London: Tower of London, Westminster Abbey & River Cruise

Summary

Westminster Abbey, Changing of the Guard and Tower of London day out with river cruise

You’ll step inside Westminster Abbey before crowds arrive, watch guards march at Buckingham Palace from a great angle, sail down the Thames with lively stories from your crew, and skip long lines at the Tower of London—all alongside a local guide who knows their stuff. It’s a day packed with big sights and small surprises you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly tripped over a pigeon right outside Parliament Square—classic London welcome. Our guide, Sarah, was already waving us over with her umbrella (it wasn’t raining yet, but you never know here). She had this way of making even the statues around us feel like old friends. We squeezed into Westminster Abbey before the crowds—honestly, I didn’t expect to get so close to that battered old Coronation Chair. The air inside smelled faintly of candle wax and stone dust. Sarah pointed out where Newton’s buried, and I got goosebumps thinking about all that history just under my feet.

After a quick dash (dodging cyclists) we made it to Buckingham Palace in time for the Changing of the Guard. I’d seen photos before but in person it’s louder—boots on gravel, brass band echoing off stone. Sarah led us to a spot away from most of the selfie sticks; she said she’d learned it from another guide years ago. There was a little boy next to me who saluted every guard marching past—his mum just laughed and let him have his moment. We swung by Horse Guards Parade too; honestly those horses look like they know more about London than most people do.

Lunch break at Trafalgar Square was chaos in a good way—buskers playing Beatles covers, someone handing out free newspapers (I took one but never read it), pigeons everywhere again. After regrouping we hopped on a Thames river cruise. The commentary was half stand-up comedy, half history lesson—I still chuckle thinking about their joke comparing The Shard to “a giant glass cheese grater.” The breeze off the water felt good after all that walking.

The last stop was the Tower of London. We skipped right past a queue that looked like it could eat up an hour easy—felt slightly smug about that. Inside, our guide gave us tips on what to look for in the Jewel House (“Don’t blink or you’ll miss Queen Victoria’s tiny crown”). I wandered through on my own after that, trying to imagine what it must’ve been like when those walls weren’t just for tourists. Still think about those ravens—they really do strut around like they own the place.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore London landmarks and river cruise

• Start at Parliament Square
• View Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
• Walk to Westminster Abbey
• Enter Westminster Abbey and see Coronation Chair
• Visit monarchs' resting places inside Abbey
• Walk to Buckingham Palace
• Watch Changing of the Guard ceremony
• Pass by Horse Guards Parade
• Arrive at Trafalgar Square
• Break for lunch at Trafalgar Square
• Board Thames River sightseeing cruise
• Arrive at Tower of London
• Tour Tower of London and Jewel House
• View Tower Bridge exterior
• View St James Palace exterior
• View Houses of Parliament and Big Ben exterior
• View London Eye
• View St Paul's Cathedral
• View The Shard

Top questions

Does this tour include entry to Westminster Abbey?

Yes, only the 9AM tour includes skip-the-line entry and guided tour inside Westminster Abbey.

Is lunch included in this full-day London tour?

No, lunch is not included but there is a break at Trafalgar Square where you can buy your own meal.

How long does this walking tour last?

This is a full-day tour covering major London sights from morning until afternoon.

Are tickets for the Tower of London included?

Yes, skip-the-line tickets for the Tower of London are included in your booking.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No hotel pickup is provided; you meet your guide at Parliament Square near Westminster Abbey.

Can guests with limited mobility join this tour?

No, unfortunately this walking tour is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or wheelchairs.

Will we see the Changing of the Guard?

If scheduled on your tour day and weather permits, you will see either Changing of the Guard or Horse Guards Parade.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near all meeting points and stops along the route.

What’s included

Your day includes an English-speaking local guide throughout, skip-the-line ticket for Westminster Abbey (for 9AM tours), headsets so you can always hear your guide clearly even in busy spots, expertly guided walking across central London’s top landmarks, a Thames River sightseeing cruise with entertaining commentary as you float toward your final stop—and fast-track entry into the Tower of London so you spend less time waiting and more time exploring legendary history firsthand.