Half-Day Royal London Tour with Changing of the Guard and a View of Buckingham Palace

Experience this historic ritual that has been guarding the sovereign's palaces for over 500 years
From US$243 privately
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Tour Details
Duration
3.5 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • Buckingham Palace
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Royal Mews
Photos & Highlights
  • A comprehensive exploration of the key royal sites in London
  • Led by a PhD level historian
Select a date
Tour Description
Elite soldiers have guarded the King or Queen since the reign of Henry VII who made the Royal Body Guard a permanent institution that has spanned over 520 years of history. This tour will allow you to witness this storied ritual within a narrative that encapsulates all of the key aspects of royal London; providing a comprehensive understanding of the roles these sites have played in the history of the monarchy.

Please note: The Royal Mews is open seasonally, usually between March and October, and is always closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you book this tour when the Royal Mews is closed, we will visit the Household Cavalry in its place.
  • Buckingham Palace (Exterior)
  • St. James's Park
  • Westminster Abbey (Exterior)
  • Royal Mews OR Household Cavalry
  • 3 hours with a PhD or MA-level guide
This royal exploration will begin with an introduction to the exterior of the King's official residence, prior to witnessing the iconic red tunics and bearskin hats performing the age-old ritual of the Changing of the King's Guard. A stroll through St James’s Park and past its Tudor palace, the principal palace in London during the Georgian era, will provide the opportunity to connect and consolidate the roles of these various sites within the narrative of the British monarchy. The tour will conclude with a walk around the exterior of the Gothic masterpiece that is Westminster Abbey, home to over a thousand years of Royal History.
What is a private tour?
Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

Is this tour good for kids? 
Yes! We have some excellent family-friendly guides who can appeal to the learning styles of children. Please book privately if you have children under 13. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible guide. Please note that as this walk tour does not fall within our official family program, there will not be special family activities. 

Will you pre-purchase tickets?
Yes. We'll pre-purchase tickets for each participant for the Royal Mews. Your guide will have the tickets on hand.

What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but it also never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.

What are skip-the-line tickets?
For this tour, your tickets are pre-purchased which allows you to directly enter the security line at the Household Cavalry without waiting to purchase tickets. You may still have to wait in a security line or in a line to have your pre-purchased ticket scanned.   

Does this include a tour of Westminster Abbey?

The tour will end with a tour of the exterior of the abbey, as an integral component of royal history, but will NOT include the interior. If you would like to explore the inside of the abbey please book our Westminster Abbey tour or the Monarchy and Parliament, as the perfect complement.
Where You'll Start
21 Reviews (5.0)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Jenny did a great job! She Taylor’s the tour to us!
Ruth was very informative and friendly.
She is very knowledgeable about the history of London