Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben
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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
4.8/5
Based on 65 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben worth booking?
Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben is a 3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $79 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 65 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (65)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $79 per person
Immerse yourself in two iconic London experiences in one morning on this unforgettable tour. Begin your day with an up close view of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Your guide will lead you straight to the best vanta
What you get
- The Mall
- Parliament Square
- Big Ben (view)
- Expert Blue Badge Guide
- Skip-the-line access to Westminster Abbey
About this experience
Immerse yourself in two iconic London experiences in one morning on this unforgettable tour. Begin your day with an up close view of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Your guide will lead you straight to the best vantage points and most secluded spots for a close-up peek at London’s most popular spectacle. Witness the ceremony from two different angles as your guide regales you with the unbelievable history of the iconic tradition. Then, while others stand in line, you’ll head straight into Westminster Abbey, where more than 10 centuries of history await. Hear tales of coronations, royal weddings, monarchs, soldiers, heroes, villains, and more as you explore England’s most important Gothic building with an expert guide.
What's included
Included
- The Mall
- Parliament Square
- Big Ben (view)
- Expert Blue Badge Guide
- Skip-the-line access to Westminster Abbey
Not included
- Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
- Gratuities/Tips
What you'll see and do
Parliament Square
Meet your guide and small group outside Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament to get a brief introduction into the history of this important area.
30 minutes here
Big Ben
Get your camera ready and enjoy a view of this famous tower before your guided tour of Westminster Abbey. Your guide will share an overview of its history and how it became a symbol of London.
Pass by without stopping
Changing of the Guard
If the group tour option selected, catch the soldiers preparing for the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. While you wait, your expert guide will share what the guards' duties entail and the symbolism behind their eccentric uniforms. You'll march alongside the soldiers and head to a special vantage point that lets you get as close as possible to the action. Please Note: The 'Changing of the Guard' can be cancelled last minute due to bad weather, and does not take place every day. On days this ceremony does not take place, guests will see the King's Life Guard Change, Horse Guards Parade. Please also note that access to the panoramic viewpoint may be limited due to local events.
60 minutes here
Westminster Abbey
Discover the most important Gothic building in the country, with a rich history and an equally interesting present. Skip the line and head straight inside to hear stories of the significant historical events that have taken place here, along with details of the decor that can be hard to decipher on your own. See the Coronation Chair, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the High Altar, where many royal weddings have taken place. You’ll also visit the tombs of some of the most important figures in history, including Charles Darwin, Edward V, and Sir Isaac Newton.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
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 Viscount Palmerston Statue, Parliament Sq, London SW1P 3JX
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at Viscount Palmerston Statue, Parliament Sq, London SW1P 3JX
Options you can book
Private - Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey & Big Ben: Private Westminster Abbey tour with skip-the-line access & expert Blue Badge guide. Does not include Changing the Guard. Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Group - Westminster Abbey Tour
Abbey & Guard Change: Skip the line into Westminster Abbey and witness the world-famous Changing of the Guard ceremony with an expert guide. Duration: 3 hours
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, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- 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
- 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. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- Sites on this tour are subject to occasional closures. If modifications are needed and time permits, we will reach out to you prior to your tour. For last-minute closures, modifications may be communicated at the tour start time.
- Please note: The Changing of the Guard occurs only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays we will bring you to the Horse Guard Ceremony and a walking tour of Westminster area. There are also times where the changing of the Guard will not go ahead without prior notice and this is due to last minute decision made by the palace, local authorities or bad weather.
- 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 65 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
65 verified traveler reviews for Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Westminster Abbey
Nigel was very entertaining, funny and knowledgeable. Unfortunately, we did not get to see the changing of the guards because it was canceled because it was too hot. That was very rare. Nigel was very considerate of the heat and tried to keep us in the shade as much as possible. Westminster Abbey was the best part. It was extremely impressive, and Nigel had great stories to tell about it. He helped us navigate the crowd so it could be the best experience possible. There were glitches with the microphone, but Nigel tried his best to correct the issue so we could hear everything. Overall, it was a great experience.
via Tripadvisor
Westminster Abbey access — great experience
Great experience with skip-the-line access of Westminster Abbey. Lots of walking but worth it to see the guard change and parts of St. James park. Our guide Julia helped us navigate Westminster Abbey which was a feat in itself since it is such a massive place with a thousand years of history. Would highly recommend it.
via Tripadvisor
Changing of the Guards and Westminster Abbey Tour
Be aware of standing ans walking throughout. Essentially two tours in one. Very comprehensive and informative tours. Unfortunately heat played key role in last part of the tour. I would advise break between the two parts. Water and snack break but no time on this schedule to stop.
via Viator
Changing of the guard and Westminster Abbey
Excellent tour, very informative
via Tripadvisor
Meaningful History
We had a meaningful and rich historical account of the monuments and moments around Westminster. Karen, our Blue Badge guide, was exceptional and brought great depth and emotion to the experience. My second visit to Westminster Abbey and the Blue Badge guided experience far exceeded wandering about with a guidebook.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $79 to $499
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 23
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben cost?
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Prices start at $79 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 Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben 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 (4.8/5 across 65 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 Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben?
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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 Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben?
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Around 23 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Westminster Abbey Tour with Guard Change & Big Ben 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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