London Tours

 

Half Day or Full Day London

Famous icons of London, including Big Ben and the Parliament buildings, Whitehall, Downing Street, the London home of the Prime Minister, and Trafalgar Square where looking up you will see Nelson on his column (202ft high), also visiting Buckingham Palace for the colourful Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Westminster Abbey

This magnificent and world-famous building is this country's most important church and has been the site of every coronation since 1066. Our tour includes the Royal Chaples, resting place for most of our medieval monarchs since the time of Henry III in the thirteenth century, poet's corner and much more. This church is used for the country's main religious ceremonies such as state weddings and funerals, the last one being for Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.

The Tower of London

Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066 and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, today the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses. Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house.
For over 600 years kings and queens of England have stored crowns, robes and other valuable items of ceremonial regalia at the Tower of London. Since the 17th century, at least, this collection has been known as the 'Crown Jewels' and has been shown to visitors to the Tower.
Among the objects on display in the Jewel House are the magnificent solid gold St Edward's Crown (1661) made for the coronation of Charles II and used to crown Queen Elizabeth II in 1953; the Imperial State Crown (1937), worn by the sovereign on great state occasions; and the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross and the Sovereign's Orb, used at the coronation of every monarch for 350 years. Some of the world's most exceptional and historic precious stones are to be found adorning objects in the collection. Among them Cullinan I and Cullinan II, the two largest top-quality cut diamonds in the world and the extraordinary and ancient Koh-i-Noor diamond. Other famous stones include the Stuart Sapphire, the Black Prince's Ruby, and St Edward's Sapphire all set in the Imperial State Crown.

St Paul's Cathedral

A guided tour of Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece - St Paul's Cathedral - crowned by the magnificent dome that is so much a part of the London skyline. The Cathedral was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London in 1666. In recent years it has seen the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer and, most recently, the thanksgiving services for both the Golden Jubilee and 80th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

Buckingham Palace State Rooms Opening

Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and London residence of Her Majesty the Queen. It is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.
In August and September, when the palace is not being used in its official capacity, visitors can enjoy the State Rooms, which form the heart of the working palace - nineteen rooms, lavishly furnished with the finest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto and some of the finest English and French furniture.
For the first time ever, visitors will be able to experience the spectacle of the Palace’s Ballroom set up for a State Banquet. For centuries magnificent banquets have been an integral part of royal ceremonial and the traditional way to mark significant events.
Visitors end their tour with a walk along the south side of the Palace garden, which splendid views of the west front of the Palace and the famous lake.

London Eye, the world's highest observation wheel

The London Eye stands 135m high on the South Bank between Waterloo and Westminster Bridges. Your "flight" will take about 30 minutes and offers spectacular views of some of the capital's most famous landmarks, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Nelson's Column and St. Paul's Cathedral.

The City of London

The tour continues through the City of London. Discover the fascinating history of 'the square mile' including the Great Fire that so nearly destroyed it in 1666. See St Paul's Cathedral, the Mansion House, home of the Lord Mayor of London and the Bank of England, known as 'The Old Lady of Thread needle Street.'

British Museum and National Gallery Tour

Highlights of the Great National and International Medieval Master Painters from the 13th. Century to the Pre-Raphaelite Period.
Your tour guide will explore with you the changing attitudes of collectors and curators through the centuries to the patination of antique bronzes from all over the ancient world.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace has been a royal residence for over 300 years, and it was here that Queen Victoria was born and spent her childhood and, recently, the palace was home to Diana, Princess of Wales. Set within the tranquillity of Kensington Gardens, this is the most intimate of royal palaces, not simply an impressive stage for the ceremonies of court life but a charming and much-loved home. The magnificent State Apartments give a glimpse of court life, with an impressive display of paintings from the Royal Collection.

Tate Gallery

Created in the year 2000 from a disused power station in the heart of London, Tate Modern displays the national collection of international modern art. This is defined as art since 1900. International painting pre-1900 is found at the National Gallery, and sculpture at the Victoria & Albert Museum. Tate Modern includes modern British art where it contributes to the story of modern art, so major modern British artists may be found at both Tate Modern and Tate Britain.

Victoria and Albert

V&A South Kensington is the world's greatest museum of art and design, with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity. Discover 3000 years' worth of amazing artefacts from many of the world's richest cultures including ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings.

Half Day Tours

 

Windsor

This delightful tour starts at the home of the Royal Family for 900 years - Windsor Castle - the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. Its proud, strong walls dominate the delightful town that has grown around the castle over the years. Generations of Kings and Queens have conducted their business here and enjoyed its grounds, and you get a real sense of British history breathing through the walls of Windsor Castle, first founded by William the Conqueror a day’s march from London. You’ll see the lavishly decorated State Apartments containing priceless furniture in glorious colours and St George’s Chapel, home to the 14th Century Order of the Royal Garter, our senior chivalric order.

Greenwich

Greenwich is one of London’s most popular places to visit, and most of the attractions are free. Celebrated for its fabulous architecture and great swathe of parkland, it also has a generous choice of quirky shops and markets and a tasty selection of places to eat and drink. There are fine views wherever you turn, and all the sights are within easy walking distance of each other, making Greenwich a real pleasure to explore. 

Riverside Greenwich
Take a riverside stroll and learn how Greenwich grew from its origins as a small fishing village to an important seat of monarchy. This walk takes you passed the world famous Cutty Sark, and to the site where Henry VIII’s Palace of Placentia once stood. 

Walk the Meridian Line
Wander through England’s oldest Royal Park. Cross the Meridian Line from East To West and see where International Time begins at the Royal Observatory. One of several buildings in Greenwich designed by Sir Christopher Wren. 

The Old Royal Naval College
Built by Sir Christopher Wren on the site of the old Tudor Palace of Placentia. Step into the calm classicism of the Chapel into the exuberant splendours of the Painted Hall, described as second in magnificence only to the Sistine Chapel in Rome. 

Maritime and Military Greenwich
Walk along a stretch of river which is steeped in history – from the Baroque splendours of the Royal Naval College to the quaint Jacobean almshouse. Explore the Borough and discover the part played by Greenwich through the ages as Britain built its power by land and sea. Follow in the footsteps of the Military and Naval heroes 

Hidden from History
The story of women’s contribution to Greenwich through such figures, from the past, as Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Mary II, to the recent writer Edith Nesbit, and some of the many thousands who worked in the Woolwich Arsenal during wartime. 

Ghosts, Murders and Mysteries
Discover another side to Greenwich’s historic landmark. Hear stories of Ghosts that wonder through the famous tourist attractions and of  local murders.  Then try and explain the unexplainable.! 

Hampton  Court

Home to the Kings and Queens of Britain since the time of Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace is one of the most famous visitor attractions in the country. Although perhaps best-known as a Tudor Palace, Hampton Court Palace, with its magnificent buildings, world-famous gardens and priceless art collection, continues to inspire visitors of all ages. Discover the magnificent State Apartments of Henry VIII and William III, explore 60 acres of immaculate riverside gardens and lose yourself in the world-famous maze.

Must see attractions:

Henry VIII's State Apartments with their exquisite tapestries and paintings

The magnificent Chapel Royal with its carved and gilded ceiling

King William III's State Apartments, superbly restored after the 1986 fire

The Queen's Apartments and the Georgian Rooms that encapsulate the 18th-century 'age of elegance'

The Tudor Kitchens where you can find roaring fires and Tudor delicacies

The Triumphs of Caesar painted by Andrea Mantegna, one of the great artistic creations of the Italian Renaissance

60 acres of landscaped grounds, including the world-famous Maze, the Great Vine and the recently restored Privy Garden

Full Day Tours

 

Stonehenge

Clouded in mystery, the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge is an amazing feat of engineering and the most important prehistoric site in England, but beyond its archaeological significance and possible astronomical role, Stonehenge is also a place of spiritual importance. Early legends link it with Merlin and King Arthur, but over the last hundred years the midsummer sunrise has attracted pagan groups and followers of the Ancient Order of Druids. 

Bath

We also visit the beautiful Georgian City of Bath and take you on a panoramic tour of some of the finest architectural sights in Europe, including Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, the Circus, Assembly Rooms and the famous Pulteney Bridge. Explore the Roman Baths, built around thermal springs, which have been supplying water for over 2,000 years. In Roman times a great Temple was built next to the sacred spring - the waters were believed to have healing properties and attracted visitors from across the Roman Empire.

Salisbury Cathedral

The beautiful and historic Salisbury Cathedral is an international symbol of Christianity and a world class heritage attraction. The spire is the tallest in England, 123 meters (404 feet). Once inside you'll be impressed by the Cathedral's graceful, elegant proportions. We visit The Chapter House home to one of only 4 surviving copies of The Magna Carta and see the oldest working clock in Europe, dating back to 1386.

Winchester

Winchester, a delightful city that basks in an atmosphere of Beauty, antiquity and tranquillity! Winchester was once a major fortification against the Vikings and King Alfred the Great who was buried at Winchester in 899 is commemorated in a magnificent statue in the city centre that has become a landmark in itself. You’ll also see the mighty 11th Century Winchester Cathedral.

 

Medieval Warwick Castle

The tour takes you back through Warwick Castle's 1,000 year history to a time of bloody battles, extravagant banquets and royal ceremony. Visit the Madame Tussauds waxworks display where you can hear the Earl of Warwick as he prepares for battle. See the gruesome dungeons where prisoners were tortured. Alternatively, you might like to stroll through the Castle's lovingly tended gardens.

Stratford upon Avon

Stratford upon Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare, gaining a fascinating insight into his childhood with its typical parlour, bedrooms, kitchen, buttery and the glove-maker's workshop used by John, Shakespeare's father. There'll be time to explore this charming market town, its streets lined with unusual shops and boutiques.

Cambridge

Cambridge is a wonderful mixture of the everyday and the extraordinary, a living city that has shaped history and today reflects the best of historic and contemporary life. It was the inspiration for Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and many of the Monty Python gang. We will have a guided tour of the magnificent chapel of Kings College, founded in 1441, and a fascinating walking tour of a city filled with beautiful buildings and historical quirks, including the famous ‘Bridge of Sighs’.

Oxford

The colleges in Oxford date back to the 13th century and among its famous students were Bill Clinton, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein and Lewis Carroll. We take you on a fascinating walking tour through the cobbled streets of Oxford to see the Bodleian Library and the picture-perfect college courtyards, for which Oxford is justifiably famous.

Dover

Landscapes of Kent are dotted with unusual buildings and quaint little villages to Dover, where you'll see the famous White Cliffs standing 400 feet above sea level. Brooding above the White Cliffs is the sprawling Dover Castle still watching over the town 800 years on.

Canterbury Cathedral,  Leeds Castle

This trip through the South of England, will show you the County of Kent, also known as “The Garden of England” and your guide will take you alongside the route of popular and religious tradition: “The Pilgrim Way”.
Just before our arrival, the first glimpse of the Cathedral does impress with its majestic beauty, but nothing prepares you for the intricate medieval stonework of this “Flower of the Perpendicular Style”.

Canterbury became a place of pilgrimage in 1170 when St Thomas a Becket was murdered inside Canterbury Cathedral and news of miracles spread like wildfire. The last stop is for the visit of Leeds Castle, one of the prettiest in England, built on two islands, surrounded by a moat and in the middle of an enormous, beautiful park, Leeds Castle contains a large collection of medieval furniture, tapestries and old paintings. The castle includes a large variety of facilities from the licence to marry, to an elegant Tea Room, Aviary, idyllic gardens, wooded hills and it is heaven for children for its maze, nature trails and small jeep wagons. Leeds Castle was described by Lord Conway as 'the loveliest castle in the world' and is set in the middle of a natural lake, surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and gardens. We will take you in before the doors open to the public, to experience its magic in an atmosphere of still tranquility. There will also be time to explore the castle grounds where you will find the 'Lady Baillie Garden' with views over the lake, an aviary and maze.