If you’re visiting London, there is no doubt in my mind that you know all about the London Eye. It’s one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks and easily one of London’s top attractions to visit, especially if you’re looking for the best viewpoints in London. Now, without going into a whole history of when it was opened (for the Millennium, by the way) and the countless number of oscillations the London Eye has done (no idea, by the way), the London Eye has, in a matter of decades, become an iconic landmark of London to visit.
Over the years, we’ve been on the London Eye many times, with the sunset times being one of our favourite slots to book. It’s totally beautiful to watch the city turn from day to night and see the sun low over the streets of London. It’s amazing and well worth it for the views, which I now know pretty well! That being said, I had no idea about the VIP experiences you can actually book on the London Eye. There are a few different experiences to choose from, and one that stuck out straight away was the London Eye afternoon tea.
Best of all, this isn’t one of those packages that includes afternoon tea in some random hotel, then a ride on the London Eye. You actually have Afternoon Tea served right within a pod on the London Eye itself.
Now, being (and stereotypical) British, I love my tea! So booking these London Eye Afternoon Tea tickets was an absolute must for us! Especially if you’ve already been on the London Eye, but want a whole different experience. So, to help you get the most out of your experience, I wanted to share all the key points, tips and advice to have the best London Eye Afternoon Tea.
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How and Where to book the London Eye Afternoon Tea (and grab a discount)
First things first, you need to book your VIP London Eye Afternoon Tea in advance. There are a limited number of pods that run the afternoon tea each day, and you don’t want to miss your chance. Plus, there are only around eight people in each pod. This makes it really quite private, but also limiting in availability. So, book these special tickets in advance. Plus, you can sometimes grab a good discount by using the code: TEAWEEK26, via the official London Eye website (here). This will give you 15% off the tickets, making it even better to book!
Just remember, you can’t just book the regular London Eye tickets and upgrade; you have to book these specific ones to ensure you have a seat at the table.
Now, prices start around £75 per person, but remember this can change depending on what extras you choose (I hear champagne calling your name), seasonality and other factors. Now, it obviously costs more than the regular London Eye ticket, but with good reason. Plus, in my expert afternoon tea-induced logic, it makes much more economical sense. You see, you’re able to include an afternoon tea and a ride on the London Eye for one price. It’s a win-win!
First things first, you get to go around the London Eye twice! This means you stay on board the London Eye for a whole hour (rather than one time with a regular ticket). Plus, you’re not just forking out money for some cold sandwiches and a lukewarm tea. The afternoon tea is actually really good!
As soon as you arrive, you’ll be whisked straight off to the VIP check-in area and straight to the VIP Lounge. This is great if you want to chill, grab a tipple, or just relax after a day of exploring London.
Plus, with these specific London Eye Afternoon Tea tickets, you can upgrade to have champagne onboard. Naturally, we did this, and it’s a relatively small amount extra for bubbles on the London Eye.
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Your arrival for the London Eye Afternoon Tea
Now, one very important thing to remember is that you cannot be late! Remember, there are certain pods for the London Eye Afternoon Tea, and they don’t stop the wheel, no matter how much of a VIP you are! Aim to arrive 30 minutes before and just chill. It’s well worth it for the lack of stress.
Once you’re all checked in, you get access to the London Eye Lounge (that I mentioned before), before getting whisked off to the London Eye itself by your dedicated VIP Concierge. It’s all very oh-la-la! The whole thing feels much more relaxed than a typical visit, where you’re queuing with the crowds. You literally won’t queue at all; you’ll be directed straight to your pod. It’s a whole experience!
What is the London Eye Afternoon Tea actually like?
After hopping into your pod with a few other guests (there’s space for about eight people in each pod, the doors are gently closed, and your whole VIP experience on the London Eye begins. Within the pod itself, the whole afternoon tea is all picture perfect and ready to enjoy as soon as you board. The team have everything ready for you.
As the pod begins to climb, you’ll get to choose your favourite teas (mine is always English Breakfast) and coffee (as strong as it comes) and start nibbling on some of the Afternoon Tea treats on the table. Of course, there are some British favourites, like cucumber sandwiches and so much more! It’s delicious. Plus, although we didn’t choose this, you can also request vegan or vegetarian options, which is great if you have allergies or preferences.
Then there are the cakes. There are heaps of traditional favourites, including one of the most iconic. Scones! They’re all fresh, with heaps of clotted cream and lashings of strawberry jam. So good!
Oh, and don’t forget the champagne I mentioned! It’s a must in my opinion and the perfect tipple for an afternoon tea.
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What do you get to see during the London Eye Afternoon Tea?
Honestly, you get to see all of Central London and beyond on a clear day. You’ll spot iconic sights like the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, Canary Wharf, St Paul’s Cathedral and so many more gems dotted around the city. You might also be able to spot the arches of Wembley Stadium and even beyond Central London itself. The views are iconic, especially if you get to see them twice during the Afternoon Tea on the London Eye.
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London Eye Afternoon Tea: Is it a great deal?
Easy answer: yes! Not only do you get two typically iconic British experiences, but you’ll also save a heap of money with these tickets (rather than booking afternoon tea somewhere and the London Eye tickets separately). Not only that, the experience of being in a small group, with a fully laid table, with bubbles, piping hot teas and enough cake to feed South London just feels so extra special. It’s so worth the experience!
Just make sure to book these London Eye Afternoon Tea tickets in advance. They sell out fast at peak times! Have the most amazing trip to London!
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