London: Walking Tour of 30+ Sights with Tube Ride

Summary

Stroll London’s icons from St Paul’s to Buckingham Palace with stories and city sounds

You’ll walk London’s streets alongside a local guide, starting at St Paul’s Cathedral and winding all the way to Buckingham Palace. Expect stories behind famous sights like Big Ben and Tower Bridge, plus a ride on the Tube and time for lunch along the Thames. You’ll feel London’s rhythm—and maybe leave with sore feet but a full heart.

What’s the experience like?

We started outside St Paul’s Cathedral, right where the city hum feels sharpest—buses rattling past, a whiff of roasted coffee drifting from Caffè Nero. Our guide (yellow umbrella, easy to spot) had this way of making even the Bank of England feel less intimidating—she joked about the “Old Lady” nickname and pointed out some odd carvings I’d never noticed before. The air was cool but not cold; you could hear footsteps echoing off the stone as we wound through the City, Mansion House looming on one side, traders in suits brushing past us like we were ghosts from another century.

After pausing at the Monument to the Great Fire (311 steps—I didn’t climb them, but someone in our group did and came down looking both proud and slightly wobbly), we drifted along the Thames. There’s something about seeing Tower Bridge rise up in front of you while HMS Belfast sits quietly on the water that makes you realize how much history is packed along this river. Lunch was a quick stop—nothing fancy, just a sandwich grabbed near Borough Market. The Shard glinted above us like it was showing off. I tried to take a photo but mostly just ended up with blurry pigeons.

The London Underground part surprised me—I thought it’d be stressful but honestly, it felt like joining the city’s bloodstream for a minute. Our guide gave us tips for tapping in (Oyster or contactless works fine) and made sure no one got lost. Suddenly we were popping up in Westminster, blinking at Big Ben and feeling that weird mix of awe and familiarity you get when something looks exactly like all the postcards but also… bigger somehow? Someone asked if Parliament really debates inside there every day—our guide just grinned and said “sometimes more than they should.”

Walking through St James’s Park towards Buckingham Palace, I noticed how locals used the park—joggers weaving between tourists, a couple feeding swans under trees heavy with leaves. We caught part of the Changing of the Guard crowd (so many phones in the air), then wandered down The Mall past Clarence House without any real rush. My feet were tired by then but I almost didn’t want it to end; there’s this feeling you get after covering five miles on foot in London—like you’ve earned every sight you saw, every story you heard. I still think about that view back at Tower Bridge when dusk started creeping in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore London's iconic landmarks

• Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral
• See Bank of England and Royal Exchange
• View Mansion House
• Visit Monument to the Great Fire of London
• Walk along River Thames to The Shard
• See HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge
• Visit Tower of London
• Lunch break (own expense)
• Ride London Underground to Westminster
• See Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
• Visit London Eye
• Explore Westminster Abbey
• See Downing Street and New Scotland Yard
• Walk through St James’s Park
• Visit St James’s Palace and Clarence House
• Finish at Buckingham Palace

Top questions

How long is this London sightseeing walking tour?

The tour covers approximately five miles on foot and lasts most of the day including breaks.

Where does the walking tour start?

The tour begins at St Paul's Station (Exit 2), next to Caffe Nero at 30 Newgate Street.

Is lunch included in this London walking tour?

No, lunch is not included; there is a lunch break where guests can purchase their own food.

Do I need an Oyster card for this tour?

Yes, you’ll need an Oyster Card or contactless payment method for using the London Underground during the tour.

Are hotel pickups included?

No hotel pickup is provided; guests meet their guide at St Paul’s Station.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchairs or strollers?

No, due to distance and terrain this tour isn’t suitable for wheelchairs or strollers/prams/buggys.

What landmarks are visited on this walking tour?

You’ll see over 30 sights including St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and more.

Does this London sightseeing walking tour include entry fees?

No entry fees are included; attractions are viewed from outside as part of the guided walk.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through central London visiting over 30 major sights such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. A knowledgeable local guide leads you throughout—including your ride on the London Underground—and there’s time set aside for lunch (at your own expense) before finishing near Buckingham Palace.