Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action in London
London, United Kingdom

Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action

Outty Ranking 50 4.3 · 4 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $34

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$34
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Outty Ranking

50/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.3/5

Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action worth booking?

Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $34 per person. It scores 50 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 4 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
50 / 100
Rating
4.3/5 (4)
Duration
2 hours
From
$34 per person

Discover London’s Iconic Landmarks on a Captivating 2-Hour Walking Tour with a Small Group! Join our expert guides on an unforgettable journey through London’s most famous sights, where history comes to life through eng

What you get

    About this experience

    Discover London’s Iconic Landmarks on a Captivating 2-Hour Walking Tour with a Small Group! Join our expert guides on an unforgettable journey through London’s most famous sights, where history comes to life through engaging stories and fascinating insights. We begin at Buckingham Palace, where on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, you can witness the historic Changing of the Guard—a must-see tradition! From there, we wander through the scenic St. James’s Park, experience the grandeur of Horse Guards Parade, and marvel at the architectural splendour of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. Our journey continues with a glimpse into modern history at Churchill’s War Rooms and 10 Downing Street, before concluding in the iconic Parliament Square—surrounded by statues of legendary figures. With hidden gems, quirky stories, and expert storytelling, this tour is fun, informative, and perfect for all ages—whether you're a first-time visitor or a London en

    What's included

    Included

    • Watch the Changing of the Guards (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun only - 10.30am tour)
    • Walking tour of the most famous sights in London
    • Fun Local Guide

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Entrance fees

    What you'll see and do

    1. Buckingham Palace

      Completed in 1850, Buckingham Palace is the London residence of the Queen of England and the administrative headquarters of the monarchy of the United Kingdom.

      15 minutes here · Admission not included

    2. Designed in 1901 and unveiled in 1911, the Memorial is a monument to Queen Victoria, located at the end of The Mall in London.

      10 minutes here

    3. St. James's

      Established in 1603, St James' Park is a 57-acre park in the City of Westminster, in central London.

      15 minutes here

    4. Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

      The large parade ground off Whitehall in central London. Formerly the site of the Palace of Whitehall's tiltyard, where tournaments were held in the time of Henry VIII (1509-1547).

      10 minutes here

    5. Churchill War Rooms

      A historic underground complex that housed a British government command centre throughout the Second World War.

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    6. The headquarters of the Government of the United Kingdom and the official residence and office of the Prime Minister since 1735.

      10 minutes here

    7. Houses of Parliament

      Constructed between 1840–76, the Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place for both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    8. Big Ben

      Completed in 1859, Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London. The name is usually extended to refer to both the clock and the clock tower (Elizabeth Tower).

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    9. Westminster Abbey

      Founded in 960, Westminster Abbey is a large, mainly Gothic abbey church in the City of Westminster, London.

      10 minutes here · Admission not included

    10. Parliament Square

      Parliament Square is a square at the northwest end of the Palace of Westminster in the City of Westminster in central London. It features a large open green area in the centre with trees to its west, and it contains twelve statues of statesmen and other notable individuals.

      10 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    London

    You will meet your guide by the Canada Memorial on Green Park.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 12 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Footprints Tours Limited

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

    Photos

    Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action in London, photo 2Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action in London, photo 3Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action in London, photo 4Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action in London, photo 5Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action in London, photo 6Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action in London, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Good for families

    1 mention

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Pace and timing

    1 mention

    Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    Small groups

    1 mention

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    4 verified traveler reviews for Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    3
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    1
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    johannasmith07 · July 2026

    London Tour

    Max was a wonderful guide - knowledge and funny. What an incredible experience touring some of London's historical landmarks with him.

    via Tripadvisor

    Paola_O · September 2025

    Skip this one. Try Oxford or Cambridge instead!

    This ended up being a semi-private tour with me & my mom and a guide-in-training. Our guide, met us at the Canada memorial fountain and we walked from there to the changing of the guard but by the time we arrived it was already crazy crowded and we weren’t able to see ANY of it (also, we are short so not even our phones above our heads showed us anything). We basically watched it happen on other people’s phones. I think better planning would be necessary to make this a worthwhile experience. So for us shorties, this part of the tour was a waste of time. We thought the guide would be taking us to a higher point or somewhere we could see better, even if from farther away. But we were right by the gates, in the crowd, which was extremely uncomfortable, and we saw nothing at all. The one redeeming aspect was that the guide knew exactly when things were happening and when to leave, which was very helpful. Our guide was very sweet and knowledgeable and told us a lot of facts and history. However, the tour erred on the dry and purely historical side with little entertainment for a private 2-hour tour! The guide-in-training provided some additional comic relief which was much appreciated. We then walked around to see St. James’ park, Downing Street, Churchill War rooms (outside), Westminster (outside), and the Houses of Parliament (from the outside). I think this tour would benefit from an extended option that includes entry to one of these buildings (and maybe skip the change of guard instead). Overall, although we appreciated the guide’s time, knowledge, and expertise, I can’t say I would really recommend this tour. Maybe try a self-guided audio guide so you can go at your own pace and enter wherever you want to go. That said, this company does great Oxford and Cambridge tours, which I highly recommend!!

    via Viator

    jennw591 · June 2025

    London walking tour

    Max was super knowledgeable. Fun for the whole family. We learned so much, and we saw the iconic sights. Great historical overview of London

    via Tripadvisor

    Charity R · June 2025

    Great guided tour!

    Our guide was excellent! She made sure that we were positioned well for the Changing of the Guards parade and offered fun facts all along our way. I highly recommend this tour. We even got to see the King on his way to Buckingham Palace!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 50

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)72
    Review evidence (18% weight)21
    Booking momentum (14% weight)11
    Value for money (12% weight)97
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)42
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.

    How much does Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action cost?

    +

    Prices start at $34 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 Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action take?

    +

    Plan for about 2 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 Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 50 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action?

    +

    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action?

    +

    Around 1 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?

    +

    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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Classic London Tour & Changing the Guards— History In Action start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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