Ceremonial London in a short loop: Whitehall, Horse Guards, Westminster Abbey and St James's Park.
Best time: Morning on a Changing the Guard day
The route, stop by stop 1 National Gallery 20 min
Free access to Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Turner's Fighting Temeraire and Holbein's The Ambassadors; the Sainsbury Wing reopened in 2025 after refurbishment.
2 Horse Guards Parade Mounted sentries on Whitehall; 10 min
3 Churchill War Rooms Outside or 2-hour visit
The actual underground bunker where the War Cabinet met, with the Map Room left as it was in 1945 and a large Churchill museum inside.
4 Westminster Abbey Outside or visit; 15-90 min
Coronation church since 1066 with Poets' Corner, the tomb of Elizabeth I and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries in the triforium.
5 St James's Park (Blue Bridge) View to Buckingham Palace; pelicans; 20 min
6 Buckingham Palace End; Changing the Guard on set days
Summer opening of the 19 State Rooms, used for state banquets; Changing the Guard takes place on the forecourt on set days.
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