
Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 94 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea worth booking?
Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea is a 5.5-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $94 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 94 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (94)
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- From
- $94 per person
Step into British royal tradition with a full-day experience covering London’s finest royal sites and ceremonies. From the best vantage point of Buckingham Palace's iconic Changing of the Guard to a visit to Kensington Palace complete with a traditional afternoon tea, you'll explore centuries of royal history as you hear tales of Queen Victoria, Princess Diana, and more. With all logistics taken care of—including pre-reserved access with an audio guide to Kensington Palace—this royal London tour is a perfect day out for anyone captivated by British history and regal charm. Upgrade to a private tour when you select Private Kensington Palace Tour at the time of booking. A dedicated guide just for your party will take you on a royal walking tour of London, accompany you for afternoon tea, and escort you to Kensington Palace for a self-guided visit. If you're short on time, select the "Palace and Kensington Gardens" option for a shorter tour focused on the Palace and its gardens.
What you get
About this experience
Step into British royal tradition with a full-day experience covering London’s finest royal sites and ceremonies. From the best vantage point of Buckingham Palace's iconic Changing of the Guard to a visit to Kensington Palace complete with a traditional afternoon tea, you'll explore centuries of royal history as you hear tales of Queen Victoria, Princess Diana, and more. With all logistics taken care of—including pre-reserved access with an audio guide to Kensington Palace—this royal London tour is a perfect day out for anyone captivated by British history and regal charm. Upgrade to a private tour when you select Private Kensington Palace Tour at the time of booking. A dedicated guide just for your party will take you on a royal walking tour of London, accompany you for afternoon tea, and escort you to Kensington Palace for a self-guided visit. If you're short on time, select the "Palace and Kensington Gardens" option for a shorter tour focused on the Palace and its gardens.
What's included
Included
- Local English-speaking guide
- St. James Palace (exterior)(if option selected)
- Clarence House (exterior)(if option selected)
- Afternoon tea at the Orangery (if option selected)
- Kensington Gardens
- Pre-reserved tickets to Kensington Palace
- Buckingham Palace (exterior) (if option selected)
- Audio guide at Kensington Palace
- The Mall (if option selected)
Not included
- Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Guard's Division Memorial
Start your royal London tour at the Guards Memorial, where your guide will introduce the British regiments that guard the royal palaces.
15 minutes here
Changing of the Guard
Settle in for a front-row view of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. While most tourists jostle for space in front of the palace, they'll actually miss most of the main event! Instead, your guide will lead you to the perfect vantage point to see the full spectacle of the New Guard's arrival with a band, and share interesting insights about this celebrated British tradition. (if option selected)
75 minutes here
Hyde Park
From there, stroll through the beautiful Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, where you’ll see iconic landmarks like the Diana Memorial Fountain and the Albert Memorial. Along the way, your guide will bring London’s royal history to life, sharing tales of the monarchy, famous figures, and royal dramas to fully immerse you in this staple of British heritage. (if option selected)
90 minutes here
Before your self-guided tour of Kensington Palace, you'll indulge in a traditional afternoon tea at the Orangery, complete with scones, sandwiches, and more in a delightful baroque setting. (if option selected)
60 minutes here · Admission included
Kensington Palace
Your final stop is Kensington Palace. Explore this historic residence at your own pace with an audio guide to imagine life as a young Queen Victoria in these grand surroundings.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour. This tour meets at The Albert Memorial, Kensington Gardens, London W2 2UH, UK. Your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign.
Meeting point
London
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Guards Memorial - Horse Guards Rd.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Group Kensington Palace Tour
with Guard Change & Tea: Enjoy London’s royal pageantry with the Guard Change, a walk through Hyde Park, afternoon tea and a Kensington Palace visit Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes Starting point: Guards Memorial, 69 Horse Guards Rd, London SW1A 2BJ, UK
Kensington Palace & Gardens
Group Kensington Palace only: Explore Kensington Palace and its gardens with pre-reserved entry. Hyde Park, tea, and Changing of the Guard are not included Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes Starting point: The Albert Memorial, Kensington Gardens, London W2 2UH, UK
Private Kensington Palace Tour
with Guard Change & Tea: Enjoy a private London royal tour with Changing of the Guard, afternoon tea, and Kensington Palace entry. Starting point: Guards Memorial, 69 Horse Guards Rd, London SW1A 2BJ, UK
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Walks - UK
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour is in English.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- This is a walking tour so guests should be able to walk at least 3 miles without difficulty.
- Changing the Guard can sometimes be cancelled at very short notice, especially in wet weather and can be decided as late as 10:45am on the day. The tour will still run with an alternative itinerary.
- Kensington Palace is Self guided with audio guide.
- Please note that for security reasons bag searches might take place at Kensington Palace
- Please note: This tour offers multiple options. Take a moment to choose the one that best suits your interests.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 92 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
92 verified traveler reviews for Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great experience
Our guide Danny was an absolute blast. Very knowledgeable and gave us a great experience. I would highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour
Ollie met us on time. He was very friendly and knowledgeable. He didn't rush us. And he answered any questions we had. It was a very enjoyable tour.
via Tripadvisor
WARNING: Tour involved 14,570 steps !!!
My rating has nothing to do with our Tour Leader Deirdre who was excellent. I expected to see the three things highlighted in the title of the tour, not do a Grand Walking tour around the park system of London. I have a bad back and after watching the Changing of the Guards we proceeded in walking a great distance to see monuments, around a big lake, through a garden (which was nice) until finally ending up at Kensington Palace. A total of 14,570 steps. My back was killing me by the end of the tour. Had I known there was so much walking involved I would NEVER had taken this tour!
via Viator
A lot if walking but well...
A lot of walking but well worth it. Kate showed us wonderful places in the garden. The tea was a lot of fun and a well needed respite before going into the Palace. Kate also told us lots of information about the Palace before entering.
via Viator
Beautiful walk with tea and Kensington Palace to top it off!
Our tour guide Charo/Shadow was awesome! She was fun, informative and very kind! There is a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $94 to $409
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 33
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Walks - UK, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.8.
See everything Walks - UK runsWhy this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea cost?
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Prices start at $94 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 Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea take?
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Plan for about 5.5 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 Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 94 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 Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea?
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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 Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea?
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Around 33 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 5.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea 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 The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour, Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs. 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.
What is included in Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea?
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Included: Local English-speaking guide; St. James Palace (exterior)(if option selected); Clarence House (exterior)(if option selected); Afternoon tea at the Orangery (if option selected); and Kensington Gardens. Not included: Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea?
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Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour. This tour meets at The Albert Memorial, Kensington Gardens, London W2 2UH, UK. Your guide will be holding a yellow WalksDevour sign. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility i. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in London. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea?
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Across 94 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Guided Kensington Palace Tour, Royal Guard Change & Afternoon Tea?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Group Kensington Palace Tour, Kensington Palace & Gardens, Private Kensington Palace Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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