History of London - City Center Westminster Guided Walking Tour – Semi-Private

duration: 2.5 hours
cancellation_summary: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of your tour.
meeting_point: The red telephone booth by the apple store at Covent Garden ( WC2E 8HA )
max_age: 99
group_size: Maximum 12 people
accessibility: Not Wheelchair Accessible
pricing:
description: Discover London’s royal and political heart on this 2.5-hour small-group walking tour through Westminster. From the grandeur of Buckingham Palace to the historic halls of Parliament, uncover the stories of monarchs, prime ministers, and revolutionaries as you walk through London’s most iconic squares and landmarks.

Explore the city’s most famous sites, from the bustling Covent Garden to Trafalgar Square, named after Britain’s greatest naval victory and home to Nelson’s Column and the National Gallery. Follow the historic route through Whitehall, passing Britain’s most important government buildings, and try to spot the Prime Minister outside 10 Downing Street, their official residence for over 300 years. Discuss World War II outside the Churchill War Rooms, and examine the turbulent relationship between the monarchy and Parliament as you pass royal palaces. Conclude at Westminster Abbey, the site of royal coronations, weddings, and the final resting place of Britain’s most influential figures.

This tour offers a fascinating look at Westminster’s evolution, from medieval kings and Tudor courts to modern democracy and Britain’s global influence. Whether you’re drawn to royal traditions, political intrigue, or the legacy of Britain’s greatest leaders, this experience provides an immersive introduction to one of London’s most historic districts.
what_is_included: • SEMI-PRIVATE WALKING TOUR

• SEMI-PRIVATE" MEANS GROUP SIZE IS NEVER MORE THAN 12 GUESTS MAXIMUM

• PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE

• DURATION 2.5 HOURS

• TOUR WILL RUN, RAIN OR SHINE
what_is_not_included: • Tour Price Does NOT Include Hotel Pickup or Drop-Off (We Recommend UBER or Taxi)

• Tour Does NOT Include Gratuities (OPTIONAL)

• Tour is NOT available for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
itinerary: Stops include but are not limited to:

1. Covent Garden – 10 minutes
   Begin your tour in Covent Garden, a vibrant district known for its historic market, street performances, and cultural charm.

2. Trafalgar Square – 10 minutes
   Stand in London’s most famous public square, home to iconic fountains, grand statues, and the towering Nelson’s Column.

3. Nelson's Column – 10 minutes
   Admire the monument dedicated to Admiral Lord Nelson, a tribute to his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

4. Admiralty Arch – 10 minutes
   Pass beneath the imposing Admiralty Arch, a gateway between The Mall and Trafalgar Square, built in honor of Queen Victoria.

5. Whitehall – 10 minutes
   Walk along Whitehall, the heart of British political power, lined with government buildings and historic landmarks.

6. 10 Downing Street – 10 minutes
   See the famous black door of No. 10, the official residence of the British Prime Minister for over 300 years.

7. St. James's Palace – 10 minutes
   Pause outside St. James’s Palace, a Tudor-era royal residence that remains a key ceremonial landmark.

8. Buckingham Palace – 10 minutes (VIEWS ONLY)
   Gaze upon Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch, and witness the grandeur of the royal gates.

9. Churchill War Rooms – 10 minutes (EXTERIOR ONLY)
   Pass by the entrance to the underground bunker where Winston Churchill directed Britain’s WWII efforts, now a fascinating museum.

10. Big Ben – 10 minutes (Admission excluded)
    Take in the iconic clock tower, a symbol of London’s skyline and home to the Great Bell known as "Big Ben."

11. Houses of Parliament – 10 minutes
    Stand before the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the UK government, with its magnificent Gothic architecture.

12. Westminster Abbey – 10 minutes (EXTERIOR ONLY)
    End your tour at Westminster Abbey, the historic church of royal coronations, weddings, and burials.
    highlights: Highlights generally include:

13. Big Ben
    One of London’s most enduring symbols, Big Ben is actually the nickname for the Great Bell housed within Elizabeth Tower, which rises above the Palace of Westminster.

14. 10 Downing Street
    The official residence of the British Prime Minister, at the heart of UK politics for over 300 years. While gated, visitors can glimpse the iconic black door where history is made.

15. Trafalgar Square
    London’s most famous public square, home to Nelson’s Column, grand fountains, and The National Gallery, making it a focal point of culture and history.

16. St. James’s Park
    One of London’s most picturesque parks, known for its vibrant flower beds, serene lake, and royal connections, including the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony.

17. Westminster Abbey (Exterior Only)
    A site of royal coronations for nearly 1,000 years, Westminster Abbey is one of Britain’s most significant landmarks and the burial place of Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, and Charles Darwin.
    check_in_details: • It is imperative that you provide us with guest's MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)

• Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes prior to the tour's scheduled departure time.

• Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour for any URGENT matters please reply to their message.
Their contact details are also sent to your email by the morning of your tour.

Babylon Tours
Phone / Text 0019179990380
Web: www.babylontours.com
Mail: babylontoursinfo@gmail.com
what_to_bring: • Recommended Dress: Comfortable and weather appropriate
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
special_requirements: Children under a 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

restrictions: • Not wheelchair accessible
• Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
disclaimers: • The Tour may enter religious buildings, appropriate dress is required.

• The tour route may be affected by national celebrations. In such cases, we will provide guests with an alternative route, ensuring all highlights of the tour are still covered. Refunds or discounts cannot be provided in these situations.

• Due to increased security measures at many attractions, sites may not be accessible for interior visits.

• Latecomers risk missing their tour.

faqs: What time should I arrive for my tour?
- Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

How will I recognize my guide?
- Your guide will be wearing a Babylon badge on a Babylon lanyard. They will also reach out to you on the morning of the tour to confirm the meeting point.

Are tickets included in the price?
- Yes! All tickets for the permanent collection are included and organized by Babylon Tours.

When will I receive my guide’s contact information?
- Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour by text and email. Please ensure you have provided your correct telephone number (including country code) and email beforehand. Please be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see the email in your inbox.

Are you Viator?
- No,is a booking platform and Online Travel Agent. They sell our tours, but we are Babylon Tours, a Tour Operator currently offering tours in 12 major cities worldwide!

Can I reschedule my tour?
- Yes! You can reschedule free of charge if you notify us at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. For rescheduling within 24 hours, a fee applies to cover guide payments, unused tickets, and company costs (no profit is made on this fee). If you booked through a booking platform likeor GetYourGuide, you must reschedule directly with them.

What do I do if I’m running late?
- Please inform your guide as soon as possible. As this is a semi-private tour, it must start on time. If your tour is ticketed, the guide will reply to your message with the tickets so you can enter the museum or monument on your own and try to join the guide inside if possible. Please note that once the tour begins, the guide will not be able to regularly check their phone.

What do I do if I have a medical issue and can’t attend the tour?
- Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380. Our refund policy does not cover medical issues that arise within 24 hours of the tour’s start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

What do I do if my transport is canceled and I can’t attend the tour?
- Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380 . Our refund policy does not cover transportation issues within 24 hours of the tour’s start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

Can I get my tickets before the tour and meet the guide inside?
- No, as the museum is large, locating the guide inside is challenging. The guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and accompany the group inside. However, you are welcome to stay in the museum after the tour ends!

Can I stay in the museum after the tour finishes?
- Yes, you are welcome to stay in the museum until it closes.

I don’t see my tickets in the email. How can I download them?
- Your guide will have your tickets. As long as you bring proof of ID, the guide’s name and number, and arrive at the meeting point on time, the guide will assist you with entry.

Will my walking tour run if the weather is bad?
- Yes, our tours run rain or shine. Please check the forecast and dress appropriately. Tours will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous weather alert from local authorities.