Royal Westminster - Exclusive Royal Walking Tour of London's Iconic Landmarks!

Westminster Abbey from an angle you might not have seen before!

A tale of two cities - this is the modern one!

One of the ancient shops in St James' Street

The modern Shard next to the Royal Festival Hall

It's hard to believe that 165 years ago, we'd have been standing in the river! Victoria Embankment Gardens covering the sewage pipes!

Admiralty Arch, soon to be transformed from Government offices to 5* Waldorf Astoria Hotel by the end of 2023

On 1 March 2016 the old War Office building on Whitehall was sold for £350 million ++ to the Hinduja Group - soon to be opened as the London Raffles. 5* of course!

The Blues and Royals on guard at Horse Guards

Banqueting House, all that's left of Whitehall Palace

The magnificent clock face of the Elizabeth Tower following its renovations

The Great North door of Westminster Abbey, opposite Parliament Square

Duration3h - 3h 30m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Visit London's most iconic sites from Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square to three of the most well known and best loved buildings in London: Westminster Hall, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament - if the original buildings were still standing, each would be at least 920 years old! Add to that a Royal Park (St James') and two Royal palaces (Buckingham and St James') and you have a right Royal feast!
This exclusive private walking tour has a Royal mention at every stop so if you want to find out about the Royal family past and present, this is the tour for you!
If that is not enough, some of the shops that line St James' Street, as we make our way up to Piccadilly, are centuries old and were founded to serve the gentlemen who used to frequent the Gentlemen's Clubs in centuries gone by. We pass the oldest hat shop and the oldest gentlemen's club in the world as we discover other hidden gems lining this road.

What's included

A fun, experienced professional, local guide, accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guiding

We can stop whenever you like for a drink or a bite to eat but it is at your own expense!
Gratuities - optional
Transportation to/from the start and end points of the walk

What to expect

Hungerford Bridge
10m

London developed as two cities - the tour starts with splendid views of the modern city and the story of how two cities became one!
Victoria Embankment Gardens
5m

Travellers will find out that 170 years ago had we been standing there, we would have been in the dry! As to what lies beneath our feet nowadays, they will be amazed!
Trafalgar Square
10m

Once a Royal Mews, that most extravagant of kings decided to let his favourite architect loose to develop London's largest square. Not only famous for the column with Admiral Nelson perched on the top, the four lions round its base are equally well known but according to legend, what will happen to them if Big Ben ever strikes 13 times?!
Whitehall
10m

We wander down Whitehall past Banqueting House, the only remaining part of Whitehall Palace, and No 10 Downing Street, home to the UK's Prime Minister.
Parliament Square
10m

One of the best known, and busiest, squares in London, it boasts Westminster Hall, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, three of London's most iconic buildings. Each has a fantastic story to tell so turn up to hear more!
Westminster Abbey
10m

Only a stone's throw from one of London's busiest squares, Deans Yard is an oasis of calm in the midst of all the madness! Enjoy the tranquility as you survey the Abbey from an unusual position!
St. James's Park
15m

One of the most beautiful of the eight Royal Parks with its abundance of wildlife on the ornamental lake, it has a fascinating history with four kings transforming this area from a once boggy ground to the magnificent park we see today.
Buckingham Palace
10m

Home to the monarch since 1837, this is an opportunity to see the world famous balcony where special moments in the nation's history have been celebrated. Looking at its grandeur today, it's hard to imagine it started life as a small country house built for the Duke of Buckingham in the early 1700s.
St. James's Palace
10m

The scene of many important Royal events across the centuries including marriages, baptisms and imprisonments not to mention the pageantry of today's Changing of the Guard.
St. James's
10m

Centuries old shops, Royal Warrants and Gentlemen's Clubs - even modern day Royals are members! So many stories to tell!
Fortnum & Mason
10m

Out tour ends with a wander around the ground floor of this most sophisticated of London's department stores. A perfect place to go for a coffee!

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The tour starts beside the bust of Nelson Mandela which is at the top of the steps leading up from Belvedere Road on the left hand side of the Royal Festival Hall as you look at it from Belvedere Road.

End point

The tour finishes outside the Fortnum & Mason department store on Piccadilly, Mayfair

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
When your booking is confirmed, you will receive contact details for me (Sandy), your guide for this tour. My aim is to give you the best experience you could possibly have so if you have any special requests, be sure to let me know what they are!
Your comfort is my priority - if you need to stop for a coffee or a comfort break, just let me know.
The tour will last between 3 - 31/2 hours depending on the walking pace of the group and the number of questions asked.
The tour will cover a distance of 3 miles in total.
The tour will go ahead come rain or shine so please don't be put off by the weather. Do wear comfortable shoes and clothing. If needs be, bring waterproofs and an umbrella!
This is a private tour meaning that I will be guiding your group only. I limit numbers to small groups of up to five family or friends so everyone can hear what I am saying above the usual street noises of a busy city. Also, everyone can ask as many questions as they like.
Unlike some other guides, I specialise in just five areas of London, Westminster being one of them. This means that I have detailed knowledge of the area which I pass on to my clients' in a fun and interesting way.
100% of my Trip Advisor/Viator reviews are graded 'excellent' and as I now have over 175+ reviews in total, I must be doing something right!
I ALWAYS contact clients before the date of their tour so if you have not heard from me one week before the tour, please make contact with me.
I only accept bookings directly from customers. Any bookings made by a travel agent on behalf of a customer will be cancelled.

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

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