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Kensington Palace VIP Garden Tour with Royal High Tea

Recommended by 90% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
London, England
Great choice
10+ bookings last month.
  • 2 hours (approx.)
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.6
·
· Evelyn_L ·
Sep 2025
A relaxed walking tour through Kensington Palace Gardens with Paul, our guide, filling us in on knowledgeable history and facts. His demeanor and humor didn't go unnoticed. He insured we were seated at the Orangery Tea. had our palace entry tickets and return to our origin directions. The beautiful tea was a Wonnderful experience, along with the palace tour.
· Valerie_T ·
Sep 2025
Doug was a fabulous docent for our group! He made our visit enjoyable, provided many historical facts, and we walked the grounds to see the round pond. Our visit to the palace itself was highly appreciated with views of many staterooms. The high tea was scrumptious! Excellent food, service, and ambiance. I highly recommend this tour!

Overview

Indulge in the quintessentially English tradition of afternoon tea during a VIP experience that takes place at Kensington Palace. In a small group limited to 15 travelers, you’ll explore the grounds of the palace—which are home to the Prince and Princess of Wales—and discover stories and history that you won’t find in the guide book. Plus, your VIP afternoon tea includes a choice of Pimm's or sparkling wine, and priority seating.
  • Experience afternoon tea like a VIP at Kensington Palace
  • Enjoy an upgraded afternoon tea that comes with the best seats and an alcoholic drink
  • Get an inside glimspe into the grounds of Kensington Palace on a tour
  • Receive personalised attention in a small group limited to 15 travelers

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Sip Pimm’s or English sparkling wine at the VIP tea—a luxe upgrade most tours don’t include.

What's Included

  • Tea at the Orangery of Kensington Palace
  • Sandwiches, Cakes and Scones
  • Fun Knowledgeable Guide
  • Added Luxury Drink
  • Extensive tour of the Park, Spectacular Views & History
  • Private Transport
  • Entry to the Kensington Palace (unless option selected)
  • Entry to any exhibitions

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • 1A Queensway, London W2 4RH, UK

    Queensway Tube Station. Meeting Point = Queensway Underground Station https://goo.gl/maps/2zVFJv69m5pJmHzi7 - We meet outside of Queensway Underground Station - There is only 1 Entrance - Please wait outside the station (next to the red phone box) Not the Exit of the station

End point

  • Kensington Palace
    Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX, UK

    Tour will end at Kensington Palace after you finish having tea and cakes at the Kensington Palace Tea Room.

Itinerary

Queensway Station (Stop B) (Pass By)

1

Italian Gardens

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

2

Peter Pan Statue

5 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

3

Physical Energy Statue

5 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

4

Statue of Diana

10 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

5

Round Pond

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

6

Kensington Palace Gardens

1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Vegan, Gluten Free and Halal on request
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours 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)

Reviews

4.6
based on 73 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

The tour was phenomenal...

Jonathan_B, Mar 2026
The tour was phenomenal and our tour guide was great! He had clever jokes while recapping lots of history while we hit highlights of the park. The afternoon tea was great and they did a great job accommodating allergies.

Wonderful afternoon

Laura_S, Oct 2025
Directions for meeting up were great! Our guide was so knowledgeable about the gardens, very engaging and kind. Such a great experience!!

Time for Tea & Tour at Kensington Palace & Gardens

Evelyn_L, Sep 2025
A relaxed walking tour through Kensington Palace Gardens with Paul, our guide, filling us in on knowledgeable history and facts. His demeanor and humor didn't go unnoticed. He insured we were seated at the Orangery Tea. had our palace entry tickets and return to our origin directions. The beautiful tea was a Wonnderful experience, along with the palace tour.

Best decision I made!

Dawn_G, Sep 2025
This was my favorite group experience I did in London. Our guide was knowledgeable and made the tour nice. Walking through the gardens and palace was fun. The high tea was the highlight for me.

A Grand Experience

Valerie_T, Sep 2025
Doug was a fabulous docent for our group! He made our visit enjoyable, provided many historical facts, and we walked the grounds to see the round pond. Our visit to the palace itself was highly appreciated with views of many staterooms. The high tea was scrumptious! Excellent food, service, and ambiance. I highly recommend this tour!

Great Experience

Patrick_T, Sep 2025
Gardens are beautiful and high tea at the Orangery is a great experience. Food was fantastic. Try it

Doug is the best!

Joe_C, Aug 2025
What an amazing experience and our guide Doug was the best! We loved the history, loved the tea and loved the conversation!

Amazing experience and...

Marissa_K, Aug 2025
Amazing experience and Doug was a lovely guide. Highly recommend for a group. Gardens were beautiful even on a cloudy day and the tea was delightful.

Good one to try

Sunita_B, Aug 2025
The guide was super good and knowledgeable. The tea experience was really worth it. My girls loved it

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you Sunita. Paul is so happy you enjoyed the tour

Lovely experience

Monica_F, Aug 2025
Great experience. Guid was very knowledgeable. Good information and great tour. Nice walk threw the park.

Wonderful experience

Monica_C, Jul 2025
This was a wonderful personal experience! Our tour guide, Ben, was knowledgeable and shared many interesting insights into the gardens and palace. The Royal High Tea was a great way to end this wonderful experience.

Exceeded my expectations

Tamra_K, Jul 2025
Our guide was fabulous. She provided wonderful insight to the garden, the history and took the time to answer all our questions. When we arrived for our tea, our guide explained the different teas and the best way to drink them (to have cream or not, add lemon etc). She gave the history on how the afternoon tea began and the etiquettes for the different culture on how to drink your tea, hold your cup, your dress attire including if you were to have tea with King Charles III. She explained the difference between "High Tea" and "Afternoon Tea". Following this she provided how to continue on to tour Kensington Palace, where to check in and ensured we just took our time and enjoyed the experience. I am a tea drinker -- and to experience High Tea in London was the first on my list. This exceeded my expectations.

Simon was a great guide,...

Karen_C, Jul 2025
Simon was a great guide, taking us through the gardens. He was very knowledgeable about both the gardens and the tea! The tea and meal was fantastic!

Touring with three kids under 10.

Kathryn_B, Jun 2025
Doug, our tour guide was very well informed, thoughtful of our children by providing a playground for them while we walked the grounds, and made certain we had our tickets to enter Kensington Palace after tea. Definitely recommend!

Unforgettable Experience

Melody_W, Jun 2025
Simon was very knowledgeable and entertaining, making our tour a pleasant and unforgettable experience.

High Tea

Cindy_N, Jun 2025
This was such a sweet experience to have with my teenage daughter and my sister. I’ll definitely be back next time I visit London.

Really great way to spend the morning

Rosemary_L, May 2025
Overall, it was really well done. About an hour garden tour before and then the tea and then you get to explore the palace.

Very Nice Tour!

Jesse_M, May 2025
Great trip! Thank you to Doug! Took us on a beautiful walk and to the Orangery. Kept us on track and well informed! Very kind and professional guide! Highly recommended!

Response from Host, May 2025

Well said Jesse! Doug is delighted to have been your host

Felt cheated

Daniela_R, Mar 2025
You can do this on your own and save the money. The park is free. You have to get there by subway and walk through the park for an hour. You can book your own High Tea. You do not go into the palace. Conversation was not at an intellectual level. Just four of us. Very disappointed. I loved every other tour I went on.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

We are so sorry you did not enjoy the tour as can be seen from the over 700 reviews most of our travelers give us a 5 star rating we respect your opinion and wish you a wonderful time in London

Doug was fantastic! Very...

Lara_H, Mar 2025
Doug was fantastic! Very friendly and knowledgeable. Beautiful walk through the gardens. He even sat with me during the tea as I was traveling solo.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

We pride ourselves on exceptional service and Doug is a true Ambassador of our company! Thank you

A Lovely Rainy Walk Through the Garden and a Warm Tea

Sarah_C, Feb 2025
Paul met my coworker and I exactly at the prescribed place and time. He was exceeding knowledgeable and just threw in just a bit of lovely comedic relief on an extremely rainy and windy walk through the gardens as to make us enjoy it immensely. He even offered me his umbrella when mine broke in the wind - what a gentleman! The pond with the swans and the statue of Princess Diana were some of our favorite parts, along with all of the history we learned. When we got to the Orangery, he made sure we were warm and settled at one of the best tables. Tea there was perfect. The staff was attentive without being bothersome, and everything was delicious.

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Thank you Sarah, especially as the winter weather was a little challenging !

Afternoon Tea at Kensington Palace

MarieC_G, Nov 2024
The guide was very informative and stopped to take our photo's. The Afternoon Tea was excellent , delicious and plentiful .

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Dear Marie, Thank you for visiting us at Kensington we hope to see you next time in London, maybe at Hampton Court!

Lovely walk in the park and royal tea experience!

Jacquline_C, Oct 2024
Doug was a great tour guide throughout the tour. We learned so many interesting facts about the park, the fountains, the statues, and through to the palace gardens for a lovely high tea.

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Thank you for your super comments about Doug and the tour. Safe travels

Best high tea experience in London

Angela_S, Aug 2024
I can’t recommend this experience enough. My daughters and I joined Luis’s tour of the Kensington gardens followed by tea. The tour was fun and informative and the guide gave the kids a little scavenger hunt paper to make it more interesting for them. The Royal High Tea was lovely in a beautiful atmosphere. This was a perfect London afternoon.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Angela - we are thrilled with your review! Thank you for your kind words

Our Royal walk was Royal!

Kristi_S, Jul 2024
We had a Royal walk with David. He was so nice, knowledgeable about the history of the Royals. He walked us around Harrods as well, beat mall ever! The bubbles were a nice touch to end our walk.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Thank you so much Kristi- I enjoyed every bit of the experience as well. We hope to see you again in London or France!

Total Rip off. Read my review.

D_W, Jul 2024
Do not book this tour. The cost of Tea at Kensington Palace for five people is about $450. This “VIP” tour for five people cost $875!!! So what do you get for double the price? A walk through the park before tea! That is all it includes. How is does that cost an extra -$400? They walk you through the park and end up at Kensington Palace for your tea. Total rip off. Just go on line and book your tea directly at Kensington Palace. Take a walk through the park on your own if you wish. The lady who walked us through the park was very nice and a wonderful person but never book this tour. Hopefully I just saved you $400. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Response from Host, Jul 2024

We strongly object to the defamatory nature of your review and its false comparison with a simple restaurant reservation, which was open to you before you booked with us. Our tours include a History Tour and personal service in a small group with a dedicated guide (who you praise). The cost includes service charges and expert guide costs. Many others say the curated experience with taylored insights based on each individual guest is the highlight of their London holiday. We encourage people to read the other reviews before relying on your strident and capitalised comments

A complete drop off don’t come here go somewhere else and save your money for the same quality elsewhere

Rina_C, Jun 2024
For the price, you sure don’t get your moneys worth. I have been to several high teas. This one is the most expensive ever and a rip off. I definitely would not recommend this as there are so many others in London

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Thank you for your review. Our historical walk and sightseeing with a knowledgable guide is why it is more expensive than a standard tea in London. We will, of course, feed back your comments to the Palace.

A Great Experience!

Debra_M, Jun 2024
Doug, our Tour Guide was wonderful! He gave all the history of Kensington Palace & Gardens with enthusiasm and made it fun! My granddaughters & I had the best time. Highly recommend!

Tea at Kensington

Teresa_A, Jun 2024
Simon gave us a most interesting walk through Kensington park. Enjoyed the history. He was excellent. The tea itself was okay. I have had better. We were a small group (4 + guide), and enjoyed the conversation.

What a great time

Brigitte_S, May 2024
The best part of the tour was our guide Simon. What a treasure. So knowledgeable, funny and kind. Worth every penny! The gardens were lovely and my favorite thing was the Peter Pan Statue. It was a long walk but the weather was glorious and Simon kept us entertained. The tea at the Orangery was very nice.

From $200.56

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 62 days in advance.

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