London: Afternoon Tea at Buckingham Palace with Champagne

Afternoon Tea Facing the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace

You arrive at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel, sit in the Palace Lounge facing the Royal Mews, and work through a three-tier stand of sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and preserve, and pastries made in-house that day. Tea comes from a proper selection, champagne is optional, and you set your own pace. Arrive 15 minutes early in smart casual dress, and if you have dietary needs, flag them 72 hours ahead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Enjoy traditional afternoon tea

• Arrive at The Rubens at the Palace
• Relax in the Palace Lounge
• View royal carriages and stables
• Eat selection of sandwiches
• Enjoy traditional and flavored scones
• Sample assorted pastries
• Choose from fine teas

The experience

The Palace Lounge opens onto the view the moment you step in: the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace laid out in front of you, bright and unhurried. You're seated in a space designed to let that sight do the work, and the tiered stand arrives with sandwiches already waiting: smoked Scottish salmon with horseradish cream cheese, coronation chicken with toasted almonds, egg and watercress, cucumber and cream cheese, ham with tomato chutney. Nothing fussy about it, just the real thing, made that morning.

The scones come warm (plain, or honey and white chocolate) with homemade seasonal fruit preserve and clotted cream on the side. You build them yourself, which is half the point. Then the pastries: The Crown (cinnamon chocolate mousse, brownie biscuit, coconut marshmallow), Fruit from the Queen's Orchard (seasonal glazed fruit mousse with compote), Royal Macaron with caramelised apples and coffee ganache, a seasonal éclair chosen by the pastry chef that day, and a few others that shift with what's in season. It's the kind of menu that doesn't announce itself. It just arrives and you work through it at whatever pace feels right.

Tea comes from P.M. David Silva & Sons: black, green, white, herbal, all the usual routes. If you've chosen the champagne option, that arrives too, and you can time it however you want, with the sandwiches, with the scones, at the end. The whole thing takes as long as you take it. You arrive 15 minutes before your booked time, dress smart casual (no sportswear or flip-flops), and the hotel handles the rest. If you have allergies or dietary needs, you tell them 72 hours ahead and they work with you: vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free all possible, though they ask you to contact them after booking to confirm what they can do.

Cancellations up to 24 hours out get a full refund or date change. Anything closer than that and you're charged in full. Wheelchair accessible, prams welcome, public transport nearby if you need it.

What’s included

• Your afternoon tea includes a three-tier selection of sandwiches (smoked Scottish salmon, coronation chicken, egg and watercress, cucumber and cream cheese, ham and tomato chutney), warm scones with homemade seasonal fruit preserve and clotted cream, a choice of pastries made daily (The Crown, Fruit from the Queen's Orchard, Royal Macaron, seasonal éclair and others), and a choice of fine teas from P.M.
• David Silva & Sons.
• If you select the champagne option, a glass is included.
• Vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free options are available with 72 hours' notice.

Options for this experience

2 options

Afternoon tea5 departure times: the first at 13:00, the last at 17:00Afternoon tea

Afternoon tea served with champagne5 departure times: the first at 13:00, the last at 17:00Comes with a glass of champagne

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 13:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (1 to 11 years)

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Evan Evans Tours

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants a proper afternoon tea in a room overlooking Buckingham Palace without arranging it themselves. The hotel handles the timing, the menu, and the view, so you just arrive and sit down.

Traveler reviews

4.51★★★★★★★★★★

264 verified traveler reviews

5 ★198

4 ★30

3 ★17

2 ★11

1 ★8

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 11 years).

Is the champagne included?

Only if you select that option when booking. It's an add-on, not automatic, and is only for guests 18 and over.

Can I request vegetarian or gluten-free?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free options are available. Contact the hotel within 72 hours of your booking to arrange it. They ask for advance notice because they cannot guarantee 100% allergen-free preparation.

What's the dress code?

Smart casual. No sportswear, flip-flops or non-tailored shorts. Guests not meeting the dress code will not be admitted.

Can I cancel or reschedule?

Yes, up to 24 hours before your booking. Cancellations within 24 hours are charged in full. Refunds or date changes are offered for cancellations made earlier.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the hotel is wheelchair accessible. Prams and strollers are also welcome.

What if I have a food allergy?

Inform the hotel of allergies or dietary restrictions within 72 hours of booking. They will work with you, though they cannot guarantee 100% allergen-free recipes due to their kitchen operations.