London’s been around forever—one of Europe’s oldest cities—so there’s a ton to see, and trust me, you’re gonna want to see it all. But here’s the thing: it’s easy to get lost in the maze of tour options. Stonehenge, Harry Potter, walking tours of the city’s legendary sights…the choices are endless. So, to save you from getting stuck in tourist trap hell, I’ve rounded up the best of the best. These tours are the ones you’ll actually enjoy—and here’s why.
Pro Tip:
Check out our London guide—it’s packed with everything you need.
Bookmark this post for quick access during your trip!
Are Guided Tours in London Worth it?
Short answer: Yes, it’s one of the best places to take advantage of a passionate, knowledgeable guide who knows England’s complex yet lively history!
London is a goldmine for history lovers. You’ve got centuries of Romans, crusades, and power-hungry monarchs who built one of the most influential empires the world has ever seen. It’s all layered deep in the city’s bones. Sure, London today is this perfect mix of sleek modern vibes with ancient landmarks—but here’s the thing: trying to hit all the top spots, from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace, can be a total nightmare without a guide who actually knows their stuff. A passionate, sharp guide who can take you deep into the history and bring it all to life? That’s your ticket to really feeling London.
And places like Stonehenge aren’t even in the city. They’re out in the middle of the countryside. Now, if you’re from a country where driving on the right side of the road is your thing (yeah, I’m looking at you, Americans), those winding British roads might feel like a death trap. Trust me, it’s not worth the stress. That’s where booking a London tour comes in clutch. You get to kick back, leave the driving to the pros, and actually enjoy the sights. And guess what? Our clients are all on board with that, too. Check out our reviews.
If London has been calling your name, then make sure you’ve planned in advance what you really want to see. Why? Because London is really, really big with some of the most incredible attractions a day’s trip away too.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to look for ideal tours in London that make your day hassle-free, filled with memories, and unforgettable. Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Bath, Stonehenge—explore all of these and more on one of the best London tours!
Your full-day tour of London starts at Westminster Abbey with skip-the-line tickets and a guided tour of this ancient church. It’s the site of famous churches, funerals, and every British coronation ceremony since 1066 AD! There’s a lot to discover so you’ll appreciate having a guide who knows exactly where to spend your valuable time here.
Pro tip: If you head towards your meeting point early, you’ll have time to snap pictures of the imposing Big Ben clocktower at the Houses of Parliament!
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
After your visit to Westminster, it’s time to quickly head over to the Mall to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony (certain days) or the Changing of the Horse Guard. You’ll get more than just a moment’s view of this famous event since your guide will lead you through the entire process at Buckingham Palace. Did you know only one set of guards wears the traditional black and red uniforms? Learn all about it, thanks to your guide!
River Thames Boat Ride
Now that you’ve walked through London’s central attractions, it’s time to head afield with the help of some transportation. A ride down the River Thames is the perfect way to see London from a new angle. Watch for Shakespeare’s Globe Theater re-creation, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge. You’ll travel to your next stop: the Tower of London.
Tower of London
Here your guide will unveil the deep history of Britain’s oldest fortress, which has Roman origins! Get to know the history of Thomas Moore, Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII, Walter Raleigh, and more. Plus, step into the museum where the ostentatious crown jewels are kept. This London tour makes all of this easy to do and incredibly rewarding too.
Highlights:
7 hours
See the best of London’s top attractions in a single day
Skip-the-line entry at Westminster Abbey
Changing of the Guard ceremony (certain days)
Pictures of Buckingham Palace
Free time for lunch
Transportation to the Tower of London included
Quicker entry and guided tour at the Tower of London
Entry to see Crown Jewels
Free time to walk across Tower Bridge at the end of your tour
For certain days in the spring and summer, you can enjoy a limited experience of watching the Beefeaters open the gates at the Tower of London. They’re an entertaining, though important, part of this historical tradition, you’re sure to laugh as they complete their duties with a few jokes. Plus, you get an early entrance before the crowds!
Tower of London
Your local guide can’t wait to show you the rest of the Tower of London. It’s both haunted and historic, so listen to their tales at the Beefeater’s Quarters and the Bloody Tower. They’ll help you navigate this massive estate easily.
And, of course, you’ll get to go inside the Jewel House to see the 140 pieces of the royal collection of valuables and jewels. From the White Tower to Tower Green, your tour of the Tower of London will be unforgettable.
Highlights:
2 hours
Early entry to the Tower of London
Exclusive opening ceremony with Beefeater guards
Guided tour of the walls, grounds, and many buildings
Entry to the Jewel House for the crown jewels
Free time to explore the grounds or nearby Tower Bridge
The highlight of this unique experience is the Ceremony of the Keys, a centuries-old tradition in which the gates of the fortress are locked for the night. Watch as the Chief Yeoman Warder (Beefeater), accompanied by a military escort, performs this ceremonial act. Dating back to the 14th century, this is one of the last remaining rituals of its kind. You’ll witness the solemn exchange between the Warder and the sentry, culminating in the hauntingly beautiful “Last Post,” a poignant moment that signifies the close of the day.
Highlights:
Exclusive after-hours access to the Tower of London
Expert Beefeater guide
Witness the official closing of the Tower of London
Walking tour of the Tower’s grounds
Max group size of 20
The tour concludes around 10 PM in front of the Tower of London. Afterward, you can enjoy a leisurely walk along the Thames or head to a nearby pub for a well-earned nightcap.
Access to Stonehenge’s inner circle is highly restricted, available only during special hours outside regular visiting times. On our exclusive access tour from London, you’ll have the rare opportunity to walk among the ancient stones and uncover their secrets with an expert guide.
Afterward, explore the grandeur of Windsor Castle, enjoying an audio-guided tour of its magnificent State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel, and centuries of royal history.
Clients love our skip-the-line access to the famous Westminster Abbey where they can enjoy a few minutes of quiet time with their guide in the nave of the abbey before the public enters. This is the oldest part of the entire church, and your guide will share its unique history as you stand in near-quiet solitude here.
The abbey is also full of the tombs and effigies of many famous Brits dating back several centuries. The famous Poet’s Corner will intrigue you as you see whose names are buried there—some you’ll recognize and might even surprise you! Explore the tombs of kings and queens, then see the coronation chair in the Quire as you learn who gets to sit in those tiny seats.
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
Finally, you’ll also get a chance to see the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. This happens every day in June and July, but only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays the rest of the year. Your guide knows just how to help you see the most of this auspicious event and will explain exactly what’s happening too.
It doesn’t get more exclusive than a private 15 minutes with a Yeoman Warder (also known as a Beefeater). While these guards have a serious 20+ years of military career behind them, there’s nothing they love more than entertaining visitors with stories at the Tower in between their official duties. You can’t beat that!
Tower of London
Then you get to have your own guided tour of the rest of the Tower. From the Bloody Tower to St. Thomas’ Tower, Traitors Gate, and the White Tower, there’s more to explore than you can imagine. That’s why your guide is here to help you navigate and understand it all.
You’ll also get entry to the crown jewels that have wowed millions of visitors with their lavish decadence. Make sure to keep an eye out for the piece your guide tells you is the oldest in the entire collection—dating back to the early 1600s!
Highlights:
2 hours
Private meet & greet with a Beefeater
Guided tour of the walls, grounds, and many buildings
Entry to the Jewel House for the crown jewels
Free time to explore the grounds or nearby Tower Bridge
Start with a guided stroll like a proper Londoner through a tranquil garden that has quite a past. Your guide has stories about its history as a deer park before it became a usable area for the public. Then learn how the important avenue leading from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square came to be. The Mall has been used as a processional and ceremonial road for centuries, and you just might feel like a royal as you walk it with your guide.
Buckingham Palace
This tour includes your ticket to Buckingham Palace, and it will be a meaningful experience since your guide has prepared you with stories and things to watch for as you explore inside. Only audio-guided tours are allowed in the summer, but you’ll have a leg up on the other travelers who didn’t have a morning guide with them. Envision life like a royal in the State Rooms and Throne Room.
With a start in the famous Trafalgar Square, you’ll follow your guide to the River Thames to board a Thames Clipper boat. See London’s modern skyline with the beloved St. Paul’s Cathedral rising proudly between the skyscrapers as your guide explains each building. Get familiar with London’s other sites like the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, the Oxo Tower, Tower Bridge, and more.
Tower of London
The oldest fortress in London stands as a citadel on the River Thames near Tower Bridge. This unique structure has been built upon over the centuries since it’s first building, the White Tower, constructed by William the Conqueror in 1066 A.D.
Watch for the ravens and learn about the legend behind them and the British monarchy. Then try to distract a Beefeater guard before heading in to see the crown jewels. There are centuries of history, executions, and tragedy to learn about here, which is why your guide will be essential to enjoying one of the best London tours.
Highlights:
3 hours
Entry to the Tower of London
Guided tour of the grounds and buildings
Entry to see the British crown jewels
Free time to explore the White Tower and Tower Bridge
After meeting your Harry Potter-obsessed guide and the rest of your small group of 18 people max, you’ll take an executive coach bus about an hour outside of London to Warner Bros Studio.
For the next 4 hours, immerse yourself in the spectacular world of Harry Potter. Visit movie sets, marvel at authentic props, and learn behind-the-scenes secrets of how the fantastical universe of Harry Potter was brought to life.
Once you’re ready to depart the Hogwarts Express, you’ll drive just over an hour to the historic city of Oxford. Get to know the city and follow your informative guide through a fascinating walking tour of Oxford’s famous landmarks.
After some free time to explore on your own, you and your group will hop back on the executive coach for your return to London.
Highlights:
11 hours
Roundtrip transportation by executive coach
Knowledgeable guide in Oxford
Admission to Warner Bros Studio Tour- The Making of Harry Potter
4 hours exploring Warner Bros Studio by yourself
Historical guided walking tour of Oxford University
Make your day trip to Stonehenge easier by leaving the driving, transportation, and ticketing to a trusted guide. It’s a 2.5-hour drive out to Stonehenge, and if you’re not familiar with driving on the left side of the road, it can make for a stressful experience. Instead, when you book with us, you’ll feel comfortable as you sit back and let your driver do the work.
Stonehenge
First, you’ll head over to Stonehenge, which is possibly Britain’s most famous ancient ruins. This 4,000-year-old structure is likely of Druid origin and fascinates visitors who marvel at its construction. You’ll have plenty of time to walk up to these mysterious stones and take pictures. Depending on the time of year, you might even have a chance to purchase some local strawberries to enjoy while you’re here!
Bath
Head to Bath, which is another city with deep roots from the Roman Empire. In fact, those Roman baths here are what gave this town its name, despite their original use by the Celts too. You’ll need to arrange your own tickets here, but if you’re not as interested in Roman baths, you might be tempted by the Jane Austen Museum.
Windsor Castle
Your final stop is Windsor Castle, the former Queen’s favorite residence. Located just an hour outside of London, this castle and its grounds are a popular place to visit. If you’re a fan of the royals, it’s easily one of the best London tours to take.
While no guides are allowed inside the castle, you’ll be prepared with a narrative from your driver-guide ahead of time and your skip-the-line tickets. There are 13,000 acres here, and you’ll be free to explore the Grand Apartments, Queen Mary’s Doll House, and more.
Highlights:
11 hours
London’s iconic sites outside of the city
Skip-the-line tickets to Windsor Castle
Time to explore Stonehenge
Lunch in Bath (on your own)
Options to visit the Roman Baths or Jane Austen Museum
Deciding where to stay at a great hotel in London can take some effort since it’s a massive city. Make your decision easier with our list of the best neighborhoods and hotels in London.
Writer, editor, teacher, hiker, traveler, dreamer. With a book or pen in hand and a majestic sunset on the horizon, life is never short of fulfilling moments for Brie. She has a background in history and writing, and enjoys writing and editing for BobVila.com, The Tour Guy, and her own business.
Leave a Comment