Royal Tour of St James', Parks, Palaces and Royal intrigue

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Green Park

  Legend has it that the park is green because Charles II's wife Catherine de Braganza ordered all its flowers to be removed. Why you might ask? You'll find out on the tour!

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  St. James's Palace

  Built by Henry VIII on the site of a women's leper hospital, this palace was originally built for the son promised to Henry by his second wife, Anne Boleyn. But things didn't turn out quite as planned!

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Changing of the Guard

  One of London's ancient ceremonies, this is pageantry not to be missed BUT IT DOES NOT GO AHEAD EVERY DAY. We will need to check if the ceremony is scheduled for the morning of your tour. If it is, you're in for a treat as we view different parts of the ceremony from three different places - we'll need to move fast to get from one to another! EVEN IF THE CEREMONY IS SCHEDULED TO GO AHEAD, IT CAN BE CANCELLED AT THE LAST MOMENT SO THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL SEE THE CEREMONY.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Clarence House

  A chance to see where King Charles III and the Queen Camilla, call home.

  2 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5
  Lancaster House

  Built from beautiful Bath stone, this building stood in for Buckingham Palace during the filming of Downton Abbey, the Netflix series the Crown and the film, the King's Speech.

  2 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6
  Buckingham Palace

  One of the London's most iconic buildings, with its world famous balcony, Buckingham Palace is the office of the monarchy and one of the few working palaces in the world. Queen Elizabeth II lived here Monday - Friday but her son Charles has yet to decide where he is going to live. The palace is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment so we'll have to wait and see what he decides to do.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 7
  Wellington Barracks

  Home to the Queens' Life Guards, responsible for the security of the monarch since 1660. The new guard leave from here during the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

  2 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8
  St. James's Park

  One of the prettiest Royal parks with an abundance of wild life and a gorgeous ornamental lake, England's most extravagant king George IV, made it what it is today. A few other monarchs before him had their say too - I will reveal all on our tour!

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9
  Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

  Originally used for jousting during Tudor times, Horse Guards Parade is now home to two of London's ancient ceremonies dating back to the 1600s, the Changing of the Guard and Trooping the Colour. The parade ring was also used during the London Olympics in 2012 - I wonder if anyone can remember which sport took place here?

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 10
  St. James' Square

  Once a housing estate for the English aristocracy, it still retains a beautiful garden in the centre.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 11

  This shop began life centuries ago as a market stall; how it has changed wince then as it now displays over 90 artisan cheeses from all over Europe.

  3 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 12

  Originally a barber's, Juan Floris quickly changed his shop into a perfumery which is still thriving nearly 300 years later. It still produces Lily of the Valley perfume which was one of the shop's first creations but there are many others well worth a sniff!

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13
  Fortnum & Mason

  The most sophisticated department store in London - the hamper began here! As we take a quick walk arund the ground floor of the store, you will find out what unusual feature is up on the roof as well as the nature of a competition sponsored by the store. Intriguing!

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• When your booking is confirmed, you will receive contact details for me (Sandy) and I will be your guide on this tour. My aim is to give you, my client, the best experience you could possibly have so if you have any special requests, be sure to tell me what they are! If you need to stop for a break midway through the tour, that will be fine with me.
• The tour will last up to 3 hours depending on the walking pace of the group, the number of questions asked and if the Changing of the Guard ceremony is going ahead on the day of the tour.

Show 9 more

Tags

Rating