Tour OVERVIEW

Starting at 10 am every day from Ritz Corner of Green Park, Piccadilly, our world famous Westminster and Changing of the Guard Tour will take you through the most prestigious and iconic sights of the Royal London, including Buckingham Palace, St James' Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament.  A must do when visiting London!

Please arrive at least 10 minutes early as the guide will leave at 10am sharp to avoid missing the parades.

Booking is essential – No tickets are sold on the day.

Our Westminster Tour runs whatever the weather!

**PLEASE READ

The full Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace occurs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday the tour will witness the Changing of the Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade.

The parades can be cancelled without notice at the discretion of the British Army. This is beyond the tour operator's control and unavoidable. The Changing of the Guard may also be cancelled due to bad weather.

WHAT HAPPENS ON A WESTMINSTER AND CHANGING OF THE GUARD TOUR?

Your guide will meet you at the entrance to Green Park, Piccadilly at 9:45 am. They will take you to explore the area, visiting the awe-inspiring icons around Royal Westminster. Along the way, your guide will share historical anecdotes, tales and facts to explain what you’re seeing and what it was used for. The tour will run regardless of bad weather, so dress appropriately and we will see you there!

From here, we will take you to see the Horse Guards Parade and the Changing of the Guard. You will see the military band go by in their iconic red tunics and bearskin hats - it’s truly an experience you won’t forget and the highlight of this Westminster walking tour. We will show you the Queen’s Guard too, detailing what it takes to become a member, as well as explaining the colourful history of one of London’s most photographed military outfits. As we leave the parades behind, we will move on to the corridor of power and the home of the Prime Minister - 10 Downing Street. We will ask you to imagine Britain at war as you pass over the infamous Churchill War Rooms, hidden from view underfoot, and head towards the incredible Westminster Abbey.

The tour’s first destination is the heart of Royal London, taking you to see all of the key Royal family residences, including Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park. Whilst travelling to and admiring these beautiful buildings, you will learn about the quirky and unusual aspects of the country’s Royal history. From coronations to beheadings, we will fill you in on the glamorous, treacherous and complex history of the British Royal Family.

From here, we will take you to see the Horse Guards Parade and the Changing of the Guard. You will see the military band go by in their iconic red tunics and bearskin hats - it’s truly an experience you won’t forget and the highlight of this Westminster walking tour.

We will show you the Queen’s Guard, detailing what it takes to become a member, as well as explaining the colourful history of one of London’s most photographed military outfits.

As we leave the parades behind, we will move on to the corridor of power and the home of the Prime Minister - 10 Downing Street. We will ask you to imagine Britain at war as you pass over the infamous Churchill War Rooms, hidden from view underfoot, and head towards the incredible Westminster Abbey.

The Westminster Abbey section of the tour will allow you to discover the unique charm of this exceptional building, whilst your guide takes you back in time and tells stories of royal weddings, past and present. This iconic building has played host to some of Britain’s most memorable royal love stories, as well as the birthplace of many legendary Kings and Queens, whose journeys started with a long walk and a seat in the Coronation Chair within the walls of Westminster Abbey.

The beauty of the Westminster area is founded in its wealth of stunning buildings, landmarks and architectural wonders. Marvel at the years of history these buildings have withstood as you get to know some of the tales of the area, learning about local history as well as the significant role Westminster has played in the growth and development of both London and the country as a whole.

As you look away from Westminster you will see the Houses of Parliament, the stoic and steadfast buildings running alongside the area. Your guide will make sure you have lots of time to take pictures and selfies with these exemplary Victorian buildings before moving over to Parliament Square, where you will have time to explore the many statues of notable people from Britain’s history, such as Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and Millicent Fawcett.

From here you will also see the impressive Elizabeth Tower or – as it’s more commonly known - Big Ben! Your guide will give you the opportunity to take plenty of pictures of Big Ben before continuing along the corridor of power which includes the Ministry of Defence and 10 Downing Street, before finally arriving back to where we started at Trafalgar Square.

DEPARTURE TIME

Every day at 10 am. Please plan your journey so that you arrive at 9:50 am. The guide will leave at 10am sharp so as not to miss any of the parades!

Duration

This walking tour takes approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. We will stop for a short coffee / toilet break along the way.

Price

Adults £18 each, children go free (a maximum of 2 children per family may enter for free, it will cost £5 per child thereafter).

DEPARTURES

DEPARTURE POINT

The Goddess Diana Fountain in Ritz Corner of Green Park, 50m from the entrance gates to Green Park to the right hand side of the Ritz Hotel, 150 Piccadilly, St James’s, London. The post code for the meeting point is W1J9DZ.
The nearest underground station is Green Park Station. Taking the Green Park/Buckingham Palace exit of the underground station will bring you out at the fountain.

Finish point

The walking tour finishes in Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DX, at approximately 12:15pm. The entire route covers approximately 2.5 miles, mostly at a leisurely pace.

Buckingham Palace; the royal residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Experience the Royal Mall, the marching bands, and the Household Cavalry

St James’s Palace - the home of the Royal Princesses

Wellington Army Barracks

The Royal Guards at Buckingham Palace and Clarence House

St James’s Park

Winston Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms

The Changing of the Royal Horse Guards

Westminster Abbey and Westminster School

Houses of Parliament (Palace of Westminster)

The grand statues of Parliament Square

The Victoria Tower and Big Ben

Number 10 Downing Street – home to the Prime Minister

New Scotland Yard

Horse Guards’ Parade

Trafalgar Square

Did you know

Big Ben is a short walk from some of the best cafes, pubs and alehouses in London; the perfect place to start your own exploration of the city or join us for the City of London Tour, which departs at 2:30 pm on selected days from Temple Station.

QUALITY GUIDES

Our Westminster walking tour is new and improved, offering you the ability to get up close and personal with London’s most famous and impressive sights.

Beginning with Buckingham Palace, the home of the Queen, we will work through iconic buildings in the Westminster area and witness parades by the recognisable red cloaked guards, before continuing along the corridor of power which includes Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and 10 Downing Street. Along the way, you will be entertained and enthralled by your tour guide’s unique look on the history of London.

What truly makes our tour so impressive is the quality of our tour guides. With years of professional experience, both in the military and the touring industry, your tour will be led by an expert in London’s political and cultural history. In addition, the military past of our guides makes them best placed to explain the details behind the Changing of the Guard, as well as knowing the best position for you to watch the whole parade without dealing with crowds.

Suitable for all ages and encompassing multiple different experiences in a single two-and-a-half-hour period, our Westminster and Changing of the Guard Walking Tour is the best way to experience London all in one day. Discover the Kings, Queens, rogues, and villains behind this incredible city, and witness iconic buildings and intricate parades along the way.

GREAT FUN TO BE HAD FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, AMAZING SIGHTS AND THE TOUR GUIDES ARE GREAT FUN!

Learned a lot about London and the guides were very friendly and knowledgeable sharing not only historic but interesting local information along the way.

Michael Fitzpatrick

Customer, Westminster walking tour

Private Tours

We can accommodate groups of all sizes on our Westminster and Changing of the Guard Private Tours. From corporate groups to GCSE and A-level students, we can tailor our tours to suit you. To book a private tour, simply email us with your requirements (group size/date/time) and we will gladly send you a quote and get you booked in! No group is too small or too large for our talented guides. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, why not include pub stops along the route at no extra charge!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS

  • Duration
  • 2 Hours

  • Ticket Price
  • Adults (18+) £18.00
    Teens (13 to 17) £10.00
    Children (5 to 12) £5.00
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