London: Westminster Walking Tour & Tower of London Entry

Summary

Walk through royal London, see Big Ben up close, explore the Tower

You’ll walk through royal parks to Buckingham Palace, catch the Changing of the Guard if timing’s right, and wander past Big Ben with stories from your local guide. After exploring Westminster’s icons on foot, you’ll enter the Tower of London at your own pace—ravens, Beefeaters, ancient stones—soaking up history you’ll remember long after heading home.

What’s the experience like?

We’d just squeezed past a group of school kids in Green Park when our guide, Jamie, waved us over to this spot where you could actually see the palace gates without getting elbowed. I didn’t expect to feel anything at Buckingham Palace — it’s everywhere on postcards — but standing there with the smell of wet grass and distant horses, hearing Jamie tell some story about a corgi escape (he swears it happened), it felt oddly real. The Changing of the Guard was all brass and boots and people craning for photos. I tried to get a shot but mostly caught someone’s umbrella. Still fun though.

After that, we wandered down The Mall — red pavement, flags fluttering, a bit of drizzle starting up. Trafalgar Square was busier than I thought it’d be, pigeons everywhere and some guy playing Beatles songs on a tiny speaker. Jamie pointed out Downing Street (you can’t get close) and told us about all the prime ministers who’ve lived there since forever. There was this moment by Big Ben where everything just felt… big? You know what I mean — like you’re right in the middle of every movie set ever. The bells chimed while we stood there and someone in our group just grinned like a kid.

The walking part wrapped up near Westminster Abbey — so many statues and stories crammed into one square mile, honestly my feet were ready for a break. Jamie gave us directions for the Tube (super clear) so we could head over to the Tower of London on our own time. I grabbed a coffee before going in because it started raining harder — classic London move.

The Tower itself is colder inside than you’d think; old stones, echoey halls, ravens strutting around like they own the place. You can join one of those Beefeater tours if you want (I did — worth it for their dry jokes alone). There’s something about seeing where so much messy history actually happened that sticks with you after you leave. I still think about those thick doors and how quiet it got in some corners.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Westminster and Tower of London Tour

• Visit Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard
• Explore Trafalgar Square
• Admire Horse Guards Parade
• Walk through Whitehall and Downing Street
• See Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
• Visit Westminster Abbey
• Tour the Tower of London

Top questions

How long does the Westminster walking tour last?

The walking tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

Is entry to the Tower of London included?

Yes, your ticket includes entry to the Tower of London.

Does the guide go inside the Tower of London with us?

No, your guide will direct you there but does not enter with you.

Can I watch the Changing of the Guard on this tour?

You can see it on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, or Sundays during 10am tours.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Are public transportation options nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby.

Is there an official Beefeater tour at the Tower?

You have the option to join an official 60-minute Beefeater tour at no extra cost.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walking tour through Westminster’s top sights with a local guide, entry tickets for the Tower of London (with an option to join an official Beefeater tour at no extra cost), plus clear directions for getting between locations at your own pace.