REVIEW · LONDON
The Changing of the Guard Experience with Thames Boat ride
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by See Your City · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Royal ceremony meets river views. This 2-hour Westminster walk with a Thames boat ride brings you past royal palaces and parks, and on select days you’ll catch the pomp of Changing of the King’s Guard and the glide of the Thames boat ride. I like that it’s a tight route that covers major sights without feeling like a slog, and the guide’s stories help you connect what you see to what happened there.
Only one thing can change your plan: the ceremony schedule. The Changing of the King’s Guard runs on specific days, weather permitting, so if you’re there on the wrong day, you may miss the full exchange moment you hoped for.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- Starting at Green Park with a flag and a plan
- St James’s Palace, Lancaster House, and Buckingham House in one sweep
- Whitehall and Westminster Abbey area: the view is part of the lesson
- The Changing of the King’s Guard: your must-know schedule
- Horse Guards Parade: ceremony that feels like theater
- Walking to the Thames, then letting the river do the work
- Price and value: what you’re really paying for
- Who should book this Royal Westminster plus Thames tour?
- Should you book? My take
- FAQ
- FAQ
- How long is the tour?
- Where does the tour meet?
- Where does the tour end?
- What’s included in the price?
- Does the tour run rain or shine?
- Is the Changing of the King’s Guard guaranteed?
- Is there a wheelchair accessibility option?
Key highlights at a glance
- Changing of the King’s Guard (Old Guard and New Guard exchange) on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, weather permitting
- Horse Guards Parade as a daily tradition (time and viewing can depend on conditions)
- Royal palaces and official residences around St James’s, Buckingham, Lancaster House, and Clarence House
- Westminster Abbey area plus Whitehall views, with the walk ending near Westminster Station by Big Ben
- Thames boat ride with a Tower of London disembark plus a guided finish back at your start area
- 2-hour format that includes a boat ticket, guided by an English-speaking guide in a blue See Your City jacket
Starting at Green Park with a flag and a plan
Your tour starts outside Green Park Tube Station, at the statue of Goddess Diana. When you arrive, look for the guide holding a flag and wearing a blue See Your City jacket. It’s a simple meetup that helps you get rolling fast, which matters on a short 2-hour outing.
The pace is built around seeing key landmarks on foot and then switching to the river for the relaxing part. You’ll want comfortable clothes and weather-appropriate gear, because this runs rain or shine.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in London
St James’s Palace, Lancaster House, and Buckingham House in one sweep
A big draw here is how much royal territory you cover in a small amount of time. You’ll pass St James’s Palace and St James’s Park, then work your way through the Westminster royal orbit where the scenery shifts from palace facades to park space and back again.
St James’s Palace is a highlight for history lovers. You’ll hear about its connections to King Henry VIII, and also about King Charles I’s final night before his execution. Those details add weight to what can otherwise look like just impressive stone and ironwork.
From there, the route includes stops that bring Buckingham Palace into view, along with Lancaster House. You’ll also visit Clarence House, the official residence of King Charles III. And because Buckingham Palace was originally known as Buckingham House, the stories help you understand how the monarchy’s main addresses evolved over time.
Whitehall and Westminster Abbey area: the view is part of the lesson
This is not a deep museum tour. It’s more like a well-paced walk where your guide points out what to look for and what it meant, then you move on before the moment gets lost in a crowd.
As you pass through the Westminster area, you’ll also get a feel for the surrounding power center—Whitehall is part of the route. The tour ends near Westminster Station, across from Big Ben, so you get one of London’s classic sightlines before you shift to the river.
If you’re the type who likes to take photos but still wants the context, this is a good format. You’re not just snapping from one spot—you’re seeing how different royal sites relate to one another in the same walk.
The Changing of the King’s Guard: your must-know schedule
This is the moment many people buy the tour for, but the key truth is simple: it only runs on select days. The Changing of the King’s Guard takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and it’s weather permitting.
There’s also a seasonal note that can help you plan: it takes place every day during June and July, but that can still be subject to change. Horse Guards Parade is daily, so even if the Changing of the Guard isn’t on your date, you still have a strong chance of seeing British ceremony pageantry as part of the experience.
Here’s the practical consideration: don’t assume the ceremony will happen on every departure. If it’s the single reason you’re going, check the date carefully before you lock it in, and remember that weather can affect what you actually see.
Horse Guards Parade: ceremony that feels like theater
Even beyond the Changing of the King’s Guard, the Horse Guard Parade adds a lively, visual rhythm to the day. It’s listed as a daily tradition, and it’s a strong companion to the walking portion because you get variety: you’re moving among landmarks, then you stop for something more performance-like.
The tone you’re looking for is pomp and precision, not just a static photo op. If you enjoy traditions with rules and routines—think uniforms, pacing, and formal movement—this part can be the payoff that keeps the tour feeling more than sightseeing.
Walking to the Thames, then letting the river do the work
Once you reach the River Thames portion, the energy shifts. You’ll travel along the Thames and then disembark at the Tower of London. That boat segment is included, so you’re not stuck hunting for transport or trying to time multiple tickets while you’re already on a schedule.
I like how the river ride breaks up the day. The walking portion gives you context around palaces and parks; the boat portion gives you a wider-angle view of the city and a smoother end to the loop.
One small planning detail: the Thames segment ends with disembarking at the Tower of London, and the tour activity is set up to end back at your meeting point. The data doesn’t spell out the exact method for how you return, so just treat that as part of the tour’s internal logistics and plan to follow the guide’s instructions.
Price and value: what you’re really paying for
At $26.94 per person for a 2-hour guided tour plus a boat ticket, this can feel like a good value—if your date lines up with the ceremony you want. You’re not only paying for a guide to point at buildings; you’re also getting included river transport that would cost extra if you did it on your own.
If you’re visiting on one of the days when the Changing of the King’s Guard is scheduled (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, weather permitting), the tour gives you a structured way to experience that signature moment along with major landmarks.
If you’re there on another day, you still get the royal-palace and park walk and the daily Horse Guards Parade, plus the Thames ride. In that scenario, you’re paying more for the overall royal circuit and the boat finish than for the specific Changing of the Guard exchange—so adjust your expectations accordingly.
Who should book this Royal Westminster plus Thames tour?
I’d say this works best for:
- First-time London visitors who want a focused hits-and-stories royal route in about 2 hours
- People who enjoy ceremonies and want help figuring out what’s happening on the day
- Sightseers who like a mix of walking and a ticketed boat segment, instead of doing everything by foot
- Anyone who wants the Westminster power center plus the Tower of London area in one connected plan
It may be less ideal if the Changing of the King’s Guard is your make-or-break item and you can’t be flexible about day-of-week or weather. In that case, double-check the schedule and have a backup day plan.
Should you book? My take
Book it if you want a compact royal day with major palaces, a ceremony stop, and an included Thames boat ride that ends at the Tower of London. The guided format helps you connect what you’re seeing—like St James’s Palace and its ties to Henry VIII and King Charles I—with why those places matter.
Skip or reconsider if you’re going specifically for the Changing of the King’s Guard and you’re not on one of the listed days (or if your trip is all weekdays with no flexibility). The tour is strong, but that one moment is schedule-dependent.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The tour duration is 2 hours. Starting times vary, so you’ll want to check availability for the departure that fits your day.
Where does the tour meet?
You meet outside Green Park Tube Station at the statue of Goddess Diana. The meeting address is London SW1A 1RD, United Kingdom, and the guide will be holding a flag and wearing a blue See Your City jacket.
Where does the tour end?
The Thames portion includes disembarking at the Tower of London. The overall activity is listed as ending back at the meeting point.
What’s included in the price?
The price includes a 2-hour guided tour and a boat ticket.
Does the tour run rain or shine?
Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.
Is the Changing of the King’s Guard guaranteed?
No. The Changing of the King’s Guard only takes place on select days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, weather permitting. It can be daily during June and July, subject to change.
Is there a wheelchair accessibility option?
Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.
