There are few places that hold as much history, mystery and intrigue in just a few square miles, but the City of Westminster has been at the centre of British political and royal life for centuries. On this guided walking tour, you’ll spend around three hours taking in the capital’s best-loved royal landmarks and by the end, you’ll know more about the place than most locals. Expert local guide, Sally, revels in the detail of the tour, “there's no end to the stories I could share about the history of these magnificent buildings and about the movers and shakers who've roamed their halls. There’s a royal connection at every turn.”
You’ll cut a path through the heart of London, see Whitehall and Downing Street, and gaze up at Big Ben and the spiky spires that could only belong to the Gothic-styled Houses of Parliament. With three miles of corridors woven inside, the sheer size of this former royal palace might surprise you. Over at Buckingham Palace, the nearby half-mile-long Mall and the Victoria Memorial help make the 18th-century palace shine. You’ll be in for an extra treat if the famous changing of the guard coincides with your visit.
There are photo opportunities galore on this walk, with stops at Horse Guards and Trafalgar Square, where a statue of Admiral Nelson stands tall. And, for a peaceful stroll, you’ll visit London’s oldest royal park, St James’s – created by Henry VIII. At the end of the tour, your Blue Badge certified guide will hand over your ticket to Westminster Abbey. You can wander this 900-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site at your own pace and explore its memorials and graves. 18 monarchs are buried here, alongside national treasures like Charles Darwin and Laurence Olivier.
