London has more tours than anyone could fit into one trip, but a handful stand above the rest. These are the tours we think every visitor should book: royal palaces, a thousand years of history, the river, and a few that Londoners love too.
At Mason & Green we drive visitors to these places every week. Our chauffeurs know the drop-off points, where the queues build and how to link two or three sights into one comfortable day. Here is our pick.
1. Tower of London
If you only do one tour, make it this one. Join a free tour led by a Yeoman Warder (a “Beefeater”), who will tell you about the executions, the escapes and the ravens. Then see the Crown Jewels up close.
Go early, because the queue for the Crown Jewels grows quickly by late morning. Tower Bridge is a short walk away, so it is easy to see both in one visit.
2. Westminster Abbey
Kings and queens have been crowned here for almost 1,000 years. The audio guide takes you past royal tombs, Poets’ Corner and the Coronation Chair. Book a guided verger tour if you want the stories behind the stones.
3. Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
A guided tour takes you through the House of Commons, the House of Lords and Westminster Hall. Tours run mostly on Saturdays and during parliamentary recess, so book ahead. Afterwards, walk onto Westminster Bridge for the classic photo of Big Ben.
4. Buckingham Palace State Rooms
The State Rooms open to visitors for a short season each summer, and they are worth planning a trip around. You will see the rooms where the King receives guests, along with major works from the Royal Collection. Pair the visit with the Changing of the Guard outside.
5. Churchill War Rooms
Beneath Whitehall sits the bunker where Winston Churchill and his cabinet ran the Second World War. The rooms are kept as they were left in 1945, maps and all. It is one of the most atmospheric museums in the city.
6. Thames River Cruise
The river is the best way to see London’s skyline in one go. A cruise from Westminster to Tower Bridge or Greenwich passes the London Eye, St Paul’s, the Shard and the Tower of London. An evening cruise adds the city lights.
Want to make a day of it? Our Greenwich & the Thames private tour combines the riverside with the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Park.
7. The London Eye
A 30-minute turn on the London Eye gives you views across the whole city and, on a clear day, for miles beyond. Book a fast-track or sunset slot to make the most of it.
8. St Paul’s Cathedral
Climb the 528 steps to the Golden Gallery at the top of Sir Christopher Wren’s great dome. On the way up, stop at the Whispering Gallery and try speaking to someone on the far side. The crypt below holds the tombs of Nelson and Wellington.
9. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Just outside London in Leavesden, this tour walks you through the real sets, costumes and props from the films. Allow at least three to four hours inside.
It is a long trip by public transport, and one of our most-booked journeys. Our Warner Bros. Studio Tour transfer takes you there and back from your hotel, timed around your entry slot.
10. A Guided Walking Tour: the City, Soho or the East End
London is best understood on foot with a good guide. Popular choices include:
- An evening Jack the Ripper walk through Whitechapel
- A street-art tour in Shoreditch and Brick Lane
- A pub and history walk through the City of London
- A theatre and nightlife walk around Soho and Covent Garden
They are short, good value and full of stories you will not find in a guidebook.
Worth the Drive: Day Trips from London
Some of the best tours start just past the M25, and they are far easier in a private car than on a coach or a train with changes.
- Windsor Castle – the oldest occupied castle in the world and a royal home, about an hour from central London. See the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel. View our Windsor Castle & Eton tour.
- Stonehenge – the famous stone circle on Salisbury Plain. Many visitors combine it with Bath in one long day. View our Stonehenge & Bath tour.
- Oxford – college quads, the Bodleian Library and streets seen in countless films, all in a compact, walkable centre. View our Oxford & Blenheim Palace tour.
- Hampton Court Palace – Henry VIII’s palace by the Thames, with Tudor kitchens, grand gardens and the famous maze. View our Hampton Court Palace & Richmond tour.
With a Mason & Green chauffeur, you leave your hotel when you choose, stop where you like and come home without checking a timetable.
Tips for Planning Your London Tours
- Book ahead. The most popular tours sell out, especially in summer and school holidays. Timed tickets bought online are often cheaper too.
- Group sights by area. Westminster Abbey, Parliament and the Churchill War Rooms are a short walk apart. The Tower, Tower Bridge and a river cruise make another easy group.
- Start early. The first slot of the day means shorter queues and better photos.
- Check opening days. Some tours, such as Parliament and the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, only run on certain days or in certain seasons.
Let Mason & Green Take You There
Whether it is an airport pick-up straight to your hotel, a day linking the sights across London or a full trip to Windsor, Stonehenge or the Harry Potter studios, our professional chauffeurs make the journey part of the experience.
Browse all of our private London tours and day trips, or ask us to plan a bespoke tour around the places you most want to see.