Tours/London/Full Day London Tour: Tower of London & Westminster Abbey
Viator · group up to 20 pax

Full Day London Tour: Tower of London & Westminster Abbey

4.9(297)London1 hour
VIATOR4.8(122)TRIPADVISOR5.0(175)

Description

Limited time on your hands whilst visiting London? Join us and see London's Best in One Day! Your day starts with a guided tour of Westminster Abbey, skip-the-line entry included. Strolling through St James Park, your next stop will be Buckingham Palace's exterior. Here you'll enjoy a crash course to the royal family & witness the *changing of the guard ceremony. The last stop before lunch will be 10 Downing Street, where great minds like Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher made crucial decisions that influenced the nation. After a quick lunch break, you'll enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Thames Clipper service, where you can sit back and relax as your guide points out some of the famous sites along the waterside. Last on the Itinerary is a guided tour of the Tower of London. your guide will teach you about the significance of this castle throughout the centuries, and have a chance to visit some of the Castle's rooms before proceeding to visit the British Crown Jewels.

Tour Options

Westminster Abbey ONLY
  • Duration: 3 hours Half-Day Tour of Westminster: Not Included: Tower of London Included: Westminster Abbey, Changing of the Guard (or Horse Guard), walking tour
Changing of the Guard, Westminster Abbey & Tower of London Tour
  • Duration: 7 hours: Full-Day Tour of London with Changing of the Guard (or Horse Guard Parade), Westminster Abbey & Tower of London Tour included

Itinerary

15 min

Your day will begin around parliament square. From this prime location you can already catch a glimpse of London's iconic Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster before heading to your first stop of the day - Westminster Abbey.

Admission included60 min

Tour of Westminster Abbey - Skip the ticketing line alongside our expert guide and enter this majestic Abbey, nestled upon the very spot where a humble fisherman once glimpsed a celestial vision of St. Peter in the 10th century. Our guide will take you around this sacred sanctuary, which housed nearly 40 coronations as well as the funeral of Princess Diana.

Admission not included10 min

Exterior Visit on Downing Street Downing Street, a place of intrigue and power, stands as an iconic symbol of British governance. Nestled amidst the bustling streets of London, this historic address is where the country's leaders make crucial decisions that shape the nation's destiny.

10 min

Walk Through St James Park - Following your visit to the Abbey, you'll pass through this charming park on your way to Buckingham Palace. A jewel in the crown of the capital, this enchanting park unfolds like a living masterpiece, offering a change of scenery from the bustling streets of London.

Admission not included10 min

Marvel at the exterior of Buckingham Palace - Buckingham Palace, an iconic symbol of British monarchy and culture, is the official residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Your guide will tell you all the ins and outs of this imposing estate before heading on to the next stop of the day.

30 min

Witness the Changing of The Guard ** Entrusted with the sacred duty of protecting Britain's revered monarch these soldiers have become a symbol of the United Kingdom. This ceremony—a practical passing of the torch from the morning shift, known as the Old Guard, to the afternoon shift, the New Guard is a must see when visiting London. ** Please note that the Changing of the Guard currently occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays only. On alternate days, we will see the Changing of the Guard at the Horse Guards Parade instead. If there is heavy rainfall, the Changing of the Guard will not happen. Following the visit, you will have a short break for lunch, before meeting for the afternoon itinerary of the tour.

45 min

Enjoy some free time for a quick lunch in Trafalgar Square before continuing with the afternoon part of your tour. Your guide is more than happy to recommend some local eateries and café before reconvening at the same meeting point as this morning.

Admission included30 min

Thames River Cruise Prepare for an exciting adventure as you board the comfortable and air-conditioned local clipper service for a ride along the River Thames. Sit back and relax as your expert guide points out the famous sites that you'll pass along the way.

Admission included90 min

Guided Tour of the Tower of London* - Step back in time and witness the incredible history of the Tower of London, which was established by none other than William the Conqueror in 1066 after his conquest of England. From famous prisoners to gruesome executions, this castle has seen it all. Led by your expert local guide, you'll learn about the often bloody history of this magnificent structure. *There are certain areas within the Tower of London where no guides are allowed, but can be explored at own pace once the tour concludes.

Admission included20 min

The British Crown Jewels - Prepare to be dazzled as you enter the Jewel House of the Tower of London! The crown jewels, a collection of 140 regalia and symbols, have been protected here for centuries. Bedazzled with over 23,000 sparkling stones, these priceless items are the ultimate symbols of the British monarchy. As your tour nears its end, you'll have the opportunity to enter the famous White Tower on your own and continue your exploration of this iconic landmark. Your guide will also be happy to offer insider tips for the rest of your day in London, so you can make the most of your time in this vibrant city.

Highlights

Knowledgeable, English-speaking guide
Admission to the British Crown Jewels
Guided tour of the Tower of London
Witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony (or Horse Guard on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays)
Scenic Thames River cruise
Skip the line & guided tour of Westminster Abbey

What's included

Included
Knowledgeable, English-speaking guide
Admission to the British Crown Jewels
Guided tour of the Tower of London
Witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony (or Horse Guard on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays)
Scenic Thames River cruise
Skip the line & guided tour of Westminster Abbey
Not included
Hotel pick up / drop off
Lunch (at own expense) & Gratuities (optional)
Changing of the Guard on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays or due to poor weather

Traveller Ratings

4.9
297 reviews
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279
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11
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2
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Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Please note that the Changing of the Guard currently occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays only. On alternate days, we will see the Changing of the Guard at the Horse Guards Parade instead.
  • The Changing of the Guard schedule is subject to change or cancellation by British authorities, sometimes due to weather, with little notice. In case of cancellation, you'll enjoy a guided walking tour of Westminster instead.

Reviews(297)

M
michaeldM4770HU
August 21, 2026
Great tour when you want to cover many places

Very good intro to UK history and royalty

E
edwardtK2703PE
August 21, 2026
Excellent

Excellent experience with Daniel, learned about Britain's history

7
728ottoc
August 21, 2026
London in a day.

Dan was an amazing guide. While it’s a 7 hour tour the time spent went quickly, he was full of knowledge and really personable. Just full of charm.

Z
Z4180UImiguelg
August 20, 2026
Thank you for all your knowledge

Helena is a wonderful guide. It's clear and have a lot of passion ans pacience ti explain all the tour references

S
samsT2590ZB
August 20, 2026
So much better than expected

Our tour guide Jeremy was simply outstanding. His knowledge was endless and has a engaging personality that emerged you into the history of the city of London. Highly recommend this tour.

C
Curious67289936835
August 20, 2026
Great time In London!

This was our fifth outing with The Tour Guy, but our first in the UK. They are highly organized and a great value for the money. They continually work with the best guides who have always been extremely knowledgeable and kind. In particular, for this tour, I cannot say enough good things about our guide Frances. She has a real passion for British history and was one of our favorite guides we have ever had. She is a total gem.

A
Alexis_G
August 19, 2026
Great time

Great experience, tour guide Daniel was fantastic. He was conscientious about making sure the group was together, prepared us prior to the event, and answered all questions. Highly recommend this tour.

D
Don_D
August 19, 2026
Best way to see London in one day

There is a lot of walking but not too stressful we had two people with canes and one with a walker. They all made the full tour no problem.

O
Odyssey19888013261
August 19, 2026
Jeremy review

Jeremy was awesome! Very knowledgeable and well paced.

E
Elizabeth_I
August 18, 2026
London tour

This is a wonderful tour to see the highlights of London if you’re short on time. We only had a day and a half to visit and this tour was perfect. A very efficient way to see so much of the city! Our tour guide Frances and she was magnificent! So knowledgeable and extremely friendly! Concerned about the visitors at all times. Thank you for such a great tour Frances!!!

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