Buckingham Palace & Crown Jewels of London Tour

Overview

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace serves as the official London residence of His Majesty The King, and is one of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world today.
Each summer when the Palace is not being used in its official capacity, visitors can enjoy the 19 magnificent State Rooms that provide the setting for ceremonial occasions and official entertaining by members of the Royal Family. The rooms are furnished with many of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck, sculpture by Canova, exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain, and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world.
Visitors to the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace will see the White Drawing Room, perhaps the most beautiful of all the State Rooms with its spectacular crystal chandelier, the Music Room, where guests are presented on the occasion of a State Visit, and the Throne Room, which was the setting for the formal photographs following the wedding of Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales.

Crown Jewels of London Tour
Join us on this fantastic afternoon tour with an Expert Guide who will take you on a historical journey through London, which will see you visit two of its most iconic landmarks. Then, after an afternoon of exploration, enjoy a scenic cruise on the River Thames.


St Paul's Cathedral
The first stop on our tour is an iconic symbol of London. Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece took 35 years to build and today is one of the largest churches in the world. Incredibly, this towering domed cathedral was also the tallest building in London until the 1960s.
Its construction between 1675-1710 was part of a rebuilding programme after the original cathedral located here was swept away in the Great Fire of London in 1666: With no fewer than seven chapels, countless statues and priceless art inside, as well as Europe's largest crypt, there are historical and religious treasures around every corner at St Paul's.

EXHIBITION: Christopher Wren: The Quest for Knowledge
It is 300 years since the death of Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723), the revolutionary scientist, mathematician and architect who was responsible for building the St Paul’s Cathedral we know and love today.
To commemorate his remarkable life, our exhibition Sir Christopher Wren: The Quest for Knowledge will explore and reflect on the early life and career of Wren. The exhibition will chart his lesser-known achievements in mathematics, astronomy and physiology, as well as the design and building of his greatest monument, St Paul’s Cathedral.
With a wealth of material from our archives, discover these rich stories alongside drawings, photographs and treasures from our collection including remarkable historical objects personal to Wren himself.


Tower of London
Explore almost 1,000 years of history that began with the construction of a fortress and royal residence by William The Conqueror. The long history of 'The Tower' is one of imprisonment, murder and execution. The last person executed here was in 1941, and over the years spies, criminals and even queens have met their bloody end by the executioner's hand at the tower.
The Tower of London is also home to the priceless Crown Jewels Collection. This glittering display of gems and gold includes the Star of Africa, the world's largest cut diamond, as well as a collection of crowns, robes, and other items of ceremonial regalia. It would be improper to fail to mention the tower ravens. Legend has it that at least half a dozen must stay within the bounds of the tower or the monarchy will fall. How many can you spot on your visit?

Thames River Cruise
After visiting the Tower of London, head down to Tower Pier and jump on the next available boat for a wonderful cruise down the River Thames. Enjoy a unique view of London's beautiful waterfront as you head to Westminster Pier next to the iconic Houses of Parliament.