Guided Tour of Westminster City including Changing of the Guard
Overview
About
Take a guided tour of Westminster City, which includes the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony.
What you'll do
What is included?
- Covent garden
- Trafalgar square
- Westminster city
- Changing of the Guard (or Household Cavalry)
- Buckingham palace (from outside)
- Westminster Abbey (from outside)
- Churchills war rooms (from outside)
- 10 Downing St (from outside)
- Big Ben (from outside)
- Fully guided experience
What is not included?
- Food/Beverages
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up / Drop-Off
- Entry/Admission - Westminster Abbey
- Entry/Admission - Churchill War Rooms
- Entry/Admission - Big Ben
- Entry/Admission - Buckingham Palace
Additional Information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Please note, if you book on a Friday you will witness the changing of the Household Cavalry
- The British authorities reserve the right to change modify or cancel the Changing of the Guards ceremony without notice in the case of wet weather and other official events. In such cases, your guide will modify the tour to include an alternative Parade where possible, and share more highlights of the Westminster area.
- In the case of heavy rain, you will see a wet change (guards marching without music).
- For the Changing of the Guard ceremony, we do not stand by the Buckingham Palace gates. The crowds swarm there hours in advance, only to find they can only see the very end of the parade all while being crushed by the masses. Instead, we take you to the best spots only the locals know, and actually walk along with the parade! This way you see the absolute most there is to see, and it’s a much more enjoyable experience.
- We highly recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes for this tour.
- Please bring ID for kids 15 and under
- For the Changing of the Guard ceremony, we do not stand by the Buckingham Palace gates. The crowds swarm there hours in advance, only to find they can only see the very end of the parade all while being crushed by the masses. Instead, we take you to the best spots only the locals know, and actually walk along with the parade! This way you see the absolute most there is to see, and it’s a much more enjoyable experience.
- The British authorities reserve the right to change modify or cancel the Changing of the Guards ceremony without notice in the case of wet weather and other official events. In such cases, your guide will modify the tour to include an alternative Parade where possible, and share more highlights of the Westminster area.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
Meet your host
Itinerary
London Historical & Heritage Tours Itinerary (2026 Guide) – What You'll See & Do
Explore the full itinerary for Guided Tour of Westminster City including Changing of the Guard in London, United Kingdom (UK). This historical & heritage tours experience includes 8 stops over 1 day. Duration: 2 hours. Activity level: Light.
Here is the starting point
Covent Garden
Trafalgar Square
Linking back to Napoleons Battle this square has been a significant landmark since the early 1200’s. Our guide will walk you past its most impressive sculptures and share its corelating anecdotes.
Westminster Abbey
This impressive church in Gothic style is significant and not to be missed when visiting London, as it has held 17 royal weddings in addition to plentiful burials and coronations since the year 1066.
Churchill War Rooms
Discover where Churchills hid from the German Blitz attack during the second world war and planned some of his most significant strategies. Though only visited externally our guide will bring its history back to live by touching on some of these sights most memorable stories.
10 Downing St
Big Ben
Also known as the Elizabeth Tower, this stunning landmark is definitely one of London’s most famous. When the clock was completed, it was claimed to be the most accurate and largest of its kind, holding 5 enormous bells, of which the biggest weighing 13.5 tons is nicknamed as Big Ben.
Buckingham Palace
Home to the British Royals and its famous beefeaters our guide will touch on the history of this impressive estate, following which you will attend the changing of the guard’s ceremony adjacent to the building.
Changing of the Guard
Watch the famous changing of the guards on the palace square. Accompanied by music the old guards (also known as beefeaters) will ceremonially hand over the responsibility of guarding the Buckingham & St James’s palace to the new guards.
This concludes the tour.
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