London Palaces Walk: Buckingham, St James & Kensington Tea

Summary

Royal London’s secret corners, palace stories & a real afternoon tea

You’ll wander hidden lanes near St James’s Palace, watch the Changing of the Guard up close, ride a red bus past Royal Albert Hall, and finish with scones and cakes at Kensington Palace’s historic tea room. With a small group and local guide sharing stories you won’t find on plaques, you’ll feel both royal and right at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore royal palaces and gardens

• Start at Green Park
• Walk through St James back streets
• See Spencer House
• Visit St James Palace exterior
• View Clarence House
• Witness Changing of the Guard
• Cross to Wellington Arch
• See Bomber Command Memorial
• Ride red bus to Royal Albert Hall
• Enter Kensington Gardens
• View Albert Memorial
• Visit Kensington Palace
• Enjoy afternoon tea at Tea Room

Top questions

How long does the London palaces tour last?

The walking portion is about 60 minutes plus time for afternoon tea at Kensington Palace.

Is afternoon tea included in this tour?

Yes, full afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, cakes and your choice of teas is included.

Are dietary preferences catered for?

Gluten free, vegetarian, vegan & halal options are available if requested in advance.

Is pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup; the tour starts at Green Park in central London.

Can children join this day trip?

Yes—a special children’s tea is available for kids 11 years or younger.

Is there much walking involved?

You’ll walk for about an hour; not suitable for those with walking difficulties.

Do we go inside Buckingham Palace?

No entry inside Buckingham or St James's Palaces; exterior visits only unless State Rooms option selected at checkout.

Does the tour include seeing Princess Diana's statue?

Yes—you’ll visit Kensington Gardens where Princess Diana's statue stands.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through Green Park and St James’s aristocratic quarter with stories from your local guide, exterior views of Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, witnessing Changing of the Guard when scheduled, a short iconic red bus ride to South Kensington passing Royal Albert Hall and Albert Memorial, entry to Kensington Gardens with time at Princess Diana’s statue, plus private table reservation for full afternoon tea—sandwiches, scones & cakes all included (children’s menu available). Special dietary needs can be arranged if you let them know ahead of time.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to actually walk in the footsteps of kings and queens? I didn’t think I’d care much for palaces, but starting out in Green Park with our guide (her name was Sarah—she had this dry sense of humor that made even the history bits fun) changed my mind. The air was cool and a little sweet from the grass, and we ducked into these quiet back streets where you could almost forget you’re in central London. Sarah pointed out a tucked-away chocolate house that used to be packed with aristocrats—hard to imagine now, just a couple of suited men hurrying by with takeaway coffees.

St James’s Palace surprised me. It’s not open for tours, but we stood outside while Sarah told us about the King being proclaimed there—her voice dropped low as if we might overhear something royal. We caught part of the Changing of the Guard too (I’ll admit I got a bit lost in all the shiny boots and brass music), then wandered past Clarence House, which looks almost plain compared to Buckingham Palace. The main keyword here is “London palaces tour”—and honestly, it felt less like ticking off sights and more like following old stories through the city.

I loved riding that classic red bus over to Royal Albert Hall—just for a few stops, but still. There was this moment when we stepped into Kensington Gardens and everything went kind of quiet except for birds and distant traffic. The statue of Princess Diana felt strangely personal; someone had left fresh flowers at her feet. By then my feet were tired but I didn’t really mind because I knew tea was next.

Scones at Kensington Palace Tea Room are warm and crumbly—I tried not to eat mine too fast but failed completely (the jam was homemade or tasted like it). Our table looked out over the gardens, sunlight catching on silver teapots. We talked about George II dying after his morning hot chocolate—Sarah made it sound almost cozy, which is weird considering—but that’s how this day trip through London’s palaces goes: grand one minute, oddly human the next. Still thinking about that last cup of tea as we left.