Booking choice: The Royal High Tea, from $169 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Search for afternoon tea at Kensington Palace and the tours dominate the results. It is easy to assume a tour is the only way in. It is not: the Orangery takes direct bookings, and you do not need a palace ticket.
So the question is not "how do I get tea at the palace" but "do I want the guided walk that comes with it".
The quick answer
Book direct if you only want the tea, know London or are on a budget: afternoon tea is from £55. Book the tour if it is your first visit, you want royal history explained on a walk through Kensington Gardens, and you like having the table and timing arranged: the Royal High Tea is from $169 and rates 4.6 from 1,060 reviews.
What is the difference, side by side?
The tea is the same; the tour adds a guide, an hour's garden walk and a reserved private table.
| Royal High Tea tour | Book the Orangery direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $169 per person | From £55 per adult |
| Afternoon tea | Included | Included |
| Guide and garden walk | About an hour | No |
| Table | Private table, reserved | Your own booking |
| Palace entry | Optional add-on | Buy separately (£24.70) |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours | Per restaurant terms |
Leaning towards the tour? Check dates for the Royal High Tea.
Check dates for the Royal High TeaWho should take the tour?
First-time visitors, royal fans and anyone who wants the afternoon planned and explained.
Reviewers single out the guides by name, again and again, and the stories about Diana, Queen Victoria and the park. Guests also like that the guide checks their palace tickets and seats them at the Orangery. If you are in London for a few days and want one polished royal experience, the tour delivers it.
Who should book direct?
Travelers who only want the tea, know the city, or are watching the budget.
The most common criticism in reviews is value: "we could have booked the tea on our own". If the walk does not appeal, or you already know the history, booking the Orangery yourself costs less and lets you choose your own time.
Is the walk hard?
No, but it is about an hour on park paths, which some guests find long on hot days.
Paths are flat. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water in summer. The garden tour includes the Cradle Walk to the Sunken Garden.
Is the private table a real advantage?
Yes, if you do not want to share: the Royal High Tea stresses that your group gets its own table rather than a shared one.
Booking direct gives you your own table too, of course. The private tour goes further, with your own guide and sparkling wine.
Celebrating? The private royal high tea gives you your own guide and a glass of sparkling wine.
Explore the private royal high teaWhat do the reviews say?
Mostly glowing about the guides and the setting, with a minority questioning value.
The Royal High Tea rates 4.6 from 1,060 reviews, the garden tour 4.7 from 143 and the private tour 4.9 from 45. Negative reviews mention a warm room in a heatwave, slow service and the price. One older review describes tea being moved to another venue when the palace tea room was closed, so confirm your date.
Can you mix both?
Yes: some guests take the tour with palace entry, and others book tea directly and add a palace ticket.
See the price guide for every combination, and the Orangery guide for booking a table yourself.
Want everything in one booking? Add palace entry at checkout on the Royal High Tea.
Check dates for the Royal High TeaFrequently asked questions
Is the Royal High Tea a scam?
No. It is a well-reviewed guided walk with a genuine afternoon tea at the Orangery. It is simply not the only way to have that tea, and it costs more than booking the restaurant yourself.
Is the royal high tea run by the palace?
No. It is run by a private tour company. The Orangery is run by Historic Royal Palaces.
Does the guide join you for tea?
It varies. Several reviewers say their guide sat with them and explained tea customs; others say the guide left them at the table.
Ready to book
Choose your tea
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Royal High Tea at Kensington Palace
- Guided walk from Queensway station: Italian Gardens, Peter Pan, Round Pond, Diana's stories
- Full afternoon tea at the Orangery: sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, cakes, tea
- Private table (not shared with strangers); small group of up to 12
Kensington Gardens Tour & Royal Tea
- Guided walk through Kensington Gardens, with the Cradle Walk and Sunken Garden
- Royal afternoon tea at the Orangery: pastries, cakes and sandwiches
- Timed Kensington Palace entry only if you select that option
Kensington Palace Entrance Ticket
Just the palace; book tea at the Orangery yourself
