London for Kids Full Day with Westminster Abbey & Tower of London
Description
During this full day tour, led by a qualified Blue Badge Guide, you will discover all the main highlights of London, as well as going into Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, two of the city's most famous landmarks. Besides seeing some of London's best known attractions from outside, such as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral and many more iconic streets, palaces and squares, you will will also see the fascinating Changing of the Guards ceremony (takes place between August and May every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and everyday in June and July). This tour is aimed at families with children, and your guide will make sure that everyone is entertained and engaged during the itinerary, sharing with you incredible facts and stories about the history of London.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You will meet your Blue Badge guide in Westminster, and from there you will start your walking tour to discover the history, culture and legends of one of Europe’s most famous cities. This area hosts some of the most iconic attractions in London, and your guide will introduce your kids to some of the most important landmarks in this part of the city.
From the outside you will see The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster. It is the seat of the two parliamentary houses of the United Kingdom: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Palace of Westminster has been a Grade I listed building since 1970 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Big Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell of the clock tower (Elizabeth Tower) at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, though the name has also become synonymous with the tower itself. A light at the top of the tower is illuminated when Parliament is sitting at night.
You will take a stroll along Whitehall, a famous London street which houses some of the main government offices. From the outside you will see the area’s principal attractions, such as the Cenotaph war memorial, the Horse Guards Parade, Great Scotland Yard (the former home of the Metropolitan Police), and the Banqueting House (1619–22).
After a walk along The Mall, or a picturesque stroll through St James’s Park, you will reach Buckingham Palace. Here, if it is scheduled on that day, you will see the Changing of the Guards ceremony (if scheduled and weather permitting). While you watch the ceremony, your guide will explain to you the importance of some the ceremony's finer details, such as the colours worn by the guards as well as the armour they wear. The Changing the Guard takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, from August to April, and every day during the summer. However, the ceremony will be cancelled in the event of rain or adverse weather conditions, because, among other things, the rain could damage the guards' brass instruments). The ceremony can also be annulled without notice in case of major events. If this should happen, your guide will still be able to point out to you the guards protecting Buckingham Palace and in any case you will be able to witness the Horse Guard Parade.
You will then visit Westminster Abbey, one of the most famous religious buildings in the world, and one which has played an important role in British political, social and cultural affairs for more than 1,000 years. This beautiful Gothic church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, popular with many visitors to London. You will be fascinated by the paintings, stained glass windows and other religious artifacts present in this outstanding cathedral. Visiting a church with children might sound challenging, but your kid-friendly expert guide will know how to keep your children focused and interested during the itinerary, ensuring this experience will be both educational and fun for all of you! After visiting Westminster Abbey, it will be time to eat, and your guide will certainly recommend to you a restaurant or local pub where you can relax and enjoy a nice lunch before continuing with the rest of the tour.
The walking tour will continue towards Trafalgar Square. This famous square is a public space and tourist attraction in central London which commemorates the British victory, led by Admiral Lord Nelson, at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The centerpiece of Trafalgar Square is Nelson’s Column, guarded by four huge bronze lions sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer in 1868.
Here in one of London's most popular attractions, you and your children will be enthralled by the fascinating tales and intriguing legends that your expert, kid-friendly guide will recount to you. One such legend has it that if the Tower's famous residents, the ravens, should ever leave, the Kingdom of England will fall. History will be brought to life as your guide shows you the places behind these stories, including many of the most important places in the castle, like the White Tower, the Medieval Tower, the Royal Mint, Tower Green, the Royal Menagerie, and the Bloody Tower. One of the highlights of your visit is sure to be the Crown Jewels. A central part of the Royal Collection, they are the most powerful symbols of the British Monarchy and hold deep religious and cultural significance in the history of the United Kingdom.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- 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
- This tour is suitable for children aged 5 and above. Younger kids and toddlers are welcome, but the tour may not be appropriate for their age.
- Since you will use public transport please make sure you have your Oyster card or travel card with you.
- The Changing the Guard takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from August to April, but it doesn't take place in the rain or in a very bad weather (the guards cancel ceremony if it rains, because the rain could damage their brass instruments) . If its canceled rest assured that the guide will still be able to point out the Guards guarding Buckingham Palace and you will see the Horse Guard Parade.
- Parts of the Tower are not pushchair friendly due to the cobbled ground. Buggy parks are located in few areas.
- We suggest wearing comfortable shoes
- Unfortunately this tour is unable to accommodate guests with mobility impairments, and no wheelchairs are allowed on the tour
- There are a large number of steps throughout the Tower of London with cobbles laid in some of the surfaces and pathways. There are some low doorways.
- Please note that for security reasons bag searches will take place at Westminster Abbey and at the Tower of London
- During the winter can get really cold, so please wear warm clothing
Reviews(14)
Lucy was a great guide! It was a chilly London day but we enjoyed all the history. My 9yo was very engaged with the stories Lucy told. My 5yo was a little young but she hung in there.
Excellent tour day with Lucy through Westminster Abbey and Tower of London. We were the first to be let in to Westminster, which was a marvelous moment of silence surrounded by so much history. Lucy kept myself, my husband, and our seven year old son on the edge of our seats throughout the day with stories from the past that really Brough the history to life for us. Had a lovely stop at a pub for lunch. She helped us navigate the London tube too. Overall, excellent day that we will always remember!
Lucy was a dream! We got to see all the highlights of London and Lucy was so informative, patient and kind. We traveled with small children and she made sure to include them in everything. We loved everything about this tour and are so thankful we discovered them through Viator. If you're on the fence about booking, I would highly recommend you do it! We had a 48 hour window to explore the highlights of London and Lucy made sure every second was full of fun! Thank you for an amazing day!
Thank you so much for this amazing message! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed your time exploring London with Lucy and she’ll be so happy to know she helped make your visit so memorable. It’s wonderful to hear the little ones felt included too! We’re so grateful you found us through Viator, and we hope to welcome you back soon for more discoveries!
I cannot say enough fabulous things about this tour and most importantly our guide Mr. Timothy. He was communicative before we even met and patient with us getting lost not to mention my 8 and 6 y/o throughout the day. His breath of knowledge on all things is humbling in the best way possible. He was approachable on every level and just an over all joy to have as your companion. Even if you’ve been to the city and seen these landmarks before, you will be amazed and learn something new. And if this is your first time, this a great starting point. Be prepared as it can be a long day for little ones with lots of walking but our guide was able to “read the room” and took lots of breaks for little feet. Regardless, you will see a lot. “It’s lovely to be in a lovely room” is a saying that will be living rent free in my head for a long time. Thank you for a great day. BOOK THIS TOUR!!!!!
I cannot say enough fabulous things about this tour and most importantly our guide Mr. Timothy. He was communicative before we even met and patient with us getting lost not to mention my 8 and 6 y/o throughout the day. His breath of knowledge on all things is humbling in the best way possible. He was approachable on every level and just an over all joy to have as your companion. Even if you’ve been to the city and seen these landmarks before, you will be amazed and learn something new. And if this is your first time, this a great starting point. Be prepared as it can be a long day for little ones with lots of walking but our guide was able to “read the room” and took lots of breaks for little feet. Regardless, you will see a lot. “It’s lovely to be in a lovely room” is a saying that will be living rent free in my head for a long time. Thank you for a great day. BOOK THIS TOUR!!!!!
This tour was perfect for families! We had kids and grandparents along with us touring the major sights. Our tour guide Ben was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and great with kids. We all learned so much and had a wonderful time doing it.
Lucy was a fantastic guide and a highlight of our trip to London. If you are not traveling with kids don’t let the headline stop you as Lucy can customize based on your preferences. She is a pro and got us to be the first ones into Westminster Abby. Amazing experience and it felt like we were the only ones there before the main public door opened. London tower was a great addition! Highly recommend.
Enjoyed this small group tour with our guide Lucy. She was wonderful! Full information. Flexible and patient with my kids. Made it a great day!
Manuela was amazing and was very knowledgeable. Super accommodating. Very friendly to my kids. Was a smooth experience!
If you are in London, have children 10 and up and are on a short timeline, you HAVE to schedule this tour!!! Lucy, our tour guide was simply amazing, patient and incredibly knowledgeable! We started at Westminster Abby (fast tracked entry) and then from there we went on to St. James Park, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and finally the Tower of London. Lucy had all the tips and kept us entertained in between with stories which we all loved! It’s day 3 and our 10 year old daughter said that this was her most favorite day!! It’s worth the money. Ask for Lucy!!
