Walk through the heart of British history on this guided walking tour of Westminster, then explore Westminster Abbey at your own pace to round out a day packed with London's most famous landmarks.
Royal Westminster Guided Walking Tour
We'll meet at the Boadicea and Her Daughters Statue, right on the River Thames, before walking over to Parliament Square, where statues of figures like Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and Mahatma Gandhi set the scene for stories of leadership and change that shaped the country.
Next, we'll stop in front of the Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, better known as the home of Big Ben. Your guide will fill you in on how the monarchy and democracy have evolved over the centuries, along with some of the key moments in the UK's history.
From there, we'll head across Westminster Bridge, where you'll get great views of the River Thames and the London Eye. Then we'll make our way along Whitehall, passing Horse Guards Parade and the gates of 10 Downing Street, where Britain's prime ministers have lived and worked for centuries.
We'll continue through St James's Park, a peaceful green space with royal gardens and plenty of wildlife, before wrapping up the walk outside Westminster Abbey after about 1 hour.
Westminster Abbey Self-Guided Tour
Once the walk is over, it's time to head inside Westminster Abbey, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting for over 1,000 years of royal coronations, weddings, and funerals. Take your time wandering beneath its towering Gothic arches and admiring its detailed stonework.
Some of the highlights you won't want to miss include:
- Coronation Chair: used at every English and British coronation since 1308
- Poets' Corner: home to tombs and memorials honoring literary giants like Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, and William Shakespeare
- Royal Tombs: the final resting places of monarchs including Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, and Henry VII
- Lady Chapel: also known as the Henry VII Chapel, a late Gothic masterpiece with stunning fan vaulting and stained glass
- Chapter House and Cloisters: quiet spaces once used by the abbey's monks and for storing important historical documents
Since your visit inside the abbey is self-guided, you can spend as much time as you like at the spots that interest you most. Audio guides are also available if you'd like extra stories and background as you explore.