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 or Horse Guards ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Watch as the Queen's Guard march in their red uniforms and bearskin hats. 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 more than just a tour; it's a truly royal experience, curated to provide you with unforgettable memories and 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 Changing of the Guard at 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 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.
- 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(457)
Take the tour with an open mind to enjoy the pageantry and the history of Westminster and the changing of the guard Our guide Fia was excellent l
Very friendly and engaging knowledge was great Nothing was to much trouble Fia was an excellent guide
If you want to see the changing of the guard, DO NOT book this tour. You’ll be disappointed as the tour does not take you there. Instead you see the news guards prepare. This is 5 minutes in a very small outcove. You do not go anywhere near Buckingham Palace. The tour description is deceptive and a complete lie. Our tour was on the a day where the changing of the guard took place. Thousands of people saw it for free. We booked the tour for 4 people to the capitalize on the advertised vantage point. We were not among those who saw the ceremony.
Super terrific trip; the tour guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable and helpful; explained a lot about the city and the sites
Changing of guard not included on our tour Would have been nice to know Steven knowlegable and considerate
So informative! Beautiful setting and history! Steve, our guide, had a way of relaying all the beauty in his storytelling.
This tour was great! Our guide was exceptional. Steve knew so much and was a pleasure. The Tour Guy company needs to support their guides with better audio equipment. This failed several times on our tour and Steve worked so hard to make it work for us.
Better information when changing of the guard happens. I will own my part, did I miss it? We showed up and were told there would be no changing of the guard on Saturday. Only reason took this tour, Westminster Abby was the second choice.
Our guide was Ariana Pracari. She was EXCELLENT. Top notch. Wonderful tour.
This was a walking tour. The changing of the guards is not everyday so we didn't get to see that, we went on a Saturday. There was not a restroom break for the first half of the tour nor was there communication about when we would be stopping. With the heat and the walking it just seemed like our guide wasn't prepared nor was she open to communicating her agenda. Would not recommend for mixed age groups since there is very little accommodating that will be done.
