London Tour: Changing of the Guard, Westminster Abbey & Tower
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
Limited time on your hands whilst visiting London? Join us and see London's Best in One Day!
Your day starts with a guided tour of Westminster Abbey, skip-the-line entry included.
Strolling through St James Park, your next stop will be Buckingham Palace's exterior. Here you'll enjoy a crash course to the royal family & witness the *changing of the guard ceremony.
The last stop before lunch will be 10 Downing Street, where great minds like Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher made crucial decisions that influenced the nation.
After a quick lunch break, you'll enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Thames Clipper service, where you can sit back and relax as your guide points out some of the famous sites along the waterside.
Last on the Itinerary is a guided tour of the Tower of London. your guide will teach you about the significance of this castle throughout the centuries, and have a chance to visit some of the Castle's rooms before proceeding to visit the British Crown Jewels.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please note that the Changing of the Guard currently occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays only. On alternate days, we will see the Changing of the Guard at the Horse Guards Parade instead.
The Changing of the Guard schedule is subject to change or cancellation by British authorities, sometimes due to weather, with little notice. In case of cancellation, you'll enjoy a guided walking tour of Westminster instead.
What To Expect
Parliament Square
Your day will begin around parliament square. From this prime location you can already catch a glimpse of London's iconic Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster before heading to your first stop of the day - Westminster Abbey.
Westminster Abbey
Tour of Westminster Abbey - Skip the ticketing line alongside our expert guide and enter this majestic Abbey, nestled upon the very spot where a humble fisherman once glimpsed a celestial vision of St. Peter in the 10th century. Our guide will take you around this sacred sanctuary, which housed nearly 40 coronations as well as the funeral of Princess Diana.
Options
Westminster Abbey ONLY
Duration: 3 hours Half-Day Tour of Westminster: Not Included: Tower of London Included: Westminster Abbey, Changing of the Guard (or Horse Guard), walking tour
Changing of the Guard, Westminster Abbey & Tower of London Tour
Duration: 7 hours: Full-Day Tour of London with Changing of the Guard (or Horse Guard Parade), Westminster Abbey & Tower of London Tour included
What‘s Included
Scenic Thames River cruise (if full day option selected)
Knowledgeable, English-speaking guide
Admission to the British Crown Jewels (if full day option selected)
Witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony (or Horse Guard on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays)
Guided tour of the Tower of London (if full-day option selected)
Skip the line & guided tour of Westminster Abbey
Hotel pick up / drop off
Lunch (at own expense) & Gratuities (optional)
Changing of the Guard on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays or due to poor weather
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
211 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
It was great. We saw the...
Susan L,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was great. We saw the highlights of London, and was able to spend ample time at them all. The Uber boat ride was great. We had plenty of time for lunch and shopping.
The tour was amazing. Turned our skeptic children into tour believers, which is no small task. :)
paintthetrip,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00France’s was the best tour guide I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot of tours.
London In A Day :)
Daydream31556474182,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a packed day with the London in a day tour. So much info! Frances was lovely and knowledgeable. We loved her!
Dan is THE Man! The Best Tour Guide in London
509elainaf,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dan is THE Man! My mom and I had an absolute blast touring some of London’s most iconic sights, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Tower of London. What made the experience truly unforgettable was Dan. He kept us laughing the entire day while sharing fascinating history, fun facts, and stories about each location. The tour was incredibly well organized, making it easy and stress-free to get from place to place. Dan’s energy, humor, and knowledge brought London to life in a way that made the day both fun and educational. One thing we especially appreciated was that he provided earpieces, which made it easy to hear him clearly throughout the entire tour, even in busy areas. This tour does involve quite a bit of walking, but it is absolutely worth every step. If you’re able to comfortably walk around for the day, I highly recommend it. Whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or friends, this is a fantastic experience for everyone. If you’re trying to figure out the best way to see London, this is the tour to take. And if you’re lucky enough to get Dan as your guide, you’re in for a fantastic experience. He was hands down the best tour guide we could have asked for and truly made our day in London one to remember!
Exceptionally London
bradsT6649VV,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour covered everything, as expected. Our guide, Dan, was exceptional. The stories were great and kept our attention the entire time. I’ve seen some of these sites before, but this tour was definitely the best way to see it.
Our guide was great and...
Jennifer R,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was great and very knowledgeable! We had time to ourselves for lunch. And the group of 20 people was manageable.
Jill brought history to life!!!
malloryb924,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jill was an amazing tour guide that really made the experience for our family. All 5 of us with varying interests had a blast. Highly recommend this tour. 7 1/2 hours flew by with all we were learning and doing. This tour really covers many of the London essentials.
Must do tour when in London.
jeffpA4232JB,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of the best tours we have done, Dan our guide was knowledgeable about all 3 stops on the tour we did on 6/5/26 (10AM). A+A+A+. His experience, knowledge, and personality made this tour one we will remember for a long time. He took the time to make sure everyone in our group understood the history behind everything he explained during the tour. We were able to quickly walk in at each one of the stops at the VIP areas or entry at the regular entry was expedited for us.
Great tour of London highlights
gabriellelJ3331OL,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dan was an absolutely amazing tour guide! Well-paced tour with lots of information and humor, overall very enjoyable. Very well-spoken and animated when telling stories. Learned a lot and saw many London highlights in just a day.
Frances made this tour wonderful!
kellie s,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our walking tour covering the Changing of the Guards, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London was fantastic from start to finish. Exploring London on foot made the experience even more immersive, and our guide, Frances, truly brought the city’s history to life with engaging stories, fascinating insights, and excellent organization throughout the day. The Changing of the Guards was exciting to see in person, Westminster Abbey was breathtaking, and the Tower of London—especially the Crown Jewels—was a highlight. Frances’s deep knowledge and thoughtful commentary made every stop more meaningful. The pace was comfortable, everything ran smoothly, and we loved seeing both the iconic landmarks and the charm of London along the way. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting an informative and memorable day in the city! France’s was fabulous! The only thing I would recommend is in our direction it said no backpacks or purses. Many people had them and it was fine.
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