
Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
5.0/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard worth booking?
Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $8 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (15)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $8 per person
This tour goes beyond the data and dates. You will discover the history of London through the coronations, the executions, the intrigues of the monarchy, the Parliament and the events that marked the United Kingdom, all
What you get
- Guards mounted on horseback
- Resident guide in London with extensive experience in the history of the city
- Changing of the Guard or musical ceremony of Royal Guards
- Small groups for a closer and more personalized experience
- Several stops are made to explain the history of the main monuments
- Recommendations of restaurants, pubs, museums and other places to enjoy London
About this experience
This tour goes beyond the data and dates. You will discover the history of London through the coronations, the executions, the intrigues of the monarchy, the Parliament and the events that marked the United Kingdom, all explained in a pleasant and easy to follow way.
What's included
Included
- Guards mounted on horseback
- Resident guide in London with extensive experience in the history of the city
- Changing of the Guard or musical ceremony of Royal Guards
- Small groups for a closer and more personalized experience
- Several stops are made to explain the history of the main monuments
- Recommendations of restaurants, pubs, museums and other places to enjoy London
- The tour is done entirely on foot and lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
Not included
- Snacks
- Entrances to attractions, during the tour they will only be seen from the outside
What you'll see and do
Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall
We can't miss the Mounted Guard, where you will know the origin of this stage full of tradition.
20 minutes here
10 Downing Street
We continue exploring monuments until we reach the House of the Prime Minister, a symbol of British political power and a place full of history.
10 minutes here
Big Ben
We will take a few minutes in front of the majestic Big Ben, the most famous clock in the world, next to the imposing Westminster Abbey, place of coronations, weddings and royal funerals.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
St. James's Park
Next, we'll head to a place that was the Prime Minister's bunker during World War II, and we'll take a walk around St. James's Park, with its landscaped gardens, stunning views of squirrels, sws and pelicans? Of course!
20 minutes here
Buckingham Palace
The King's official residence in London
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Clarence House
After admiring the residence of several members of the royal family, we will culminate at the grand Buckingham Palace, official residence of the monarchy, where, if it is the right day, you can witness the traditional changing of the guard.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Westminster Abbey
Venue for coronations, glamorous weddings and royal funerals
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Leaving the Green Park tube, at the fountain of the park the guide waits for you with a red umbrella
Meeting point
London
Leaving St James’s Park Station, the guide waits for you with a blue umbrella
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
In the square in front of Big Ben and Westminster Abbey
Options you can book
Guards Ceremony
Guards Ceremony: You will see the guards in a musical ceremony similar to the Changing of the Guard Duration: 2 hours Starting point: Constance Fund fountain of Diana, London SW1A 1RN, UK
Tour more Guard Ceremony
Starting point: St. James's Park, Westminster, London SW1H 0BB, UK
Just Changing the Guard
Just Changing the Guard: Choose this option if you only want to know the changing of the guard and not go on a guided tour through other parts of the city Starting point: Constance Fund fountain of Diana, London SW1A 1RN, UK
Tour in English
Starting point: St. James's Park, Westminster, London SW1H 0BB, UK
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Explora Londres
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great!
Very good tour! We visited the most iconic places in London and our guide, MariJosé told us all the details about London traditions, history and more
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Yely
Very well everything, a spectacular guide, explains everything very well and eagerly, thank you for joining us on this adventure
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Great.
Very entertaining tour, very friendly guide, told us some curiosities and has become very enjoyable. Highly recommended
via Viator (translated)
The best tour of all
Excellent, the Tour very entertaining, suited the 100% recommended time. Time flew by. The Guide knew a lot and conveyed everything correctly and entertainingly.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Very well explained
Very nice meeting, very well explained topics, in detail and a warm and cordial climate was achieved. Marijo is a 10!!! I recommend this tour without hesitation
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $8 to $16
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard cost?
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Prices start at $8 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 Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard take?
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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 Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 15 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard?
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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 Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard suitable for kids and families?
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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 Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard?
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Around 5 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Essential London Tour and Changing of the Guard 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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