Free Royal Westminster Tour*

Duration - 2.5 Hours

Language - English

Start Time - 10am

Price - Free

Join us as we embark on a dazzling journey through the heart of Westminster, one of the wealthiest boroughs in the Western world, the political heart of Britain and the home of the Royal Family.

Our Free Westminster Sightseeing Tour transports you through 1000 years of Britain’s past, exploring the salacious history of the world’s most famous royal family, from William the Conqueror in 1066 to King Charles III today. Hear tales of the monarchs who truly changed the world: the womanising Henry VIII, the regal Queen Victoria, the People’s Princess Diana and of course, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

However, there’s more to Westminster than just the Royals. Parliament has been meeting here for 700 years and you will be regaled with tales of our greatest and most controversial leaders, from Winston Churchill to Lord Nelson and even those who fought against them, like wretched Guy Fawkes who tried to blow up Parliament.

We begin our journey near Trafalgar Square, a bustling centre of culture, where the people gather to protest, celebrate and make their voices heard in the shadow of Nelson’s Column. Next, we lead you along The Mall to St James Palace, the one-time home of the formidable King Henry VIII, which has played its part in some of the most significant events of the last 500 years. If possible we will pause here to watch The Changing of the Guard Ceremony*.

Make sure you have your camera at the ready as we pause to take in the splendour of Buckingham Palace, the official Royal residence, and perhaps the most famous home in the world. Finally after a jaunt through St James Park to feed the squirrels, we wind our way to the breathtaking Westminster Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where virtually every King and Queen has been crowned over the last thousand years, before finishing our Free Westminster Sightseeing Tour in the shadows of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

At each stop, our expert guides will bring the famous buildings and landmarks to life, with tales of their cultural and historical significance, bringing bricks and mortar to life with tales of love, loss, debauchery, intrigue and so much more.

This Free Walking Tour really is a must-see for everyone new to London. Just try not to blink, because around every corner is yet another iconic sight or landmark that you won’t want to miss. Book tickets online today!

Or if you're one of those people who think about the Roman Empire every day, why not join our Historic City of London Tour!

*We cannot guarantee the ceremony will be running every day. The schedule varies due to seasons and weather. To check when it will be on, click here.

Tour Highlights include:

Trafalgar Square
& much more!

Meeting Point - The Clermont Hotel, Charing Cross

We begin outside the Clermont Hotel, next to Charing Cross Station, just near the underground station. The station is on the Bakerloo and Northern line, and around a 5 minute walk from Leicester Square and Embankment Station.

We recommend arriving 10-15 minutes before the tour starts, it gives you plenty of time to meet the guide and grab a coffee or ice cream!

How do I find the Guide?

Head to Tower Hill Underground Station, next to the Tram Coffee stop, and look for the guide holding up a bright red umbrella.
Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts outside M&M World in Leicester Square and the guide should be nearby holding a red umbrella. The tour will finish near Whitehall and Trafalgar Square, in Westminster. The exact location will vary depending on the guide and the day, but the guide will always let you know at the beginning of the tour.
How long is the tour?

The tour is roughly 6 long, but will vary on the guide. There's a lunch break in the middle, lasting approximately an hour.
Do I need to make a booking? Or cancel if my plans change?

Yes please. The number of bookings we receive dictates how many guides we send to run the tour. If we have 100 extra people turn up, it's not going to be a good experience for anyone. Please be aware, we do not accept groups of 8 people or more. Even if you book separately, if you attend the tour as a big group, you will be turned away. If you are a group of 8 or more please contact us to enquire about booking a private tour. We'd be very grateful if you could cancel if you can no longer attend, as it could allow us to give your spot to someone else.
What if its raining?

If its raining, we will get wet! We always recommend you carry an umbrella in London, the weather really is that temperamental, but if we didn't run tours in bad weather, we wouldn't get to do many. Rain or shine we will be there waiting. Of course, if you don’t fancy standing in the rain with us we understand.
What should I wear?

Our tours are all walking, so we always recommend comfy shoes. Check the weather on the day of the tour, but we recommend bring a raincoat and some SPF just incase.
How is it free?*

We run all our tours on a pay what you think it’s worth basis. There is no booking fee for our free tours, and no payment is required before the tour begins. This means they are accessible to every budget. However our guides are all freelancers and don't get paid to do the tour, if you have fun then you can decide if you would like to tip your guide. The value is up to you, whatever fits in with your budget and your level of enjoyment. This also incentivises our guides to never stop trying to improve, as the system rewards the guides who provide the best quality tours. Tipping is always voluntary and our guides will never pressure you into it, but this is their job so if you have had fun, we ask that you take a moment to consider what it was worth to you.

Prefer to join us on a Private Tour?

If you are booking for a group of 8 or more, or just want a more personal experience away from the crowds, then you can book this as a Private Tour. You can dictate the content, the route and the time or sit back and let your guide lead you.

For more information on Private Tours click here.

Please note, ALL schools and educational groups should book a Private Tour.

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What our Customers say:

"Had a great time on the Westminster Sightseeing Tour. Our tour guide, Nathan, was so much fun and full of anecdotes about the history and royals. Learned so much from him. We covered all the important places like Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, St James Park. Also witnessed the Changing of the Guards full parade with the band. I would highly recommend this free tour."