London tours and day trips

The official London home of Her Majesty the Queen which welcomes tours visitors in the summer months. Once a London town house used by the Dukes of Buckingham, Buckingham Palace is adorned by masterful works of art and treasures from the Royal Collection.

With few exceptions nearly every English king and queen since 1066 has been crowned at Westminster Abbey, and many are buried in the Abbey itself. The coronation of William the Conqueror took place here in 1066 as did the canonisation of Edward the Confessor in 1161.

The great west window and the rose window date from the early eighteenth century and remarkably in 1965 the Abbey celebrated its 900th anniversary. The Coronation Chair (built in 1300) and Poet's Corner are of special interest too.

Constructed during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1894. Not only the most distinctive bridge in London, but one of the most recognisable bridges in the world. The deck is raised to allow river traffic through - on average - 500 times a year. We sometimes get lucky and witness this event happening during our tours of London.

Built by Sir Christopher Wren between 1675-1700, St Paul's takes in much of the City of London's history from the Roman occupation right through to the marriage of the Prince and sadly missed Princess of Wales.

London tours would be incomplete without a visit to this outstanding piece of English history.

Originally a fort built by William the Conqueror, the original parts of the stone fortress date back to 1078 when work began. Completed (and looking much as it does today) by the 13th century during the reign of Henry III, the Tower of London symbolises royal power. Later, two of Henry VIII's wives were held and executed here.

London tours would be incomplete without a visit to the magnificent clock tower that forms part of the Houses of Parliament and whose chimes have become famous around the world - first broadcast by the BBC in 1923. The name 'Big Ben' in fact refers to the 13 ton bell, named after Sir Benjamin Hall. Four 23 foot clock faces are illuminated at night and a light above indicates when Parliament is in session The minute hand is an amazing 14 feet long! The original bell was taken from Westminster Palace and given to the Dean of St. Paul’s by William III, before returning to its original home.

Otherwise known as Westminster Palace, the site where Edward the Confessor built the original palace in the 11th century and where the Lords continue to meet today. Built in the Gothic Revival style in 1888 by Charles Barry, much of the Victorian interior was designed by Barry’s assistant Augustus Pugin.) Also houses the House of Commons.

The junction of 5 major London roads, the name was derived from a 17th century frilly collar known as a Picadil. The centre piece to the circus is the famous statue of Eros, the pagan god of love.

Right in the heart of the West End shopping district, Piccadilly Circus, with its neon signs, forms part of Regent Street which is a shopper's heaven! Some of the hundreds of stores to look out for are Tower Records and the famous Hamleys toy store.

Famous for Nelson’s Column and pigeons! Built in honour of Admiral Horatio Nelson after his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 where he was killed, the square was designed by John Nash in the 1830s. The central column stands an imposing 185 feet, and the statue atop, 18 feet. Four bronze lions designed by Edwin Landseer stand afoot the column. One of our London tours premier attractions.

A ceremonial display by the Queen’s foot guards of the household division of the army. Horse Guard’s Parade is London’s largest open space constructed in 1745 to house the old palace guards. Also the setting for Trooping the Colour on the Queen’s official birthday.