London: Riverside Afternoon Tea with Champagne or Gin

Tea on the Thames, in one focused hour. This riverside afternoon tea at Clipper Lounge EMB puts you right on Embankment Pier with Thames views, plus a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail. I also love the way the spread covers classic comfort food and gives real choices with different sandwich platters for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free diets. The one thing to watch is the time is tight at 1 hour, and you need to lock in your platter choice early.

If you are traveling with kids, it gets even better. You get a kid-friendly menu and the glow-in-the-dark rubber duck gift, and the staff can be genuinely thoughtful about special moments, like birthdays. One staff member named Cheryl stood out for being friendly and helpful, which matters when you want the whole hour to feel easy.

Key highlights

• Thames views from Embankment Pier while you eat and sip
• Champagne or gin included with your afternoon tea
• Fresh scones with jam and cream plus finger sandwiches and sweet treats
• Real dietary variety via classic, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free platters
• Kid menu plus a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck gift

Clipper Lounge EMB on Embankment Pier, and why the setting matters

This afternoon tea is built for people who want London without the fuss. You’re at Clipper Lounge EMB, a riverside café bar on Embankment Pier, with the Thames right there and plenty of waterside atmosphere.

What I like about this setup is how it changes the tone of afternoon tea. Instead of being stuck indoors, you can look out over the river, watch the area’s movement, and treat the meal like a reset between sightseeing stops.

The pier location also helps you plan a day. Central London is dense, and you can usually build an hour here around a morning museum visit or an evening walk along the river. Even if you only have one free block, this is the kind of thing that turns it into a memory.

How your 1-hour afternoon tea usually feels, from first sip to final sweet

The experience is about one hour, so it runs in a tight, well-paced flow. The goal is simple: get you fed, paired, and comfortably seated without dragging.

Here is what the flow means in practice:

• Start with drinks and tea/coffee choice. Your included drink is a glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail. You also get a choice of tea or coffee to go with the food, so you are not forced to choose one flavor path.
• Move into scones and the heart of afternoon tea. Expect fresh scones with jam and cream as part of the included set. This matters because good afternoon tea is not just sandwiches, it is also the classic scone moment.
• Work through delicate finger sandwiches. The sandwich portion is designed to be light enough for an hour, but varied enough that you do not feel like you are repeating the same flavor.
• Finish with sweet treats. You get sweet treats included, which is great if you want something special but do not want to hunt for dessert afterward.

Because it is only 1 hour, I recommend having the right mindset. This is not a slow, all-afternoon lounge. It is a concentrated treat, and if you arrive relaxed and ready, it will feel like a win.

The food spread: scones, finger sandwiches, and sweet treats that actually cover the classics

Afternoon tea can go two ways: either you get a real spread, or you get a few pretty items that leave you hungry. Here, you get the full set that makes it feel like afternoon tea, not a snack pretending to be one.

Fresh scones with jam and cream

The scones with jam and cream are the anchor. If you love the classic combination, this is the moment you will look forward to. Scones also make it easy to pace yourself, because you can alternate bites with tea or with your champagne or gin sip.

Delicate finger sandwiches

You also get a variety of delicate finger sandwiches, not just one type. The best part is the options are structured around platters, so you can match the menu to your preferences without having to build the meal yourself.

Sweet treats included

Sweet treats are part of the included selection, and that is useful if you want the full afternoon tea experience. In an hour, dessert is usually what decides whether the experience feels complete, and here it is built in.

Champagne or gin with lunch-that-looks-like-tea

Your included drink selection is one clear perk of this afternoon tea. You get a glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne, or you can choose a Clipper Cup gin cocktail.

If you are a champagne person, this is a straightforward upgrade to the usual afternoon tea ritual. Champagne brings a crisp, celebratory feel, and it pairs naturally with scones, jam, and richer sandwich fillings.

If you prefer gin, the Clipper Cup cocktail option gives you a different vibe, one that feels a bit more modern while still fitting the tea setting. Either way, you should assume the included option is a single glass or a single cocktail, because additional drinks are not included.

Practical tip: since you also get tea or coffee, consider pacing. Take your alcohol drink early enough to enjoy it with the first rounds of food, then switch to tea or coffee to keep the hour comfortable.

Sandwich platters: classic, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free, plus the key detail about vegan items

This is where you can really make the experience work for your diet. You select a sandwich platter when booking, and you can choose among:

• Classic mixed sandwich platter
• Roast Chicken Salad
• Mature Cheddar Ploughman’s
• Tuna, Sweetcorn & Cucumber
• Egg Mayo & Cress
• British Ham & Mature Cheddar

• Vegetarian sandwich platter
• Mature Cheddar Ploughman’s
• Egg Mayo & Cress
• Mexican Bean & Avocado

• Vegan sandwich platter
• Mexican Bean & Avocado
• Vegan Cheddar Ploughman’s
• This Isn’t Coronation Chicken
• This Isn’t Chicken & Sweetcorn

• Gluten free platter
• Chicken Salad
• Cheddar Ploughman’s

Here is the important detail for vegan eaters: if you choose the vegan platter, you also receive vegan scones and plant-based treats in place of the traditional offerings. That means you are not just swapping sandwiches, you are getting the whole afternoon tea approach adjusted for you.

One planning note that matters

Menu choices are confirmed at least 72 hours before the selected date. If you are traveling with dietary restrictions, do not leave this to the last minute. Message the team in time, and you’ll avoid the stress of trying to change anything mid-trip.

Riverside views on a Central London pier, without the sightseeing overload

You are in central London, but your hour here is intentionally simple. You sit, you eat, you drink, and you look out at the Thames.

The experience promises views of the River Thames and iconic riverside landmarks from Embankment Pier. That matters because it turns afternoon tea into something you can photograph, talk about, and remember, without turning it into an endurance event.

If you are doing classic London sights all day, this kind of break is valuable. It gives you a moment where the river is the backdrop and the schedule is short. You get a treat, you reset your energy, and then you can head back out.

Potential drawback: because it is only 1 hour, the views are great but you will not have a long, slow sit with full golden-hour light. If you want a specific time of day for photos, check available starting times and pick the one that matches your plan.

Kids menu, the rubber duck gift, and how to make it feel special

If you are bringing children, this afternoon tea has been built with families in mind. Kids enjoy a special menu that includes a scone with cream and jam, bite-sized sandwiches, sweet treats, and a hot chocolate or soft drink.

Then there’s the gift. Kids receive a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck. It is the kind of small item that keeps kids engaged and gives them something fun to carry home.

Kids also get menu choices. The children’s mixed platter includes:

• Plain Cheese
• Plain Ham
• Tuna Sweetcorn

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free platters are also available for children, using the same selections as the adult options listed above.

And yes, the staff can be thoughtful about special moments. A verified birthday experience included extra care with cake, and that kind of attention is exactly what you want when your main goal is happy kids and easy logistics.

Service and atmosphere: calm, friendly, and not fussy

One of the best parts of a tea experience is how it feels when you walk in. This one is described as cozy and calm by people who booked it, and the staff are consistently described as helpful and service-minded.

A staff member named Cheryl comes up as particularly kind and supportive, including for a child’s birthday moment. That matters because afternoon tea is a social experience, and good service keeps things smooth when your group has different needs, like adults who want champagne and kids who need hot chocolate.

What I recommend: arrive a few minutes early so nobody feels rushed. In an hour-long experience, that buffer makes everything easier.

Price and value: is $57 per person worth it?

At $57 per person, you are paying for more than food. You are paying for the Thames setting, a complete afternoon tea spread, and a real drink upgrade.

Here is what is included:

• Fresh scones with jam and cream
• Finger sandwiches
• Sweet treats
• Tea or coffee
• A glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail
• Children’s menu with a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck gift

And what is not included:

• Additional drinks

So the value math is strongest if you were going to have alcohol or a cocktail anyway. If you would only get tea and skip champagne or gin, you might feel less of the perk. But if you want the full afternoon tea experience with a drink pairing, the package makes sense.

Also remember the time factor. One hour is efficient. You get a complete treat without losing half a day.

Who this afternoon tea suits best

This is a good match for:

• Couples who want a romantic-ish break in central London without planning a whole day around it
• Travelers who want a classic British meal with a drink included
• Families who want something special for kids, including the rubber duck gift
• Anyone who needs clear dietary options, since the platters are defined for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets

It may be less ideal if:

• You want a very long meal with lots of free time to linger
• You prefer building your own menu item by item, because platter choices are selected in advance
• You plan to order multiple extra drinks, since only one included drink is part of the price

Should you book this London Thames afternoon tea?

I think this is a solid book for the right traveler. If you want a one-hour afternoon tea with champagne or gin and you care about getting a real spread plus a comfortable riverside setting, it delivers.

Book it when:

• You are scheduling around central London sightseeing and want a compact, high-comfort break
• You want clear dietary options, including vegan scones and plant-based treats
• You are traveling with kids and want their menu plus the glow duck gift

Skip it or double-check your timing if:

• You want a long, slow experience with multiple rounds of drinks
• You do not like pre-selecting your platter choice ahead of time

If you do book, pick your sandwich platter early, aim to arrive a few minutes before your start time, and treat this hour like it is the main event.

FAQ

How long is the Riverside Afternoon Tea experience?

The experience lasts 1 hour.

What drinks are included with the afternoon tea?

You get a choice of tea or coffee, plus a glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail.

Can I choose champagne or gin?

Yes. Your booking includes a glass of either Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a Clipper Cup gin cocktail.

What food is included?

You get fresh scones with jam and cream, a variety of delicate finger sandwiches, and sweet treats.

What sandwich options are available?

You can choose from a classic mixed platter, a vegetarian platter, a vegan platter, or a gluten-free platter.

If I choose the vegan platter, do I get vegan scones and treats?

Yes. Choosing the vegan platter means you also receive vegan scones and plant-based treats in place of the traditional offerings.

Is there a children’s menu?

Yes. Children get a special menu with a scone with cream and jam, bite-sized sandwiches, sweet treats, and a hot chocolate or soft drink, plus a glow-in-the-dark rubber duck gift.

Are kids’ sandwich options customizable?

Yes. Kids can choose a children’s mixed platter with plain cheese, plain ham, or tuna sweetcorn. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free platters are also available for children.

Where do I meet, and is it accessible?

You have an accessible entrance via Embankment Pier exit, using the meeting point reference: ///catch.jaws.deep.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 3 days in advance for a full refund.