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Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall: Our most recommended tours and activities

London: Westminster and Changing of the Guard Tour

1. London: Westminster and Changing of the Guard Tour

The Royal Westminster and Changing of the Guard guided walking tour offers you the ability to get up close and personal with London’s most famous and impressive sights. Beginning with Buckingham Palace, the most famous residence of the King, we will explore the iconic buildings, parks, and monuments of Royal London.  Witness parades by the world-famous King's Guards before continuing along the corridor of power which includes Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and 10 Downing Street.  You'll be led by an expert in London’s political, royal, and cultural history who knows the best places to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, allowing you the best views and photo opportunities away from the crowds. Along the way, be entertained and enthralled by your tour guide’s in-depth knowledge, memorable anecdotes, and unique take on London's history, as you discover the Kings, Queens, rogues, and villains behind this incredible city, and witness iconic buildings and mesmerizing parades along the way. Suitable for all ages and encompassing multiple different experiences in a single two-and-a-quarter-hour period, this Westminster and Changing of the Guard Walking Tour is the best way to experience Royal Westminster all in one day. 

London: Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Tour

2. London: Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Tour

Explore the state rooms of Buckingham Palace and see the Changing of the Guard. Gain a deeper understanding of royal protocol from your tour guide and enjoy audio commentary inside the palace. First, watch the Changing of the Guards in the company of a guide, who will explain the history and meaning behind the ceremony. See the precision of the King's Foot Guards up close as they march to the sounds of a military band. Then, marvel at the mounted Household Cavalry, resplendent on horseback as they change at Horse Guards Parade. If you book your tour for a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, you’ll get to experience the change of the Household Cavalry. Finally, step inside Buckingham palace and admire the lavish apartments and sparkling chandeliers. View some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including exquisite Sèvres porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. While inside, enjoy commentary from the official audio guide and learn the history behind the sumptuous furnishings and family history.

London: Tootbus Must-See Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Cruise

3. London: Tootbus Must-See Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Cruise

Discover all of London's top attractions and landmarks on the Must See London tour. With the flexibility to hop on and off at any of the stops, you can explore each destination in more depth. The open-top deck offers some of the best views of the city, allowing you to plan your itinerary with ease. See iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul's Cathedral, among others. Complete your London experience with a Thames River cruise that takes you from Westminster to Tower Pier. Whether you choose a 1, 2, or 3-day pass, you'll have the time to explore the famous sights, take a relaxing walk in one of London's parks, and visit charming neighborhoods like Notting Hill, Shoreditch, and Brick Lane. Your pass is valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours from the first validation, allowing you to hop on and off the bus as many times as you want during that period.

Full-Day Total London Tour & Flight on the London Eye

4. Full-Day Total London Tour & Flight on the London Eye

Take in some of London’s most famous sights during a day filled with a private tour of the Tower of London, a river cruise on the Thames, and a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral. Along the way see city highlights including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. The morning part of the tour begins with a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, where you enter as its doors open. Listen to the 17th-century organ that Mendelssohn once played, see medieval relics in the crypt below, and visit the tombs of famous historical figures. On Sundays, when viewing is restricted, you can enter the cathedral for one of the services. After leaving St. Paul’s Cathedral, the tour heads to Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the Queen, to watch the changing of the guard. If the changing of the guard is not taking place you’ll still go to Buckingham Palace for a photo stop. In the afternoon the tour continues with a visit to the Tower of London, built in 1066 by William the Conqueror. Your guide will regale you with fascinating insights into the history of this Royal Palace and fortress. Ample time will be given to view the Crown Jewels and the White Tower and to wander around this imposing fortress.  Next, enjoy a guided private boat trip on the River Thames and admire excellent views of Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, and Shakespeare's Globe from the river.  The spectacular finish to the day’s tour is a flight on the London Eye.

London: Household Cavalry Museum Entry Ticket

5. London: Household Cavalry Museum Entry Ticket

Explore the Household Cavalry, a living museum located within the Horse Guards in Whitehall, central London. Enjoy access to the working Household Cavalry and get a glimpse of the troopers with their horses through a large glazed partition into the original 18th-century stables. Step into the museum and watch history come alive with compelling personal stories, first-hand accounts of the troopers’ rigorous and demanding training, and interactive displays. Gaze at stunning rare objects, many on public display for the first time. Admire a historic building dating from 1750. See what is still the headquarters of the Household Division, where the Household Cavalry has performed the Queen’s Life Guard for over 350 years. Learn about the two senior regiments of the British Army: The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.

London: Tower of London & Changing of the Guard

6. London: Tower of London & Changing of the Guard

Experience the best of royal London on a half-day sightseeing tour, exploring the historic landmarks of the city center, and cruising down the River Thames. Meet at the Tower of London, home to the famous Yeoman Warders (“Beefeaters”), and a former prison that witnessed the execution of 3 English queens! Marvel at the Crown Jewels of the English monarchy, including orbs, swords, crowns, and scepters. Go to the White Tower where the “Princes in the Tower” was held before being murdered, allegedly by Richard III. With early entrance to the Tower, you will be among the first to see the ceremonial opening by the Yeomen Warders. Depart the Tower and cruise down the River Thames on board a shuttle boat. Admire the sights en route, such as St. Paul’s Cathedral and Shakespeare’s Globe. Upon arrival at the Embankment, and depending on time, stroll over to watch the Changing of the Guards ceremony, either at Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade. Your guide will put you in a prime position for the best views of the crowded event, and provide a colorful commentary as the pageant unfolds. End your morning tour at Buckingham Palace, the official residence of many members of the British Monarchy.

London: Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

7. London: Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

Meet your guide at Piccadilly Circus and get an introduction to the background of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Hear what you will be doing for the next 1 hour and 45 minutes. Then proceed as a group toward The Mall. Pass by Pall Mall and Waterloo Place. Here you will learn more about the British Army and its greatest general, the Duke of Wellington. Once on The Mall, see the extraordinary monuments to royals and generals. Get a view of St. James's Park. Admire the most beautiful of the royal parks and look at the majestic open space of Horse Guards Parade. Continue toward St. James's Palace. On the way, you might see the Household Cavalry en route from their barracks in Hyde Park. The main focus, however, will be to watch the foot soldiers emerge from St. James's Palace ready for their uniform inspection. They will then march to Buckingham Palace, sometimes accompanied by a band. If you're lucky, they may even play a song! One of the highlights of your tour will be to march in step with the guards as they leave St. James's Palace. Then watch as the New Guard emerges from Wellington Barracks. He will often be accompanied by a full ceremonial band. Take a photo of Buckingham Palace from a raised platform. The tour ends with a flourish as the band plays in the palace courtyard. Marvel as the cavalry and guardsmen march past. Your guide will then help you get to your next port of call. 

London: Life and Legacy of Queen Elizabeth II Walking Tour

8. London: Life and Legacy of Queen Elizabeth II Walking Tour

Learn about Britain's longest reigning monarch on a special guided walking tour of London. Join your guide as you walk through the heart of Westminster to discover sights like St James's Palace, Downing Street, and more. In June 2022, the nation came together in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, and her unprecedented 70 years on the throne. In September of the same year, the nation came together once again to mourn the passing of their matriarch. Meet your guide in Mayfair near the Queen's birthplace and set out to learn about one of the most iconic monarchs in Britain's history. Hear about the extraordinary highs and challenging lows of her lifetime and service to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Wander past Buckingham Palace, St James' Palace, the Mall, Whitehall, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. See the Horse Guards Parade and Downing Street, and get to know the woman behind the crown and the family behind the institution.

March with the Guards: Changing of the Guard Ceremony

9. March with the Guards: Changing of the Guard Ceremony

This tour takes you away from the crowds and over to St. James Palace to witness the guards preparing to make their famous march. These are real soldiers with real weapons carrying out their daily duty of protecting the Palace. Hear about what their duties include and the significance of their highly-symbolic uniforms. March alongside the soldiers and head to a special vantage point near the Wellington Barracks, home to all the Foot Guard’s Bands, that lets you get as close as possible to the action. Stroll across St. James’s Park and learn the history of this royal green space and arrive at the Horse Guards Parade. Watch the equally-impressive Changing of the King’s Life Guard, which features mounted, armor-clad soldiers and their immaculately groomed steeds.

London: Tower of London Opening Ceremony & Westminster Tour

10. London: Tower of London Opening Ceremony & Westminster Tour

You’re invited to the opening ceremony at the Tower of London, to be first in to explore the Crown Jewels, to join us on an adventure from the old City to the regal city of Westminster. Welcome to the Ultimate Royal London experience. Why join the queue when you can be first into the Tower of London to enjoy the opening ceremony led by a Beefeater and see the Crown Jewels without the crowds? We’re about to read you the story of London, a tale of two cities where you’ll be exploring from crowns to confessions. After benefiting from early access and a special ceremony with the Beefeaters, you’ll explore the Tower that has been keeping a watchful eye over the city and the river Thames since its founding in the 11th-century. Meet your expert English-speaking guide who will give you the lowdowns and highlights of this historic fortress before you go inside to enjoy the Opening Ceremony and discover it on your own. Rejoin your guide for a relaxing boat ride on the River Thames, alighting in the royal city of Westminster to take a walking tour of the iconic landmarks that dot these streets like jewels - Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace. You’ll even have time to get snaps with the snazzily dressed mounted cavalry- all paired with the incredible stories, anecdotes and historical gems shared by your expert guide. Come saunter with us for this well-paced crash course into London’s royal history that you’ll never forget.

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What people are saying about Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 3,656 reviews

We had an amazing tour with Maggie. She navigated ten people all around very crowded and chaotic areas near Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, etc with ease. She was a font of knowledge with such a warm personality, we were delighted to listen to the history and stories she told us about what we were witnessing (Changing of the Guards), the many various sites that we covered on the tour. We were a family of five (from the US) with two teenage boys who were just as captivated (the entire time) as the elders in the group. The headsets, so we could hear her talk despite the noise all around us, were perfect. Highly recommend this tour. Thank you, Maggie!

I really recommend this tour. Our guide Alan was fuuny, full of knowledge, gave us lots of information and knows all the best spots for viewing and taking photos. Highly recommended. We really had a blast of a time and got to see everything at close range.

Our tour guide John really did a great job!! He knows a lot and he tells the stories in such an entertaining manner that also our three kids really loved this tour!

Very nice visit and very nice guide. The explanations were precise and relevant. You have to walk briskly so it is not recommended for young children.

Excellent guide I highly recommend!!! Thank you Allan