Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
This full-day tour connects London's royal west end with its medieval east, and an expert English-speaking guide stays with you from the first landmark to the last. Timed entry gets you into Westminster Abbey ahead of the main queues, where a thousand years of coronations sit under one roof, from the Coronation Chair to the tombs in Poets' Corner. From there you walk past Big Ben and through St James's Park to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard, or the Horse Guards ceremony on days when the guard does not change. After free time for lunch near Trafalgar Square, you board a Thames clipper and watch Tower Bridge, City Hall, and the Shard pass from the water. The day finishes inside the Tower of London, where your guide covers Traitor's Gate, the Beefeaters, and nine centuries of royal history before you step into the Jewel House to see the Crown Jewels. Groups are capped at 20 guests.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point for the morning part of the tour: Please meet our friendly guide at the Statue of Abraham Lincoln. With Big Ben behind you, go across Parliament Square and cross the street to the statue of Abraham Lincoln. A representative will be there holding a sign with ''The Tour Guy'' on it.
Your tour will conclude following your guided tour inside of the Tower of London, where you're welcome to continue exploring at own ease.
Itinerary
-
1Parliament Square
Your guide meets you in central London and runs through the full day ahead, from Westminster to the Tower. This is the moment to get oriented before the walking starts.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Westminster Abbey
Timed entry lets you bypass the main queues and step straight into the church that has hosted nearly every English coronation since 1066. Your guide walks you past the Coronation Chair and into Poets' Corner, where Charles Dickens and Geoffrey Chaucer are buried.
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission ticket included -
3Big Ben
Parliament Square opens up beyond the abbey, with Big Ben marking the corner of the Houses of Parliament. This is a photo stop from the outside, with time to take in Westminster before you cut through toward the palace.
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
4Buckingham Palace
Walk through St James's Park to reach the gates of Buckingham Palace, the working home of the monarchy. Here you watch the Changing of the Guard, a display of military precision that has run for centuries. On days when the ceremony does not take place, you see the Horse Guards Parade instead.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
5Trafalgar Square
Your guide leads you to Trafalgar Square for a break, passing the exterior of 10 Downing Street on the way. Lunch is at your own expense, with plenty of options in the surrounding streets.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
6Thames River
Board a local clipper for a relaxed cruise east along the Thames. From the water, your guide points out London Bridge, Tower Bridge, City Hall, and the Shard as the city shifts from Westminster to the old port.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
7Tower of London
Dock beneath the walls of a fortress, royal palace, and prison founded by William the Conqueror in 1066. Follow your guide inside and learn about Traitor's Gate, the Beefeaters, and the stories of Guy Fawkes and Henry VIII's wives. Then, head into the Jewel House on your own to see the Crown Jewels and coronation regalia.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- The Changing of the Guard does not take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, or in poor weather. On those days you see the Horse Guards ceremony instead.
- The Changing of the Guard may be canceled without notice due to weather or decisions by local authorities, and an alternative experience will be provided.
- The tour covers roughly seven hours on foot across London, from Westminster to the Tower, so a good level of fitness and comfortable shoes are needed.
- Westminster Abbey is a place of worship, so modest clothing is recommended.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Get our app
