Royal ceremony, ticketed time-saving, and real street views. This guided route strings together Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Westminster landmarks, and an included visit to Tower of London with Crown Jewels.

I like that someone plans the timing for you, so you can focus on the story and the photos. Guides such as Mike and Pamela tend to pick smart viewing spots and keep the walk moving with humor and clear context in plain English.

The catch is that Buckingham Palace is an exterior stop only, and the day involves walking over cobblestones and stairs. If you need step-free routes, this tour may not feel comfortable.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Changing of the Guard unit varies by day: Household Cavalry on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday (otherwise you may see Queen’s Foot Guards)
• Tower of London entry is included: you get access to the Crown Jewels Exhibition and the White Tower & Armory
• You’ll spend time where photos matter around Buckingham Palace and the Westminster area with photo stops
• Small-group feel (max 25) with guides like Mike, Pamela, Brendan, and Phillip showing up in past departures
• You’ll use the Tube for the hop to the Tower (you’ll need Oyster/Travel Card/contactless)

Why This Buckingham Palace to Tower Route Is Worth Your Time

London can be a lot of backtracking. This tour fixes that problem by stacking three big hits into one guided flow: Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard, the Westminster sights, and then the Tower of London with Crown Jewels included.

The best part is that you’re not just “walking past stuff.” You’re seeing what to look for, when to look, and how to position yourself. Even if you know the royal headlines already, the ceremony and the Tower work better with guidance because timing is everything.

It also saves you from the most annoying planning tasks: buying the right tickets for the Tower, figuring out how long the sites take, and guessing where crowds will be worst. You get an expert London guide doing that work, and you just follow along.

The Meeting Point (Constance Fund Fountain of Diana) and Timing Rules

The tour starts at the Constance Fund fountain of Diana, London SW1A 1RN. The end is inside the Tower of London at London EC3N 4AB.

Here’s the practical tip that matters most: arrive early and locate the exact meeting spot before your start time. This tour has reserved timing elements, and being late can cost you the early portion of the day. Use Google Maps, and don’t just guess by looking at a street name.

No hotel pickup is included, so you’ll want to plan your public-transport route to get there smoothly. Once you’re at the meeting point, the rest of the day is set up so you’re not constantly re-checking your phone.

Buckingham Palace Stop: Exterior Views and How to Make Them Count

At Stop 1, you get a guided exterior visit of Buckingham Palace. This is where you learn what the palace represents, how it’s used for national and royal moments, and why the building matters even when you’re only seeing the outside.

Two things make this stop work for most people:

1. You see the palace at a good point in the day, before the crowd peak settles into full chaos.
2. Your guide adds context you can’t easily spot on your own from the fence line.

One drawback: Buckingham Palace entry isn’t included here. So if your dream is interior rooms and royal galleries, this isn’t the tour for that. You’re there for the exterior and the ceremony lead-up, not a palace museum day.

Changing of the Guard: The Ceremony and Your Best Shot at a Great View

Stop 2 is the headline act: the Changing of the Guard, also called Guard Mounting. This is the ceremonial swap where soldiers currently on duty exchange places with the new unit. You’ll see the pomp, the marching, and the exact moment the ritual changes hands.

Your guide helps you get oriented and in the right place for the key moments. That’s not just a comfort thing. It directly affects what you can see and photograph.

What unit you might see

The day determines which unit you’ll watch. If your tour falls on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, you’ll witness the Household Cavalry. On other days, you may see the Queen’s Foot Guards.

Practical expectation

This part of the tour is short, about 20 minutes. That means you should treat it like a show with a countdown. Once you’re set, stay alert for your guide’s timing cues, especially if the best view shifts as groups move.

Westminster Area: Big Ben, Parliament Sides, Thames, and Photo Stops

Stop 3 is the Westminster area with guided sights and photo opportunities. You’ll spend about 1 hour 20 minutes seeing and learning about icons around Westminster, including the Big Ben area, the Houses of Parliament, the Thames River, and the London Eye.

You also get a look at the Westminster Palace, which serves as the meeting place for both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Even without going inside, it helps to have a guide explain what each building does and how the surrounding layout connects.

One reason this stop is valuable is that it breaks the “run-and-gun photo” habit. Instead of you sprinting between landmarks, your guide builds in photo stops so you can capture the angles you actually want.

Also note: admission tickets for this stop aren’t required as part of the tour.

Tower of London with Crown Jewels Included: The Day’s Biggest Payoff

Stop 4 is where this tour really turns into a proper ticketed experience. The Tower of London is a former 11th-century fortification, prison, and execution site, and the scale of what’s inside can surprise you.

The included access is the big value point:

• Entry to the 11th century Tower of London
• Entry to the Crown Jewels Exhibition
• Entry to the White Tower & Armory
• A photo moment with Yeomen Warders (commonly called Beefeaters)
• A visit connected to Raven House

Crown Jewels time is the reason many people pick this tour, and having it included matters. It keeps you from wasting part of your day in ticket lines or scrambling to match your schedule.

How to get the most from the Tower

The Tower is busy and visual, so here’s how I’d approach it on a day like this:

• Wear shoes you trust. You’ll do more walking than you expect.
• Plan your Crown Jewels time first, since it’s the main magnet for crowds.
• Use the Yeomen Warders photo moment as a “reset point” in your route. After that, keep moving and follow your interests.

A subtle caution

The tour ends inside the Tower, and the day wraps up after the final included segment. That’s great for efficiency, but it also means you should keep your own expectations flexible for how much time you want afterward inside the complex.

White Tower Finish and the Royal Souvenir Stop

Stop 5 is the White Tower shop stop, about 20 minutes. You’ll end your visit at the Tower Gift Shop, where you can browse royal-themed souvenirs to remind you of the day.

This is a practical finish. If you’re the type who tends to forget gifts until the last hour, this timed shop stop helps.

And if you’re not into shopping, you can still treat it as a decompression break after walking-heavy parts of the Tower visit.

Price and Value: Is $176.89 a Good Deal?

At $176.89 per person for about 4 hours, this isn’t a “cheap and cheerful” option. The value only makes sense if you care about the included ticketed parts and the guided flow.

Here’s the honest breakdown:

• Buckingham Palace entry is not included, so you’re paying primarily for the guided exterior visit plus the Changing of the Guard viewing.
• Tower of London entry is included, including Crown Jewels Exhibition and White Tower & Armory access.
• The tour also handles the rhythm of the day, which reduces planning headaches and helps you see what to prioritize.

In practice, the pricing can feel high if your main goal is just a quick Buckingham photo and a quick ceremony. If your goal is the full royal stack—ceremony plus Crown Jewels—then the included Tower access is the part that helps justify the spend.

Also, the small-group limit of 25 means you’re not wrestling through the day with a crowd the size of a bus terminal.

Walking, Shoes, Weather, and the Things That Can Trip You Up

This tour operates in all weather, so dress for London’s mood swings. Rain doesn’t pause royal history.

Expect moderate walking, including uneven surfaces, cobblestones, hills, inclines, declines, and stairs. A lot of people underestimate this because the itinerary looks like “just a few stops.”

My advice:

• Wear comfortable shoes with supportive soles. Cobblestones are not the place for flimsy sandals.
• Bring a water bottle. You’ll be outside for stretches.
• Keep a close eye on the meeting point time and the guide’s regroup moments, especially because the early portion is short and schedule-driven.

Not recommended for limited mobility. If stairs and uneven ground are hard for you, look for a more accessible alternative.

Transit From Big Ben to the Tower: What You Need Before You Leave

One logistics detail people often forget: you’ll need an Oyster Card, Travel Card, or contactless card for transport from the Big Ben area to the Tower of London by Tube.

So even though the tour is “guided,” you’re still responsible for the transport fare. Make sure your card works before you’re standing at the station with no backup plan.

Should You Book This Tour?

Book it if you want:

• A guided plan that links Changing of the Guard with Westminster sights and the Tower of London in one focused route
• Included Tower access to the Crown Jewels Exhibition and White Tower & Armory
• A guide-led day where you get pointed to good viewing spots and photo opportunities

Skip it if:

• You’re hoping to go inside Buckingham Palace. This tour is exterior-focused there.
• You strongly prefer minimal walking or step-free routes.
• You want a purely self-guided itinerary with no schedule structure.

If your time in London is short and you want the royal highlights without doing a full-day logistics puzzle, this tour is a strong option. Just show up on time, wear good shoes, and treat the Changing of the Guard like a scheduled show with a quick, decisive payoff.

FAQ

How long is the Buckingham Palace, Changing of the Guard & Crown Jewels tour?

It’s listed at approximately 4 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is the Constance Fund fountain of Diana, London SW1A 1RN, UK.

Where does the tour end?

The tour finishes inside the Tower of London at London EC3N 4AB.

What part of Buckingham Palace is included?

You get an exterior guided visit of Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace admission tickets are not included.

Is the Changing of the Guard included, and do I need tickets?

Yes, the Changing of the Guard is included. It’s listed as free, and no admission ticket is required for it.

What’s included at the Tower of London?

Tower entry is included, including the Crown Jewels Exhibition and entry to the White Tower & Armory, plus visits and photo opportunities such as Yeomen Warders and Raven House.

Do I need tickets for Big Ben or the Houses of Parliament?

No admission tickets for Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are included as tickets. The tour provides guided exterior/photo views of the Westminster area.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off aren’t included.

What payment method do I need for transport during the tour?

You’ll need an Oyster Card, Travel Card, or contactless card for Tube transport from the Big Ben area to the Tower of London.

What is the cancellation window?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.

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