Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 254 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace worth booking?
Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $42 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 254 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (254)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $42 per person
The Rubens at the Palace Hotel is a luxurious, 5-star venue situated a stone's throw away from the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. Relax and enjoy traditional afternoon tea in the lavish Palace Lounge, a bright, open sp
What you get
About this experience
The Rubens at the Palace Hotel is a luxurious, 5-star venue situated a stone's throw away from the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. Relax and enjoy traditional afternoon tea in the lavish Palace Lounge, a bright, open space with panoramic views of The King's stables. Watch the comings and goings of the royal carriages as you dine on a selection of sumptuous sandwiches, delectable, fresh-made pastries and traditional scones with clotted cream and fruit preserve.
What's included
Included
- Glass of Champagne (if selected this option)
- Afternoon tea
- Beverages
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Departure Point: The Rubens at the Palace, London Address: 39 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0PS Directions: Nearest Station : Victoria (Victoria, Circle, District Lines and National Rail)
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Departure Point: The Rubens at the Palace, London Address: 39 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0PS Directions: Nearest Station : Victoria (Victoria, Circle, District Lines and National Rail)
Options you can book
Afternoon tea
Afternoon tea
Afternoon Tea with Champagne
Including a glass of Champagne
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Evan Evans Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please arrive at the hotel 15 minutes prior to your booked timeslot
- Allergies / Dietary Restrictions: Please inform us of any special requests with 72 hours-notice. Please note that due to the nature of their business and offering the hotel cannot guarantee 100% allergen or intolerant free recipes/dishes. Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal and Gluten-Free options available, Please contact us after the booking.
- Menus listed are samples and subject to variations.
- Dress code: Smart casual. We respectfully ask guests to refrain from wearing sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts. Guest not adhering to the dress code policy will not be permitted entry into our restaurants and bars
- A full refund or date change will be offered up to 24 hours before travel. Cancellations inside 24 hours will be charged at 100%
- Champagne, where included, is only for adults 18+
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 255 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
255 verified traveler reviews for Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
EXCELLENT
Excellent place to experience afternoon tea while in London, greater service and excellent food and dessert!!
via Tripadvisor
Disappointing. head elsewhere.
Would not recommend. Came for a birthday in a party of 6 (including one toddler). Some vegetarians. Sandwiches were very simple, scones were dry and some of the petit fours were extremely dull. The almond loaf cake was especially awful. Only one sweet treat was worth eating - the Black Forest, although it didn't taste very much like black forest. Service was distinctly average. We had to enquire about getting sandwiches for the toddler (after everyone had been served), and when it was time to bring us a birthday treat, they just brought it out discreetly and popped it on the table (some might prefer that!). The birthday cake was some kind of opera cake, which was a highlight of the sweet treats, but compared to a traditional opera cake was quite dry and lacked any bite, or punch of flavour. We had the table from 12, and were told another party was coming for 2pm... By 1.40pm they were asking us to box what we hadn't eaten and go (we weren't finished! Staff were mostly friendly though. The lowlight was definitely what's going on the kitchen. There are some great options around Soho or South Kensington and even Westminster Abbey nearby has a nice afternoon tea that's preferable.. We went on a Sunday, so perhaps a lot of it was left over from the day before.
via Tripadvisor
Terrific treat.
What a wonderful experience. Staff were excellent, so kind and helpful. The food was delicious, one a vegetarian which I'm told was exceptional. Well worth a visit. Price comparable to other London hotels. Highly recommended.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a lovely experience and that our staff were kind and helpful throughout your visit. It’s fantastic to know that you enjoyed the food, and we’re especially pleased that the vegetarian option was exceptional. We truly appreciate your recommendation and are glad you found the experience to be good value compared with other London hotels. We hope to welcome you back for another delightful experience soon! Kind regards, Evanevanstours team
via Tripadvisor
It keeps getting better...
This was our third Afternoon Tea at the Rubens and also our most favourite, from making a reservation to eating the final slice of delicious pastries. Let me begin by thanking Kamal for all his patience and help whilst making arrangements, we had dropped our Daughter at Heathrow and timings were a little uncertain, but Kamal was very flexible and gave us options. On this occasion we were also staying overnight at The Rubens, which was a real bonus, as, it gave us the opportunity to freshen up and change ahead of our Tea, I highly recommend staying at The Reubens, its exceptional. Back to the Afternoon Tea, as always the sandwiches, scones, pastries and tea selection were all superb, and, very plentiful.... our experience was made particularly special by the time we spent talking with our 'hosts' namely, Gabriel and Rakhi, both of whom were warm, engaging and a delight to spend time with, thank you both very much. After finishing Tea we had the great benefit of enjoying the Hotels other facilities. Thanks again to all involved, it was truly special.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful and detailed review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that your third Afternoon Tea at The Rubens was also your favourite experience so far. It’s lovely to know that Kamal was able to assist with your arrangements and provide flexible options while your timings were uncertain. We’re also thrilled that your stay at the hotel added to the occasion and gave you the opportunity to relax and freshen up before your Afternoon Tea. We’re especially pleased that you enjoyed the sandwiches, scones, pastries, and extensive tea selection. Your kind words about Gabriel and Rakhi are truly appreciated, and we’ll be sure to share your compliments with them. It’s wonderful to hear that their warmth and hospitality helped make your visit so special. Thank you again for your continued support and for recommending the experience so highly. We look forward to welcoming you back for your next Afternoon Tea! Kind regards, Evanevanstours team
via Tripadvisor
Afternoon tea
My daughter has an egg allergy so finding an afternoon tea that could accommodate her while still serving child friendly foods was difficult. I emailed with staff several times and they were always very professional. When we arrived, everything was perfect!! She loved everything and her desserts looked stunning and tasted incredible! The adults loved their the Royal Afternoon Tea too!! I would recommend 1000%!!
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for recommending us so highly! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that we could accommodate your daughter’s egg allergy and provide her with a child-friendly afternoon tea that she truly enjoyed. It’s especially lovely to know that our team’s communication and assistance before your visit helped make everything smooth and stress-free. We’re thrilled that her desserts looked stunning and tasted incredible, and that the adults also enjoyed the Royal Afternoon Tea! Your kind words mean a great deal to our team. We hope to welcome your family back again for another special afternoon tea experience! Kind regards, Evanevanstours team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $42 to $114
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 89
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace cost?
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Prices start at $42 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 254 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace?
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Around 89 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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