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Royal Tour of St James', Parks, Palaces and Royal intrigue

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$212.59

REG. $248.61

Overview

This private walking tour covers the area of St James' known unofficially as London's Royal Village because of its many royal connections. We wander past the OUTSIDE ONLY of Buckingham Palace and St James' Palace, and through two beautiful royal parks, Green Park and St James' Park. St James' is renowned for its Gentlemen's Clubs, and we will stroll past several which still flourish today, some 275 years after they were founded. These clubs are in the midst of exclusive shops, many set up to supply the gentlemen with everything they could possibly need from cheese and wine to shirts and shoes. If you're lucky, your tour date might coincide with an ancient ceremony called the Changing of the Guard, a chance to see royal pageantry at its best. This currently takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is a tour not to be missed with hidden gems around every corner!

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Piccadilly, England, W1J 8JA, United Kingdom

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We will meet inside the cafe if you would like to start your tour with a coffee or outside the cafe if you do not! Meeting time to be agreed.

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. Green Park

Legend has it that the park is green because Charles II's wife Catherine de Braganza ordered all its flowers to be removed. Why you might ask? You'll find out on the tour!

Duration: 5 mins

2. St. James's Palace

Built by Henry VIII on the site of a women's leper hospital, this palace was originally built for the son promised to Henry by his second wife, Anne Boleyn. But things didn't turn out quite as planned!

Duration: 10 mins

3. Changing of the Guard

One of London's ancient ceremonies, this is pageantry not to be missed BUT IT DOES NOT GO AHEAD EVERY DAY. We will need to check if the ceremony is scheduled for the morning of your tour. If it is, you're in for a treat as we view different parts of the ceremony from three different places - we'll need to move fast to get from one to another! EVEN IF THE CEREMONY IS SCHEDULED TO GO AHEAD, IT CAN BE CANCELLED AT THE LAST MOMENT SO THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL SEE THE CEREMONY.

Duration: 20 mins

4. Clarence House

A chance to see where King Charles III and the Queen Camilla, call home.

Duration: 2 mins

5. Lancaster House

Built from beautiful Bath stone, this building stood in for Buckingham Palace during the filming of Downton Abbey, the Netflix series the Crown and the film, the King's Speech.

Duration: 2 mins

6. Buckingham Palace

One of the London's most iconic buildings, with its world famous balcony, Buckingham Palace is the office of the monarchy and one of the few working palaces in the world. Queen Elizabeth II lived here Monday - Friday but her son Charles has yet to decide where he is going to live. The palace is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment so we'll have to wait and see what he decides to do.

Duration: 10 mins

7. Wellington Barracks

Home to the Queens' Life Guards, responsible for the security of the monarch since 1660. The new guard leave from here during the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Duration: 2 mins

8. St. James's Park

One of the prettiest Royal parks with an abundance of wild life and a gorgeous ornamental lake, England's most extravagant king George IV, made it what it is today. A few other monarchs before him had their say too - I will reveal all on our tour!

Duration: 15 mins

9. Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

Originally used for jousting during Tudor times, Horse Guards Parade is now home to two of London's ancient ceremonies dating back to the 1600s, the Changing of the Guard and Trooping the Colour. The parade ring was also used during the London Olympics in 2012 - I wonder if anyone can remember which sport took place here?

Duration: 10 mins

10. St. James' Square

Once a housing estate for the English aristocracy, it still retains a beautiful garden in the centre.

Duration: 5 mins

11. Paxton & Whitfield

This shop began life centuries ago as a market stall; how it has changed wince then as it now displays over 90 artisan cheeses from all over Europe.

Duration: 3 mins

12. Floris

Originally a barber's, Juan Floris quickly changed his shop into a perfumery which is still thriving nearly 300 years later. It still produces Lily of the Valley perfume which was one of the shop's first creations but there are many others well worth a sniff!

Duration: 5 mins

13. Fortnum & Mason

The most sophisticated department store in London - the hamper began here! As we take a quick walk arund the ground floor of the store, you will find out what unusual feature is up on the roof as well as the nature of a competition sponsored by the store. Intriguing!

Duration: 15 mins

Inclusion

A fun and experienced professional, local guide, accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guiding and the University of Westminster. Sandy is a member of the City of Westminster Guide Lecturer's Association.

Exclusion

Food and drinks

Food sampling

Gratuities - optional

Transportation to/from the start and end points of the walk

Cancellation Policy

Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

When your booking is confirmed, you will receive contact details for me (Sandy) and I will be your guide on this tour. My aim is to give you, my client, the best experience you could possibly have so if you have any special requests, be sure to tell me what they are! If you need to stop for a break midway through the tour, that will be fine with me.

The tour will last up to 3 hours depending on the walking pace of the group, the number of questions asked and if the Changing of the Guard ceremony is going ahead on the day of the tour.

The tour will cover roughly 2 miles in total.

The tour will go ahead come rain or shine so please don't be put off by the weather. Do wear comfortable shoes and clothing and, if needs be, bring waterproofs and an umbrella.

Due to the distances involved, and the speed at which we may have to walk between events, this tour is not recommended for those with walking difficulties.

Tours start either inside or outside Le Deli Robuchon on Piccadilly. Meeting time to be confirmed once the booking is made.

Unlike some other guides, I specialise in just five areas of London, St James' being one of them. This means that I have detailed knowledge of the area which I pass on to my clients in a fun and interesting way.

100% of my Trip Advisor/Viator reviews are graded 'excellent' and as I now have over 175+ reviews in total, I must be doing something right!

I prefer to guide small groups of up to five family or friends so that everyone can hear what I am saying above the usual street noises of a busy city. Also, everyone can ask as many questions as they like.

I ALWAYS make contact with my clients before a tour so if you have not heard from me one week before your tour, please contact me instead.

I only accept bookings directly from customers. Any bookings made by a travel agent on behalf of a customer will be cancelled.

Supplied by Hobnob Tours