London Walking Tour with Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard

Explore royal history at London's famous church before seeing Buckingham Palace's iconic ceremony

4.97 (393) ·

Travel Flexibly

· 3.00h · England, United Kingdom

London Walking Tour with Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard

A man inside the Tower of London speaking with his guide from The Tour Guy.

A group of tourists in Parliament Square with Big Ben in the background speaking with their guide from The Tour Guy.

A tour group entering Westminster Abbey with their guide from The Tour Guy.

A group of tourists inside Westminster Abbey with a guide from The Tour Guy.

An image of the inside of Westminster Abbey.

A man walking through St. James Park with his guide from The Tour Guy.

An image of the Changing of the Guard ceremony in St. James Park.

A group of tourists in front of Buckingham Palace with their guide from The Tour Guy.

A group of tourists looking at 10 Downing Street while on tour with The Tour Guy.

Without a plan, visitors to London end up missing Westminster Abbey’s hidden stories and losing out on the best view of the Changing of the Guard. With us, skip the line and enter Britain’s most iconic church, led by an expert who reveals royal secrets from coronations to ancient tombs. Then, secure the ultimate spot to witness the Guard’s iconic march. Don’t settle for rushed glimpses—this tour is your key to experiencing London’s grandeur with nothing left unseen.

What You Get With This Tour

Expert, English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line entry to Westminster Abbey
Guided tour of Westminster Abbey
Changing of the Guard viewing
Guided walk through St. James Park
Guide tips

Tour Itinerary

1

Meet your guide at Parliament Square
You’ll kick things off by the Abraham Lincoln statue, surrounded by Westminster’s buzzing energy. Your guide gives you a quick rundown of the day before you set off together.
2

Westminster Abbey skip-the-line entry
Step inside one of Britain’s most storied buildings without waiting in line. As you explore soaring chapels and ancient cloisters, your guide reveals how this thousand-year-old church shaped royal history and national identity.
3

Coronation Chair
Continue deeper into the abbey to see the famed Coronation Chair, used in nearly every royal coronation since the 1300s. You’ll hear how the seat became a symbol of royal power and the dramatic moments it has witnessed.
4

Royal tombs and Poet’s Corner
Wander past the tombs of monarchs like Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots before arriving at Poet’s Corner. Here, you’ll stand among memorials to Chaucer, Dickens, and other literary greats who helped shape English culture.
5

Downing Street
Leaving the abbey, follow your guide toward the nerve center of British government. You’ll learn the story behind this famous street and its role in political decision-making through the centuries.
6

St. James’s Park
After that, enjoy a peaceful stroll through London’s oldest royal park. With lakeside views, playful birds, and manicured gardens, it’s a refreshing change of pace before the day’s grand finale.
7

Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard
Arrive at Buckingham Palace just in time for the iconic ceremony. Your guide positions you at prime vantage points so you can watch the regimented march, gleaming uniforms, and military bands up close.
8

Your tour finishes at Buckingham Palace
Your guide wraps things up outside the palace gates. From here, you can linger for photos, wander back into the park, or keep exploring this very royal corner of London at your own pace.

Additional Information

Good to know:

Dress Code: Westminster Abbey is a place of worship, so modest clothing is recommended.
Weather Advisory: The Changing of the Guard may be canceled without notice due to weather or decisions by local authorities, but an alternative experience will be provided.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible and will require walking or standing for the majority of the 3 hours.
Tour Changes: On days when the Changing of the Guard does not take place (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays or due to poor weather) you’ll instead visit the Horse Guard Ceremony and enjoy a walking tour of the Westminster area.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.

Your 3-hour tour includes:

Expert English-speaking guide with Blue Badge certification
Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of Westminster Abbey
Viewing of the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace (on select days)
Visit to Downing Street and St. James Park
Maximum group size of 20

What to bring:

Comfortable walking shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing
Camera
Water bottle

Customer Reviews

4.97 (393)

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Markus Heinevetter, 15 November 2025

Couldn't see changing of the Guards because of bad weather but Jill was great

Five Star Tour

Donna N Smith, 01 November 2025

Our guide was five star with such amazing historical color and commentary on Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. He was fabulous!

Leslie Lamitola, 25 October 2025

Effie Barkas, 24 October 2025

Great guide

Laura Jensen, 30 September 2025

Our guide Will was very knowledgeable about so many different things Learned so much Highly recommend The Tour Guy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

We recommend bringing a bottle of water with you and wearing a pair of comfortable shoes since this is a walking tour.

Can I take pictures in Westminster Abbey?

Yes! You are now allowed to take non-commercial photography inside Westminster Abbey. Videos and flash photography are not allowed, nor is any kind of photography allowed during a service.

Does this tour include pick up from your hotel?

Transport isn't included with this tour, but it's very easy to get here on the tube or by taxi. Your guide will be at the meeting point listed on your confirmation voucher.

Can I bring a backpack?

Small bags and backpacks are allowed, but they will be searched upon entry to Westminster.

What to bring?

We recommend bringing a bottle of water with you and wearing a pair of comfortable shoes since this is a walking tour.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

Although this tour doesn't cover a large distance or any difficult terrain, you will walking or standing for the majority of the 3 hours.

Does this tour guarantee seeing the Changing of the Guard?

No. The Changing of the Guard ceremony happens every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout the year. There are also times where the changing of the Guard will not go ahead on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays without prior notice and this is due to last minute decision made by the palace, local authorities or bad weather.

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