Best of London Tour: Tower & Changing of the Guard

From£69
6 hours
London, United Kingdom

About this activity

Discover London's rich history with a guided tour of the Tower of London and the Changing of the Guard ceremony, all in a single day.

Highlights

  • Explore the historic Tower of London
  • Witness the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony
  • Learn about London's rich history
  • Enjoy guided insights from a knowledgeable tour guide
  • Experience London's top attractions in one day

Full description

Dive into London's captivating past with this comprehensive tour. Begin at the Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you'll explore its storied halls and view the Crown Jewels. Then, head to Buckingham Palace to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, a quintessential British tradition. With a knowledgeable guide leading the way, you'll gain insights into the city's rich history and culture, making this tour an unforgettable experience for history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

Included / Excluded

  • Guided tour of the Tower of London
  • Witnessing the Changing of the Guard ceremony
  • Transportation between sites
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

Pass by: Begin your London adventure with a scenic coach ride through the City of London, seeing iconic streets, historic landmarks, and famous squares

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

Step inside this famous London landmark with its breathtaking dome and rich history (Admission included)

Duration: 45 minAdmission: YES
3

Admire the stunning Gothic architecture of Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Princess Kate were married, and snap photos of the iconic Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Duration: 15 minAdmission: NO
4

Watch the traditional Changing of the Guard, a display of British pageantry. Guards from the Household Division, in scarlet tunics and bearskin caps, perform a precise handover accompanied by a regimental marching band. These iconic soldiers are elite members of the British military (Selected dates)

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

Explore the historic Tower of London, meet the Yeoman Warders, and view the Crown Jewels. Pass by the iconic Tower Bridge. (Admission included with full-day option)

Duration: 2 hoursAdmission: YES
6

Relax on a scenic cruise along the River Thames, taking in sights like Shakespeare’s Globe, The Shard, and London’s skyline. (Admission included with full-day option)

Duration: 30 minAdmission: YES
7

Enjoy spectacular panoramic views from Europe’s tallest observation wheel, the London Eye, overlooking the Thames and London landmarks. (Admission included with full-day upgrade option)

Duration: 30 minAdmission: YES
8

Finish your day with a quintessentially English cream tea at world-famous Harrods, complete with sparkling wine. (Admission included with full-day option)

Duration: 45 minAdmission: YES

Meeting point

Start Location

Victoria Coach Station, Buckingham Palace Road, London, UK

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour operates rain or shine; dress accordingly.
  • Photography may be restricted in certain areas; follow the guide's instructions.
  • The Changing of the Guard ceremony schedule can vary; check the official schedule in advance.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves walking and standing for extended periods.
  • Bring a camera to capture the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony and historic sites.
  • Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the day's conditions.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

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

Accessibility

  • Stroller Accessible
  • Easy Public Transport
  • Infants Required On Laps

Good to know

  • St. Paul’s Cathedral: Sunday tours cannot include a guided tour due to weekly services. Entry is usually possible but cannot be guaranteed.
  • Changing of the Guard: Takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and daily from May to July. Schedule may change last minute or be canceled during large city events. If the ceremony does not occur, we still stop for a photo outside or near the Palace.
  • Tour Schedule: Itinerary may change depending on St. Paul’s and Tower of London opening times and the Changing of the Guard schedule.
  • Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours for the full-day tour and 4 hours for the half-day morning tour (ends at Buckingham Palace).
  • London Eye: Generally closed in January for annual maintenance. 2026 closure dates to be confirmed.
  • Children: Travelers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Traveler reviews

4.3
2,689 reviews
5
1,645
4
566
3
213
2
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1
121

The tour guy left us in...

The tour guy left us in the middle of the tour and disappeared from the meeting point. We were looking for him almost 45 minutes and finally had to take a taxi back to the hotel. Extremely unprofessional, irresponsible and terrible service.

Nha_DMay 21, 2026VIATOR

Excellent tour and guide

Zozo was an excellent guide! His knowledge was vast and he shared it with us. I learned so much about the city, art, architecture, and history. We went into St. Paul’s and the Tower of London. The tour was excellent, but what made it fantastic was Zozo. I am so happy that I booked this tour snd was able to see and learn so much about London. I would give it 6 stars if possible.

JohnMay 18, 2026VIATOR

London Tour Exceceded Expectations!

Had a wonderful immersive experience seeing London with this Tour and tour guide! Saw so many iconic locations , our driver Sylvia was very professional, drove carefully and was very gracious! Our tour guide Zuzu was so great! He pointed out the impressive architecture and brought so much history and information to all the sights . Zuzu was very knowledgable, answered all questions. He also helped give suggestions where to eat, use the free restrooms and shopping opportunities.. touring with him, made it so easy and enjoyable to experience London with ease. I would most definitely book with him again for his tours and highly recommend him to others-We felt so taken care of- . He did amazing job!

P1065KRlauragMay 14, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Great tour

Zozo was very informative of all destinations and kept the tours ordered and on time. He was very friendly and had extensive knowledge. Bus driver Sylvias did a great job getting us to the different locations. Would highly recommend both

patrickbL1331UCMay 14, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Book this tour!!

Ben was an extraordinary guide! His knowledge was incredible, he kept us engaged the entire time, and he even got a little ‘punny’. I loved that when someone in the group mentioned something of interest to them, he focused more on that or would go out of his way to make sure he talked about or showed us that thing of interest. The small group setting made it easy to hear everything and to easily get in and out of any attraction. We truly felt like we saw a large amount of London in a day. If you are limited in time or want to check off a lot of bucket list items, this is your tour!!

Karen_KMay 12, 2026VIATOR

Additional information

Sunday tours cannot include a guided tour of St Paul's Cathedral due to the weekly service. Entry is usually possible on Sundays but cannot be guaranteed. Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and daily from May to July. This may change last minute and doesn’t happen on days with large city centre events. If there is no ceremony, we still stop for a photo outside or near the Palace. On Wednesdays when St. Paul’s opens late (10am) the tour will not include the Changing of the Guard. Instead, there will be a photo stop outside Buckingham Palace first thing in the morning. Tour itinerary may change subject to St. Paul's and Tower of London opening times as well as on the day that Changing of the Guard does not take place. London Eye generally closes during January for annual maintenance work. 2026 closure dates: To be confirmed. Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult