• Green Park - According to legend, Green Park owes its name to Charles II’s wife, Catherine de Braganza, who ordered the removal of all its flowers. Curious about the reason? Discover it on the tour!
• St. James’s Palace - Constructed by Henry VIII on the site of a former women’s leper hospital, this palace was intended for the son he hoped to have with his second wife, Anne Boleyn. However, history took a different turn!
• Changing of the Guard - Experience one of London’s historic ceremonies, a spectacle not to be missed. However, it doesn’t occur daily, so we’ll confirm if it’s scheduled for your tour morning. If it is, enjoy viewing different parts of the ceremony from three locations—be ready to move quickly! Even if scheduled, it can be canceled last minute, so there’s no guarantee of witnessing it.
• Clarence House - Visit the residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
• Lancaster House - Crafted from exquisite Bath stone, this building served as a stand-in for Buckingham Palace in “Downton Abbey,” “The Crown,” and “The King’s Speech.”
• Buckingham Palace - As one of London’s most iconic landmarks, with its renowned balcony, Buckingham Palace serves as the monarchy’s office and is among the few operational palaces worldwide. Queen Elizabeth II resided here Monday through Friday, but her son Charles has yet to decide his residence. The palace is undergoing extensive renovations, so we’ll see what he chooses.
• Wellington Barracks - Home to the Queen’s Life Guards, who have protected the monarch since 1660. The new guard departs from here during the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
• St. James’s Park - A picturesque Royal park teeming with wildlife and featuring a stunning ornamental lake, shaped by England’s extravagant King George IV. Previous monarchs also left their mark—learn more on our tour!
• Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall - Once a Tudor jousting ground, it now hosts two of London’s historic ceremonies from the 1600s: the Changing of the Guard and Trooping the Colour. It was also a venue during the 2012 London Olympics—can you recall which sport was held here?
• St. James’ Square - Formerly an aristocratic housing estate, it still boasts a lovely central garden.
• Paxton & Whitfield - Originating as a market stall centuries ago, this shop now showcases over 90 artisan cheeses from across Europe.
• Floris - Initially a barber’s, Juan Floris transformed it into a perfumery nearly 300 years ago. It continues to produce the Lily of the Valley perfume, one of its first creations, among many other delightful scents.
• Fortnum & Mason - London’s most elegant department store, where the hamper was invented! As we explore the ground floor, discover the unique rooftop feature and learn about a store-sponsored competition. Fascinating!

• Experienced, local guide accredited by top institutions
• Guidance by Sandy, a member of the City of Westminster Guide Lecturer’s Association

• Food and drinks
• Food sampling
• Gratuities - optional
• Transportation to/from the start and end points of the walk

This private walking tour explores the area of St James’, often referred to as London’s Royal Village due to its numerous royal associations. The tour includes a walk past the exteriors of Buckingham Palace and St James’ Palace, as well as a journey through two stunning royal parks, Green Park and St James’ Park. St James’ is famous for its Gentlemen’s Clubs, and participants will pass by several that continue to thrive today, approximately 275 years after their establishment. These clubs are surrounded by exclusive shops, many of which were originally created to provide gentlemen with all their necessities, from cheese and wine to shirts and shoes. If fortunate, the tour may coincide with the historic Changing of the Guard ceremony, offering a glimpse of royal pageantry at its finest. This event currently occurs on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This tour is a must-see, with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered around every corner!

• 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 160 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.

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