London Royal History: Tower, Thames Cruise, Guards

780 Ratings

Greater London

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Experience the royal highlights of London on a 4-hour walking tour. Visit the Tower of London, witness the Changing of the Guard, and take a Thames River cruise. Learn about the British Royal Family and Queen Elizabeth II.

Duration: 4 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Tower of London - Start your day with exclusive access to the historic Tower of London, once a fortress, prison, and execution site.

This early morning tour ensures a crowd-free experience and offers the chance to witness the captivating Opening Ceremony performed by the esteemed Yeoman Warders (if selected). By avoiding the crowds, you’ll be among the first to see the Crown Jewels.

Thames River - Next, board a relaxing riverboat on the Thames as your expert, English-speaking guide shares insights about the major landmarks along its banks.

Disembark and, depending on the day, either attend the Changing of the Guards or enjoy a fully guided walking tour through the vibrant city of Westminster.

Changing of the Guard - If you choose the ‘Changing of the Guards’ option, you may witness either the Changing of the Foot Guards or the Changing of the Horse Guards in London, depending on the Household Cavalry’s schedule. These events are famous for showcasing British tradition and military precision, enhancing London’s reputation.
Westminster - Alternatively, select the ‘Royal Walking Tour’ option to explore the heart of London with a fully guided walking tour through Westminster. Immerse yourself in centuries of history and the foundations of the British monarchy. Westminster is rich in stories, with each corner revealing tales of kings and queens, political intrigue, and cultural milestones. Admire famous sights like the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey, and discover lesser-known spots with fascinating stories and intricate details, ensuring a well-rounded experience.
Buckingham Palace - Your tour concludes outside Buckingham Palace, where you’ll have ample time to capture the moment with photographs, adding the perfect finishing touch to your experience.

What's Included

VIP early-access tickets to Tower of London
Expert, English-speaking guide
Changing of the Guards (depending on the day)
Opening Ceremony at the Tower of London by the Beefeaters (if option selected)
Headsets when appropriate, so you always hear your guide
Guided Walking tour of Westminster City (depending on the day)
Boat ride on the River Thames

What's Not Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Additional Information

Embark on a captivating journey through London’s royal history and iconic landmarks. Begin with an early access visit to the infamous Tower of London, where you’ll see the opening ceremony and be dazzled by the Crown Jewels. Cruise the Thames River aboard a relaxing boat and either attend the Changing of the Guards or explore the heart of London on the Westminster City Walking Tour.

Please note that there will be no guiding inside the Jewel House and White Tower at the Tower of London as this is forbidden by the venue.
The Changing of the Guard is subject to changes in date, time and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather or other circumstances is not announced before the morning of the ceremony. When this occurs, you will be provided with a walking tour of Westminster city instead.
Please note that the changing of the guard schedule may change and on different dates we will see either Foot Guards or Horse Guards.
Please note that the Changing of the Guards ceremony is not included if your tour departs from 9am onwards. On these days, you will be provided with a walking tour of Westminster city instead.Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with ‘Skip the Line’ access.

Location

1 Tower Hl Ter

Tower Hill Terrace

Meeting Point - Walking Tour: Directly in front of the Ticket Office at Tower of London, look for the City Wonders sign. Arriving by tube: Tower Hill Tube Station: Head west turn right towards Trinity Square, turn left onto Trinity Square, Tower of London - 3 min walk

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.6

(780 Ratings)

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Rich_a

Sep 28, 2024

Tower of London and changing of the guards - Wonderful tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and spent extra time with us. Will definitely do another tour!

Review provided by Viator

Margaret_s

Sep 24, 2024

Fun time! - Great Tour! Wish we had more time in the tower but it was a great experience. Lee was helpful and informative!

Review provided by Viator

Rohalio_k

Sep 20, 2024

Tower of London - Lee our guide was very informative and kept you interested. We enjoyed the tour tremendously. He knew just the right spots to be in for the views and got our group to those points quickly.

Review provided by Viator

106trentonl

Sep 19, 2024

A cheeky look at history - Beautiful views of history with a cheeky guide. David was a treat. The whole tour with his anecdotes made our tour interesting and informative.