from
$163
London in a Day Tour with Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Tower of London
Admire the Crown Jewels, take a river cruise on the Thames, and explore the royal Westminster area
A day in London can quickly turn into a battle with crowds, long lines, and missed highlights. This tour removes the stress, starting with timed-entry access to Westminster Abbey, where you uncover royal history without the wait. Later, you sail past Tower Bridge and the Shard on a Thames River cruise before your expert guide walks you into the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels. Perfect for first-time visitors who want London's greatest hits in one well-paced day.
What's included
Trace 1,000 years of royal power
Expert English-speaking guide
Timed entry to Westminster Abbey
Guided tour of the Tower of London
Crown Jewels and White Tower access
River Thames boat ride
Photo stop at Big Ben (exterior)
Changing of the Guard or Horse Guard viewing
Guide tips
Lunch and drinks
Itinerary
Meet your guide in Central London
Your tour begins in central London, look for the exact location on your booking voucher. Here, you'll learn the full day's itinerary and get oriented for your deep dive into London’s most essential landmarks and royal history.
Guided tour of Westminster Abbey
With your skip-the-line ticket, bypass the main queues and step inside this magnificent church. Your guide will illuminate the Abbey’s thousand-year history as a religious center and the venue for nearly every coronation since 1066. See the famous Coronation Chair and the tombs of acclaimed figures in Poets' Corner, like Charles Dickens and Geoffrey Chaucer.
Walk past Big Ben to the gates of Buckingham Palace
Parliament Square opens up beyond the Abbey, where Big Ben marks the corner of the Houses of Parliament. Cut through St James's Park and arrive at Buckingham Palace, the working home of the monarchy.
Changing of the Guard or Horse Guards Parade
Arrive near Buckingham Palace to observe the traditional Changing of the Guard. This spectacle showcases military precision and centuries of tradition. On days when the ceremony does not take place (or due to bad weather), you'll instead enjoy the disciplined display of the Horse Guards Parade.
Free time for lunch near Trafalgar Square and Downing Street
After the ceremony, your guide will lead you toward Trafalgar Square for a break. You’ll have time to grab lunch (not included in the tour price) while in the area, and you’ll also see the exterior of 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister, where momentous decisions are made.
Relax on a Thames River cruise
Following lunch, board a comfortable local clipper for a relaxing journey along the River Thames. This scenic ride offers a new perspective of the city, and your guide will point out famous sights like the London Bridge, Tower Bridge, City Hall, and the towering Shard skyscraper.
Explore the Tower of London with your guide
Dock beneath the formidable walls of the Tower of London, a site that has been a fortress, royal palace, and infamous prison since its founding by William the Conqueror in 1066. Your expert guide will share the Tower's bloody past, from the days of Guy Fawkes to Henry VIII's ill-fated wives, as you explore key areas like Traitor's Gate and meet the legendary Beefeaters.
Admire the Crown Jewels
After your guide provides an overview, head inside the Jewel House independently to witness the exquisite collection of Crown Jewels. You’ll see the stunning coronation regalia, adorned with thousands of stones, which symbolize the enduring power of the English monarchy.
Your tour ends in Central London
Your full-day adventure concludes in central London. Don’t forget to ask your guide for tips on how to spend your evening in this incredible city.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Select participants and date
Start times are in the product’s local time
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!
Sat, 17 Oct 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
Important Details
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Dress Code: Westminster Abbey is a place of worship, so modest clothing is recommended.
Weather Advisory: The Changing of the Guard may be canceled without notice due to weather or decisions by local authorities, but an alternative experience will be provided.
Tour Changes: On days when the Changing of the Guard does not take place (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays or due to poor weather) you’ll instead visit the equally enthralling Horse Guard Ceremony.
Fitness Level: Get ready to earn your steps. This tour takes you across London on foot, from Westminster to the Tower, so bring a good level of fitness and comfortable shoes. The reward is seeing the city the way locals do.
Please Note: Guides are not allowed inside the White Tower or the Jewel House, but they will accompany you to each location and share everything you need to know. They will escort you to the Beefeater's Quarters, Traitor's Gate, and several other key areas in the fortress.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven surfaces and old stone stairways. If you have concerns about your mobility, we recommend checking out our Private London in a Day Tour.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Timed entry and guided tour of Westminster Abbey
Changing of the Guard or Horse Guard ceremony viewing (certain days, weather permitting)
Free time for lunch near Trafalgar Square (food and drink not included)
Boat ride down the River Thames by clipper
Guided tour of the Tower of London
Access to the Crown Jewels, White Tower, and more
What to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes
Water bottle
Camera
Weather-appropriate clothing
See what people are saying
4.96
652 verified ratings
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What reviewers sayPowered by Cicero AIBETA
Reviewers frequently praise the guides for their extensive knowledge, engaging storytelling, and ability to make London's history come alive, often highlighting the personalized and well-paced nature of the tours. Many also note the significant amount of walking involved, describing the tour as long and physically demanding but rewarding for those prepared for it.
Kevin Q.
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October 15, 2026
Best tour, highly recommend!
Donna C.
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October 13, 2026
We spent the day with our tour guide Jill. This was one of the best tours we have been on. Saw so many sites and learned so much about the monarchy and history of London. Very educational. Highly recommend this tour, ask for Jill she is the best! Thanks again, Jill.
Loved it!
Emilyn M.
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October 12, 2026
We had the best time with Jill!!! She was amazing! We loved our entire day
London in a Day
Blanca C.
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October 12, 2026
Excellent overview of London in a day. You get to see quite a few of major highlights and understand the history behind them. There is a good deal of walking so be prepared. Overall it was great tour to attend.
Best thing we did there
William B.
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October 08, 2026
Our tour was amazing. this was innlarge part due to our guide. He was very informative, helpful in terms of guiding us to the best views and strategies for getting the most out if the experience he was also fun and friendly . London - AMAZING
Tammy H.
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October 04, 2026
Chris & Gail Cameron-London Tour
Chris C.
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October 03, 2026
We had a great tour with our tour guide Dan today. Dan was very knowledgeable and so well-spoken. He was also entertaining and accommodating for our entire group. Dan did a super job keeping our day on schedule which really makes an entire day tour enjoyable and was able to meet our group’s needs as we were a diverse group of ages. Thank you Dan and thank you EvanEvan’s Tours for our wonderful experience today. We you highly on all accounts. With 5 stars being the best…You are a 6 star tour and tour guide!
London in a day
Bonnie K.
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October 02, 2026
Tour guide was very nice and shared really good information all the way. Felt we got more out of our visits to the attractions because of her expertise and just made everything easier.
Well done tour
Julian B.
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October 02, 2026
It covers the basics with detailed tours of Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. Due to time constraints some building were just passed rather than entered. But I felt this somewhat expensive tour was worth it.
Richard C.
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October 02, 2026
Wendy p
Wendy P.
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October 01, 2026
Our family of 5 thoroughly enjoyed our day long tour of Westminster Abby, Big Ben and the Tower of London.
Rebecca B.
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September 30, 2026
Warren Forsyth
Nancy G.
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September 28, 2026
He was a fabulous tour guide !
Great Tour
Virginia H.
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September 28, 2026
It was a great tour full of interesting information. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wanted to take a tour of London!
Most Informative without being stuffy
Susan S.
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September 26, 2026
Sara gave an incredible tour today, She’s lively and keeps the information flowing. You never feel lectured as she is a great conversationalist as well as historian.
7 Hours Well Spent
John S.
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September 26, 2026
Sent feedback via email request.
Great tour!
Jane R.
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September 26, 2026
Steven was a wonderful tour guide. Extremely knowledgeable! Highly recommend!
Fabulous Tour
Isabella S.
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September 26, 2026
The definition of "excellent" should include a photo of our guide, Andrew. It was an all day tour and he kept us amused, educated, and informed the entire time. When we booked this tour I thought it was a little pricy, but it was worth every single penny.
Fabulous Tour
keith S.
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September 23, 2026
We loved this tour! It was packed with information and using The Tour Guy gave us special access to sites. Adrian, our guide, was a font of knowledge about English history, particularly the complicated history of the monarchy. He was adept at drawing parallels to more current and contemporary events, with a welcome sprinkling of pop references and humor. He truly made the tour a pleasure. Be prepared to walk a lot - but well worth it!
Great couple of hours spent
Neill W.
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September 22, 2026
Carlos was so good. Expect crowds and 3 hours on your feet...however, a good way to see and learn about Barcelona sites visited.
Great tour
Catherine S.
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September 18, 2026
Toby was a great tour guide. This was a long tour but really informative.
Jennifer K.
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September 18, 2026
Wonderful tour and guide
Jennifer A.
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September 18, 2026
Highly recommend this tour! Our guide,Frances, was excellent. She was attentive, energetic and above all extremely knowledgeable. It’s a great way to see some of London’s top sites and learn so much along the way.
Jan T.
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September 17, 2026
The tour was great and the tour guide Penny was her name was very knowledgeable and basically answered any question that we had about what we were seeing which was a lot. Great tour.
Robert R.
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September 16, 2026