England · ROYAL LONDON & PALACE TOURS

The 15 Best Royal London Tours & Palace Tickets

28 tours  ·  from $20 a head

Buckingham Palace opens for a few weeks a year, the guard changes to the Army’s calendar, and Kensington is open all year. These 15 cover all three, with prices, timings and which include entry rather than just a good spot on the rail.

Changing of the Guard Guided Walking Tour in London - Starting at Piccadilly Circus
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Changing of the Guard Guided Walking Tour in London

1.Changing of the Guard Guided Walking Tour in London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,793 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $25Our pick

Walk from Piccadilly Circus through St. James’s and along the Mall while guides such as Joe, Angie, Paul, and Alex explain royal history and position you for changing-of-the-guard highlights. This 1-hour-45-minute English tour avoids the palace courtyard but follows the guards at a brisk pace through busy central London.

“We had Alex B as our guide. He was so witty and knowledgeable. He answered everyone’s questions and was extremely attentive to us all. As a hard to please American, I highly recommend booking this tour!!! You will love it!!!”

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Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket & Changing of the Guard Tour - What you really see at the Changing of the Guard
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Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket & Changing of the Guard Tour

2.Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket & Changing of the Guard Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,720 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $98

Meet at the Duke of York Column for a guided walk through St James’s Park, a guarded viewing spot for the Changing of the Guard, and entry to Buckingham Palace. Guides such as Louise, Aaron, Cecily, and Carla add lively royal context. Inside, explore the State Rooms at your own pace with an audio guide.

“Natalie was fantastic. Her knowledge and sense of humor was the best part of the trip. We saw the changing of the horse guards though we were supposed to see the changing of the foot guards. Had to cancel that because London was setting up for a marathon. But Natalie took us during our walking tour to where the horses switch just in case. And they did perform. She also kept a few of us from stepping in -well you know what - as we continued the walk. As for the Buckingham Palace tour, which she had nothing to do with other than get us in the door, I was…”

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Walking Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham - Westminster Abbey: choose the right version
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Walking Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham

3.Walking Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,213 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $95

Spend three or four hours walking through Westminster with a Blue Badge Guide. See Big Ben, Parliament, St. James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, and St. James’s Palace. The four-hour option includes skip-the-line entry and a guided visit inside Westminster Abbey. The three-hour option includes self-entry for an organ recital, evensong, or mass, subject to the Abbey schedule.

“Richard was a fantastic guide! Very knowledgeable, great personality and enjoyable. I really appreciated the stories and insight shared, and especially glad I took the 4 hour tour so I could enjoy the guided Westminster Abbey tour.”

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Downton Abbey Village, Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds Day Trip from London - Leaving London from Victoria Coach Station
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Downton Abbey Village, Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds Day Trip from London

4.Downton Abbey Village, Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds Day Trip from London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,139 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $109

Travel from London Victoria by comfortable coach to Blenheim Palace, Bourton-on-the-Water or Bibury, and Bampton, the Downton Abbey village. Guides such as Kevin, Simon, Angela, and James are praised for lively commentary. Expect a scenic but tightly timed 10-hour day, with palace admission available when selected.

“There needs to be more time at Blenheim. Start that part of the tour first, not last. Many of the Blenheim exhibits closed at 4;00 PM”

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Changing of the Guard Guided Tour at Buckingham Palace - Why the multiple viewpoints matter
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Changing of the Guard Guided Tour at Buckingham Palace

5.Changing of the Guard Guided Tour at Buckingham Palace

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 941 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $19Best value

Meet at the Duke of York Column and follow an English-speaking guide through St James’s and toward Buckingham Palace. Headsets help you follow the commentary as you move between viewing spots for footguards or horseguards. Guides such as Louise, Paul, David, and Nathalie are praised for royal history, humor, and crowd-savvy positioning. Palace entry is not included.

“Great tour, guide was very knowledgeable and wasn’t in too much of a hurry to make sure we were where we needed to be Dr d to be. It helped that the crowds we low so we got right up front each time to see the guards”

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The Kensington Palace Gardens Royal High Tea - The Orangery tea setting
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The Kensington Palace Gardens Royal High Tea

6.The Kensington Palace Gardens Royal High Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 934 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $158

Meet your guide at Queensway Station for a guided walk through Kensington Gardens, including the Italian Gardens and Round Pond. Learn about Hyde Park and its royal owners before settling into a private table at the Orangery for afternoon tea. Guides such as Doug, Paul, and Barbara add history and humor. Palace entry costs extra unless selected.

“Doug was very warm and enthusiastic. He shared some very interesting information as we walk through the beautiful green spaces. Additionally, he helped my friend and me secure more comfortable seating at the Orangerie for high tea. The only complaint I have is with the Orangerie service; It was lackluster to say the least.”

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Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London at Buckingham Palace - FAQ
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Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London at Buckingham Palace

7.Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London at Buckingham Palace

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 919 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $19

Follow guides such as Rachel, Mike, Connor, or Matt through royal London during this two-hour, three-mile tour. You’ll watch several stages of the Changing of the Guard from carefully chosen spots, hear stories about the monarchy, pass Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, Clarence House, and The Mall, then finish at Horse Guards Parade. Photos with mounted guards depend on availability.

“Much more than expected. Lots of interesting history of the guard and palaces. Guide Matt knew exactly where to take us for great views.”

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Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London - Starting at Piccadilly Circus at 2:00 p.m.
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Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London

8.Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 803 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $44

Walk from Piccadilly Circus through St. James’s, stopping at historic pubs while guides such as Ben, Luke, Henry, Tom, and Carlos share royal tales, local lore, and drink tips. The 2 to 3-hour tour costs $44.38, includes a veteran local guide, and limits groups to 12 people.

“The history is great and the beer is even better. The tour guide showed us some stuff I would have never expected.”

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Changing of the Guard Walking Tour - St. James’s Palace and the older royal story
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Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

9.Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 776 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $26

Follow an English-speaking guide from Edward VII’s statue to Buckingham Palace in about 1 hour 45 minutes. You’ll watch the guards and horses at several points, pass St. James’s Palace and Horse Guards Parade, and hear royal trivia from guides such as Babs, Nathan, Alex, or Jeremy. The pace is brisk, with no toilet or refreshment stop.

“Absolute must do, an excellent walking tour and all the best vantage points for views of the horse guards and marches. Chris was great and a fun tour guide he was engaging and sprinkled all the history in the tour. Really enjoyed myself”

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Blenheim Palace Tour and The Cotswolds Day Trip from London - Entering Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s childhood home
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Blenheim Palace Tour and The Cotswolds Day Trip from London

10.Blenheim Palace Tour and The Cotswolds Day Trip from London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 597 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $109

Leave London by comfortable coach for Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s birthplace, then visit Bourton-on-the-Water and Bampton, the Downton Abbey village. Expect about 10 hours on the road, a maximum group of 51, palace audio commentary, and lively guide narration from leaders such as Angela, Phil, Manon, and James. Bring patience: Blenheim deserves more time than this schedule allows.

“I did the tour to Blenheim Palace and enjoyed it immensely. Definitely a tour not to be missed The tour was actually better than I had imagined. James was great host and Michaelangelo a fantastic driver.”

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Kensington Palace Entrance Ticket - The King’s State Apartments and Queen’s State Apartments
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Kensington Palace Entrance Ticket

11.Kensington Palace Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 557 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $28

Spend about three hours exploring Kensington Palace independently with an English audio guide. See the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments, Victoria’s childhood rooms, Royal Collection artworks, palace gardens, and the Dress Codes exhibition, running from 13 March to 30 November 2025.

“This is a self-guided tour with free headphones and device to listen to information for each area/room that you enter. A lot of good information!”

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Highlights of Royal London Bike Tour including Hyde Park - Starting near the South Bank
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Highlights of Royal London Bike Tour including Hyde Park

12.Highlights of Royal London Bike Tour including Hyde Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 543 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $58

Ride through central London with a guide such as Charlie, Abby, Lincoln, or Noel, stopping at Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James’s Park, and the London Eye. Bikes and helmets are included, and the relaxed route suits families and first-time visitors.

“Jamie was an excellent tour host. He was a born Londoner and had a wealth of knowledge! It was a good pace and the locations were interesting and a good coverage of the highlights of London”

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Royal Liver Building 360 - Tower Tour and Experience - The 10th-floor roof and the Great George Liver Clocks
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Royal Liver Building 360 – Tower Tour and Experience

13.Royal Liver Building 360 – Tower Tour and Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 526 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $25

Join an English-speaking guide such as Jacob, Matt, Molly, or Carl for a 70-minute climb through Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building. See the Mersey and Welsh Mountains from the 10th-floor roof, watch a 270-degree clock tower show with wind effects, then reach the top for 360-degree views beside the Liver Birds. Expect 124 stairs above the 10th floor.

“Best on a sunny day. Great views over the city and the Wirral. Ciara our guide was super friendly and very informative.”

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London: Buckingham Palace & Big Ben (& Westminster Abbey entry) - Buckingham Palace and the royal route through Green Park
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London: Buckingham Palace & Big Ben (& Westminster Abbey entry)

14.Buckingham Palace & Big Ben (& Westminster Abbey entry)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 506 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $135

Join a guide such as Ash, Ashley, Will, or Christopher for a five-hour London walk from The Ritz to Westminster Abbey. See Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Big Ben, Parliament, and 20 major sights, then enter the Abbey with a pre-booked ticket and explore at your own pace.

“This is a wonderful walking tour where you really get a chance to appreciate London's beautiful history and architecture. The tour guide, Ashley was funny, considerate, and extremely knowledgeable. He made the experience memorable.”

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Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London - What you actually see at Westminster Abbey
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Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London

15.Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 451 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $113

See Westminster Abbey inside with a Blue Badge guide, then walk past Big Ben, Parliament, St. James’s Palace, and Buckingham Palace. Guides such as Paul, Lucy, Dan, and Sean add history, humor, photo help, and local tips. The four-hour tour includes Abbey entry, but palace and Big Ben interiors are not included.

“Tour guides definitely make a difference, and Dan is what set this tour apart. He delivered information with enthusiasm and passion that made it memorable”

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