London in a Day Tour with Westminster Abbey and Tower of London

Today, you'll see some of London's most historic sites with a guide who knows this great city inside and out and has plenty of stories to keep you entertained throughout the day. You'll begin at Westminster Abbey with skip-the-line access before seeing the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace (on certain days) and checking out Downing Street. Next up is a River Thames boat ride to see London from a whole new perspective, then you'll head to the infamous Tower of London to discover its bloody history and see the stunning crown jewels. After your tour ends, you're free to head across the famous Tower Bridge on your own before enjoying this incredible city by night!

London in a Day Tour Description

Your 7.5-hour tour includes:

• Skip-the-line entry and tour of Westminster Abbey

• Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace (certain days weather permitting)

• Free time for lunch near Parliament Square (not included)

• Boat ride down the River Thames by clipper

• Guided tour of Tower of London

• Access to the Crown Jewels, White Tower, and more

• Passionate, local guide

• Maximum group size of 15

Westminster Abbey

Make sure you have your walking shoes on because you'll be getting your steps in on this tour! At your first stop, your expert guide will take you inside Britain's most famous church. Westminster Abbey has over 1,000 years of history as a religious center, although the incredible building you'll see today is only around 750 years old, having been consecrated in 1269.

Huge events in British history have played out here, including almost 40 royal coronations and the funeral of Princess Diana—watched by some 2.5 billion people worldwide. Today, it remains in use for royal weddings and the funerals of the royal family and other notable people from British society.

Though the Abbey has famous modern history, it is also the burial place for many of England's most acclaimed political and cultural leaders. Set in impressive life-like effigies, your guide will lead you through the most important tombs that include Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, and Geoffrey Chaucer. You'll explore every beautifully crafted corner of this vast abbey, learning all about its rich history as you go.

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

A stroll through beautiful St. James Park brings you to the Buckingham Palace, just in time for the famous Changing of the Guards ceremony. As one of London's must-see events, crowds can get pretty big and it's not always easy to get a good view.

Since 1660, the reigning monarch has been protected by the King's Guard (or the Queen's Guard). The elaborate Changing of the Guard is the ceremony where on-duty guards are relieved by the next shift. Though they are dressed in ornate uniforms, these elite soldiers are well armed and are not distracted by anyone's humorous efforts to distract them. Your guide will take you to several vantage points so you can see a full picture of this historic event.

The Changing of the Guard occurs only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays for the remainder of the year. If there is heavy rainfall, the Changing of the Guard will not happen.

Downing Street

Provided there are no active protests or events happening, your guide will lead you towards the most famous house in London: 10 Downing Street. It's the house where colossal decisions are made by key Parliament members and the sitting Prime Minister. Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, and many more notables have lived in these walls and your guide knows the most interesting stories here.

London Boat Tour

After some free time for lunch around Parliament Square (not included), you'll set off on a ride along the Thames by the local clipper service. These boats are comfortable and air-conditioned, so you can relax as your guide points out the famous sites you'll pass along the way.

You'll see some of London's beautiful old bridges, including London Bridge and Tower Bridge, as well as the stunning architecture of London's City Hall and the Shard—the tallest building in western Europe. Your destination, of course, is the Tower of London, and there's no better way to travel there!

Tower of London

Established by William the Conqueror in 1066 after his conquest of England, this castle was built to symbolize the historic shift in power. By the turn of the 12th century, the tower had become a prison, a role it would keep all the way until after World War II. As the most fortified structure in London, the Tower has played a huge role in British history.

Your local guide is a true Tower of London expert, and they'll tell you all about the bloody history of the castle. It has come under attack many times over the centuries, and it was used to imprison (and often execute) princes, queens, and enemies of the state such as Guy Fawkes. The execution room was particularly busy during the infamous reign of Henry VIII, who sent sent two of his six wives and a number of other notable people to their deaths here.

Things are a lot less gruesome these days, thankfully, but you'll still meet the traditional (and impossible to distract!) Beefeater guards here, along with the resident ravens, and many important artifacts from British history.

Crown Jewels

The most important (and valuable) items you'll see at the Tower of London are the impressive crown jewels, which have been protected here for centuries. Stored and secured in the Jewel House, the crown jewels are the elaborate symbols and coronation regalia of the English Monarchy. These 140 royal objects are bedazzled with over 23,000 stones.

Although many of the original items were destroyed during the English Civil War by Oliver Cromwell, when the monarchy was temporarily abolished, the collection was rebuilt after the crown was restored in 1660 and there are a few pieces which remain from the 12th century. Access to the Jewel House is in high demand, but your guide will plan the tour to keep your waiting time to a minimum.

Your tour ends near the famous White Tower, which you're free to explore on your own. And of course, your guide will be happy to share some local tips for where to eat and what to do with your evening in London.