Afternoon tea on the Thames feels special fast. I love how this one-hour setup at Clipper Lounge EMB turns a classic British ritual into a riverside break, with River Thames views from Embankment Pier. You get a proper afternoon tea spread: fresh scones with jam and cream, delicate finger sandwiches, sweet treats, and tea or coffee to round it out.

Two things also make it easy to feel like you planned well: you can choose from classic, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free sandwich platters, and your drink pairing is built in with a glass of champagne or a gin cocktail. The one thing to consider is the time: at just 1 hour, it’s more of a focused pause than a long sightseeing hang, so plan to arrive ready to eat and sip.

Key highlights that matter

• Thames views from Embankment Pier while you settle in with a classic afternoon tea.
• Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail included in the price, plus tea or coffee.
• Scones with jam and cream and a full set of finger sandwiches and sweet treats.
• Multiple platter choices: classic, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free (with vegan scones and plant-based treats).
• Kids get their own menu and a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck gift.
• Service that feels genuinely attentive, including staff like Cheryl who handle small moments well.

A one-hour riverside ritual at Clipper Lounge EMB

This is the kind of London experience that works even when you’re short on time. You don’t need to study routes, transfer lines, or wait in long travel lines to get the mood right. Instead, you show up at Embankment Pier, settle in at Clipper Lounge EMB, and spend the hour on the Thames with a full afternoon tea service format.

The setting is the big part of the payoff. You’re close to the river, and the Embankment Pier location puts you in the center of the action without forcing you to sprint around the city. As you eat, you can watch riverside life and iconic landmarks from this central stretch, which makes the whole meal feel like more than just food.

I also appreciate that the experience is structured, not chaotic. You’re not guessing what you’ll receive. You’re choosing a sandwich platter at booking, then the team serves the afternoon tea components that match that choice—so dietary needs and preferences are handled from the start.

Champagne or gin pairing: what you actually get

The drink pairing is included, and that’s why the experience can feel like good value rather than a pricey add-on. You can choose between a glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail. If you’d rather not do alcohol, there’s also a soft drink alternative.

A detail I like for decision-making: you’re not locked into one beverage style. You can pick champagne for a classic celebration vibe or gin cocktail for something more playful. Then you also get a choice of tea or coffee to pair with the meal.

One practical consideration: additional drinks aren’t included. If you’re someone who tends to order extra rounds, you’ll want to keep that in mind while budgeting.

The scones, finger sandwiches, and sweet treats spread

Afternoon tea lives or dies on the basics: scones, sandwiches, and sweets. Here, you get all the pillars of the tradition.

You’ll receive fresh scones with jam and cream. This matters because scones are the element that most quickly tells you whether a place is trying to do the real thing or just doing the idea of afternoon tea. Getting the jam-and-cream pairing clearly included means you can focus on taste instead of scanning for options.

Then come the finger sandwiches—delicate, varied, and designed for nibbling rather than filling-up in one bite. The menu includes multiple choices depending on which platter you select, but the consistent promise is that you’ll get a selection of finger sandwiches, not just a single sandwich type.

And you’ll finish with sweet treats as part of the set. That’s one of the reasons afternoon tea works so well as a shared experience: even if you don’t go all-in on sweets, there’s usually enough variety that you’ll find at least one or two that hit the spot.

Choosing the platter: classic, vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free

What makes this experience feel smart for groups is that it supports different diets without forcing you to compromise the overall experience.

At booking, you choose your sandwich platter, and you’ll want to confirm menu choices at least 72 hours before your date (so the kitchen can prepare correctly). If you’re coordinating multiple dietary needs—especially for families—this early setup helps.

Here are the platter options you can select:

Classic mixed sandwich platter

• Roast Chicken Salad
• Mature Cheddar Ploughman’s
• Tuna, Sweetcorn & Cucumber
• Egg Mayo & Cress
• British Ham & Mature Cheddar

Vegetarian sandwich platter

• Mature Cheddar Ploughman’s
• Egg Mayo & Cress
• Mexican Bean & Avocado

Vegan sandwich platter

• Mexican Bean & Avocado
• Vegan Cheddar Ploughman’s
• This Isn’t Coronation Chicken
• This Isn’t Chicken & Sweetcorn

Important detail: if you choose the vegan platter, you’ll also receive vegan scones and plant-based treats in place of the traditional offerings. That’s a big deal if you’re avoiding dairy or want a fully aligned meal, not a partial swap.

Gluten-free platter

• Chicken Salad
• Cheddar Ploughman’s

This platter structure is one reason I think the afternoon tea works well for mixed groups. You’re not stuck eating the most basic version just because someone in your party needs a specific diet.

Kids menu plus the glow-in-the-dark rubber duck gift

If you’re traveling with children, this is where the experience becomes genuinely family-friendly. Kids get a special menu designed for smaller appetites but still feels like a full afternoon tea moment.

Children’s menu includes:

• a scone with cream and jam
• bite-sized sandwiches
• sweet treats
• a hot chocolate or soft drink
• and a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck gift

That rubber duck detail is oddly brilliant. It’s the kind of small, tangible souvenir that makes the whole outing feel special without turning it into a theme-park event. It also gives kids something to focus on besides “are we done yet?” during the meal.

There are also children’s sandwich options:

• Children’s Mixed Platter: Plain Cheese, Plain Ham, Tuna Sweetcorn
• Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free platters for children are available too

One more practical note: if you have a child who’s celebrating, the service style here is built around being attentive to those moments. In the past, a birthday was met with extra cake, which shows they’re paying attention beyond the standard script.

River Thames views from Embankment Pier (and what to watch)

This afternoon tea is not happening in a windowless room. You’re at Embankment Pier, and the whole idea is to make the Thames part of your meal.

You’ll be able to take in views of the River Thames and iconic riverside landmarks as you relax. That sounds simple, but it’s a real quality-of-experience upgrade. It turns food time into a London moment: you’re seated, calm, and watching the river rather than moving from stop to stop.

What I’d suggest you do: before you arrive, quickly scan a map of what you want to notice along this stretch of the river. That way, once you’re settled with your plate and drink, you’ll know what you’re looking at. Central London can blur together if you’re not anchoring it to a few visual landmarks.

Price and value: what $57 per person buys you

At $57 per person, it’s not a budget snack. But it also isn’t just paying for tea service in a random room.

Here’s what you’re actually getting included:

• fresh scones with jam and cream
• finger sandwiches
• sweet treats
• a choice of tea or coffee
• a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail
• and for kids: their own menu plus the rubber duck gift

So you’re paying for a bundled afternoon tea experience with an alcoholic pairing already included (if you choose it). That’s where the value comes from. If you were to price out afternoon tea components individually around central London, the drink pairing often becomes the part that pushes the total higher.

It’s also an efficient choice for families and short-stay visitors. One hour can slot nicely into a travel day without stealing the whole afternoon.

If you’re the type who would normally skip alcohol, you can still get the soft drink alternative, and the core afternoon tea spread remains the focus. That keeps the experience more accessible while still feeling like a proper event.

Who this is best for (and who should skip it)

This afternoon tea is a strong match if you want:

• a classic London activity without the full-time commitment
• riverside views paired with food that feels thoughtfully done
• a built-in drink choice (champagne or gin)
• options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets
• a family outing that doesn’t punish adults with kid-centered chaos

It’s also a great fit for travelers who like their tours to be low-stress. You’re not moving around a lot. You’re seated. You eat. You sip. You watch the river.

Who should consider skipping? If you’re looking for a long, guided, in-depth tour of multiple sights, this won’t be the right format. It’s not a sightseeing package. It’s a refined meal experience on the Thames, and it stays within that frame.

Quick practical tips before you go

You’ll want to book ahead and plan your platter choice early, because you need to select a sandwich platter at booking and confirm choices at least 72 hours before your date. That helps prevent last-minute gaps for dietary needs.

The experience is hosted by an English-speaking team. You’ll enter via Embankment Pier exit: ///catch.jaws.deep, and the venue is wheelchair accessible. If you’re traveling with mobility needs, this is the kind of setup where you can enjoy the views without fighting stairs or complicated transfers.

Also keep an eye on timing: since it’s a one-hour experience, arriving slightly early gives you breathing room to settle before the service starts.

Should you book London Riverside Afternoon Tea with Champagne or Gin?

I’d book this if you want a central, easy win: classic afternoon tea pieces, a drink pairing included, and Thames views from Embankment Pier, all in just one hour. The platter options make it practical for mixed dietary groups, and the kids menu with the glow-in-the-dark rubber duck gift is a standout for families.

I’d pass if you’re expecting a long guided tour or a big sightseeing itinerary. This is about enjoying a calm meal on the river, not collecting a stack of monuments.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Riverside Afternoon Tea experience?

It lasts 1 hour.

What is included in the afternoon tea?

You get fresh scones with jam and cream, finger sandwiches, sweet treats, a choice of tea or coffee, and one glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail. Children also get a kids menu with a gift.

Can I choose champagne or gin?

Yes. You can choose between Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail. There is also a soft drink alternative.

Are there vegetarian and vegan options?

Yes. You can choose a vegetarian sandwich platter or a vegan sandwich platter.

What happens if I choose the vegan platter?

If you choose the vegan platter, you’ll also receive vegan scones and plant-based treats in place of the traditional offerings.

Is there a gluten-free option?

Yes. There is a gluten-free sandwich platter option.

What do kids receive?

Kids get a special menu with a scone with cream and jam, bite-sized sandwiches, sweet treats, and a hot chocolate or soft drink. They also receive a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck gift.

Where is the meeting point?

The entrance is accessible via Embankment Pier exit: ///catch.jaws.deep.

How far in advance do I need to book?

Bookings are required 72 hours in advance.