Gin tasting on a classic London bus. It pairs afternoon tea from Brigit’s Bakery with a Central London loop and an English audio guide, so you get sights and sips in one smooth 1.5-hour outing.

I especially love the Bombay Sapphire gin-and-tonic trio, served alongside scones and cakes with jam and cream. It feels like a proper tasting moment, not just a drink included for show.

One heads-up: this Routemaster ride can feel chilly since it runs like a double-decker without doors, and the best seats on top are not guaranteed.

Key Things I’d Plan Around

• Brigit’s Bakery afternoon tea that is actually part of the show, not an afterthought
• Three Bombay Sapphire gin styles delivered during the sightseeing loop
• Central London views from a vintage Routemaster bus (London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Marble Arch)
• English audio guide that helps you match landmark to story in real time
• No toilets onboard, so plan your timing and travel light

A Vintage Routemaster + Afternoon Tea in the Middle of London

This tour hits a fun sweet spot. You are not stuck in a museum, and you are not just “drinking while you look out the window.” You get a 90-minute sightseeing circuit and a full afternoon tea setup that keeps things moving.

The bus matters. It is a vintage Routemaster style double-decker, which means lots of skyline time and classic London energy. Since it behaves like an open bus experience (reviews even flag the no-doors feel), it is best when the weather is cooperating. In colder months, dress like you mean it: layers beat a single hoodie.

Where you start can help your experience. You depart from either Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square depending on your option. Both areas put you in the middle of the action, so you do not spend the first part of the tour crawling across London in traffic like a lost tour group.

What’s Really Included: Brigit’s Bakery Tea and a Gin Trio

This is the part you should care about most, because it is where value lives. The tour includes afternoon tea with savories, cakes, and scones with jam and cream from Brigit’s Bakery. You also get unlimited hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) plus water. That means you can pace yourself instead of forcing everything into one quick cup.

Then comes the tasting component. You get 3 Slingsby gin cocktails, described as a trio of distinct gin and tonics from the Bombay Sapphire collection. The styles named include Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Citron Pressé, and Bombay Bramble. This turns the whole ride into a mini-flight vibe, where you can compare flavors while the scenery changes.

A small but important point: food and drink are part of the tour rhythm. So you will likely be eating and sipping as the landmarks come into view, which makes the time feel quicker than 1.5 hours. That is exactly how it should work.

The Central London Route: London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Marble Arch

Your route is built around the big hitters. As the bus cruises through Central London, you get views of the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, and Marble Arch. These are classic “first-timer” landmarks, yes. But the value here is getting them from a moving vantage point while you listen to an audio guide that adds context.

Here is how I’d approach it while you ride:

• Look for the landmarks in advance, then listen to the audio when you spot them.
• Take quick photos, but keep your eyes up for the actual sight lines. London’s real magic is how buildings layer in the distance.
• If you care about a particular landmark (like Westminster Abbey), treat the audio as your cue to pay attention right then, not later.

There is no detailed stop-by-stop timeline provided, so think of this as a sightseeing loop with narration rather than a “walk to photo spot A, then B” itinerary. That is part of the charm. You get the motion, the views, and the tempo of a city ride.

Audio Guide in English: How to Use It Without Missing the Sights

The audio guide is included and runs in English, which matters for two reasons. First, it keeps you independent once you are on the bus. Second, you can match what you hear to what you see in the moment, instead of saving all the learning for later.

You do not need to listen to every minute like it is a classroom. A better strategy is to treat it like chapters:

• Listen when you notice a landmark.
• If you miss a segment, do not worry. London has a lot going on. You will catch the next cue.

Because your tour window is about 1.5 hours, this matters. You want your attention spend to line up with the sights, or you end up staring at the street while the story plays behind you.

Seats, Weather, and the No-Toilet Reality (Plan Smart)

This is where expectations make or break the experience.

You’re on a double-decker bus, but availability on the top deck cannot be guaranteed. If you want the best skyline views, you should arrive ready to move quickly at boarding time. If you end up lower than you hoped, you can still get great landmark views—just keep your head angled upward a bit more.

Weather is the other factor. The vintage bus experience feels more exposed than modern enclosed vehicles. One review specifically recommends warmer weather because the bus is essentially without doors. If it is chilly, I’d think of this as an outdoor activity that happens to roll around London.

Finally: there are no toilets onboard, and the bus can not stop during the tour. This is not a minor detail. It affects when you should eat, how you manage liquids, and how you approach the ride if you are sensitive about bathroom breaks. If you tend to over-drink during tours, pace the water and save the last sip for after you return.

Food and Drinks: How to Pace the Afternoon Tea + Gin

With unlimited hot drinks plus a gin trio, pacing is the difference between a fun tasting and a sleepy mess.

Here is a practical way to handle it:

• Start with your tea or coffee while you settle in.
• Eat the savory items early so the sweet elements do not hit too hard.
• Space out the gin and tonics, and switch between sips and bites. You get three distinct styles, so give yourself time to notice differences.

Also note the tour is not designed for special dietary needs. Nut-free or coeliac diets cannot be catered to, and it is marked not suitable for people with nut allergies. If you have serious dietary restrictions, this one may not work.

One more rule that is worth respecting: smoking and vaping are not allowed, and intoxication is not allowed. That is standard safety and comfort, but it also protects the vibe. This is a sightseeing-and-tea experience, not a party boat.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour is designed for adults who want a different London sightseeing format. It is not suitable for children under 18 and it is not suitable for people with motion sickness. If you know you get queasy on buses, skip it even if you like the idea of gin.

It is a strong fit for:

• Date nights and special birthdays where you want both food and a view
• Friend groups looking for a structured plan that still feels relaxed
• People who like themed experiences without the hassle of reservations at multiple places

It is a weaker fit if:

• You are dealing with weather tolerance issues (cold hands are real on open-feeling buses)
• You need nut-free or coeliac-safe options
• You strongly need toilet stops during a ride

Also bring a passport or ID card. You will need it.

Price and Value: Is $94.29 Worth It?

At $94.29 per person, you are paying for three big categories at once:

1) A Routemaster bus sightseeing ride through Central London

2) A full afternoon tea package with scones, jam, and cream

3) Three gin and tonic styles, served as part of the experience

That combination is why the price can make sense for the right person. In London, it is easy to spend more than that if you piece things together yourself—especially once you factor in transportation plus a proper afternoon tea plus additional drinks.

You are also buying convenience. You do not have to coordinate a tea reservation, then find a separate way to sightsee, then decide where to go for a gin tasting. This tour bundles the “plan” and gives it a single time window of 1.5 hours.

Would I call it a bargain? Not automatically. But if you were already thinking about afternoon tea, and you also like Bombay Sapphire style gin tonics, you are stacking your interests in one go. That usually equals good value.

Should You Book This Gin Lovers Bus Tour?

If you want a fun London outing that mixes Central London landmarks, a proper Brigit’s Bakery tea, and a guided Bombay Sapphire gin tasting in one tight schedule, I think this is a smart pick.

I would especially lean yes if:

• You like themed experiences with food included
• You are comfortable with a bus ride that does not offer toilet stops
• You are traveling in weather that will feel decent on an open-feeling double-decker

I would lean no if:

• You have nut allergies or need coeliac-safe catering
• You get motion sickness on vehicles
• You need enclosed seating or guaranteed top-deck placement
• You want a lot of walking time at each landmark

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The duration is 1.5 hours.

Where does the bus tour start?

The tour departs from Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square, depending on the option booked.

What food and drinks are included?

You get afternoon tea with savories, cakes, and scones with jam and cream. Unlimited hot drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) and water are included.

Is there a toilet onboard?

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

Is this tour suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 18 years.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.