If you’ve tried one of Brigit’s Bakery’s themed afternoon tea bus tours before, you might be wondering what’s different about the new Cat in the Hat version.
We’ve previously tried other Brigit’s Bakery experiences, including Peppa Pig, PAW Patrol and Paddington, so there were a few differences I noticed straight away. There are no screens on this one, the food has its own character inspired details, and you can enjoy some of London’s lovely Christmas lights along the way.
Here’s my review of the Cat in the Hat afternoon tea bus tour, including the food, what to know before bringing children, where to meet the bus and why you really do need to think about traffic.
The Cat in the Hat afternoon tea bus tour at a glance
Detail
What to know
Dates
14 November to 31 December 2026
Departures
1pm, 3.30pm and 6pm
Prices
Adults from £50, children from £42; varies by date, time and seat
Ages
4+. No babies or children under 4
Duration
Around 90 minutes, traffic dependent
Pick up and return
Outside the Corinthia Hotel, 10 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5AP
Stations
Embankment or Charing Cross
Arrival
15 to 20 minutes early
How is it different from the other Brigit’s Bakery afternoon teas?
One of the biggest differences for us was that there were no screens, unlike the other Brigit’s Bakery afternoon tea experiences we’ve tried.
That is worth knowing if your child particularly enjoyed watching the characters on the screens on a previous visit. Don’t book this expecting exactly the same experience with a different character on the table.
The other difference I noticed was the biscuit. On the Peppa Pig version, we had a big Peppa biscuit, while the PAW Patrol afternoon tea had a bone shaped one. I think Paddington’s was a paw print, but it has been a while since we did that tour, so I can’t confidently remember!
On our Cat in the Hat visit, there wasn’t that same big standalone themed biscuit. There are still shortbread elements in the desserts, so I don’t mean there are no biscuits involved at all. It’s just a different approach to the themed food.
Also, this is a themed afternoon tea rather than a character meet and greet. Brigit’s Bakery says the Cat himself does not appear.
What food do you get?
The menu we were given had a mixture of savoury bites, themed sweet treats and a scone with clotted cream and jam.
The savoury selection included:
- Smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber pretzel
- Turkey mayonnaise and cranberry on a brioche bun
- Cucumber, cream cheese and spring onion on basil bread
- Spinach, feta and tomato quiche
- Savoury sablé with avocado and peas, sprinkled with parmesan
I really enjoyed the quiche. It was one of the things that stood out for me, and I always appreciate having a decent savoury selection alongside all the cakes.
For the sweet treats, our menu included:
- The Cat’s Hat, with raspberry and coconut crémeux on a red shortbread base
- Things Lemon Cupcake, topped with blue lemon buttercream
- The Mischievous Macaron, with vanilla ganache filling
- Waffle’s Fish Bowl, with a chocolate orange dome and red shortbread base
- The Warm & Wonderful Scone, with clotted cream and jam
The themed desserts are where you see more of the Cat in the Hat details coming through.
If your child is particular about food, have a proper look at the menu before booking. A character theme doesn’t automatically mean every child will enjoy every filling or flavour. Smoked salmon, cranberry, coconut and cream cheese are all worth considering if you have a selective eater.
What drinks are available?
Our drinks menu included hot chocolate, coffees and a selection of teas, plus still water, orange juice and apple juice.
The hot drinks selection was fairly varied, with options such as English Breakfast, Earl Grey, peppermint and chai alongside cappuccino, Americano and latte macchiato. There was also Christmas tea listed on our menu.
And yes, you get to keep the Cat in the Hat travel cups! It’s worth remembering before you get off the bus, as they are a souvenir you can take home and use again.
Seeing London’s Christmas lights from the bus
You also get to see some of London’s lovely lights, which adds something extra to the experience during the festive season.
For me, that’s part of the appeal of an afternoon tea bus tour. You have your food and drinks in front of you, but there’s also London outside the window to look at as you go.
If the Christmas lights are a big reason for booking, I would choose a departure after dark. A daytime sightseeing trip will have a different feel, so think about which part of the experience matters most to your family.
I wouldn’t book around seeing one particular display, though. It’s better to enjoy the sights along the way than build everyone’s expectations around a single photo opportunity.
You need to allow for London traffic
This is something I would really consider before booking, particularly if you’re planning other activities on the same day.
You are travelling through central London on a bus, so traffic is part of the experience. There can be stretches when you’re moving slowly or waiting, and that’s worth thinking about if your child gets restless in vehicles.
I would leave a generous gap before any timed booking afterwards. Don’t plan your day so tightly that you spend the second half of your afternoon tea worrying about whether you’ll make your next activity.
The same applies to getting to the departure point. Give yourself time to find the stop, sort out a toilet visit and get everyone ready without rushing.
Where do you meet the bus?
The meeting point is the bus stop outside the Corinthia Hotel on Northumberland Avenue.
This is a street pick up, so head to the departure stop rather than assuming you need to check in inside the hotel. I would also keep your booking confirmation handy and follow any specific meeting instructions sent with your tickets.
Make sure you use the departure address for this particular tour. If you’ve done another Brigit’s Bakery experience before, don’t automatically head to the same place you used last time.
Are there toilets on the bus?
There are no toilets or changing facilities onboard, so make sure everyone goes beforehand.
The Sherlock Holmes pub is a short walk away and could be an option to ask about. However, it is a pub rather than a public toilet, so check with staff and don’t assume access is available to everyone passing by.
Personally, I would sort this out well before boarding time. You don’t want to be searching for a toilet just as the bus is getting ready to leave, especially with children.
Think about whether your child can comfortably manage the journey without a toilet break, allowing for the possibility of traffic.
Is it suitable for children?
Beyond the minimum age, I would think about your own child’s patience, food preferences and interest in looking out at London.
Passengers must stay seated, and the vintage bus has no seatbelts. It isn’t a tour where children can wander around or get off to explore.
The lack of screens may also make a difference for families who have tried the other themed buses. If those were a big part of what kept your child entertained before, it’s useful to know that this one feels different.
Can Brigit’s Bakery cater for allergies and dietary requirements?
Brigit’s lists vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten free options. Vegan and gluten free teas carry a £3 supplement.
However, it says it cannot cater for nut free or peanut free diets, coeliac disease, combined dairy and gluten free requirements, or combined vegan and gluten free requirements. Its gluten free menu may contain traces.
Email allergies to bus@b-bakery.com for management confirmation; dietary requests need at least 72 hours’ notice.
That distinction really matters. Offering alternative menus does not mean the experience is suitable for every allergy. I would get written confirmation before booking rather than assume a particular menu will be safe.
My thoughts on the Cat in the Hat afternoon tea bus tour
The things that stood out for me were the themed food, being able to keep the cups and seeing some of London’s lovely lights. And the quiche definitely deserves another mention because I really enjoyed it!
If you’ve already done Peppa Pig, PAW Patrol or Paddington, there are differences here. The absence of screens was noticeable, and the themed desserts take the place of that big character biscuit I remember from our other visits.
My main advice is to look at the menu, think about whether your child will be happy sitting for the journey, and give yourself plenty of time either side. Sorting out a toilet stop beforehand and allowing for traffic will make the day much easier to plan.
