Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Buckingham Palace
- Royal Mews
Photos & Highlights
- A comprehensive exploration of the key royal sites in London
- Led by a PhD level historian
Select a date
Tour Description
This royal exploration will begin with an introduction to the exterior of the King's official residence, prior to witnessing the iconic red tunics and bearskin hats performing the age-old ritual of the Changing of the King's Guard. A stroll through St James’s Park and past its Tudor palace, the principal palace in London during the Georgian era, will provide the opportunity to connect and consolidate the roles of these various sites within the narrative of the British monarchy.
Elite soldiers have guarded the King or Queen since the reign of Henry VII who made the Royal Body Guard a permanent institution that has spanned over 520 years of history. This tour will allow you to witness this storied ritual within a narrative that encapsulates all of the key aspects of royal London; providing a comprehensive understanding of the roles these sites have played in the history of the monarchy.
Please note: The Royal Mews is open seasonally, usually between March and October, and is always closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you book this tour when the Royal Mews is closed, we will visit the Household Cavalry in its place.
Please note: The Royal Mews is open seasonally, usually between March and October, and is always closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you book this tour when the Royal Mews is closed, we will visit the Household Cavalry in its place.
Experts
- Buckingham Palace (Exterior)
- St. James's Park
- Royal Mews OR Household Cavalry
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
A few things that pair well with this tour:
- A little pre-trip preparation. Make sure you have your travel questions answered and get tips for your visit from a local with our London, England: Top 10 Highlights For Curious Travelers Talk.
- An appetite for history... And for food! Tour the city on your own time, sampling tasty snacks along they way with Eats and Treats: A Culinary Tour of London Audio Guide.
- A charged phone or empty film roll and an eye for seeing London in a different way.
- This tour has an optional meeting point transfer if you'd like a private car to pick you up from your accommodation. If you choose to add this service, please add the address to your accommodation in the Additional Details section
Looking for insider recommendations? Get expert tips to seeing the true London in our London City Guide.
What is a private tour?
Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.
Does this include a tour of Westminster Abbey?
If you booked your tour before June 14th, 2024, the tour will end with a tour of the abbey's exterior, but will NOT include the interior. If you booked the tour after this mentioned date, the Westminster Abbey is not included in the itinerary.
If you would like to explore the inside of the abbey please book our Westminster Abbey tour or the Monarchy and Parliament, as the perfect complement.
Does this include a tour of Westminster Abbey?
If you booked your tour before June 14th, 2024, the tour will end with a tour of the abbey's exterior, but will NOT include the interior. If you booked the tour after this mentioned date, the Westminster Abbey is not included in the itinerary.
If you would like to explore the inside of the abbey please book our Westminster Abbey tour or the Monarchy and Parliament, as the perfect complement.
Is this tour good for kids?
Yes! We have some excellent family-friendly guides who can appeal to the learning styles of children. Please book privately if you have children under 13. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible guide. Please note that as this walk tour does not fall within our official family program, there will not be special family activities.
Yes! We have some excellent family-friendly guides who can appeal to the learning styles of children. Please book privately if you have children under 13. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible guide. Please note that as this walk tour does not fall within our official family program, there will not be special family activities.
Will you pre-purchase tickets?
Yes. We'll pre-purchase tickets for each participant for the Royal Mews. Your guide will have the tickets on hand.
What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but it also never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.
What are skip-the-line tickets?
Yes. We'll pre-purchase tickets for each participant for the Royal Mews. Your guide will have the tickets on hand.
What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but it also never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.
What are skip-the-line tickets?
For this tour, your tickets are pre-purchased which allows you to directly enter the security line at the Household Cavalry without waiting to purchase tickets. You may still have to wait in a security line or in a line to have your pre-purchased ticket scanned.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
The tour is fast-paced and includes some narrow alleys and cobbled streets. We do not recommend this tour for clients with severe mobility issues.
Where You'll Start
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33 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Don was the best—-We highly recommend him—-he was super knowledgeable, easy to chat with, helpful with ideas for us to enjoy our time in London. Taking us to the Guard Museum and Guard Chapel was our favorite. By far best part of our vacation.
Led & anne
Oct 6, 2024
Janice was very pleasant and provided us with a vast history of the royal sites and lineage. She was mindful of our time and the tour was well planned. We were very pleased with our experience!
Vincent
Sep 16, 2024
We had an absolutely fantastic experience on our Buckingham Palace tour, and a huge part of that was thanks to our incredible tour guide, Janice. From the moment we met her, it was clear that she was not only knowledgeable but also passionate about the history and traditions of the British monarchy.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony was made even more memorable by Janice's thorough explanations of the traditions and significance behind it. She knew all the best spots for viewing and made sure we had a prime location to see everything up close.
Wayne
Sep 3, 2024