London Travel Tips 3: Start with a Sightseeing Bus Tour

London is vast, and its attractions are spread across centuries of history and miles of cobbled streets. Before you dive into the tube map or embark on a marathon walking tour, the single best piece of advice for any first-time visitor is simple: Take a Bus Tour.

The Advantage of Starting on the Top Deck

A guided bus tour—especially the iconic Hop-On, Hop-Off (HOHO) variety—offers unparalleled efficiency and context before you start your deep-dive exploration.

Quick Orientation: In just 90 minutes to two hours, you get a continuous, panoramic view of the city’s major landmarks: Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Trafalgar Square. This provides the essential geographical context you need.
The Big Picture: From the top deck of a double-decker bus, you get unique, elevated perspectives for photos and a clear view over the city traffic, avoiding the visual noise of street level.
Informative Context: The audio or live commentary quickly delivers historical facts and context, turning statues and buildings into meaningful parts of London’s story. You learn what you are looking at and why it matters, allowing you to prioritize which spots are truly worth a visit later.
Low-Impact Start: After a long journey, or on your first morning, a bus tour is a comfortable, low-impact way to sightsee without the pressure of walking miles or navigating the Underground system.

If you have a limited time or prefer maximum sightseeing comfort, a bus tour is the fast-track to understanding the layout of London.

🎩 Beyond Sightseeing: The Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

While traditional HOHO buses are fantastic for navigation, London offers creative bus tours that elevate the experience into a memorable, singular event. On a recent trip, we opted for the ultimate blend of sightseeing and British tradition: The Paddington Afternoon Tea London Sightseeing Tour by Brigit’s Bakery.

This experience transforms the bus journey from a purely navigational tool into a destination in itself.

https://b-bakery.com/london/bus-tours

The Experience

The Vehicle: The tour takes place aboard a beautifully restored, vintage, red double-decker bus, often charmingly decorated with Paddington Bear themes (for this specific tour). From the moment you step aboard, the atmosphere feels special—a mobile, quirky tearoom.
The Scenery: As the bus winds through Central London, it passes all the major landmarks you’d expect: Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, and the Royal Albert Hall. The slower pace (due to London traffic) is actually an advantage, allowing you time to enjoy the views and snap photos from your window-side seat.
The Afternoon Tea: This is the main event. Your table is set with a delightful spread of classic afternoon tea fare: fresh finger sandwiches, savoury treats, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and an array of dainty pastries and cakes, all baked by Brigit’s Bakery. The tea is served in charming silicone cups with lids to prevent spills, and you can usually choose from a selection of fine teas or coffees. You get unlimited serving of drinks.
The Delightful Twist: What makes this tour unique is the joyful novelty. You are sipping tea, enjoying scones, and chatting with your companions, all while the landmarks glide past your window. It’s an interactive, multi-sensory way to see London.

Why It Was an Enjoyable Alternative

We loved the Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour because it offered the classic bus tour benefits (seeing the highlights, getting oriented) but wrapped it in a classic British ritual. It was a perfect special occasion or “treat” experience that combined two must-do London activities—sightseeing and afternoon tea—into one enjoyable, time-saving 90-minute package. While it comes at a higher price than a standard bus ticket, the quality of the food and the unique novelty make it a truly memorable way to view the city.