Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 71 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise worth booking?
Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise is a 4-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $90 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 71 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (71)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $90 per person
Discover London’s Iconic Landmarks: A Must-See Tour ! Experience the best of London with a tour that combines history, tradition, and breathtaking sights. Begin with the iconic Changing of the Guards near Buckingham Pal
What you get
- Expert, English-Speaking Tour Guide
- Headsets when appropriate, so you can always hear your guide
- Entrance Ticket to the Tower of London
- Boat ride on the River Thames
- Changing of the Guard Tour / London Higlights Tour [depending on the day]
- Tower of London Meet & Greet with a Beefeater
About this experience
Discover London’s Iconic Landmarks: A Must-See Tour ! Experience the best of London with a tour that combines history, tradition, and breathtaking sights. Begin with the iconic Changing of the Guards near Buckingham Palace, or enjoy a Royal Walking Tour on Saturdays, featuring landmarks like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Relax on a scenic Thames River cruise, where you’ll take in unforgettable views of Tower Bridge and other famous landmarks from the water. The highlight is your visit to the Tower of London, home to over 1,000 years of history and the Crown Jewels. Enjoy an exclusive Beefeater Meet & Greet—a private 15-minute session with a Yeoman Warder who will share captivating stories and give you a rare behind-the-scenes perspective of this iconic fortress. Perfect for history lovers and first-time visitors, this tour is an unforgettable journey through London’s heritage and charm.
What's included
Included
- Expert, English-Speaking Tour Guide
- Headsets when appropriate, so you can always hear your guide
- Entrance Ticket to the Tower of London
- Boat ride on the River Thames
- Changing of the Guard Tour / London Higlights Tour [depending on the day]
- Tower of London Meet & Greet with a Beefeater
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Changing of the Guard
Begin your day with the iconic Changing of the Guards ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Watch the royal guards in their red uniforms perform a ceremonial handover, accompanied by a military band. Please note that if you book your tour on a Saturday, the viewing of the Changing of the Guards will be replaced by a sightseeing tour of Central London's most famous landmarks. You’ll get to see the most iconic monuments of London from outside such as Buckingham Palace, Saint James Park, Big Ben, the House of Parliament…
90 minutes here
St. James's Park
Passing by during the walking tour
Pass by without stopping
Buckingham Palace
Passing by to see the Changing of the Guards with explanations from your guide of the importance of Buckingham Palace
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Westminster Abbey
As you stroll through this vibrant area of London, hear about the royals and politicians of Great Britain, who have left their mark around the capital. Pass Whitehall, home of the government, and swing past Downing Street where the Prime Minister lives. Enjoy photo stops at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and see Big Ben, London’s iconic clock tower.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Big Ben
Big Ben, the iconic clock tower at the Houses of Parliament, is a symbol of London and British culture. Known for its accurate timekeeping and resounding chimes, it represents the UK's history, democracy, and resilience. Featured in countless films and events, Big Ben is a beloved landmark and a timeless emblem of British heritage.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Parliament Square
Passing by during the walking tour
Pass by without stopping
Houses of Parliament
The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, are the heart of UK democracy and a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. Home to the House of Commons and House of Lords, it’s where laws are debated and shaped. Iconic and steeped in history, it symbolizes Britain's governance and heritage.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Thames River
Your cruise from Embankment to Tower Bridge offers a relaxing journey along the Thames, showcasing iconic London landmarks. You can enjoy stunning views of the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Shard, all while gliding through the city’s historic heart. Your guide's commentaries will be highlighting the rich history and architectural marvels of the city, culminating with the majestic sight of Tower Bridge. It’s a perfect blend of sightseeing and serenity.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Tower of London
The Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a historic fortress that has served as a royal palace, prison, and treasury. It’s home to the Crown Jewels and centuries of captivating stories. Your private audience with a Beefeater adds a unique touch, offering insider tales, exclusive insights, and a personal connection to the Tower’s rich history, making the experience truly unforgettable.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Meet your guide by the Duke of York Column, Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ. This is the tall column with a statue on top. Arriving by tube: Take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and take exit No. 3 onto Regent Street/St James.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
With London Highlights Tour
Westminster City walk
With Changing of the Guards
With Changing of the Guards
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City Wonders UK
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The Changing of the Guard is subject to changes in date, time and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather or other circumstances is not announced before the morning of the ceremony. When this occurs, you will be provided with a walking tour of Westminster city instead. No refund will be provided as this is not under our control.
- Please note that if you book your tour on a Saturday or a Sunday, the viewing of the Changing of the Guards will be replaced by a Royal Walking Tour of Westminster City.
- We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours.
- This service ends at the Tower of London after the Beefeater Audience. You are free to explore as long as you wish the Tower of London at your pace.
- Please note that photography is not permitted inside the Crown Jewels exhibition.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 71 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
71 verified traveler reviews for Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent tour of London hoghlights
We had an excellent tour with Michael! We were able to see the changing of the guard and horse guard along with the military band as they made their way to/from Buckingham Palace. The rest of the walking tour was full of interesting information and stories from Michael as we saw highlights including Buckingham Palace, Westminister Abbey, Big Ben, Parliament, and Tower Bridge. The boat ride was a nice chance to sit down and have a snack. We had time on our own at the end to explore Tower of London for as long as we wanted after our tour's private discussion with Beefeater Emma (which as very interesting). This was our only full day in London before departing on a cruise and it was a great way to see the highlights. Excellent use of headsets so the whole group was engaged.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent tour of London highlights
We had an excellent tour with Michael! We were able to see the changing of the guard and horse guard along with the military band as they made their way to/from Buckingham Palace. The rest of the walking tour was full of interesting information and stories from Michael as we saw highlights including Buckingham Palace, Westminister Abbey, Big Ben, Parliament, and Tower Bridge. The boat ride was a nice chance to sit down and have a snack. We had time on our own at the end to explore Tower of London for as long as we wanted after our tour's private discussion with Beefeater Emma (which as very interesting). This was our only full day in London before departing on a cruise and it was a great way to see the highlights. Excellent use of headsets so the whole group was engaged.
via Viator
Excellent guide!
We had a small group of 3 so the tour felt like a private tour just for us. Cecilia did a great job walking us around and getting us to all the locations!
via Viator
Tower of London
Our tour guide, Cecily, was great. She knew r exactly where to take us and get the best views. The Tower of London was a lot more than I realized. Only bad thing was the heat and no one can control that.
via Viator
Changing of the guards, Royal Mews and Kings Gallery tour
Our tour was led by Joseph, a young London local with a hugely engaging style. Joseph was an excellent guide - extremely well informed and with a talent for delivering history in an interesting way. We really enjoyed him, he was a fantastic guide. The tour starts on the Mall and we saw the Changing of the Guard with Joseph providing background. From there we had a tour through the Royal Mews and then with tickets provided by Joseph we visited the special Queen Elizabeth exhibition in the Kings Gallery. To be honest, I only booked the tour as we hadn’t been able to get our own tickets for the Kings Gallery (sold-out too far in advance), however it was well worth it and I highly recommend it. Despite having lived in London for several years myself in the past I still learned quite a lot!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $90 to $95
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 25
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $90 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 71 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise?
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Around 25 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Changing of Guards, Big Ben, Tower of London, Beefeaters & Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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