The Kensington Palace Experience
Recommended by 90% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
London, England
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Indulge in the quintessentially English tradition of afternoon tea during a VIP experience that takes place at Kensington Palace. In a small group, 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 guidebook. Choose from the a la carte option or upgrade to include a full High Tea, with sparkling wine.
- 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 personalized attention in a small-group setting
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Sip Pimm’s or English sparkling wine at the VIP tea—a luxe upgrade most tours don’t include.
Sample Menu
Starter
Finger Sandwiches
A selection of finger sandwiches and other amuse bouche
Main
Delicious Scones
A choice of Scones with and without Raisins served with Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam. Gluten Free and Vegan on request
Dessert
Fresh Cakes
A choice of Cakes including the Victoria Sponge so favoured by the late Queen
What's Included
- Private Table at the Orangery
- Sandwiches, Cakes and Scones (if selected)
- Fun Knowledgeable Guide
- Sparkling Wine (if selected)
- Extensive tour of the Park, Spectacular Views & History
- Private Transport
- Entry to the Kensington Palace (unless option selected)
- MealsAfternoon Tea unless selected at Checkout
- LunchNo food or drink included if the A La Carte Option is selected
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 PalaceKensington 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
1
Queensway station
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Peter Pan Statue (Pass By)
2
Italian Gardens
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Statue of Diana
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Round Pond (Pass By)
4
Kensington Palace Gardens
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Physical Energy Statue (Pass By)
5
Kensington Palace
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Vegan, Gluten Free and Halal on request
- Not recommended for those that find walking difficult
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 81 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Michelle_R, Jul 2026
The garden tour was really good and very informative. Seeing Kensington Palace was wonderful. I’ve given it 4 stars because the tea service wasn’t great. Our server was a bit pompous and slow and the restaurant itself is VERY hot inside.
Mallory_D, Jun 2026
This was a lovely experience that I would recommend to others. We took a walk around the park and had tea. It was neat to have the experience and try different teas.
Sandy_S, Jun 2026
Not worth the money! Our tour guide was
Knowledgeable and shared much info about the gardens however it was nothing you couldn’t get from a cliff note…and the lunch was ridiculous for the money! A thin slice of cucumber on white bread , 2 muffins, a few other things.some jam and no ac in a stuffy palace of mostly empty rooms. I paid over $200 for myself. If you must go book tea on your own or go to the Ritz
Rhonda_M, Jun 2026
The garden tour is of a garden that is 7 miles around and you will be walking for about 2-2+ miles. Nowhere on the description did it say that. We had 3 disabled people having to walk that kind of distance and it just would have been nice to know that information. The gardens are beautiful and worth the walk, if you're physically capable. The palace was amazing and so informative. It was a nice glimpse into what life may have been like for Queen Victoria. The only issue there was that the lifts on one side of the palace didn't work so all 3 of us missed out on part of the self guided tour. The tea in the Orangery was really the highlight of the tour. The setting is beautiful, light, and bright. We were welcomed with a glass of champagne. Our server, Ellen, was just lovely. She checked on us a number of times to make sure we didn't need anything. She also took some great pics for us too. The tea, sandwiches, biscuits, and desserts were good too but it was Ellen that made it special. They don't give sugar for the tea so if you want any, you should bring a couple packets of your own.
Dorice_A, May 2026
Our guide Paul was awesome! Enjoyed his company then our family time for tea and tour of Kensington Palace.
Heather_D, May 2026
I am a huge Princess Diana fan and could not wait to see Kensington Palace and where she raised her sons. The tour was informative but I wish they would have spoken more about Diana. Our tea experience was definitely the highlight of the day. We felt like such royalty!!
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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!
Patrick_T, Sep 2025
Gardens are beautiful and high tea at the Orangery is a great experience. Food was fantastic. Try it
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!
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.
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
Monica_F, Aug 2025
Great experience. Guid was very knowledgeable. Good information and great tour. Nice walk threw the park.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Melody_W, Jun 2025
Simon was very knowledgeable and entertaining, making our tour a pleasant and unforgettable experience.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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 !
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!
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
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
From $122.72
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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