Our Westminster Abbey tours always start outside, so we can admire its architecture before heading inside. This famous church is recognisable from various famous royal weddings, funerals, and coronations. It’s hard to ignore London’s history here!
We’ll enter through the cloisters, which offers a great opportunity to appreciate both the age and the scale of this magnificent building. Look around as we walk into the church; you will see many names, some of these you will recognise immediately, others you may remember once your guide links them with stories.
Next, let’s have a look at one of the oldest pieces of furniture in the United Kingdom. Last used in 1953in the coronation of our current Queen, perhaps the most significant piece of furniture in British history, this chair patiently waits for the next coronation. As we pause to admire the coronation chair, listen as your expert guide paints a picture of the coronation ceremony and imagine the spectacle each time a new monarch is crowned in this very spot.
From there, your Westminster Abbey guided tour makes its way around the church where we’ll find the sites of many burials around the High Altar and hear stories about those buried in the Royal tombs
Learn about two sisters – stepsisters – both queens, but with very different personalities. In life, they weren’t very fond of each other, yet their final resting place is in the same tomb. The Lady Chapel shows you the highest level of a gothic style you’ll see on a private walking tour in London with its beautiful fan-vaulted ceiling.
Now it is time to check out Poets’ Corner and find your favourite writer or poet. Westminster Abbey has so much to offer and we will spend about 2 hours before we move on.
We will continue on your guided tour outside Westminster Abbey, exploring the prominent landmarks and sites in the surrounding area.
As we leave the Abbey, we immediately arrive in Parliament Square. This is a great opportunity to take a picture in front of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben How many statues of famous statesmen can you recognise? Your Blue Badge Guide will be happy to explain who some of them were and their significance in British history.
This being London, there is always time for British tradition. The horse guards are just around the corner. Here we see the guards proudly sitting on their horses keeping this area of royal London safe. They are inspected every day, rain or shine.
Time for another quick picture? Watch out though – the horses can bite!
Leaving the famous buildings behind for a moment, let’s wander through St James Park, which is home to not only a lovely display of plants and flowers but also many birds. Any ornithologist would be in heaven here: black swans, white swans, pelicans, geese, and many more species call St James Park their home.
If you have children in your group, then let’s take a few minutes to stop and feed the birds and the ever-hungry squirrels!
Our next stop is truly the heart of royal London: Buckingham Palace, a grand building and royal residence. If we get close to the gate, you will see the guards looking after Her Majesty. Your private guide will help you figure out if the Queen is at home today.
Perhaps you’d like a photo with one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world? We’re almost finished with royal sites now, but don’t worry there are still plenty of famous London sites to see on your tour.
Our guided tour of Westminster Abbey and beyond makes its way to Trafalgar Square next, the very city centre of London. The Tour finishes here, but don’t worry, you are ideally placed to visit Leicester Square and Covent Garden, or even head back to Buckingham Palace. Your guide will be happy to help with any directions and suggestions for the rest of your stay.
If you’d like to find out more about the history of Westminster Abbey and take a virtual tour of the highlights, then check out our Westminster Abbey podcast episode.
There is so much to see on a privately guided tour of Westminster Abbey. Whilst you could visit on your own, you will surely miss the layers of history that your Blue Badge Tourist Guide knows by heart.
Taking a Westminster Abbey private tour truly maximises your visit, which may be a once-in-a-lifetime visit.
Our private tours let us tailor the experience to suit you, if you want to spend more time hearing about Royal coronations and Royal history, no problem! Or maybe you’d like to see the famous changing of the guard ceremony for longer, we can arrange it. A private tour makes anything possible.
If you want to visit Westminster Abbey and another prominent landmark in London, check out our Tower of London and Westminster Abbey Walking Tour, you’ll even get to see the Crown Jewels!
All tours are for private groups only and start from £379. Groups can be up to 10 people. Your entrance tickets to Westminster Abbey are included. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!
Westminster Abbey shop, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JS. By prior arrangement, your guide can meet you at your central London hotel.
Mon-Sat 9:30am
Your tour guide will meet you at the Westminster Abbey shop, they will be holding a sign with the lead customers name.
