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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.
London Thames sightseeing cruise boat passing under Tower Bridge.
Thames Afternoon Tea Cruise table with tea set and pastries.

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
    1,635 ratings
    5/5
    1.2K
    4/5
    210
    3/5
    32
    2/5
    64
    1/5
    137
    • United States
    • Germany
    • France
    • Australia
    • Canada
    • Switzerland
    • Austria
    • Romania
    • Belgium
    • Italy
    Guests from United States, Germany, France and over 53 countries have loved this experience
    Didem Coşkun Ergin

    Didem

    5/5

    Jan, 2025

    All the useful information our guide (Francis) gave us during the tour. He was so friendly and helpful. It was really fun.
    April Todd

    April

    5/5

    Jan, 2025

    Babbs was our tour guide and she was outstanding!! Don't take this tour with anyone else. She was a wealth of knowledge about every aspect of the tour. She went out of her way to learn everyone's name and really get to know them. She was able to keep us on schedule but deliver a lot of information about each area. She fought hard to make sure we were front and center to see everything and get the pics! The tour was outstanding, thanks Babbs! April from Tennessee
    Samuel Shadrack

    Samuel

    5/5

    Dec, 2024

    The tour guide was well knowledgeable and in the times when nothing was happening at the changing of the guard, he kept us informed. I totally appreciated the story of the man that broke in and was with the queen, and the fact that she understood him and greeted him well.... amazing story, I'm sure it was an event.
    Daniah Rifqi

    Daniah

    5/5

    Sep, 2024

    It was a really nice experience, it is a captivating ceremonial display of British tradition. With its precision, colorful uniforms, and rhythmic music, it draws large crowds, offering a unique glimpse into royal pageantry.
    Elaine Hamill

    Elaine

    4/5

    Aug, 2024

    Our guide knew where and when to stand for seeing the guards. We enjoyed the stories - both historical and light hearted. I would have liked to have heard more of the guards playing but then we would have missed out hearing more from the guide.
  • 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

    Monday11:00 AM - 08:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
    Tuesday11:00 AM - 08:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
    Wednesday11:00 AM - 08:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
    Thursday11:00 AM - 08:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
    Friday11:00 AM - 08:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
    Saturday11:00 AM - 08:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM
    Sunday11:00 AM - 08:00 PMlast entry 06:30 PM

    Buckingham Palace

    Monday09:30 AM - 07:30 PMlast entry 05:30 PM
    Tuesday09:30 AM - 07:30 PMlast entry 05:30 PM
    Wednesday09:30 AM - 07:30 PMlast entry 05:30 PM
    Thursday09:30 AM - 07:30 PMlast entry 05:30 PM
    Friday09:30 AM - 07:30 PMlast entry 05:30 PM
    Saturday09:30 AM - 07:30 PMlast entry 05:30 PM
    Sunday09:30 AM - 07:30 PMlast entry 05:30 PM
  • 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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