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London Changing of the Guard, Tower and Thames Cruise 4 hr

TourTruth score 6.4 out of 10

Average

77 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • London, United Kingdom
  • 4 hrs
  • Updated November 2, 2026

See Westminster landmarks, cruise the Thames, and explore the Tower of London with a Beefeater on this four-hour London tour.

About this tour

See London’s royal traditions and historic landmarks on a four-hour journey from Westminster to the Tower of London. Your London Changing of the Guard, Tower and Thames Cruise begins near the Duke of York Column, then takes in the ceremony when it is scheduled. On Saturdays and Sundays, the guard viewing is replaced by a Royal Walking Tour of Westminster, with sights including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The ceremony can also be changed or canceled by British authorities; if that happens, the tour provides a Westminster walking tour instead.

Continue with a boat ride along the Thames for views of the city from the water, then visit the Tower of London with an entrance ticket. Meet a Beefeater and hear stories connected to the fortress, whose history spans more than 1,000 years. Headsets are provided when appropriate so you can follow your guide, and from January 2027 a multilingual audio-guided app will be available for exploring the Tower. The tour ends at the Tower, where you can stay and explore at your own pace. Choose this London Changing of the Guard, Tower and Thames Cruise for a guided introduction to the capital’s history and riverside sights.

Highlights

  • Watch the Changing of the Guard, when scheduled
  • See Westminster landmarks including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
  • Cruise the Thames past riverside sights
  • Explore the Tower of London and its Crown Jewels
  • Meet a Beefeater and hear stories of the fortress

What's included

Included

  • Expert English-speaking tour guide
  • Headsets when appropriate
  • Tower of London entrance ticket
  • Multilingual Tower of London audio-guided app from January 2027
  • River Thames boat ride
  • Changing of the Guard or London highlights tour, depending on the day
  • Tower of London meet and greet with a Beefeater

Not included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Meet by the Duke of York Column at Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ
  • Piccadilly Circus is the nearest tube station; use exit 3 onto Regent Street/St James
  • Saturday and Sunday tours replace the Changing of the Guard viewing with a Royal Walking Tour of Westminster
  • The Changing of the Guard may change or be canceled by British authorities; if canceled, a Westminster walking tour is provided with no refund
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  • The tour ends at the Tower of London, where you may continue exploring at your own pace
  • Photography is not permitted inside the Crown Jewels exhibition
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Wheelchairs, impairments requiring special assistance, strollers, and baby carriages cannot be accommodated
  • Public transportation is available nearby
  • The Tower audio-guided app is available in different languages from January 2027

Frequently asked questions

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide by the Duke of York Column at Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ. Piccadilly Circus is the nearest tube station.

Does the tour always include the Changing of the Guard?

No. Saturday and Sunday tours include a Royal Walking Tour of Westminster instead. The ceremony may also change or be canceled by British authorities; a Westminster walking tour is provided if it is canceled.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at the Tower of London after the Beefeater meet and greet. You can explore the Tower at your own pace afterward.

Can I take photos of the Crown Jewels?

No. Photography is not permitted inside the Crown Jewels exhibition.

Can wheelchair users or guests with strollers join?

No. The tour cannot accommodate wheelchairs, guests requiring special assistance, strollers, or baby carriages.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.68 from 77 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in London
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.4.

Provider rating distribution in London

How many tours in London have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • Viator

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