Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey Walking Tour London
- DurationAbout 5 hours (3-hour walk plus abbey visit)
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This Westminster walking tour combines a three-hour guided walk through royal London with entry to Westminster Abbey. Your English-speaking guide meets the group on Piccadilly and leads you through Green Park and Pall Mall to Buckingham Palace, where you can watch the Changing of the Guard on scheduled days, then on to Trafalgar Square, Horse Guards Parade, Downing Street and Parliament Square with Big Ben. The walk ends at Westminster Abbey, where your pre-booked ticket lets you explore the coronation church at your own pace. It is a shared group tour that suits first-time visitors, families with children aged six and over and anyone who wants the classic sights in one morning. There is no hotel pickup; the full experience lasts about five hours.
Highlights
- Three-hour guided walk through royal and political London
- Pre-booked entry ticket to Westminster Abbey, explored at your own pace
- Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday when scheduled
- Green Park, Pall Mall and the grand avenue of The Mall
- Trafalgar Square and the mounted guards at Horse Guards Parade
- A look at Downing Street, seat of the British government
- Parliament Square with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
- Lively stories of kings, coronations and London history from a local guide
Full Description
Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard
After a short walk through Green Park, the first big stop is Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the British monarch. It began as a townhouse built for a duke in 1703, was bought by the crown in 1761 and became the main royal residence in 1837. In front of its famous balcony stands the white marble and gilded memorial at the top of The Mall.
On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, when scheduled, the 10:00 tour reaches the palace in time for the Changing of the Guard, with marching bands and soldiers in red tunics and bearskin hats. The schedule is set by the army and may change without notice. You spend about an hour here, and your guide explains the best viewing spots and the meaning of the ceremony.
Trafalgar Square and Horse Guards Parade
Walking along Pall Mall, a street of elegant 19th-century clubhouses, you reach Trafalgar Square, laid out in the 1840s to mark a naval victory of 1805. Its granite column, four bronze lions and fountains stand before the National Gallery, and the square remains London's favourite place for celebrations and gatherings.
Next comes Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall, where mounted soldiers of the Household Cavalry stand sentry in their gleaming helmets and breastplates. The vast parade ground behind is used every June for the monarch's official birthday parade. Across the parade ground you can see the trees of St James's Park and the back of the government buildings of Whitehall. These two stops take about 40 minutes and are among the best photo spots of the morning.
Downing Street and Parliament Square
On Whitehall, the guide stops by the security gates of Downing Street, where the famous black door of Number 10 has been the office and residence of British prime ministers since 1735. You see the street from the gates, and your guide explains how decisions here have shaped British history.
The walk then opens onto Parliament Square, surrounded by statues of statesmen and facing the Houses of Parliament. The Gothic Revival Palace of Westminster was rebuilt after a fire in 1834, and its clock tower holds the great bell known as Big Ben. Entry to Parliament and to the clock tower is not included, but this is the finest place to see both, with about 50 minutes of stories and photos.
Westminster Abbey: Inside the Coronation Church
The tour ends at Westminster Abbey, where your pre-booked ticket gets you inside without buying at the door. A Benedictine abbey stood here from the 10th century, and the present Gothic church was begun in 1245. Every English and British coronation since 1066 has taken place here, and kings and queens, poets, scientists and national heroes are buried or remembered inside.
Look for the soaring nave, the medieval Coronation Chair, the fan-vaulted ceiling of the Lady Chapel and Poets' Corner in the south transept. The abbey visit is self-guided, and an audio guide is available inside; most visitors spend one and a half to two hours. As a working church, Westminster Abbey opening hours can change for services and ceremonies.
Itinerary
- Meet at 150 PiccadillyMeet your guide at 10:00 outside the landmark hotel at 150 Piccadilly, beside two red telephone boxes near Green Park station.
- Green Park, Pall Mall and Buckingham PalaceWalk through the park to the palace and watch the Changing of the Guard on scheduled days; about 1 hour.
- Trafalgar SquareStories and photos at London's great square in front of the National Gallery; about 20 minutes.
- Horse Guards Parade at WhitehallSee the mounted sentries and the royal parade ground; about 20 minutes.
- Downing StreetA look through the gates at Number 10 and the story of British government; about 30 minutes.
- Parliament Square and Big BenViews of the Houses of Parliament and the clock tower; about 50 minutes.
- Westminster AbbeyEnter with your pre-booked ticket and explore at your own pace; about 2 hours. The tour ends here.
What's included
- 3-hour guided walking tour
- English-speaking local guide
- Pre-booked Westminster Abbey entry ticket
- Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and Horse Guards Parade
- Downing Street, Parliament Square and Big Ben
- Changing of the Guard on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday when scheduled
Not included
- Entry to Buckingham Palace or Big Ben
- Guide inside Westminster Abbey
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- History and culture lovers
- First-time visitors who want the highlights
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- Walking is difficult for you — expect active parts
Not suitable for
- Travellers with luggage or large bags
- Travellers who cannot walk for about three hours
Meeting point
Meet your guide at 10:00 outside the landmark hotel at 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR, next to two red telephone boxes and souvenir stands. From Green Park station take the left-hand exit, climb the stairs and walk towards the hotel. There is no hotel pickup; the tour ends at Westminster Abbey, next to Westminster station.
Important information
- Luggage and large bags are not allowed on the tour or in the abbey
- The Changing of the Guard is scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, but the army may change it without notice
- Entry to Buckingham Palace and Big Ben is not included
- The guide does not accompany you inside Westminster Abbey; the visit is self-guided
- Westminster Abbey is a working church and may close to visitors for services or events
- Dress respectfully for the abbey and wear comfortable walking shoes
- Bring a rain jacket or umbrella, as the walk is outdoors
- Arrive ten minutes before 10:00 at the meeting point
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared group walking tour with an English-speaking guide, followed by a self-guided visit to Westminster Abbey.
How long does the tour take?
The guided walk lasts about three hours, followed by your abbey visit, so plan for about five hours in total.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You meet the guide at 150 Piccadilly near Green Park station, and the tour ends at Westminster Abbey.
What is included?
A three-hour guided walking tour with a local guide and a pre-booked Westminster Abbey entry ticket.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person, with a child rate for ages 6 to 17. The booking panel on this page shows the current price of each option.
Is it suitable for children or people with reduced mobility?
Children aged six and over enjoy the guards and palaces. The route is mostly flat and step-free on wide pavements, but it involves about three hours of walking.
Will I see the Changing of the Guard?
On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, when the ceremony is scheduled, the 10:00 tour reaches Buckingham Palace in time to watch it.
Do I need to buy Westminster Abbey tickets separately?
No. Your pre-booked abbey entry ticket is included, and you enter after the walking tour.
Do we go inside Buckingham Palace or Big Ben?
No. Both are seen from outside; only Westminster Abbey entry is included.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, a small bag only, water, a rain jacket or umbrella and modest clothing for the abbey.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
Spring and early autumn are pleasant and less crowded; in summer, arrive early, as the crowds at Buckingham Palace grow quickly.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date on this page and book. Our team confirms your booking on WhatsApp within minutes.
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