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Parliament & Palaces Tour

Reserve this tour now on the Bookings & Enquiries page.London, the capital of Europe’s largest constitutional monarchy, is home to one of the world’s oldest parliaments. The halls of both political and royal power are equally impressive – and virtually side by side – in London. On a two-hour walking tour of ‘essential London’, visitors will pass Whitehall and the Houses of Parliament as well as three palaces or royal homes, including Buckingham Palace. View slideshow ↓

Whitehall
Whitehall
The administrative heart of the British Empire remains the focal point for the British government today, with the Foreign Office, Treasury and the prime minister's residence on Downing Street flanking it. Creative Commons | H Matthew Howarth
Palace of Westminster
Palace of Westminster
Built to replace a medieval structure that burned down in 1834, the palace is the seat of the UK government, with the lower House of Commons (650MPs – 72 from London) on the north side and the upper (and unelected) House of Lords, with about 750 members, on the south side. It can be visited on special Blue Badge tour. Creative Commons | Jimmy Baikovicius
Police horse outside Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Principal London residence of the royal family since Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837, about 20 of the palace’s 775 rooms, including the rich Picture Gallery and rather kitsch Throne Room, are open to the public in August and September. Creative Commons | Yortw
The Mall
The Mall
The grand thoroughfare to Buckingham Palace is lined with important headquarters and residents, including Marlborough House, centre of the Commonwealth; St James’s Palace, where Anne, the Princess Royal, keeps her offices; and Clarence House, home to Prince Charles, his consort, the Duchess of Cornwall, and his son Prince Harry. Creative Commons | Aurelien Guichard
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
Arguably the most sacred spot in the nation and dating back to 11th-cenury king (and later saint) Edward the Confessor, the abbey is the stage where royal events take place – most monarchs were crowned here, 17 are buried here and many were married here, including Queen Elizabeth to Prince Philip in 1947 and their grandson, Prince William, to Catherine Middleton in April 2011. Creative Commons | Steve Collis

Did you know?

A relief of Charles I on the east side of St Margaret’s Church next to Westminster Abbey faces a statue of his executioner, Oliver Cromwell, outside the Houses of Parliament.

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