Half-day London Tour: Westminster Abbey And Houses Of Parliament

PU50

Half-Day London Tour: Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament

Departure Point
Westminster Abbey, London

Departs
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

Departure Time
9:15am

Return Details
Outside the House of Parliament

Overview 
Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament are two of London’s most revered historic landmarks and this 3-hour guided tour lets you discover both in one day. Hear about the royal weddings, coronations, and funerals of Westminster Abbey as you follow in the footsteps of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Princess Diana, and Queen Elizabeth, then learn more about British politics with an audio tour of the Houses of Parliament. 

• Half-day tour of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament in London 
• A comprehensive tour ideal for history buffs 
• Learn about the rich history of 800-year-old Westminster Abbey, where many eminent Britons are buried 
• Explore the Houses of Parliament, home to Westminster Hall, the Queen’s Robing Room, the Royal Gallery, and the Lords Chamber

What To Expect 
This two-part morning tour gives you an express course in British royal and democratic history by visiting two of the most important institutions in town. 

First off, your expert guide  will show you around Westminster Abbey, the monumental monarch-owned church where British royals are both crowned and laid to rest. Next, they will lead you to the entrance of the equally impressive Houses of Parliament, where you will explore the hallowed halls with an official audio guide. This is the best way to get to grips with the customs, ceremonies, and conventions (not to mention the astonishing historic architecture) of Britain. 

Westminster Abbey ranks among the world’s greatest churches. For 1,000 years, the abbey has been the site of royal coronations, with every British monarch having been crowned here, from William the Conqueror in 1066 to Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The 700-year-old Royal Peculiar – a designation that acknowledges the Abbey’s special role as a monarch-owned church – has played host to coronations, royal weddings (most recently Prince William and Kate Middleton) and funerals (including Princess Diana’s). Also of note are the roster of noteworthy figures interred here, among them 17 British monarchs and an unknown soldier who perished in France during World War I. 

After touring Westminster Abbey, your guide will accompany you to the nearby Houses of Parliament. Having been escorted right to the entrance, you will be provided with tickets to enter the revered establishment, where both houses of the British government convene. You’ll be given an audio tour guide and can explore key parts of the building at your leisure. See the 11th-century Westminster Hall, the oldest still-standing section of the building; the Queen’s Robing Room, where the Queen dons her ceremonial robes and crown in preparation for the official State Opening of Parliament; the portrait and gilded statue-adorned Royal Gallery, the site of parliamentary ceremonies; and the lavish House of Lords, which, is the most dazzling room in the whole complex with its frescoes, solid brass gates and gilded throne.

Inclusions 
Entrance ticket with skip the line access to Westminster Abbey 
Entrance ticket to the House of Parliament 
Audio guide tour of the House of Parliament 
Expert, English-speaking tour guide 
Headsets when appropriate, so you can always hear your guide 

Exclusions 
Gratuities 
Hotel pick-up/drop-off 
Food/Beverages

Additional Info 

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Photography is not permitted in Westminster Abbey
• Due to heightened security measures, you may experience delays in clearing security checks when entering the venue
• There are no cloakroom facilities at the Abbey for luggage can be stored 
• Entrance into Westminster Abbey requires a modest dress code. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women
• This tour involves a fair amount of walking and much of the Abbey floor and steps are uneven. We recommend comfortable shoes for all guests
• We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours
• Group size of 25 people or fewer         

PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!