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Combo (Save 5%): Changing of the Guards Ceremony + Afternoon Tea Cruise

Buckingham Palace guards in red uniforms marching during Changing of the Guard, London.
Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London.
Thames River cruise boat passing under London Bridge with city skyline in the background.
London Thames sightseeing cruise boat passing under Tower Bridge.

Duration

1 hr 30 mins

Guided tour

Instant confirmation

See the royal side of London in a day with a Changing of Guards ceremony, Westminster walking tour, and a Thames afternoon tea cruise for a perfect British blend!

    • Watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace and then relax on a Thames cruise, sipping afternoon tea for a perfect British experience.
    • See Buckingham Palace's grand exteriors and spot other royal attractions like St. Paul’s and Big Ben as you cruise the Thames.
    • Feel like a real Londoner as you explore sights on your 1.5-hour guided walking tour of Westminster and enjoy a proper British tea with scones on the river.
    • Don't just see the sights, understand them! With commentary, live or recorded, you'll get the inside scoop on both the British traditions and experiences.
  • Changing of the Guards

    • Changing of the Guard Ceremony outside Buckingham Palace
    • 1.5-hour walking tour around Buckingham Palace
    • Expert English-speaking tour guide
    • Small group tour at Buckingham Palace grounds
    • Audio headsets for Changing of Guards ceremony

    Afternoon Tea Cruise

    • 1.5-hour Thames River cruise with British afternoon tea
    • Afternoon tea and British snacks (menu [here])
    • Live or pre-recorded commentary onboard
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.4
    1,619 ratings
    5/5
    1.2K
    4/5
    216
    3/5
    33
    2/5
    47
    1/5
    123
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    Guests from United States, Germany, France and over 49 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Sara Peters

    Sara

    Apr, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Babs was THE BEST tour guide!! We had the most amazing experience, learned so much, had so much fun, and even saw the King leaving his residence because of Babs! 10/10!!! Must do if you are visiting London-- be sure to request Babs!!
    RODRIGUES Dominique

    Rodrigues

    Mar, 2025Verified booking

    4/5
    The tour of the various places around Buckingham Palace. The changing of the guard. Too bad the guide didn't speak French. For such a touristy city, it would be nice if the guides were multilingual. So we didn't understand the various explanations. We followed the group.
    Carol Richards

    Carol

    Mar, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Booking was very simple and I was given a discount which was great. The whole afternoon tea experience was fabulous, the cruise, the tea itself and especially the lovely staff! Thank you, would go again some time for sure?
    Caroline LE VERDIER

    Caroline

    Mar, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Good handling of arrivals, good relay to inform where our guide is. Very interrzctive, interesting and friendly person
    Jameelah Tucker

    Jameelah

    Mar, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The tour guide was perfect she really knew a lot and it was wonderful for changing the guard. The Tower of London was great because you got to go in and just go at your own pace. I was there for hours. Great price for the combo tickets and a wonderful afternoon
  • Witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, go on a guided Westminster walking tour, and finish your day with a delightful 90-min Thames River afternoon tea cruise.

    Changing of the Guards

    Go on an English-guided small group tour to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony just outside Buckingham Palace. Spot the iconic guards dressed in distinctive red tunics and hats as you listen to your guide’s detailed commentary about the tradition and the Palace. After, enjoy a 1.5-hour walking tour of the city of Westminster and spot more royal attractions! Stroll through St James's Park, the oldest Royal Park in London, see The Mall with great views of Buckingham Palace, and spot St James's Palace.

    Afternoon Tea Cruise

    Relax with your friends and family on a 90-min Thames River cruise, sipping on traditional English tea as you board your cruise from Tower Pier. Enjoy the afternoon tea experience as well as a Thames River cruise, making this perfect for culture lovers and foodies. Savor unlimited British teas, freshly baked scones, and other delights onboard your luxury cruise as you pass London’s most famous riverside landmarks like the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, HMS Belfast, and more. The best part? Your cruise includes live or recorded commentary allowing you to learn more about all of these attractions.

  • Studio of Wonders

    Monday11:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Tuesday11:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Wednesday11:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Thursday11:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Friday11:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Saturday11:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:30pm
    Sunday11:00am - 08:00pmlast entry 06:30pm

    Buckingham Palace

    Monday09:30am - 07:30pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Tuesday09:30am - 07:30pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Wednesday09:30am - 07:30pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Thursday09:30am - 07:30pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Friday09:30am - 07:30pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Saturday09:30am - 07:30pmlast entry 05:30pm
    Sunday09:30am - 07:30pmlast entry 05:30pm
  • What’s not allowed

    Changing of the Guard

    • Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.

    Additional information

    Changing of the Guard

    • Changing of the Foot Guards Ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Please note that if you book your tour on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, you’ll see the Changing of the Household Cavalry Ceremony instead.

    Afternoon Tea Cruise

    • Infants under the age of 2 will be charged the child rate.
    • Some tables are situated in close proximity to other diners and are pre-allocated before boarding. All tables are fixed to the floor and cannot be moved. Window tables are available, which seats up to two people only.
    • The boat can cater to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free people but is unable to offer menus that are both vegan and gluten-free. Please get in touch with City Cruises on 0207 7400 400 at the time of booking to provide your dietary preferences.
    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

    • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

    Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace

    Meeting point

    • Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.

    Thames River Afternoon Cruise with British Tea & Scones

    Boarding point

    • Board your cruise at Tower Millennium Pier.

    • Address: Lower Thames St, London EC3N 4DT, UK

    Get directions to the boarding point

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