Royal London tour with Westminster Abbey & Afternoon Tea
Celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III with this regal experience from Evan Evans. Take our relaxing Royal London tour and see all the best bits of London with an expert Blue Badge Guide – the highest accreditation of guiding – before witnessing the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Then make your way to Westminster Abbey to enjoy a delicious Afternoon Tea at the Cellarium Café & Terrace. You will then have the opportunity to visit the Abbey itself using a multi-media guide. Explore this iconic and ancient church, the location of very crowing of a monarch since 1066, and see the Coronation Chair and the Royal Tombs of 30 monarchs.
Additional Information
The duration of the Royal London panoramic tour is 3 hours
Departure location: Victoria Coach Station (opposite Gate 1), 164 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TP
Itinerary finishes: Westminster Abbey, 20 Dean's Yard, London SW1P 3PA
On days where there is no Guard Change at Buckingham Palace, we will visit Horse Guards Parade instead
The Royal London tour will finish at approximately 12 noon at Evan Evans office, 258 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1BS. The rest of the itinerary is at leisure (unescorted). Westminster Abbey is 10-15 minutes’ walk from the Evan Evans office or guests can take the Underground from ‘Victoria’ to ‘Westminster’ at own cost
Last admission to Westminster Abbey is usually 3:30pm Monday-Friday and 3:00pm on Saturday
Afternoon Tea is usually served up until 3:30pm in the Cellarium Cafe & Terrace
Guests can choose whether to take their Afternoon Tea before or after visiting Westminster Abbey (subject to opening times). Opening hours may vary so please check prior to visiting
Afternoon Tea: The Cellarium uses a wide range of ingredients in its kitchen some of which may contain allergens. If you have a specific allergy or dietary requirement, please let the team know, they will be happy to give you details of ingredients to assist you with your choice
Joining documents will be issued by Evan Evans team members on the day. Guests should present their tickets separately as follows - for For Afternoon Tea at the Cellarium: please present a paper copy of your voucher on arrival at the Cellarium
For Westminster Abbey entry: please show your ticket at the North Door of Westminster Abbey
Highlights
- See the best of the city in style on-board a morning Royal London tour
- Discover stories and facts on London’s Royal past with an expert Blue Badge Guide
- Watch ‘The Changing of the Guard*’ ceremony at Buckingham Palace
- Explore iconic Westminster Abbey – the setting of every Coronation in Britain since 1066
- See the historic Coronation Chair and the Royal tombs of 30 monarchs at Westminster Abbey
- Enjoy a full Afternoon Tea in the Cellarium Café & Terrace – located inside the Abbey
- Combine an organised tour with an afternoon at leisure for the perfect day out
What's included
- Panoramic tour of the City of Westminster with an expert Blue Badge Guide
- Independent entry ticket for Westminster Abbey with a multimedia guide
- Independent ticket for Afternoon Tea at the Cellarium Café & Terrace
- VOX personal headsets – never miss a word of your guide’s live commentary
- Free Wi-Fi and USB charging points on board the coach
- An immersive, complimentary audio-guide available in Spanish, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese and Korean
- Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
Overview
Royal London tour
Arriving at Victoria Coach Station you will meet our friendly team opposite Gate 1. Your Blue Badge Guide will welcome you aboard your comfortable climate-controlled coach on this fascinating fully guided sightseeing tour through the beautiful City of Westminster. Discover fascinating stories, insights and facts on the roots on the capital’s history and its regal history. Through the large panoramic windows of our coach, you will see Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament including ‘Big Ben’, Parliament Square, No. 10 Downing Street, the Albert memorial, the Royal Albert Hall, the London Eye and many more exciting locations.
The Changing of the Guard is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring displays of pageantry. On days where a Guard change is taking place, witness this historic ceremony from our special vantage point, ensuring you get the best photos to share with your loved ones back home. It’s a Royal welcome to London on board this expertly guided tour.
Your tour will conclude near Victoria Train station at approximately 12:00 noon.
Afternoon Tea at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a 10–15-minute walk from Victoria where you will alight from your morning tour. Make your way independently to Westminster Abbey passing under the arch towards Dean's Yard. Within it you will see the entrance to the Cellarium Café and Terrace set within the Abbey itself. As part of this experience, you will enjoy a delicious full Afternoon Tea which can either be enjoyed at lunch time prior to visiting Westminster Abbey, or after your visit.
Savour a sumptuous selection of sandwiches, freshly baked scones and handmade cakes along with your choice of tea or coffee. Your Afternoon Tea will be served on a 3-tier cake stand by the friendly team of Benugo – experts at delivering memorable food experiences to guests in stunning places around the country.
Westminster Abbey
Explore over 1,000 years of history at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Westminster Abbey – England’s pre-eminent church and the site of every royal coronation since that of William the Conqueror in 1066. Plus see the tombs of former monarchs and important figures from Britain’s history.
Westminster Abbey is the location for the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III – set for 6th May 2023. This historic occasion will see the Coronation ceremony take place for the first time since that of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. See the Coronation chair as part of your visit.
Royal Tombs
Today, over 3,000 people are buried or memorialised at Westminster Abbey, including 30 monarchs and notable historical figures such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking and Geoffrey Chaucer. At the west end of the Nave is the grave of the Unknown Warrior, whose body was brought back from France to be buried here in 1920.
The Coronation Chair
The Coronation Chair in St George’s Chapel is perhaps the most famous piece of furniture in the world. Commissioned by Edward I, ‘The Hammer of the Scots’, this ancient wooden chair has been sat on by every English and later, British, monarch at their coronation since the 13th century. Originally covered in gold leaf and glass, the chair was designed to house the ‘Stone of Destiny’, which was taken by Edward I as spoils of war.
Explore the Lady Chapel & Chapter House
Marvel at the fan-vaulted ceiling, carved pendants and ornate decorations that adorn every surface in the Lady Chapel; the burial place of 15 kings and queens including Elizabeth I, ‘Bloody’ Mary Queen of Scots and the Princes in the Tower.
In the Chapter House, you’ll find a late Saxon door thought to be the oldest door in Britain, believed to date back to the 1050s. Before the Palace of Westminster was built, the Chapter House was used as a meeting place for the King’s Great Council and the Commons, an early form of government and predecessor to Parliament.
Days of operation:
Monday-Saturday
Know before you go
The panoramic London coach tour is fully guided by an expert Blue Badge Guide.
Guests will then make their way independently to Westminster Abbey.
Cancellation policy
Changes or cancellations can be made up to 24 hours prior to the date of travel without charge. Cancellations inside 24 hours will be charged at 100%.
