Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the 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
4.3/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace worth booking?
Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace is a 7-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $125 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 6 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (6)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $125 per person
This fantastic half-day tour provides the perfect introduction to London's major landmarks. See the best bits of London in only half a day and learn all about London's history with your Expert Blue Badge Guide. Plus, wat
What you get
About this experience
This fantastic half-day tour provides the perfect introduction to London's major landmarks. See the best bits of London in only half a day and learn all about London's history with your Expert Blue Badge Guide. Plus, watch the Changing of the Guard* at Buckingham Palace, an event steeped in tradition and ceremony. After the tour, Experience afternoon tea with a royal flair at the 5-star Rubens at the Palace hotel. • A fantastic introduction to the history of London • Enjoy a relaxing tour of London with an Expert Blue Badge Guide • See London's most iconic sights and landmarks • Afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel, overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace • Freshly-baked scones slathered with clotted cream accompanied with home-made preserves
What's included
Included
- Wi-Fi & USB Charging On-board
- Expert Live Blue Badge Guide
- Superior Coach
- Personal Audio Headset
- Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel
Not included
- Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
- Champagne
What you'll see and do
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is a large, mainly Gothic abbey church in the City of Westminster, London, England, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the United Kingdom's most notable religious buildings and the traditional place of coronation and a burial site for English and, later, British monarchs.
Pass by without stopping
Big Ben
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, England,[1] although the name is frequently extended to refer also to the clock and the clock tower.[2] The official name of the tower in which Big Ben is located was originally the Clock Tower, but it was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012, to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Pass by without stopping
Houses of Parliament
The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place for both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
Pass by without stopping
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street in London, also known colloquially in the United Kingdom as Number 10, is the official residence and executive office of the First Lord of the Treasury, usually also the prime minister.
Pass by without stopping
Whitehall
Whitehall is a road and area in the City of Westminster, Central London. The road forms the first part of the A3212 road from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea. It is the main thoroughfare running south from Trafalgar Square towards Parliament Square
Pass by without stopping
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a public square in the City of Westminster, Central London, established in the early 19th century around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. The Square's name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, the British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars over France and Spain that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar.
Pass by without stopping
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is recognised around the world as the home of The King, the focus of national and royal celebrations as well as the backdrop to the regular Changing the Guard ceremony.
40 minutes here · Admission not included
Changing of the Guard
Stop to watch a ceremony that is the epitome of the pomp and pageantry for which Britain is famous for around the world.
40 minutes here
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 Queen'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.
240 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Departs: Evan Evans kiosk located opposite Gate 1, inside Victoria Coach Station,164 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9TP
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The Rubens at the Palace is located approx. 5 minutes walk to Victoria Station.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- 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
- For a wheelchair user : Please inform us in advance if you intend to bring wheelchair.
- The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace has resumed and currently takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
- Where there is no Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace we will see the Changing of the Guard at Horse Guards Parade instead.
- Royal London Tour Finishes: 12:00 pm, and is followed by the Afternoon Tea
- Afternoon Tea at the Rubens at the Palace is an independent visit and takes place straight after the Royal London Tour
- Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: Please inform us of any dietary requirements at least 48 hours in advance, including requests for vegetarian, vegan, halal or gluten-free Afternoon Teas
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Tea at Reuben's not recommended at all
Despite the details clearly said that Sunday is a day that has the guards changing, it never happened. Very disappointed. The afternoon tea at the Reuben's was particularly underwhelming. We were stuck in a tinniest table seated in a love seat which is not wide enough even for 2 slim persons. It almost felt like we were cramped inside a cage, with us facing the street and people passing by can see us. Food was not particularly attractive, taste very averafr and presentation was not elegant at all. How would anyone say that this experience is better than the afternoon tea at Harrod's. It was not even close. This one is only worth a 2 out of 10. Guess who could get at least 9 out of 10. A hint : not the one at Reuben's.
via Viator
Greta service
We had the opportunity to enjoy Royal Tea at The Ruben at the Palace Hotel. It was fantastic. The food was fantastic with great care taken in all courses. The tea selection was broad and offered a couple we had have seen before. The service made the largest difference. Rebecca was amazing. She was very attentive but not intrusive. She was very pleasant and helped guide us through the tea selections as well. She was fantastic. I would recommend afternoon tea at The Ruben at the Palace Hotel.
Response from the operator: Dear M9432GXjohnd, Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel. We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the Royal Tea and appreciated the carefully prepared food and extensive tea selection. Rebecca sounds like a truly exceptional host, and we’re delighted she made such a positive impact on your visit with her attentive and pleasant service. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope you’ll have many more memorable moments with Evan Evans Tours in the future! Warm regards, Evan Evans Tours Customer Service Team
via Tripadvisor
A+ experience
Kevin was very knowledgeable and made it exciting for us. The day was filled with lots of history and beautiful scenes of Downtown Abbey show
Response from the operator: Dear, edmargie92 Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted to hear that Kevin brought the history to life and made your day so enjoyable. It’s wonderful that you were able to take in the beautiful scenery and relive moments from Downton Abbey. We hope to welcome you on another tour soon! Warm regards, The Evan Evans Team
via Tripadvisor
Outstanding
We had a magnificent experience at The Rubens tea room, the finger sandwiches as well as the scones and pastries were fantastic. The service was excellent; I am so glad I brought my girls to here! Making beautiful memories!
Response from the operator: Hello Ingrid_R Thank you so much for this lovely review, we are so happy to hear you had such a good experience with us. Guest satisfaction is our top priority. We're constantly looking for opportunities to exceed expectations. We hope you come visit us again soon! Best wishes, Evan Evans Team
via Viator
Loved the afternoon tea...
Loved the afternoon tea at Ruben's at the Palace. Would highly recommend trying it out. The house cocktails are wonderful
Response from the operator: Hello Michelle, Thank you so much for this 5-star review. We really appreciate you being a customer and helping to share the word about us. We hope to see you again on another one of our tours! Best wishes Evan Evans Team
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $125 to $135
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 51
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace cost?
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Prices start at $125 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 Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace take?
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Plan for about 7 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 Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 6 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 Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the 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 Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace?
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Around 2 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Royal London Tour with Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the 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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