Combo Best of Royal London and Windsor Castle Tour
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Home of the Crown Jewels, this former fortress, prison and execution site was also the place where Richard III allegedly murdered his prince nephews in order to usurp the throne from their father, King Edward IV.
See the Queen’s Foot Guards in their unmistakable bearskin hats and her cavalry plumed in feathered helmets on noble steeds as they march to guard Buckingham Palace during a ceremony that is as beautiful as it is meaningful.
See another side of the Royal Family on this visit to the world's largest and oldest continuously inhabited castle. With roots going back to William the Conqueror and Queen Elizabeth II still coming for weekend retreats today, this regal residence is both elegant and imposing to behold.
As the capital of the United Kingdom, home to the Royal Family, and a cosmopolitan city at the crossroads of history, London has loads to offer to both seasoned travelers and first-time visitors. Seeing the best of what this bustling historic metropolis has to offer doesn’t have to usurp your entire vacation and we have crafted the perfect mix on our London and Windsor Castle tours, with a walking tour of its top sights, followed by a jaunt into the quaint English countryside to see where the most famous Londoners - the Royal Family - escape to.
Begin your day at the both famed and infamous Tower of London. Our early morning visit means you’ll be among the first to enter the Jewel House to see the spectacular Crown Jewels, which have been held here and locked up for safekeeping for the last 600 years. These are the official regalia and vestments used by the Sovereign of the United Kingdom during the coronation ceremony and other noble appearances. This priceless collection includes magnificent orbs, swords, rings, and of course, crowns and scepters. During your visit, you will also be able to see the famous white tower, where it is said that the ‘Princes in the Tower’ were held and supposedly murdered by their Uncle Richard III to take the throne from their father, King Edward IV.
Then it’s time to step aboard a relaxing river shuttle as the tour heads up the Thames. Enjoy the sights as your guide points out major landmarks as you cruise by. Arrive at the embankment and follow your guide on a short stroll to see the Changing of the Guards. This world-famous ceremony takes place either at Buckingham Palace or at Horse Guards Parade, depending on the day. Your guide will make sure you are in a prime position to enjoy the best views at this crowded event. Your guide will bring this experience to life with colorful commentary other travelers miss on the history and pageantry behind the ceremony as the Queen’s Foot Guards, with their red tunics and unmistakable bearskin hats, march to Buckingham Palace.
End your tour at Buckingham Palace, the residence of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, and see the famous balcony where the royal family appears during major events. Ask your guide for some lunch recommendations and enjoy some free time to try traditional English fare before continuing your journey in the footsteps of royalty visiting Windsor Castle.
Meet your guide at Waterloo Station to board your train to the quaint village of Windsor. Your guide’s entertaining introduction to this authentic English town will make you eager to explore its proud royal history. Meander through its cobbled lanes bordered by Tudor architecture and peek through traditional blown-glass windows as your guide offers a fascinating insight into life with the Royal Family as your neighbors. Even Shakespeare walked these very streets and used them as the setting for his play ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’.
It’s now time to visit the home of their grandmother – Windsor Castle. This is the longest-occupied castle in Europe, having housed all British monarchs since Henry I, and is Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite weekend retreat. A treasure trove of royal history, the splendor of this palace will reveal itself to you as you walk through its rooms accompanied by the official audio guide. Explore the ornate State Apartments where visiting dignitaries are hosted among artworks by Rembrandt and Rubens. Delight in Queen Mary’s dollhouse, a perfect miniature of an aristocratic home lavishly furnished with the finest tiny handmade furniture. Admire the intricate Gothic architecture of St. George’s Chapel, final resting place of monarchs including King Henry VIII. At the turn of every palatial corridor, another royal jewel awaits.
At the end of your tour, you'll be free to revisit places of interest or explore even further, before you return at leisure to London using your flexible train tickets.
Depending on the day you will see either the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade. The Changing of the Guard is subject to changes in date, time and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather is not announced before 11am. When this occurs, customers will still see a ‘wet change’ during which the guards march but without the usual music or parade. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' access.
On tours cancelled more than 72 hours before the scheduled departure time, we are happy to offer our customers a full refund. For tours cancelled less than 72 hours before scheduled departure time, we are unable to offer refunds. Instead we suggest that customers reschedule their tour for another time more convenient for them.
Changes made to bookings within the 72 hour window will be subject to rebooking fees to cover the cost of tickets purchased, transport, guide rescheduling, headsets and administration.
We strongly advise against arriving at the meeting point without a booking as we cannot guarantee that there will be space left on the tour. Our guides are unable to accept payment for tours so any bookings made on the spot will still need to be processed over the phone with payment by credit card.
A City Wonders tour is the product of meticulous research, detailed planning, and a passion for providing customers with travel experiences they will cherish forever.
With City Wonders it's not just facts, our passionate guides tell you the stories that bring the sights to life.
