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Buckingham Palace Afternoon Tea: Your guide to a royal experience

Your visit to Buckingham Palace is a highlight of any London trip, and for many, the perfect ending is a classic British tradition: Afternoon Tea. While the dream of booking a traditional tea service inside the Palace's grand State Rooms is widespread, it's important to know the facts to plan your day.

Garden Café is closed until 2026!

Due to the temporary closure of the Garden Café, the Afternoon Tea experience at Buckingham Palace is currently unavailable until July 2026.

Buckingham Palace Afternoon Tea at the Garden Café

Afternoon tea with sandwiches and pastries at the British Museum.

Located on the Palace's West Terrace, just beyond the exit from the State Rooms, the Garden Café provides a seasonal menu celebrating British summer, with freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, and classic treats like coronation chicken seeded rolls and smoked salmon bagels.

Afternoon Tea in a keepsake tin

For a quintessential royal treat, the Garden Café offers Afternoon Tea in a limited-edition keepsake tin. This pre-packaged selection includes an assortment of finger sandwiches, Earl Grey scones, lemon drizzle loaf cake, and other delectable pastries. It is served with your choice of tea or coffee, and you have the option to add English sparkling wine or a Buckingham Palace G&T for a celebratory touch. No advance booking is needed for this experience.

Combining a Palace tour with Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea on a bus with view of London Eye and River Thames.

Many visitors choose to combine their Palace tour with a luxurious Afternoon Tea at a nearby venue. This allows you to secure a booking and enjoy a full traditional service.

  • The Afternoon Tea Bus Tour: For a truly unique experience, consider a themed bus tour. You can enjoy a full Afternoon Tea service on a vintage double-decker bus while it drives past London's most famous landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and Westminster Abbey.

Top Afternoon Tea venues near Buckingham Palace

London's finest hotels have perfected the art of Afternoon Tea, offering their own lavish interpretations of the royal tradition just a stone's throw from the Palace.

  • The Rubens at the Palace: Directly opposite the Royal Mews, The Rubens offers a celebrated "Royal Afternoon Tea." Their menu features exquisitely crafted cakes and pastries inspired by the Royal Family and the Palace itself, making it a perfect themed experience.
  • The Goring Hotel: As the only hotel to hold a Royal Warrant, The Goring is a favorite of the Royal Family. Its Afternoon Tea is considered one of the best in London, serving a classic menu in an elegant, quintessentially British setting.
  • The Guardsman Hotel: Tucked away on a quiet street near the Palace, The Guardsman provides an intimate and luxurious Afternoon Tea experience. It's an ideal choice for a more private and exclusive celebration.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buckingham Palace Afternoon Tea

No, a traditional, bookable Afternoon Tea is not offered inside the Palace's State Rooms. The only public option is the pre-packaged Afternoon Tea from the Garden Café, which requires a State Rooms ticket to access (temporarily closed until July 2026).