London Walking Tour: Buckingham Palace & Big Ben Highlights

Twenty landmarks in one morning, ending inside the coronation church.

This 3-hour walking tour covers London's top 20 landmarks (Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament) with a live English-speaking guide, then includes timed entry to Westminster Abbey with a free audio guide. The tour runs 5 hours total. The walking portion takes 3 hours, and you explore the Abbey at your own pace afterward. Wheelchair accessible throughout, and suitable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Changing of the Guard1h
2. Trafalgar Square20m
3. Whitehall30m
4. Houses of Parliament and Big Ben50m
5. Westminster2h · entry included

Walking tour of London landmarks

• Stroll through Green Park
• Visit Buckingham Palace
• Watch Changing of the Guard (certain days)
• Walk along the Royal Mall
• See Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column
• Admire Horse Guards Parade and clock
• Explore Whitehall and Downing Street
• View Palace of Westminster and Big Ben
• Visit Westminster Abbey with pre-booked ticket

The experience

The walk starts in Green Park and heads toward Buckingham Palace, the official home of the King. Your guide points out the stories of British royal history as you move through the grounds. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 10am, you'll catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony: your guide finds the best viewing spot so you're not craning from the back of a crowd. Afterward, you walk the Royal Mall toward the rest of the day's route.

From there, the route moves through the landmarks that define central London: Trafalgar Square with Nelson's Column and the fountains. Horse Guards Parade on the edge of St. James Park; Whitehall, where British Prime Ministers have worked since 1735; and Parliament Square, where you see the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben up close. Each stop has a guide who knows the history and the angles for photographs. The walking portion takes 3 hours total.

At the end of the walk, you head to Westminster Abbey. Your entry ticket is pre-booked, so you skip the line at the door and walk straight in. Inside, you explore at your own pace using a free audio guide available in multiple languages. Westminster Abbey has been the coronation church since William the Conqueror in 1066: every English and British monarch since has been crowned here. The Abbey is over 1,000 years old and one of London's most recognizable buildings.

What’s included

• 3-hour guided walking tour of 20 London landmarks.
• Westminster Abbey entrance ticket with no queue.
• free audio guide inside the Abbey in multiple languages.
• live guide speaking English throughout the walking portion.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Big BenGuide in English · 10:00

Ticket for the Churchill War RoomsGuide in English · 10:00Option to add a Churchill War Rooms ticket: after the Abbey, cross the road to the Churchill War Rooms. Duration: 7 hours. Adding the Churchill War Rooms ticket extends the total tour length to roughly 7 hours.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 10:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Top Sights Tours Group LLC

Is this one for you?Book the 10am Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sunday departure if you want to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony as part of the walk. The timing is built around it, and your guide positions you for a clear view. Any other departure time or day still covers all 20 landmarks and includes Westminster Abbey, but without the ceremony.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What time does the 10am tour depart, and when do I finish?

The walking tour departs at 10am and lasts 3 hours, ending at Westminster Abbey around 1pm. You then enter the Abbey and explore it at your own pace. Most visitors spend 1–2 hours inside, so the full experience runs about 5 hours from start to finish.

Will I see the Changing of the Guard ceremony?

The Changing of the Guard happens only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 10am. If you book the 10am departure on one of those days, your guide will position you to watch it. On other days and times, you'll walk past Buckingham Palace but won't see the ceremony.

Do I need to buy a separate ticket for Westminster Abbey?

No. Westminster Abbey entry is included and pre-booked with your tour, so you walk straight in without waiting in the ticket line. Once inside, you use a free audio guide to explore the building on your own schedule.

What are the top landmarks I'll see on the walking portion?

The 3-hour walk covers 20 landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Parliament Square, and views of the London Eye and Churchill Statue. The route ends at Westminster Abbey.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes. The entire route is wheelchair accessible, all surfaces are accessible, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are allowed, and public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.

What should I bring with me?

Bring your own drinks and packed lunch if you want to eat during the tour. An umbrella is recommended if rain is forecast. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the tour covers 3 hours on foot through central London.