London: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Changing of the Guards Tour
Description
Let us take you on a journey through the heart of London with our exclusive royal walking tour. Join our small group and embark on a captivating exploration led by our incredibly knowledgeable Blue Badge certified guide through Parliament Square, past Downing Street, and into the scenic paths of St. James's Park. Your guide will lead you to a quieter vantage point to witness the iconic Changing of the Guards near Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards ceremony. The Changing of the Guard currently occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays only. On alternate days, you'll see the Horse Guards Parade instead. Next, skip the long ticket lines at Westminster Abbey, Britain's most renowned church. As you tour the hallowed halls of this storied venue of royal weddings, funerals, and coronations spanning centuries, prepare to be awestruck by its beauty and significance. This is a truly royal experience, curated to provide you with a deep appreciation for London's illustrious heritage.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Exterior Visit on Downing Street Walk past Big Ben and the famous black door of Number 10 Downing Street, home to Britain's Prime Minister since 1735. Your guide shares stories of political power and the armed guards who protect this iconic address.
Walk Through St James Park on Your Way to Buckingham Palace Enter London's oldest royal park, where pelicans glide across the lake. Follow tree-lined paths as you make your way toward Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch since 1837.
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 about this imposing estate.
Follow your guide to a quieter spot as the Queen's Guard march in iconic red uniforms and bearskin hats. Your guide explains the precision, tradition, and military history behind this world-famous ceremony that draws crowds daily. Please note that the Changing of the Guard currently occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, & Sundays only. On alternate days, we will see the Horse Guards Parade instead.
Skip the long ticket lines and step into Britain's coronation church, where kings and queens have been crowned for nearly 1,000 years. Walk past Queen Elizabeth I's tomb, the Coronation Chair, and Poets' Corner, where literary legends rest.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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 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.
- Guests with wheelchairs or walking impairments that require special assistance cannot be accommodated on group tours. The activity provider cannot accommodate strollers or baby carriages.
Reviews(476)
Excellent way to see highlights of London Lana was very informative and pleasant. We really enjoyed the tour.
Lana was a wealth of information.
amazing, Jeremy is very nice and explains history as well. Very patient with the group.
We had a great time with Dan around London! He was very knowledgeable, funny, and kind. Great pace and kept us informed of surroundings.
Jeremy was a fantastic guide. He was very knowledgeable. We really enjoyed the tour.
Read carefully!! It did not include the changing of the guard which is why I booked. My guide was lovely. It want her fault at all but nowhere did I the changing of the guard was m/w/f I could have just done Westminster on my own.
Very nice 3 hour tour. Our guide Isabella was charming and insightful. The description of this tour is a little different. We did a nice 1 hour walk around the Buckingham Palace grounds/park learning much about royalty. Big Ben was a quick story, a few photos and move on. As today was Thursday, we did not see the Changing of the Guards, as that only runs Mon, Wed and Fri. We got some good pointers on where to stand when we return to the palace. Westminster was quite spectacular.Without a good guide, this could have been very dry. Thankfully she made it come to life.
Sean our tour guide was excellent. He knew the history of England and his story telling was engaging.
Information provided by guide was disjointed l, didn’t make sense, zero coherence or cohesion.
Our tour guide Jill was a delight. Very informative and knowledgeable. Enjoyed seeing Westminster and learning about the history of the city.
