The VIP London tour to the London Eye, Westminster and Buckingham Palace
About the Tour
London's rich history unfolds along the banks of the River Thames, where royalty, politics, and culture have mingled for centuries. On this walking tour, you'll discover the iconic landmarks that define British identity—from the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey to Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. Along the way, you'll encounter red telephone boxes, royal guards, and historical figures who've shaped the nation.
The tour begins outside Embankment Tube Station overlooking the Thames. You'll stroll along the riverbank with views of the London Eye—Europe's tallest observation wheel—and learn fascinating facts about the river that has witnessed everything from royal pageants to wandering polar bears. Following the river toward Westminster, you'll encounter Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, where you can admire the Gothic revival architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site while learning about its royal and political significance.
You'll explore Westminster Abbey, where coronations and royal weddings have taken place for centuries, including King Charles III's coronation in 2023. Walking through Parliament Square with its statues of notable figures like Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela, you'll continue down Whitehall past 10 Downing Street and the Horse Guards before reaching the bustling energy of Trafalgar Square. The tour ends at magnificent Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the monarch with its 700 rooms and famous balcony where the royal family appears on ceremonial occasions.
On this 90-minute tour, you'll have a chance to:
- Capture perfect photos of the London Eye from across the river
- Spot the famous clock face of Big Ben and discover its unusual Roman numeral
- Walk past 10 Downing Street, official residence of the British Prime Minister
- Watch the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony at Horse Guards Parade (if your timing is right)
- Admire Westminster Abbey where coronations, royal weddings and funerals have shaped British history
- Visit Trafalgar Square with its towering Nelson's Column and grand fountains
- Walk down The Mall, the ceremonial route to Buckingham Palace
- See the famous balcony where the royal family appears on special occasions
This tour offers a perfect introduction to London's most celebrated landmarks, giving you insights into the pageantry and traditions that continue to define British identity. Bring your camera and comfortable walking shoes for this unforgettable journey through the heart of royal London.
Tour Producer
Nicki Bannerman
Nicki Bannerman is a London and Suffolk based radio broadcaster, host presenter, producer and podcast content creator, passionate about emotive human interest, lifestyle and empowering stories. As a copywriter, marketing consultant and broadcast journalist Nicki has also written regularly for magazines and newspapers, ghost-written multiple biographies and organised high profile events for music, film, tech and publishing companies including immersive theatre and working with Olympian athletes.
She is a host presenter of a wellbeing and lifestyle show on GenXRadio Suffolk and previous newsreader and reporter on community radio, has been a regular guest on BBC Suffolk and BBC Essex. Previously a producer/presenter on London's Radio Gorgeous with only female voices and has produced for the media and broadcasting industry including commissioned projects for Audible/ Amazon, and the BBC in London producing and host presenting podcasts to help women in broadcast. Her interviews have covered red carpet and back stage events and lifting men and women's voices for the Radio Academy including interviewing music stars and celebrities and broadcasters.
Nicki founded her own podcast 'The Influential Women Podcast' and hosts on all podcasting platforms including Apple, Google, Spotify and Alexa launched at WOWFest on International Womens Day in 2017. This podcast helps others with adversity by hearing the stories of inspiring and influential broadcasters, celebrities, authors and community representatives about their lives, influences, mantras and adversity they have overcome which may just help others in their day or their lives. Her proudest interviews include Ruby Wax and Frank Bruno on mental health, Kirsty Young on Desert Island Discs and Nicholas Parsons and Vernon Kay on their work amongst many others.
Nicki takes commissions for podcasts, voice-overs and digital social marketing, content creation, scripts and copywriting projects. www.nickibannermanradio.co.uk and has voiced in Norway and for London hotels for Voicemap and multiple tours.
Preview Location
Location 14
Westminster Abbey
Our longest reigning monarch the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second had her coronation here in 1953. It was broadcast in 39 lang... Read More
How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
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River Thames
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lastminute.com London Eye
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Big Ben
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Palace of Westminster
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Westminster Abbey
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Parliament Square
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10 Downing St
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Horse Guards Parade
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Trafalgar Square
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Buckingham Palace
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationLondon WC2N 6NS, UK -
Total distance4km -
Final locationLondon SW1A 1AA, UK -
Distance back to start location1km
Directions to Starting Point
The tour starts London Embankment Tube Station. (District and Circle line tube or within walking distance of Charing Cross and Waterloo Main line stations)
Tips
Places to stop along the way
Start your London visit at the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, adjacent to historical Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square. Stroll past 10 Downing Street to witness the ceremony at Horseguards Parade. Head to Trafalgar Square, then see Buckingham Palace. Finish your tour with a view from the London Eye.
Best time of day
Whilst it is beautiful anytime of day or evening, check opening times and days for locations that you would like to visit along the route. The Changing of the Guards at Horseguards Parade is usually twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, so it is worth checking if you want to visit the parade.
Precautions
Be vigilant in busy locations with your belongings as in any large city, and be extra careful of traffic when crossing roads. Remember that driving is on the left in the UK.
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