Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Hampton Court Palace Private Walking Tour
Overview
If you're interested in England’s Royalty past and present, this is the tour for you. We start in the centre of London and meander past the outside of both St James’ and Buckingham Palaces which have been at the heart of many Royal events for centuries. This tour does not go inside either palace. If it is scheduled to take place on the day of your tour, we will watch parts of the ancient ceremony of the Changing of the Guard before walking through leafy St James’ Park to reach Horse Guards. This remains the official entrance to both palaces to this day. After lunch, we travel by train from London’s Waterloo station to Hampton Court where we explore Henry VIII’s Tudor palace and William III’s Baroque palace. We’ll marvel at Henry’s vast kitchens, his magnificent Great Hall and the eerie Haunted Gallery hearing tales of his expanding waistline and collection of wives before admiring William’s impressive display of weaponry and his art collection in his exquisite palace.
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- Private tour
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Green Park, Piccadilly, London W1J 9EJ England
One of the eight Royal Parks full of colour and life with an intriguing tale of how it got its name - the stuff of legends!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: St. James's Palace, Marlborough Road, London SW1A 1BQ England
Built by Henry V111 on the site of a women's leper hospital, this palace has been at the centre of many important Royal events. WE DO NOT GO INSIDE THE PALACE but learn much about the Royals who lived here, were born her and married here, and why it is of such significance to both Elizabeth I and Charles I.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Changing of the Guard, Constitution Hill Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA England
A chance to see this ancient ceremony - but only if it is scheduled for the day of the tour! If we move quickly enough, we'll be able to see the ceremony from three different locations. If we're lucky, we'll also catch the mounted cavalry as they trot down the Mall on their way to Horse Guards for the Changing of the Guard ceremony there. This is pageantry at its best!
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Clarence House, St. James's Palace, London SW1A 2WH England
Built by the famous architect John Nash in the 1820s, Clarence House was home to the Queen Elizabeth II's mother when her husband George VI died in 1952 until her own death in 2002. After that, it became home to Charles and Camilla who, as King Charles III and the Queen Consort, continue to live when they are in London. Whether once that will continue to be the case once the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace is completed remains to be seen.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Lancaster House, Stable Yard, London SW1A 1BB England
Made from beautiful Bath stone, this building stood in for Buckingham Palace in Downton Abbey.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Buckingham Palace, Spur Road, London SW1A 1AA England
We DO NOT GO INSIDE BUCKINGHAM PALACE but get a wonderful view of it from Victoria Gardens across the road. The palace has been the official residence of the UK's Kings and Queen's since 1837 and is one of London's most iconic and recognisable buildings. It is the monarchy's office and one of the few working palaces in the world. This is your chance to see the world famous balcony where the Royal family shares its celebrations with the nation including Queen Elizabeth II's gold, diamond and platinum jubilees.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Wellington Barracks Birdcage Walk, London SW1E 6HQ England
Home to the Queen's Life Guards - another chance to see a bit of pageantry if it's scheduled to go ahead on the day of the tour
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: St. James's Park, Horse Guards Road The Storeyard, London SW1A 2BJ England
Arguably, the prettiest of London's Royal Parks with an abundance of wild life living on and around the gorgeous ornamental lake. One of the main attractions are the six pelicans so fingers crossed they put in an appearance during the tour! All in all, four kings have worked on St James' Park to make it what it is today. Standing on the Blue Bridge spanning the lake, we get another great view of Buckingham Palace together with a lot of interesting Royal facts.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall, Horse Guards Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX England
Meander through what used to be Henry VIII's tiltyard for jousting and where 5000 tons of sand was imported for the 2012 London Olympics - but for which sport?! Two ancient ceremonies are practiced here nowadays: the Changing of the Guard which happens on a daily basis and the Trooping of the Colour which is an annual event - here all about them in this fascinating location.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Trafalgar Square, Centre of the City, London SW1A England
The largest square in London, it is home to the famous column with Admiral Nelson perched on top. It is also home to the smallest police station in Britain and one of the largest art museums, the National Gallery. A real contrast between the large and small!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Hampton Court Palace, A308, East Molesey KT8 9AU England
Hampton Court Palace is, in fact, two royal palaces not one. Originally built in 1515 by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a favourite of King Henry VIII, he had always promised the King he could use it whenever he wanted to. In 1529, as Wolsey fell from favour, and Henry VIII took over the palace, money was no object and an eye watering sum of money was spent doing it up.
When William III arrived from Holland in 1688, he commissioned the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren to build an alternative palace which was intended to rival the Palace of Versailles. In the event, Wren built a 'his' and a 'hers' suite of rooms and it is the 'his' set we look around on this tour. If time permits, there are a number of other gems to look round at Hampton Court including the Georgian rooms, the real tennis court and the wonderful gardens.
Duration: 3 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Green Park, Piccadilly, London W1J 9EJ England
One of the eight Royal Parks full of colour and life with an intriguing tale of how it got its name - the stuff of legends!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: St. James's Palace, Marlborough Road, London SW1A 1BQ England
Built by Henry V111 on the site of a women's leper hospital, this palace has been at the centre of many important Royal events. WE DO NOT GO INSIDE THE PALACE but learn much about the Royals who lived here, were born her and married here, and why it is of such significance to both Elizabeth I and Charles I.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Changing of the Guard, Constitution Hill Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA England
A chance to see this ancient ceremony - but only if it is scheduled for the day of the tour! If we move quickly enough, we'll be able to see the ceremony from three different locations. If we're lucky, we'll also catch the mounted cavalry as they trot down the Mall on their way to Horse Guards for the Changing of the Guard ceremony there. This is pageantry at its best!
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Clarence House, St. James's Palace, London SW1A 2WH England
Built by the famous architect John Nash in the 1820s, Clarence House was home to the Queen Elizabeth II's mother when her husband George VI died in 1952 until her own death in 2002. After that, it became home to Charles and Camilla who, as King Charles III and the Queen Consort, continue to live when they are in London. Whether once that will continue to be the case once the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace is completed remains to be seen.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Lancaster House, Stable Yard, London SW1A 1BB England
Made from beautiful Bath stone, this building stood in for Buckingham Palace in Downton Abbey.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Buckingham Palace, Spur Road, London SW1A 1AA England
We DO NOT GO INSIDE BUCKINGHAM PALACE but get a wonderful view of it from Victoria Gardens across the road. The palace has been the official residence of the UK's Kings and Queen's since 1837 and is one of London's most iconic and recognisable buildings. It is the monarchy's office and one of the few working palaces in the world. This is your chance to see the world famous balcony where the Royal family shares its celebrations with the nation including Queen Elizabeth II's gold, diamond and platinum jubilees.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Wellington Barracks Birdcage Walk, London SW1E 6HQ England
Home to the Queen's Life Guards - another chance to see a bit of pageantry if it's scheduled to go ahead on the day of the tour
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: St. James's Park, Horse Guards Road The Storeyard, London SW1A 2BJ England
Arguably, the prettiest of London's Royal Parks with an abundance of wild life living on and around the gorgeous ornamental lake. One of the main attractions are the six pelicans so fingers crossed they put in an appearance during the tour! All in all, four kings have worked on St James' Park to make it what it is today. Standing on the Blue Bridge spanning the lake, we get another great view of Buckingham Palace together with a lot of interesting Royal facts.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall, Horse Guards Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX England
Meander through what used to be Henry VIII's tiltyard for jousting and where 5000 tons of sand was imported for the 2012 London Olympics - but for which sport?! Two ancient ceremonies are practiced here nowadays: the Changing of the Guard which happens on a daily basis and the Trooping of the Colour which is an annual event - here all about them in this fascinating location.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Trafalgar Square, Centre of the City, London SW1A England
The largest square in London, it is home to the famous column with Admiral Nelson perched on top. It is also home to the smallest police station in Britain and one of the largest art museums, the National Gallery. A real contrast between the large and small!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Hampton Court Palace, A308, East Molesey KT8 9AU England
Hampton Court Palace is, in fact, two royal palaces not one. Originally built in 1515 by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a favourite of King Henry VIII, he had always promised the King he could use it whenever he wanted to. In 1529, as Wolsey fell from favour, and Henry VIII took over the palace, money was no object and an eye watering sum of money was spent doing it up.
When William III arrived from Holland in 1688, he commissioned the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren to build an alternative palace which was intended to rival the Palace of Versailles. In the event, Wren built a 'his' and a 'hers' suite of rooms and it is the 'his' set we look around on this tour. If time permits, there are a number of other gems to look round at Hampton Court including the Georgian rooms, the real tennis court and the wonderful gardens.
Duration: 3 hours
Additional information
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- All my Trip Advisor reviews are graded 'Excellent' so I must be doing something right!
- The tour will go ahead come rain or shine so please don't be put off by the weather! Please dress appropriately and bring an umbrella if rain is forecast
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Meeting time is 09.45 under the Colonnade of the Ritz Hotel on Piccadilly. The tour will last between 7 - 8 hours depending on the walking pace you set, the number of questions you ask and whether or not there are train delays. The tour is flexible and do liaise with me about any specific things you would like included. The tour will cover about 4 - 5 miles in total.
- A moderate amount of walking is involved, do wear comfortable footwear and clothing. All members of the party need to be mobile and able to cope with stairs and so this tour is not suitable for anyone with serious medical conditions and back problems.
- Please message me to advise your mobile phone number in case I need to contact you on the day; also, if you are staying in central London and need directions to get from your hotel to the meeting point, let me know
- When your booking is confirmed, you will receive details for me (Sandy) your guide for this tour. My aim is to give you the best experience you could possibly have so if you have any special requests be sure to tell me what they are! If you need to go at a slower pace, or stop for a break midway through the tour, that will be fine with me.
- Due to uneven surfaces and an unreliable lift to take clients from the ground to the first floor of Hampton Court Palace, this tour is not recommended for those with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair.
- It will be cheaper, and quicker on the day, if you purchase your entry tickets to Hampton Court Palace (which are in addition to the cost of my tour) in advance of arriving at Hampton Court. Go to www.hrp.org.uk, click on Hampton Court Palace and it should be easy to purchase your tickets. Let me know if you encounter any problems.
- We do not go inside Buckingham Palace or St James' Palace
- I prefer to guide small groups of up to five family or friends. This enables everyone to hear what I am saying above the usual street noises of a busy city and in the confined spaces of the narrow corridors of Henry's haunted palace. Also, it allows everyone to feel relaxed enough to ask whatever questions they like!
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- I only accept bookings directly from customers. Any bookings made by a travel agent on behalf of a customer will be cancelled.
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- I guide small groups of up to five family and friends so, with me, that makes 6! I wash my hands before the tour starts and I bring hand sanitizer for my, and my clients' use. I am quadruple vaccinated.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Q5846WKannec
September 2023
We had a very nice guide named Sion who was interesting and knowledgeable. It was clear that he was not as seasoned as other tour guides we had in London who had many anecdotes to share with us, but if he continues honing his craft, he will get there. Still a good experience.
We had a very nice guide named Sion who was interesting and knowledgeable. It was clear that he was not as seasoned as other tour guides we had in London who had many anecdotes to share with us, but if he continues honing his craft, he will get there. Still a good experience.Brenda h L
July 2022
Words cannot express how impressed I was and the enjoyment. Sandy was beyond amazing. Such knowledge. I asked so many questions and only had her at a loss of words. We laughed, we talked during our travel times that I feel like I have a new best friend. I am southern and she British so sometimes,...
Words cannot express how impressed I was and the enjoyment. Sandy was beyond amazing. Such knowledge. I asked so many questions and only had her at a loss of words. We laughed, we talked during our travel times that I feel like I have a new best friend. I am southern and she British so sometimes, we had to translate for each other. The venues were lovely and she got me in positions that allowed me the best viewing. Cannot thank her enough. If you want fun, knowledge and great timing, book Sandy. Love herOffToHike
April 2019
To start, Sandy is an incredible tour guide- my son and I had an unbelievable day! That being said, we shall start from the beginning! Before we even met Sandy, my son and I had a strange day to plan. We had 12 hours in London sandwiched in between a flight in from Norway and leaving on a train t...
To start, Sandy is an incredible tour guide- my son and I had an unbelievable day! That being said, we shall start from the beginning! Before we even met Sandy, my son and I had a strange day to plan. We had 12 hours in London sandwiched in between a flight in from Norway and leaving on a train to Scotland at midnight. We had flights and luggage to manage. Sandy helped us with our luggage, a personal driver to get us from the airport to Hampton Court, and found storage for us to continue our day once in London. It was a lot of moving pieces that went off without a hitch! As stated above, Sandy arrived for a driver to pick us up at the airport. It wasn't much more money than a taxi, but it ensured we got to Hampton Court quickly so we could utilize our time most effectively. Sandy was there to greet us and pack our luggage away safely. Then, off to Hampton Court! Hampton Court is magnificent- the buildings, the grounds, it really is like stepping into the past. It is a place I have always wanted to visit, and it completely exceeded every expectation! You will literally see the most famous paintings from history books of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and other royals, the real tennis court (where we were lucky enough to witness one of the best in the world playing during our visit), the majestic gardens, the Great Hall with it's magnificent wood beam roof, the kitchen fireplaces large enough for 10 full sized men to stand in, and the largest grapevine in the world! We also stopped for lunch there, which was such a treat, as we were able to choose from dishes that were historically based and keeping in tradition with the food served back in Henry VIII's time. Sandy's knowledge is endless. She can easily talk about anything and bring it around to everything she is showing you. My son is 16, and was along with Mom so I could see one of my dream destinations, but Sandy kept him completely interested and engaged! After Hampton Court, Sandy took us to a local train station that would deliver us right into London. It was a very easy ride, and we got a little rest with scenery before we took on the London portion of our day. We connected through to the station from which we were to leave that evening, and stored our bags in storage lockers so we didn't have to lug them around London. In addition to Buckingham and St. James Palace- the Golden Standard of London viewing, Sandy took us to such unique places that were in the middle of everything but easily missed if one did not know what they were...Sandy showed us the details of certain buildings and what they meant historically, such as the merchants who held Royal Warrants- crests over the stores that marks service to three of the royal family members. We were able to visit such stores as Berry Bros and Rudd- the oldest wine store in Britain dating back to the 1600s. With it's tilted floor and man-size scales, and huge dusted ledgers, it was like stepping into a vintage postcard. We also visited the famous Kingsman Tailor made famous to us by being one of our favorite movies- seeing the store in its elegant reality was wonderful. Again. Sandy's knowledge of all the small details that others would surely never know was fascinating. We took a long walk through St. James Park, enjoying the incredible collection of birds- even pelicans! that were enjoying the springtime weather and walked through to the yard behind the Horse Guards- or, Queen's Cavalry where Henry VIII used to joust! As the sun started to set, Sandy was eager to take us to another treasure that a regular tourist family would likely never find...the Stunning Fortnum and Mason. Sandy thrilled us by introducing us to a historical department store that is marked by elegance and whimsy. One floor was devoted to a selection of teas and teapots, while another section devoted itself to the chocolatier selection for the most indulgent chocoholic! We finished our day at the famous Fortnum and Mason Ice Cream Shop- which was as delicious as it was charming...decorated as if right out of a children's favorite book. Our day seemed too short despite the fact that our fitbit logged over 12 miles!!! Sandy brought us to the subway we needed to take before leaving us with the most fond memories, and a promise to return again!!! Next time we're in London, Sandy is the first person we're going to look up!!!!cl_udiaq
November 2022
Visitamos o palácio somente pela parte de fora, pois estava chovendo sem parar e foi perto da morte da rainha, então estava fechado para visitação interna. Mas, de fora já é um espetáculo à parte. Vale muito a pena.
Visitamos o palácio somente pela parte de fora, pois estava chovendo sem parar e foi perto da morte da rainha, então estava fechado para visitação interna. Mas, de fora já é um espetáculo à parte. Vale muito a pena.