Lunch Cruises

Thames River Afternoon Cruise with British Tea & Scones

Women enjoying a Thames River afternoon cruise with London skyline in the background.

Cruise boat on the Thames River with Westminster Bridge and London skyline in the background.

London Eye and County Hall viewed from a river cruise.

Tower of London exterior viewed from Thames Cruise, London.

Duration

1 hr 30 mins

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.5/5(1,363)

Mrs Kathryn S

Family

Verified booking

May 2026

Really lovely afternoon! The food was delicious and the commentary was brilliant- despite living near and working in London for the past 20 years, I still learnt new things I didn't know before! Staff were very helpful and kind. The only reason I didn't give the fifth star was that the tea was served without milk. The staff were very busy getting everyone's drinks ready and by the time I found a member of staff to ask for milk (which they then promptly brought over), the tea was lukewarm. Otherwise, everything was perfect!

Olumuyiwa K

Couple

Verified booking

Apr 2026

Not so interesting initially when seated and having lunch, people not interacting but it's ok. However, the open deck and the narrator was very very good. I really enjoyed that bit and will certainly do it again.

Vigalyaa V

Couple

Verified booking

Apr 2026

Me and my partner were there to celebrate our anniversary. The crew was very welcoming and amazing. I would recommend to anyone Well thoughtful gestures from the team flattered us.

Simone K

Couple

Verified booking

Apr 2026

It was a wonderful feeling to see London from the water. We were shown to our seats and the food was served. It was all very relaxing and a welcome break from the usual hustle and bustle.

María P

Couple

Verified booking

Mar 2026

I think everything was special. The food was exquisite. One thing I really liked was that after the meal, we had the option to go up and see the places we’d been talking about. Honestly, it’s an experience I highly recommend.

Esther K

Group

Verified booking

Mar 2026

Everything was excellent: great food, generous portions, fast service and a superb table with a fantastic view. The only downside was the commentary, who was hard to understand.

Settle in with loved ones on a ninety minute Thames cruise from Tower Bridge, enjoying traditional English tea as the city slowly drifts by.

Designed for culture lovers and food enthusiasts, this cruise pairs classic afternoon tea with riverside views, turning sightseeing into a relaxed social event.

Sip premium British teas while enjoying warm scones, delicate sandwiches, and refined pastries, making the journey feel indulgent without ever feeling rushed.

Glide past Parliament glowing along the river, the London Eye rising ahead, and St Paul’s dome appearing gracefully between historic riverbanks.

Live or recorded commentary shares stories behind riverside landmarks, adding context and meaning to the views while unlimited tea and coffee keep you comfortable.

Best for: Those looking to experience a quintessentially British tradition

1 hour 30 mins Thames River cruise with British Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea and British snacks (menu [here])

Live or pre-recorded commentary

See London’s icons – Big Ben, London Eye, St. Paul’s, Tower of London & more

Transportation to the pier

TOTAL DURATION1 hour 30 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
1 Boarding point
Tower Pier
Get direction
Sights covered
Tower of London
London Eye
Tower Bridge
Canary Wharf
The Shard
HMS Belfast
St. Paul's Cathedral

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

1,363 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
1K
165
16
40
103
Guests from United States, Switzerland, Canada and over 13 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
David M
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
We loved the cruise, the narration and the tea and food. Well done!
Yasser G
Family
Verified booking
May 2026
We had a great time, the tea was great and the sweets were delicious, we had some champagne and after the tea a walk on the dek to enjoy the view.
Mrs Kathryn S
Family
Verified booking
May 2026
Really lovely afternoon! The food was delicious and the commentary was brilliant- despite living near and working in London for the past 20 years, I still learnt new things I didn't know before! Staff were very helpful and kind. The only reason I didn't give the fifth star was that the tea was served without milk. The staff were very busy getting everyone's drinks ready and by the time I found a member of staff to ask for milk (which they then promptly brought over), the tea was lukewarm. Otherwise, everything was perfect!
Dimitrios F
Couple
Verified booking
May 2026
Everything was very well organized, and the food and tea were delicious; we were very satisfied.
Olumuyiwa K
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
Not so interesting initially when seated and having lunch, people not interacting but it's ok. However, the open deck and the narrator was very very good. I really enjoyed that bit and will certainly do it again.

What to bring

Have your entry tickets and ID ready for a seamless experience.

What’s not allowed

Wearing leisurewear and flip-flops is not advisable.

Additional information

Infants under the age of 2 will be charged the child rate.

Some tables are situated in close proximity to other diners and are pre-allocated before boarding. All tables are fixed to the floor and cannot be moved. Window tables are available which seat up to two people only.

The boat can cater to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free people but is unable to offer menus that are both vegan and gluten-free. Please get in touch with City Cruises on 0207 7400 400 at the time of booking to provide your dietary preferences.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID while boarding.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the start time of your tour to avoid delays.

If you have purchased reduced-price tickets, please carry your valid photo ID proof for verification.

Boarding point

Board your cruise at Tower Millennium Pier.

Address: Lower Thames St, London EC3N 4DT, UK

Get directions to the boarding point