Family-friendly themed afternoon tea on a vintage Routemaster bus — London landmarks, sing-alongs and sweet treats in 90 minutes
A classic 1960s Routemaster bus wrapped in pink livery departs from Victoria Embankment several times a week, carrying families through central London while they tuck into a themed afternoon tea designed for younger passengers. Each table has a built-in tablet playing guided animations that narrate the landmarks passing outside the window.
An onboard entertainer leads sing-along songs and family-friendly games as the bus passes Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Piccadilly Circus and more. Children receive an activity book and a travel cup to take home, and the 90-minute route covers over a dozen major sights without a single stop.
Brigit's Bakery operates several themed afternoon tea bus tours across London, and the Peppa Pig edition is designed squarely for families with young children. The tour departs from Victoria Embankment at Temple, right beside the River Thames and the entrance to Somerset House. From here, the restored 1960s Routemaster double-decker bus heads west past the grand facades of Whitehall before turning south to Westminster, where passengers get their first views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
The route continues past Westminster Abbey and along the Embankment before crossing the river for views of the South Bank, Borough Market and The Shard. Heading north again, the bus passes the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral before threading through the streets of the City and into the West End. Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner all feature on the circuit before the bus returns to Victoria Embankment. The entire loop takes approximately 90 minutes, though actual timing depends on traffic conditions.
Unlike hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tours, the bus does not stop at any point during the circuit. Passengers remain seated throughout, eating and sightseeing simultaneously while an onboard entertainer keeps younger passengers engaged with sing-along songs and family-friendly games.
The afternoon tea menu has been designed with families in mind, balancing child-friendly favourites with more traditional fare. Savoury items include egg and cress finger sandwiches, cheddar cheese sandwiches, chicken and tomato burger buns, mini margherita pizza and veggie crudites with hummus. Each item on the menu is named after a different character from the show, turning the meal into a storytelling experience.
The sweet selection features cookie shortbread, chocolate truffles sprinkled with confetti, strawberry macarons with vanilla buttercream, seasonal fruit tarts with creme patissiere, carrot cupcakes with cream cheese topping and mini scones served with jam and clotted cream. Hot drinks including tea, coffee and hot chocolate are included in the ticket price, along with a selection of cold drinks for children.
Dietary variations including vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free menus are available when specified at the time of booking. All chicken served on board is halal as standard. The kitchen cannot accommodate nut-free, peanut-free or combined dairy-and-gluten-free requests, but guests are permitted to bring their own food if dietary needs cannot be met.
Tours run Thursday to Sunday with departures at 12:15 and 14:45. Additional 17:30 departures are sometimes added during peak periods and school holidays. All tickets must be booked in advance through the Brigit's Bakery website or by calling 020 3026 1188. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure — the bus leaves promptly and cannot wait for latecomers. No refunds are given for missed departures, though date changes are available for a fee.
Children must be aged two or over, with a discounted rate for those aged 2 to 11. Each table includes a built-in tablet showing animated guides that narrate the landmarks in real time, and every child receives an activity book and a travel cup to take home as souvenirs. There are no toilets, seatbelts or buggy storage on board, so plan accordingly. One modified bus with wheelchair access is available but must be reserved by phone as it does not appear on the online booking system.
Prices vary by date, time and seat selection — all bookings are non-refundable but date changes are available for a fee
The Thursday lunchtime departure is the quietest and gives the best chance of a front seat on the upper deck. Weekend tours sell out weeks in advance, particularly during school holidays.
The bus leaves promptly from Victoria Embankment at Temple and will not wait for latecomers. No refunds are given for missed departures. Look for the pink bus near Somerset House.
Vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free menus are available but must be requested at the time of booking. The kitchen cannot accommodate nut-free requests, but you may bring your own food.
There are no toilets on the vintage Routemaster bus and the 90-minute tour has no stops. The nearest public toilets are in Temple station or at Somerset House.
The upper deck gives panoramic views of landmarks through the large windows. Request upper deck seating when booking if it matters to you — seats are pre-assigned.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: March 10, 2026