Things to do in

Changing of the Guard

Discover the best of London with a hop-on, hop-off tour on board an open-top, double-decker bus and enjoy a trip on the London Eye as part of your ticket. Enjoy a relaxing river cruise along the Thames as part of your ticket as well. Big Bus 24-hour Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour A hop-on, hop-off tour is the ideal way to discover the best sights, landmarks, and attractions of London at your own pace. The tour gives you unlimited hop-on hop-off access, with stops strategically placed at top locations including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and St Paul's Cathedral. The London Eye Hop off the bus at Westminster Bridge to take an unforgettable ride on the London Eye Ferris Wheel. From the top, you'll take in the breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the city's impressive skyline. See the city's most famous sights including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from an unrivaled bird's eye view. Thames River Cruise With all ticket types, you can enjoy a boat cruise along the River Thames between the Tower of London to Westminster Pier (in either direction). Start your tour at any of the Big Bus stops. Popular starting points include the London Eye, Marble Arch, Victoria Station, and Trafalgar Square. Big Bus route highlights include: Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard Houses of Parliament Big Ben Westminster Abbey 10 Downing Street Whitehall Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street Regent Street Trafalgar Square London Eye London Dungeon Sea Life London Aquarium Madame Tussauds Covent Garden Bank of England Monument St Pauls Cathedral Tower of London Tower Bridge The Shard City Hall Lambeth Palace British Museum Marble Arch Mayfair Green Park Hyde Park Corner Harrods South Kensington Museums Kensington Palace Notting Hill.

Join the guards as they march towards Buckingham Palace on a unique guided tour in London. Get closer for fantastic photo opportunities and delve deep into the history behind the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Meet your local guide for your private or small group tour (depending on the option booked) and set off on your unforgettable Changing of the Guard experience. As you follow the guards on their march towards Buckingham Palace, your guide will give meaning to one of the oldest and most iconic British ceremonies. You'll soon know your Welsh from your Grenadier, and become an expert in fuzzy bearskin hats. Trace the origins of this dazzling London spectacle and get a handle on the significance of every color, button, mascot, symbol, and movement in this most British of traditions. Feel the thrill as you march to the beating drums of the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony on this one-of-a-kind experience in London.

Discover what London has to offer on the most famous hop-on hop-off tour of the Capital. Pass iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, London Eye, and Big Ben with engaging audio commentary available on board. Choose between a Same-day, a 24-hour or a 48-hour ticket and discover London via 3 specially-designed routes covering 50+ stops: Red Route The Red route takes in the best of historic London including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Blue Route The Blue Route covers all of central London from Kensington Palace in the West to the Tower of London in the East including Harrods and Madame Tussauds. Green Route The Green Route links St Pancras and King’s Cross stations in the North with Covent Garden, via the British Museum. Thames River Cruise Every ticket includes a river cruise from the Tower of London to Westminster (in either direction). The river cruise includes live commentary in 8 languages. See top London attractions lining the Thames, including Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, Shakespeare's Globe, and the Tate Modern. Departure times for the river cruise are approximately every 45 minutes. Guided Walking Tour Discover the heart of London on foot. Our walking tours, led by expert Big Bus tour guides, give you access to areas that you can’t visit by bus. Tours include: The Royal Walk Hidden Gems of City of London Hidden Gems of the City of Westminster Jack the Ripper Select a 48-hour option to benefit from all four walking tour options. Panoramic Evening Tour Choose the option that includes a Panoramic Evening Tour to discover the magic of London as the city becomes illuminated in the evening. Hop on for a nonstop, panoramic tour of London's top landmarks as the sun begins to set.

The Royal Westminster and Changing of the Guard (English) guided walking tour offers you the ability to get up close and personal with London’s most famous and impressive sights. Beginning with Buckingham Palace, the most famous residence of the King, we will explore the iconic buildings, parks and monuments of Royal London.  Witness parades by the world-famous King's Guards before continuing along the corridor of power which includes Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and 10 Downing Street.  You'll be led by an expert in London’s political, royal, and cultural history, who knows the best places to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, allowing you the best views and photo opportunities away from the crowds. Along the way, be entertained and enthralled by your tour guide’s in-depth knowledge, memorable anecdotes, and unique take on London's history, as you discover the Kings, Queens, rogues, and villains behind this incredible city, and witness iconic buildings and mesmerizing parades along the way. Suitable for all ages and encompassing multiple different experiences in a single two-and-a-quarter-hour period, this Westminster and Changing of the Guard Walking Tour is the best way to experience Royal Westminster all in one day. 

Explore the state rooms of Buckingham Palace and see the Changing of the Guard. Gain a deeper understanding of royal protocol from your tour guide and enjoy audio commentary inside the palace. First, watch the Changing of the Guards in the company of a guide, who will explain the history and meaning behind the ceremony. See the precision of the King's Guards up close as they march to the sounds of a military band. Depending on the schedule of the Household Cavalry, you may experience either the Changing of the Foot Guards or the Changing of the Horse Guards in London. Finally, step inside Buckingham palace and admire the lavish apartments and sparkling chandeliers. View some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including exquisite Sèvres porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. While inside, enjoy commentary from the official audio guide and learn the history behind the sumptuous furnishings and family history.

See the Changing of the Guard ceremony clearly from a crowd-free vantage point during this guided walking tour in London. Experience a quintessential London tradition with a guide leading the way. Don’t make the same mistake that many visitors so often and understandably make, believing the prime vantage point to experience this time-honored tradition is from outside Buckingham Palace. Spectators' enthusiasm quickly turns to disappointment when they realize, after waiting for hours, only to see the end of this unique performance, their view is often blocked by a throng of crowds. Instead, follow your guide on a dynamic journey that will take you through the entire Changing of the Guard from beginning to end. Your guide will navigate the crowds taking you to the best and most photographable viewpoints. With an expert on the history of this ceremony, you'll be given invaluable insight and knowledge into every detail of this British spectacle. Use your own personal headset to easily follow your guide’s commentary and fully take in the splendor parading past you.  Marvel at the precision that the King’s foot guards march to Buckingham Palace, clad in their iconic red tunics and bearskin hats.

Combine two of London's bucket list attractions in one morning by joining our local expert on a guided tour of Westminster Abbey, followed by attending the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony at the square adjacent to Buckingham Palace! Kickstart your day with skip-the-line entry to Westminster Abbey. Explore this imposing Gothic Cathedral and walk where many kings and queens have before you. Learn about the royal weddings that have taken place here, visit Charles Dickens' tomb in Poets' Corner, and immerse yourself in the extensive history of London. After your visit, we'll head to Buckingham Palace, home to the Royals and the administrative headquarters of the British Monarchy. Marvel at the iconic palace balcony and learn about its current residents while awaiting the commencement of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. The soldiers of the King's Guard are renowned for their iconic bearskin hats, striking tunics, and military precision. As the guards exchange places, enjoy the unfolding grandeur while your guide explains the historical significance of the ceremony. *Please note that the Changing of the Guard currently occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays only. On alternate days, we will see the Changing of the Guard at the Horse Guards Parade instead.

The changing of the guards is definitely something that should be experienced when visiting London. On this tour, your guide will explain to you how the changing of the guard, also known as "Guard Mounting", has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. You will see how the soldiers in place are “relieved” of their position in a very particular way, while accompanied by a military fanfare. The soldiers have protected the King or Queen of England since the reign of Henry VII, who established the Royal Body Guard as a permanent institution. The tradition has since continued for more than 500 years. All of the guards are dressed in a traditional red tunic partnered with an easily recognizable bearskin helmet. The music that accompanies the changing of the guard can be either military or more contemporary, an attraction that is not to be missed.

This is the highest rated experience in London. Start with a walking tour of the history, culture, and legends of one of Europe’s best-loved cities. Head through Green Park to Buckingham Palace, and watch the world-famous Changing of the Guard ceremony Head to Westminster, see Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament See 20 sights in one day, including: Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament & London Eye Then, head to Westminster Abbey. Since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066, all coronations of English and British monarchs have been in Westminster Abbey. There have been 16 royal weddings at the abbey since 1100 Until the death of George II in 1760, most kings and queens were buried in the abbey Please note: The Changing of the Guard Ceremony is for the 10am tour on Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun only.

Meet your guide at Piccadilly Circus and get an introduction to the background of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Hear what you will be doing for the next 1 hour and 45 minutes. Then proceed as a group toward The Mall. Pass by Pall Mall and Waterloo Place. Here you will learn more about the British Army and its greatest general, the Duke of Wellington. Once on The Mall, see the extraordinary monuments to royals and generals. Get a view of St. James's Park. Admire the most beautiful of the royal parks and look at the majestic open space of Horse Guards Parade. Continue toward St. James's Palace. On the way, you might see the Household Cavalry en route from their barracks in Hyde Park. The main focus, however, will be to watch the foot soldiers emerge from St. James's Palace ready for their uniform inspection. They will then march to Buckingham Palace, sometimes accompanied by a band. If you're lucky, they may even play a song! One of the highlights of your tour will be to march in step with the guards as they leave St. James's Palace. Then watch as the New Guard emerges from Wellington Barracks. He will often be accompanied by a full ceremonial band. Take a photo of Buckingham Palace from a raised platform. The tour ends with a flourish as the band plays in the palace courtyard. Marvel as the cavalry and guardsmen march past. Your guide will then help you get to your next port of call.