London: Westminster Walking Tour & The Shard Viewing Gallery

Walk Westminster's Royal Landmarks, Then Rise 244 Metres Above London

You walk Westminster's royal sights with a local guide for three hours: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the Changing of the Guard if timing works out. Afterward, you head to The Shard and ride the elevator to floor 68 for a 360-degree view across 40 miles of London, with the option to step onto the open-air platform on level 72. Entry to The Shard and the guide are included. The whole experience runs about four to five hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Changing of the Guard1h
2. Trafalgar Square20m
3. Whitehall20m
4. Houses of Parliament and Big Ben40m
5. Westminster20m
6. The Shard2h · entry included

Westminster tour and The Shard visit

• Meet guide at Green Park
• Walk to Buckingham Palace
• Watch Changing of the Guard
• Stroll along the Royal Mall
• Visit Trafalgar Square
• See Horse Guards Parade arch
• Explore Whitehall and Downing Street
• View Parliament Square and Big Ben
• Visit Westminster Abbey
• Go to The Shard
• Take elevator to 68th floor
• Enjoy 360-degree city views
• Optional: Visit open-air platform

The Experience

Your guide is already waiting in Green Park when you arrive, and the walk starts right away. Three hours on foot through the heart of Westminster: Buckingham Palace first, where you'll hear the actual history behind the building instead of just standing outside it. If you time it right (June and July it's daily, other months it's Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday), you catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and your guide knows where to position you so you're not stuck behind a crowd of phone cameras.

From there you move through Trafalgar Square, past Horse Guards Parade with its arch and clock, then Whitehall where Downing Street sits. The place British Prime Ministers have worked since 1735. Parliament Square comes next, and Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are right there, close enough to see the detail. Westminster Abbey is the last stop on the walking tour, over a thousand years old, where kings and queens get crowned. By the time you finish, you've covered the landmarks most people spend two days trying to find.

After the tour, your guide points you toward The Shard. You take the high-speed elevator to floor 68 and step out into a 360-degree view that stretches 40 miles across London. On a clear day you can pick out landmarks you just walked past from ground level, except now they're tiny. If you want it, there's an open-air platform on level 72: no glass, just you and the wind and the whole city below. The Shard viewing gallery is almost double the height of any other platform in London, which is why the view actually feels different from other rooftop bars or observation decks you've done.

The whole thing takes about four to five hours total. You're not rushed through Westminster, and you're not standing in a queue at The Shard because your entry is already sorted. Wheelchair accessible throughout, and the elevator is fast enough that you're not waiting around.

What’s included

• Local guide for the three-hour Westminster walking tour.
• entry to The Shard Viewing Gallery on floor 68.
• access to the open-air viewing platform on level 72.
• stops at Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, Downing Street, Parliament Square, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey.
• opportunity to see the Changing of the Guard on scheduled days.

Days and timesWed–Sun · 10:00

AgesAges 16+ · 4 to 15 years · Under 4 — Free

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends elsewhereMeeting point, per the operator: “•⁠ ⁠We meet outside of the Ritz hotel (Address: 150 Piccadilly) •⁠ ⁠Next to 2 red telephone boxes & 2 souvenir stands, underneath one of the Ritz signs •⁠ ⁠The…”

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Top Sights Tours Group LLC

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Westminster's major sights with someone who knows the stories, then get a view of the whole city from above without arranging two separate tickets or figuring out the logistics yourself. The guide handles the walking route and directs you to The Shard afterward, so you're not piecing it together on your own.

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Top questions

Can children come?

4 to 15 years; under 4, free.

What time does the tour start?

The tour begins in Green Park, though specific start times aren't listed. Check with the operator for available departure times when you book.

Can I see the Changing of the Guard?

Yes, but it depends on the day. In June and July it happens daily. Other months it's Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Your guide will position you to see it if it's scheduled.

How long is the walking tour?

Three hours. After that, you head to The Shard, which adds another hour or so depending on how long you spend at the viewing galleries.

Is The Shard entry included?

Yes, your ticket to the viewing gallery on floor 68 is included. The open-air platform on level 72 is also accessible, though it's optional.

How far can you see from The Shard?

On clear days, the view stretches up to 40 miles across London. You'll see landmarks you walked past earlier from a completely different perspective.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes. The walking tour is wheelchair accessible, and The Shard is fully accessible with elevators and accessible areas throughout.

Can I bring a stroller or pram?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the walking tour.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are welcome on the tour.