London Afternoon Tea Cruise: Final Thoughts

City Cruises is the tour operator for this event. They once again impressed me with their system of organisation and consistent service, which I have experienced on several occasions.

This London afternoon tea cruise is an excellent way to combine sightseeing with a quintessentially British food tradition. For the best experience, I suggest going as a party of two to increase your chances of being seated next to a window. Overall, this river cruise with food offers very good value for money and is a great addition to your London itinerary.

For more about how to plan your day near the Tower of London, you can watch the Sunny in London YouTube video below.

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