London: Riverside Afternoon Tea with Champagne or Gin

At Embankment Pier, afternoon tea comes with a front-row view of the River Thames and central London landmarks. You’ll settle into Clipper Lounge EMB for scones, sandwiches, cakes, tea or coffee, and one glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail.

I like the setting because it gives a classic London ritual a riverside twist, and I like the wide choice of sandwich platters, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The main drawback is the one-hour duration, which keeps the experience neat and manageable but may feel short if you prefer a leisurely tea.

Key points at a glance

• Riverside setting: Enjoy your tea at Embankment Pier with views along the Thames and central London.
• One included drink: Choose Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne, a Clipper Cup gin cocktail, or a soft drink.
• Traditional tea plate: Expect fresh scones with jam and cream, finger sandwiches, and sweet treats.
• Useful menu choices: Classic, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free sandwich platters are available.
• Good family touch: Children receive their own tea menu and a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck.
• Easy planning: Book at least 72 hours ahead, and cancel up to three days before the date for a full refund.

Afternoon tea beside the Thames

This is not a sightseeing cruise. You stay at Clipper Lounge EMB on Embankment Pier, enjoying the river from a fixed riverside café bar rather than moving past the sights.

That difference matters. You won’t need to keep one eye on the clock for a scheduled departure, and you can focus on the food, conversation, and view. At the same time, you won’t get changing river scenery or a narrated tour of London.

The setting is especially appealing if you have been walking around central London. Embankment Pier places you close to the city’s riverfront, so this can work as a calm pause between visits to nearby sights. The Thames provides the main backdrop, with iconic riverside landmarks visible as you relax.

I would choose this experience for atmosphere rather than ceremony. It offers a pleasant London setting without asking you to commit to a full cruise, a formal hotel tea, or a long meal.

What your one-hour tea includes

The meal follows the familiar afternoon tea pattern. You receive fresh scones with jam and cream, delicate finger sandwiches, sweet treats, and a choice of tea or coffee.

The scones are the heart of the experience for many people. Jam and cream give you the classic pairing, while the sandwiches provide something savory before the sweet items. Since the exact sweet treats are not specified, you should expect a selection rather than a fixed list of named cakes.

The one-hour schedule gives the meal a clear shape. You can expect the food and drinks to form the main event, with time to take in the Thames views. If your ideal afternoon tea involves lingering over several pots of tea, taking photographs, and chatting at length, this may feel brisk.

I see the short format as useful for a busy London day. You can fit it between other plans without giving up half an afternoon. It also suits families who may prefer a contained activity over a long, formal meal.

Choosing champagne, gin, or something softer

The adult package includes a glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail. You can also choose a soft drink alternative, along with tea or coffee.

Champagne makes this feel like a small celebration, even if you are simply marking a day in London. The gin choice gives the experience a more distinctly British bar feel, while tea or coffee keeps the meal grounded in afternoon tea tradition.

Additional drinks are not included. That is worth remembering when you compare the price with a standard café tea. The package covers the main food, one featured drink, and tea or coffee, but extra beverages will cost more.

I would pick champagne for a birthday, anniversary, or first London visit. The gin cocktail suits someone who wants a more modern drink with the tea. If you do not drink alcohol, the soft drink option means you can still enjoy the setting and food without paying for a drink you do not want.

Sandwich platters for different diets

You select a sandwich platter when booking, then confirm your menu choices at least 72 hours before the chosen date. This advance step is important, especially if someone in your group needs a vegan or gluten-free meal.

The classic mixed platter includes:

• Roast chicken salad
• Mature Cheddar ploughman’s
• Tuna, sweetcorn, and cucumber
• Egg mayonnaise and cress
• British ham and mature Cheddar

The vegetarian platter includes mature Cheddar ploughman’s, egg mayonnaise and cress, and Mexican bean and avocado. It gives you a proper savory selection rather than simply removing the meat from the classic menu.

The vegan platter includes Mexican bean and avocado, vegan Cheddar ploughman’s, This Isn’t Coronation Chicken, and This Isn’t Chicken and Sweetcorn. Choosing this platter also changes the rest of the meal: you receive vegan scones and plant-based sweet treats instead of the traditional offerings.

The gluten-free platter includes chicken salad and Cheddar ploughman’s. It is a shorter selection than the classic platter, so anyone booking for a gluten-free diner should keep that difference in mind.

This range of choices is one of the strongest practical features here. You do not have to rely on a vague request at the table. You can arrange the main dietary need ahead of time, which makes the experience easier for mixed groups.

A thoughtful children’s menu

Children receive their own afternoon tea menu, with a scone, cream and jam, bite-sized sandwiches, sweet treats, and a hot chocolate or soft drink. They also receive a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck.

The duck is a small detail, but it gives the meal a clear family focus. It is the sort of gift that can make afternoon tea feel like an event for a child, rather than an adult meal where a child happens to be present.

The children’s mixed sandwich platter includes plain cheese, plain ham, and tuna sweetcorn. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free platters are also available, using the stated selections for those diets.

A child’s birthday can be a good reason to choose this experience. A birthday celebration received extra attention, including cake, and that kind of personal service can matter more to a family than a long list of menu items. You should not assume a cake is included for every birthday, but it is sensible to mention a special occasion when booking.

The one-hour length also works in the children’s favor. It offers enough time for a treat and a view without demanding a long period of quiet table behavior.

How the setting compares with hotel afternoon tea

A hotel afternoon tea usually centers on polished interiors, formal service, and a carefully arranged dining room. Here, the main attraction is the combination of tea and Thames views at Embankment Pier.

You should choose this place if the river matters to you. The setting adds a sense of place that a standard café may not provide, and it makes the experience feel tied to London rather than interchangeable with afternoon tea in another city.

You should choose a hotel tea instead if your priority is a more formal occasion with a slower pace and a grand dining room. This experience is more casual and practical, with the river doing much of the visual work.

The riverside location also brings a possible tradeoff. You are choosing an active central London setting, not an enclosed country house or quiet tearoom. The available information confirms views of the Thames and landmarks, but it does not promise a private room, a particular table, or a guaranteed unobstructed view.

Service and the feel of the visit

The host or greeter speaks English. Service feedback has included especially warm attention from a staff member named Cheryl, and a birthday visit received extra care for a child.

That suggests this experience can work well for celebrations, but I would keep expectations sensible. One named staff member does not mean Cheryl will be present on every date, and the package does not promise a dedicated birthday service.

The setting is described as calm and pleasant, which suits a relaxed stop during a central London day. You can enjoy the food without the pressure of a moving boat, though the venue is still part of a busy city pier environment.

For the best experience, I would confirm dietary choices well before arrival and mention any celebration at the same time. That gives the team a fair chance to prepare the right platter and note your occasion.

Is $57 good value?

At $57 per person, the price is not a bargain snack. It becomes more reasonable when you count what is included: the riverside setting, a full afternoon tea selection, tea or coffee, and a glass of Champagne or a gin cocktail.

The value is strongest for people who already want an afternoon tea and would also pay for a scenic London setting. The included Laurent Perrier Champagne or gin cocktail adds a clear benefit compared with a basic tea service.

The calculation is different if you do not drink alcohol. You can choose a soft drink, but part of the package price is built around the featured adult beverage. Families should also check the children’s price when booking, since the supplied information gives the adult price only.

The one-hour duration keeps the cost tied to a short experience. I would not choose this as the only major activity of your London day. I would choose it as a pleasant break with a special drink, particularly if you are already near Embankment.

Who should book this experience?

I think this suits couples, families, and friends who want a classic British treat without giving up central London sightseeing time. It is also a good choice for a birthday or a small celebration, especially when you tell the team about it in advance.

Food-conscious groups will appreciate the menu planning. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices are available, although the gluten-free platter is more limited than the classic one.

Children are unusually well catered for here. The small portions, hot chocolate or soft drink, and glow-in-the-dark rubber duck give them a reason to enjoy the occasion on their own terms.

I would be less likely to recommend it to someone seeking a long, formal afternoon tea or a full Thames cruise. The experience is short, fixed in place, and focused on food with a view. That is its appeal, but it also defines its limits.

Practical details before you go

The accessible entrance is via the Embankment Pier exit. Wheelchair access is available, which makes this a useful option for groups with different mobility needs.

Bookings are required at least 72 hours in advance. You should also confirm your sandwich platter at least 72 hours before the selected date, especially for vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free meals.

The meeting point is Embankment Pier, with the entrance location marked by the map code ///catch.jaws.deep. Allow enough time to find the pier entrance in central London, since the activity begins there rather than at a separate hotel or restaurant.

The experience lasts one hour, but start times vary. Check availability before planning your surrounding sightseeing. Cancellation is free up to three days in advance for a full refund, giving you some flexibility if your London plans change.

Should you book the Riverside Afternoon Tea?

Book it if you want a short, scenic London treat with a real afternoon tea menu, one included Champagne or gin drink, and useful food choices for mixed diets. The Thames-side setting, family menu, and friendly personal service make it especially appealing for a celebration or a relaxed break near Embankment.

Skip it if you want a full sightseeing cruise, a long formal tea, or unlimited drinks. At $57, the value depends on using the setting and included drink, not simply on the sandwiches and cakes.

For most people, I would book it as a one-hour pause in a busy central London itinerary. Confirm your menu early, mention any birthday plans, and choose champagne, gin, or a soft drink based on what you actually want to enjoy.

FAQ

Where does the afternoon tea take place?

It takes place at Clipper Lounge EMB, a riverside café bar on Embankment Pier in London. The accessible entrance is via the Embankment Pier exit.

How long does the experience last?

The afternoon tea lasts one hour. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What drink is included?

You can choose a glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne, a Clipper Cup gin cocktail, or a soft drink alternative. Tea or coffee is also included.

What food is served?

The menu includes fresh scones with jam and cream, finger sandwiches, sweet treats, and a choice of tea or coffee. You select a sandwich platter when booking.

Are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free sandwich platters are available. The vegan option also includes vegan scones and plant-based sweet treats.

Is there a children’s menu?

Yes. Children receive a scone with cream and jam, bite-sized sandwiches, sweet treats, and a hot chocolate or soft drink. They also receive a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck.