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Royal tour of St James', Parks, Palaces and Royal intrigue
London, England, United Kingdom
$199.00
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
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, Friday and Sunday.
This is a tour not to be missed with hidden gems around every corner! All my Trip Advisor reviews are graded Excellent so I must be doing something right!
This is a tour not to be missed with hidden gems around every corner! All my Trip Advisor reviews are graded Excellent so I must be doing something right!
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Royal tour of St James', Parks, Palaces and Royal intrigue
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide
Availability depends on seasonality and number of participants. Bookings can not be made for the same day. Please read our TnC’s.
When giving as a gift, your recipient can choose a date at their convenience during a booking process. Otherwise, you can choose one after checkout and voucher redemption.
When giving as a gift, your recipient can choose a date at their convenience during a booking process. Otherwise, you can choose one after checkout and voucher redemption.
Check available dates by emailing us at [email protected]
- 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.
- Transportation to/from the start and end points of the walk
- Gratuities - optional
- Food sampling
- Food and drinks
Meeting point
Under the Colonnade of the Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly at 9.45 a.m. under the sign on the wall which reads ‘Ritz Club’.
Return details
Under the Colonnade of the Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly at 9.45 a.m. under the sign on the wall which reads ‘Ritz Club’.
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Green ParkLegend 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!
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St. James's PalaceBuilt 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!
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Changing of the GuardOne 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.
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Clarence HouseA chance to see where King Charles III and the Queen Camilla, call home.
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Lancaster HouseBuilt 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.
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Buckingham PalaceOne 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.
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Wellington BarracksHome 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.
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St. James's ParkOne 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!
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Horse Guards Parade at WhitehallOriginally 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?
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St. James' SquareOnce a housing estate for the English aristocracy, it still retains a beautiful garden in the centre.
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Paxton & WhitfieldThis 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.
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FlorisOriginally 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!
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Fortnum & MasonThe 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!
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10 000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!
Royal tour of St James', Parks, Palaces and Royal intrigue
London, England, United Kingdom
$199.00
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10 000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!