London: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Changing of the Guard

Highlights

• Witness the Changing of the Guard (or Horse Guard) Ceremony
• Enjoy a guided tour of Westminster Abbey, one of London's most famous churches
• Visit some of London's highlights alongside our knowledgeable guide
• Marvel at the Coronation Chair and learn about the history of Poets' Corner
• See the exterior of Big Ben on a guided walking tour

Description

London's royal landmarks are best understood on foot, with someone who knows every story behind every stone. This guided tour takes you through Parliament Square, past Big Ben, along the tree-lined paths of St. James's Park, and inside Westminster Abbey with timed entry and a Blue Badge certified guide who brings nearly 1,000 years of royal history to life.

Your tour begins at Parliament Square, where your guide sets the scene against a backdrop of statues, the Houses of Parliament, and the Elizabeth Tower. From there, you'll pause to learn how the 13-tonne bell inside came to be called Big Ben, then walk past 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's official residence since 1735.

Next, follow tree-lined paths through St. James's Park, London's oldest royal park, on your way toward Buckingham Palace. Your guide positions the group away from the thickest crowds to watch the Queen's Guard march in red tunics and bearskin hats. On days when the Changing of the Guard is not scheduled, the Horse Guard Ceremony is visited instead.

With timed entry, you'll step straight inside Westminster Abbey and bypass the main queue to reach the nave of Britain's coronation church. Your guide walks you past the Coronation Chair, Queen Elizabeth I's tomb, and Poets' Corner, connecting centuries of royal weddings, state funerals, and literary memorials to the Gothic stone around you.

The extended option continues from Westminster with a scenic Thames clipper ride, taking in views of Tower Bridge, the Shard, and the river skyline (not included with the half-day option). You'll dock at the Tower of London, a fortress and royal prison founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, for a guided tour of Traitor's Gate and the stories of its most notorious prisoners (not included with the half-day option). The day concludes at the Jewel House, where the coronation regalia is on full display (not included with the half-day option).

This tour is perfect for first-time visitors to London who want to experience the sweep of royal history in one well-paced day, from ceremonial marches and Gothic churches to medieval fortresses and centuries of coronation regalia.

Pick the version that fits your day: spend three hours in Westminster with the Abbey, the Changing of the Guard, and Big Ben, or extend the experience to add a Thames River cruise, the Tower of London, and the Crown Jewels.

Half Day: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Changing of the Guard

Full Day: Westminster Abbey, Tower of London & Thames Cruise