Westminster Abbey Tour and Royal London Walk with Changing of The Guard for families and kids

About this activity

Duration: 3 hours

Language: English

Full description

I am a fully qualified Blue Badge Guide who can offer you 8 years of professional expertise, knowledge, and enthusiasm. My family tours are designed to be interactive fun and engaging and can be tailored to your needs.

Come with me on a quest to explore this ancient royal church where history is still being made. Find out why it was founded, what a ‘Royal Peculiar’ might be, and see where the monks lived, prayed, and slept – and discover why they aren’t still here.

You will find out all about the Abbey’s magnificent Gothic architecture including strange terms such as flying buttresses, rib vaulting and fan ceilings – and I’ll explain why churches have so many stained glass windows.

We’ll ‘meet’ a variety of English Kings and Queens, including hearing the story of half-sisters Mary and Elizabeth, a few Henrys, some Edwards, and many others. Together we will learn about Coronations: what happens on the day and what it all means – and find out why the Coronation Chair has an open space underneath the seat.

Our trail will lead us to famous scientists, musicians, and poets, and you can decide which of their discoveries or creations was the most important – or have a go at creating your own story or composing a playful limerick about them.

We’ll move on to explore the area around the Royal Palaces. See if you can spot more regal faces along the way and reward yourself by having a photo taken next to the Royal Horse Guards. We’ll take in the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony and then explore St. James’s Park where I’ll help you to identify some of the plants, trees and various birds who live there.

To complete the adventure, we’ll pass the residence of the Prime Minister, and I’ll explain what Big Ben really is and why the British Parliament has its own Palace too!

Tickets

Entry tickets to Westminster Abbey are not included in the price and have to be purchased in advance. Please indicate the number of tickets required on the contact form.

Please note that entry tickets to Westminster Abbey are non-refundable in the event of cancellation.

Meeting point

Westminster Abbey Shop
20 Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3JS, UK

Look for a guide wearing Blue Badge Guide lanyard and holding a placard with your name.

Important information

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Nearest underground station is Westminster
• This tour is suitable for children aged 5 and above. Younger kids and toddlers are welcome, but the tour may not be appropriate for their age.

Cancellation Policy

• You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
• If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
• Tickets to venues are non-refundable.