Afternoon Tea River Cruise on the Thames

London, England

Trending

Booked 5+ times in 12 hours.

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.1

· LaTosha_L ·

Apr 2026

It was very nice, the staff was extremely friendly and the items served with the tea was very tasty.. My attendant Trayana was amazing so attentive and professional. I came to London to celebrate my 54th birthday and Trayana definitely added to it. I would definitely do this again.

· Allison_C ·

Mar 2026

Absolutely great experience! Come hungry ! They serve plenty of dessert, very large biscuits and various tea sandwiches.. service was excellent and everyone friendly...very clean boat... Highly recommend if you want to see highlights ... No official tour guide on board but captain did great with pointing out important sights using a keen British sense of humor!!

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Overview

To maximize limited time in London, combine an iconic British tradition with a sightseeing excursion on an afternoon tea cruise on the Thames River. As you sail from Tower Pier to Westminster, admire London landmarks including the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye—without having to navigate or jostle among the large crowds that gather at the monuments. Plus, indulge in tea, freshly prepared cakes, and sandwiches.

This compact tour is perfect for travelers short on time in London
See legendary London landmarks without having to walk to each one
Sip on a cup of tea, and enjoy a selection of British cakes, scones, and sandwiches
Check off plenty of the area’s highlights in just one tour

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Pair classic afternoon tea with a Thames cruise–two quintessential London experiences in one.

What's Included

1.5-Hour Cruise
Afternoon tea - selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones
Unrivalled views of riverside London
Unlimited tea or coffee
Live or recorded commentary

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks, unless specified
Champagne
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Tower Millennium Pier
London EC3N 4DT, UK
situated within walking distance to Tower Hill underground Station Please go directly to the boarding gate.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.3:30 pm

Itinerary

In the afternoon, head to Tower Pier in central London to board the teatime cruise along the Thames River. Find your seat in the cozy indoor saloon and enjoy panoramic views of the city shoreline as your cruise begins.

Heading west from Tower Pier, first pass the mystery-laden Tower of London and the monolithic Shard building, a 95-story pyramid of glass. Continue on to Shakespeare’s famous Globe Theatre, a stunning Elizabethan playhouse with running performances, and the towering London Eye. Along the South Bank, see a medley of buskers, locals, and tourists meandering on the bustling pedestrian path. Your cruise loops at Westminster, for great views of the Houses of Parliament before heading back east.

As you cruise, indulge in British culinary delights like scones spread with jam and spoonfuls of cream, finger sandwiches, cakes, and unlimited tea and coffee. For an added treat, order a glass of bubbly (own expense) from the onboard bar. After tea, feel free to wander the open-air deck as you arrive back at Tower Pier.

City Cruises

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Tower of London (Pass By)

London Eye (Pass By)

Tower Bridge (Pass By)

Canary Wharf (Pass By)

The Shard (Pass By)

HMS Belfast (Pass By)

St. Paul's Cathedral (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Your seat on board is guaranteed and will be allocated to you before the cruise takes place. When you board you will be shown to your table. Please note tables are fixed and within close proximity. Our panoramic windows provide great views from all angles of the passing sky-line, regardless of your table location.
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps

Most travelers can participate
We do not guarantee that products are free from nuts or traces of nuts. For gluten-free tea give at least 24 hours’ notice. For any special dietary requirements please call us after booking.
Please note that as part of the relaxed atmosphere of this cruise experience, your table may be situated in close proximity to other guests.
Please ensure you arrive 20-minutes prior to departure time
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 60 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 3 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Erica_S

We had the most delightful afternoon tea while cruising along the Thames, and it was an absolute highlight of our trip to London! From the moment we stepped on board, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. The staff were attentive and friendly, making sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. The tea service itself was wonderful—beautifully presented tiers of sandwiches, scones, and pastries paired with a great selection of teas (and bubbly if you fancied). Everything tasted fresh and indulgent, with just the right balance of sweet and savory. What made it truly special was enjoying all of this while gliding past London’s most iconic landmarks. We sipped our tea with views of the London Eye, the Shard, Tower Bridge, and the Houses of Parliament—it felt like sightseeing and a special occasion rolled into one. The pace of the cruise was perfect, giving us plenty of time to relax, chat, and take photos without ever feeling rushed. If you’re looking for a unique way to experience London, I can’t recommend this enough. It’s a wonderful blend of tradition, indulgence, and sightseeing that leaves you smiling long after you step off the boat

Reviews

4.1

based on 915 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Wonderful Birthday Tea!

Maria_B, Apr 2026

Great experience! Be sure to check out the top deck! Excellent views of the city of and photos possible ❤️☕

If it's your first time...

Kristine_Q, Apr 2026

If it's your first time having afternoon tea in London, this activity is a great option because it includes sightseeing along the Thames River. The staff were all friendly and helpful, and commentator was funny.

Great views, good food...

JENNIFER_W, Apr 2026

Great views, good food and fun! Staff were friendly and helpful. Boat was clean and easy to navigate.

Almost a 5 star experience.

Kathleen_J, Apr 2026

The cruise setting was fantastic and initially the service was fast and attentive. I was made comfortable at my window table and offered tea immediately, however there was no sugar on my table and I had to source this myself by finding some on another unoccupied table. At no point was I offered fresh tea and it was almost cold by the time the high tea refreshments arrived. The scone was fresh and warm and the tiny cakes were delicious. The sandwich fillings were tasty but the bread was very stale. Since the high teas are pre booked I don’t think there’s any reason to serve stale items and this was disappointing. So overall, the river cruise was amazing and the high tea could have been a bit better with fresher items and being offered more hot tea.

Fantastic views food with excellent service

Kym_J, Apr 2026

Staff were lovely and the food and views amazing. Option to buy alcohol to compliment the delightful selection of sandwiches, sweet treats and scones. Highly recommended.

Great, quick view of the City with tasty tea treats!

Petrina_M, Apr 2026

This cruise on the Thames is an excellent way to see the highlights of the City while enjoying a traditional afternoon English tea. My husband and I traveled with our two children (10 and 13) and they were not bored at all, and enjoyed the fruity tea, sandwiches, and desserts. Highly recommend for families on a compressed schedule but are seeking an elevated, memorable activity.

Try booking with another company or just arrive an hour early and stay in the area. Because they won't refund you

LaToya_L, Apr 2026

I contacted them to let them know we were stuck in traffic and to see if possible we can change our time to a later time or different day. No one answered. I called the booking agent (Viator) they even tried to contact them and nothing. I continue to the location which I arrived 5 min past the tour. I asked if we could change our time to a later time or date. They agreed but told me, I'd have to pay for it over again. Even after I called and the booking agent called and emailed me with information saying they tried to contact them. They said none of that mattered. They could but I had to pay for it again. My son really wanted to do this tour. However I was turned off by the way everything was handled. This day rhe weather was perfect, so everyone was outside, crowded more than normal. Traffic was horrendous and the public transportation was even worse than normal. Everything was out of control and they took this time to take advantage of the situation and take people money. I wasn't the only one on line for the same reason. People were trying to get refunds and they weren't supplying it to anyone

Excellent!

Christie_T, Apr 2026

It was even better than described! The food and tea were delicious. The boat was very comfortable and the views were phenomenal

Lovely afternoon tea

Maryanne_C, Apr 2026

The views are amazing. The crew was attentive especially our server Diana. The food was so delicious and plentiful. All in all it was a great experience- so worth your money and time !!

It was very nice, the...

LaTosha_L, Apr 2026

Tea on the Thames

Allison_C, Mar 2026

Compare with other companies.

Karen_T, Mar 2026

There was no audio commentary. Food was satisfactory. It is a nice way to see landmarks without the traffic and noise

Great Tea

Ronald_P, Mar 2026

This was a very wonderful way to see London. The afternoon tea was very delicious and served by an attentive staff. Great experience.

A very enjoyable...

Nicky_W, Mar 2026

A very enjoyable journey.The afternoon tea excellent.The commentary was amusing and informative.The staff helpful and polite.

A View From the Thames

Nicholas_C, Mar 2026

Fun, exciting, relaxing. I was able to dine on wonderful food, drink coffee, and gaze at London from a new angle.

Poor food, no commentary of Tour

Holly_M, Mar 2026

Unhappy with experience overall. The boat was comfortable and the table service ok, but the afternoon tea itself was not to par with what was paid. Th bread on the sandwiches was stiff and stale. The coffee was cold and had to ask for replacement. Worst of all, it was a 90 minute boat ride and they realised the tour commentary wasn’t audible in the main cabin until 60 minutes into the trip. So it was an hour of going down the river without any context of what we were looking at - hardly a tour. I would go as far as requesting my money back.

Lovely tea experience!

callie012498, Mar 2026

This was a nice, enjoyable tea experience. Was able to have tea and enjoy sightseeing. The boat and staff were great!

Fun way to have tea and be on the river

Leigh_C, Mar 2026

Don't be late - boat leaves on time. Food is so so - nobody finished their sandwiches and pastries. Tea is excellent. Commentator for views along the river had a very heavy Oriental accent and was hard to understand - why not an English speaker on the Thames River?

Lovely!

Allison_K, Mar 2026

This was just lovely! The whole boat was clean and nice and the food was fabulous! I met a new friends, another color traveler, and it was great! I loved getting to see all the sites throughout London while having tea! I would highly recommend as a way to have tea and see more of the city!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Hi, Thank you for your lovely review! We're so pleased to hear that you had such an enjoyable time on board. It’s wonderful to know you found the boat clean and comfortable and that you enjoyed the food. We’re also glad you had the chance to meet someone new along the way, moments like that can make the experience even more special. Seeing London’s famous sights while enjoying afternoon tea really is a unique way to explore the city. Thank you for your kind recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back on board again soon! Kind regards. City Cruises.

This was a great way to...

Kamille_M, Mar 2026

This was a great way to see the sights from the water and also experienced afternoon tea in London. We paired this tour with the London Tower and Tower Bridge since it was in close proximity and it was a lovely day!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Hi, Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so pleased to hear that you enjoyed seeing the sights from the water while experiencing afternoon tea, it really is a special way to take in London. It’s great that you were able to pair the cruise with visits to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge as well; they’re perfect nearby landmarks to make a full day of exploring. We’re delighted everything came together for a lovely day and truly appreciate you sharing your experience. We hope to welcome you on board again on your next visit to London! Kind regards. City Cruises.

The river cruise aspect...

Reilly_H, Mar 2026

The river cruise aspect of it and the tea itself was great, as well as the guide. However, food was not very good.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Hi, Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the river cruise, the tea, and the guide, it's wonderful to know those parts of the experience stood out for you. We’re sorry to hear that the food didn’t meet your expectations. Your comments are very helpful, and we’ll be sure to share them with our team so we can look at ways to improve the food offering and make the experience better for future guests. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope we’ll have the chance to welcome you again. Kind regards. City Cruises.

Best Afternoon Tea

Ruby_M, Feb 2026

This is a wonderful and relaxing way of seeing the cities of Westminster and London, if not for the weather. I’m sure it’s much better during the summer.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Hi, Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so pleased you found the experience a wonderful and relaxing way to take in the sights. Cruising past the historic landmarks of City of Westminster and London really does offer a unique perspective, though we completely agree that the British weather can sometimes add its own personality to the trip! You’re absolutely right that the summer months bring longer days and sunshine, which make the views even more spectacular. We’d love to welcome you back on board in warmer weather for a different (and hopefully sunnier!) experience. Kind regards. City Cruises.

Fun time for afternoon tea to avoid rain!

Kristyn_T, Feb 2026

Super fun and the food was delicious- highly recommend! It was a great way to see the sights while avoiding the rain!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Hi, Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a fun experience and that you enjoyed the food “delicious” is always wonderful to hear! It’s great that we could provide a comfortable way to take in the sights while staying dry and out of the rain. Seeing the city from the water really is a special experience in any weather. Thank you for the recommendation, we truly appreciate it and hope to welcome you back on board again soon! Kind regards. City Cruises.

Tea on the River Thames

Sabrina_R, Feb 2026

This was such a fun and memorable experience for my family! The snacks and cakes were delicious and there were generous portions. The staff were very attentive and the views were spectacular! This was a fun twist on afternoon tea on the river, rather than at a hotel or restaurant.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Hi, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you and your family had such a fun and memorable experience with us. It’s fantastic to know you enjoyed the generous portions, delicious snacks and cakes, and, of course, those spectacular river views. Our team works hard to create something a little different from the traditional hotel or restaurant afternoon tea, so it’s especially lovely to hear that you appreciated the unique twist of enjoying it on the river. I’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to our staff, they’ll be thrilled to know they helped make your visit so special. We hope to welcome you and your family back on board again soon! Kind regards. City Cruises.

They offer you a choice...

ChelseaLowe_C, Feb 2026

They offer you a choice of 6 different tea options (I think it was 6) and they bring you a variety of sandwiches, desserts and scones. The tea is unlimited. The staff was very friendly. They recommended the spots that were great photo opts.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Hi, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the selection of teas and that you were able to indulge in our variety of sandwiches, desserts, and freshly baked scones. Unlimited tea is one of our favorite parts too, there’s nothing better than relaxing with a warm cup in hand. It’s especially wonderful to hear that our team made your visit memorable. We love helping guests find the perfect photo spots to capture their experience, and we’re so happy you appreciated the recommendations! We hope to welcome you back again soon for another cozy tea time. Kind regards. City Cruises.

Treat with friends

Ruth_c, Feb 2026

16th birthday treat for girls. Perfect! The girls had a lovely time and enjoyed the treats and views on offer .

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Hi, Thank you so much for the lovely review! We’re thrilled to hear the girls had a great time celebrating such a special 16th birthday. It’s wonderful to know they enjoyed the treats and the views. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable visit! Kind regards. City Cruises.

Must Do While In London

Dustin_I, Jan 2026

Most relaxing and enjoyable tour we did in London. Staff were very attentive and courteous. Would highly recommend.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Hi, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you found the tour relaxing and enjoyable, and that our team made you feel well looked after. Your recommendation truly means a lot to us, we hope to welcome you back on another London experience soon! Kind regards. City Cruises.

Well worth the money

Helen_H, Jan 2026

Food was delicious and the trip scenic and educational a lovely boat cruise for all to enjoy at whatever age, also enjoyed the background music between talks

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Hi, Thank you for your lovely review. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the food, found the trip scenic and educational, and appreciated the background music between the talks. It’s great to know the cruise was enjoyable for guests of all ages. We hope to welcome you on board again soon. Kind regards. City Cruises.

Amazing views of London!

Tracey_R, Dec 2025

An amazing experience. Just so relaxing to have tea with more food than you can imagine eating. And then when the sun sets and you’re seeing these amazing views out the window, you realize just how wonderful London really is. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Hi, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re thrilled to hear you found the experience relaxing and enjoyed the tea, the food, and the sunset views. London really does shine from the water, and we’re so glad we could share that with you. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable cruise soon! Kind regards. City Cruises.

Afternoon Tea on the River Thames

Kenneth_S, Dec 2025

Took the Cruise on Boxing Day. Upon arrival at the docks, I was a little skeptical. The queue seemed very long, but the crew did a fantastic job getting everyone on board and seated in a timely manner. It was nice being able to see London w/o all the crowds. Did not actually have tea myself, but there is a great selection of other beverages, and the food was great. Especially the scones, best I have ever had. The staff was very friendly and did a superior job. Definitely recommend!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Hi, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re so glad to hear that, despite the initial queue, our crew made your boarding smooth and enjoyable. It’s wonderful that you could enjoy London without the crowds and that our scones and the rest of the food hit the mark! We’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to our staff. Thanks again for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you back for tea next time! Kind regards. City Cruises.