Duration
Guided tour
4.4/5
(1,730)
Caron
Patricia
Robert
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Watch the Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace and then relax on a Thames cruise, sipping afternoon tea for a perfect British experience.
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See Buckingham Palace's grand exteriors and spot other royal attractions like St. Paul’s and Big Ben as you cruise the Thames.
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Feel like a real Londoner as you explore sights on your 1.5-hour guided walking tour of Westminster and enjoy a proper British tea with scones on the river.
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Don't just see the sights, understand them! With commentary, live or recorded, you'll get the inside scoop on both the British traditions and experiences.
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Changing the Guard Ceremony
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Changing the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace
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1.5-hour walking tour around Buckingham Palace
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Expert English-speaking tour guide
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Small group tour at Buckingham Palace grounds
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Audio headsets for the Changing the Guard ceremony
Afternoon Tea Cruise
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1.5-hour Thames River cruise with British afternoon tea
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Afternoon tea and British snacks (menu [here])
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Live or pre-recorded commentary onboard
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These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
How do we collect reviews?
Guests from United States, Germany, France and over 48 countries have loved this experience
Heinz
Jun, 2025Verified booking
The guide who knew the best vantage points at the right moment
Xiaohua
Jun, 2025Verified booking
Thanks to Nelson's professional ,interesting and humorous guide, we had a wonderful experience and learned a lot.
Ralston
Aug, 2025Verified booking
Didn't see any of the changing of the guards. Only saw them march pass us. Could have done it ourselves. By the time we got to the spot there were plenty in front of us. Saw many other tour groups go earlier to get a good spot. On a positive note , good info from the tour guide. I'm aware of many others wanting the same as us, but we should have gone much earlier.
Lea
Aug, 2025Verified booking
The guide was fantastic and funny. The food was delicious, especially the scones. Good service and a nice, relaxing ride with wonderful views.Eva
Aug, 2025Verified booking
Our Tour Guide, Jeremy, made the experience very interesting and enjoyable. He is a top guide, with humor and enthusiasm.
Experience the best of British tradition and culture with this delightful combo tour. Witness the Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, enjoy a guided walking tour of Westminster, and unwind with a scenic afternoon tea cruise along the River Thames.
Getting started
Begin your day by meeting your English-speaking guide in central London. From there, set off on a small-group walking tour that takes you through the heart of the city’s royal landmarks, starting with Buckingham Palace.
What to expect
Changing the Guard & Westminster Walking Tour
Start your London adventure with a dose of royal tradition as you witness the iconic Changing the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. Then, continue exploring the heart of British heritage on a 1.5-hour guided walking tour through Westminster.
Features:
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Age-old ceremony: Witness the world-famous Changing the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace and see The King’s Foot Guards in their classic red tunics and bearskin hats.
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Guided experience: Learn the fascinating history and significance of the ceremony from your expert guide.
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Walking tour: Stroll through St. James’s Park and along The Mall and admire historic landmarks like St. James’s Palace and Big Ben on a 1.5-hour walking tour through Westminster.
Afternoon Tea Cruise
Unwind aboard a riverboat departing from Tower Pier for a 90-min afternoon tea cruise. Delight in a spread of traditional favorites, including endless British teas, finger sandwiches, and freshly baked scones, as you glide along the Thames past London’s most iconic riverside sights.
Features:
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Luxury cruise: Relax on a 90-min cruise along the River Thames and take in panoramic views of London attractions such as the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London.
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Afternoon tea: Savor an indulgent afternoon tea with unlimited British teas, finger sandwiches, pastries, and freshly baked scones.
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Insights: Enjoy either live or recorded commentary onboard to enrich your sightseeing experience with local history and cultural insights.
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What’s not allowed
Changing the Guard
- Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
Additional information
Changing the Guard
- Changing the Foot Guards Ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Please note that if you book your tour on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, you’ll see the Changing the Household Cavalry Ceremony instead.
Afternoon Tea Cruise
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Infants under the age of 2 will be charged the child rate.
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Some tables are situated in close proximity to other diners and are pre-allocated before boarding. All tables are fixed to the floor and cannot be moved. Window tables are available, which seats up to two people only.
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The boat can cater to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free people but is unable to offer menus that are both vegan and gluten-free. Please get in touch with City Cruises on 0207 7400 400 at the time of booking to provide your dietary preferences.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
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Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace
Meeting point
- Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.
Thames River Afternoon Cruise with British Tea & Scones
Boarding point
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Board your cruise at Tower Millennium Pier.
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Address: Lower Thames St, London EC3N 4DT, UK
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