I went on a bus like no other and found one thing hard to do

We see buses going around Liverpool every day showing our city’s most iconic landmarks to tourists from all over the world. But because I’ve lived in Merseyside for most of my life, I’ve never felt the need to hop on one myself.

That changed yesterday when the ECHO were invited on a bus tour with a twist for its maiden voyage. Hi Societea have launched Liverpool’s “first luxury afternoon tea touring experience”.

The idea is that you and your friends book a table on one of its buses. When you get on, you’re served afternoon tea and alcohol if you wish while you’re shown around some of Liverpool’s most famous places.

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Me and my colleague Alice Walker decided to make the trip at 3pm on Thursday, along with 30 other guests. The meeting point was on Old Haymarket in the city centre. Our initial fears that we would be spending time on an open top bus in freezing cold weather were allayed when we saw it was a standard double decker.

We were directed to find a table upstairs and we were stunned at what we saw. All the seats were pink and very comfy, while the ceiling was decorated with beautiful flowers.

All the tables came with gold cutlery, a box of sandwich slices and a wide selection of cakes on a stand. Once we set off and headed past the World Museum towards Islington, staff dressed in all pink came round offering us glasses of prosecco and martinis.

It was here where we encountered our first issue. As the bus journeyed through roundabouts and sharp turns, some of our cakes fell and we gripped nervously on our glasses to our drinks to stop them falling off the table.

When the bus went past the Anglican Cathedral and out of the city centre, I faced the tricky task of adding cream jam to my scone without anything falling over or dropping something myself. I don’t think many people have enjoyed afternoon tea on the top deck of a bus going down Princes Road.

Nevertheless, all the food was delicious and I couldn’t fault any of the drinks I had either. Other guests had glasses that fitted into the provided cup holder, so it’s clearly something Hi Societea are looking to address.

Above our table were speakers, through which we heard two different soundtracks. One, as Alice informed me, was music from hit Netflix show Bridgerton, which features classical versions of modern songs.

The second was the on-board singer, who delighted guests with his hearty renditions of I Want It That Way and All I Want For Christmas Is You. He was also in charge of pointing out Liverpool’s sights but understandably was more focussed on providing the music.

After a stop off in Sefton Park, we were taken back down Princes Road and into town again where we saw the glorious Albert Dock with its great Christmas lights. We then skirted onto The Strand and past The Three Graces before finishing back on Old Haymarket.

We both really enjoyed our afternoon tea with a difference. The staff were great and if you’re looking for a completely unique way to spend an afternoon in the city, it might be one to check out.

Prices start from £40 per person for a minimum of two people sharing. If you want alcoholic drinks for your journey, you have to pay extra, with the cost depending on whether you want prosecco, cocktails or rose. The bus tour lasts around two hours.

Hi Societea has transformed the concepts of both an afternoon tea trip and a bus tour all in one. There are admittedly some teething problems that need to be ironed out and I can’t say it was relaxing worrying about glasses and food dropping on the floor.

But me and Alice enjoyed the experience for the most part, and hopefully changes can be made given this was the bus's first journey. I can imagine being on here with a big group of your friends and having a great laugh as you enjoy a bit of red velvet cake while heading past the Liver Building in luxurious surroundings. I’ve never been on a more memorable bus journey.