St Paul’s Cathedral
Your personal guide will give you a shortened tour of this ‘Defiant Giant’. Symbol of national pride, focus of London spirituality, and a glorious architectural masterpiece: 50 years to build, 300 years of history. Many important historical events have happened here: the funerals of national heroes Wellington, Nelson and Churchill. This was also the venue where Prince Charles and Lady Diana took their vows in their spectacular, but ill-feted wedding in 1981. The view of the famous sweeping steps may jog some memories, particularly that seminal moment when Diana stepped out of a golden fairy-tale carriage wearing ‘that’ dress. A major movie location, the church has been used in recent films such as Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes and National Treasure. The impressive interior boasts fantastic decor, wonderful monuments, and an inside view of Sir Christopher Wren’s magnificent dome, which, if you are feeling energetic, may be climbed for a superb bird’s eye view of London.
● Usually open Monday to Friday. Standard entry tickets pre-booked.

Churchill’s War Rooms
Your personal guide will give you a shortened tour of Winston Churchill’s wartime underground HQ. Here, as the British Prime Minister battled to save civilisation during World War Two, the tensions and drama are laid bare. The bunker were completed just before the outbreak of war, accommodating map rooms, cipher rooms, switchboards and emergency living quarters used for the entire 1,562 nights of the war. From here, many of Churchill’s great speeches were broadcast. Almost all his directives and instructions were dictated in these rooms. Room 63 was a broom cupboard disguised as lavatory where Churchill had his hotline to President Roosevelt. It was set up using a revolutionary encryption device to mask conversation with ‘white noise’. A fascinating time capsule, the bunker closed down in 1945 and was not re-discovered until 1973. It also features the superb Churchill museum, featuring interactive exhibits, mementos from his life and the original door from No.10 Downing Street.
● Usually open Monday to Friday. Standard entry tickets pre-booked.

Changing of the Guard*
Your personal guide will accompany you to Buckingham Palace to view the Changing of the Guard ceremony. All the King’s horses and all the King’s men in the kind of pomp that only London does best. As we wait for the military marching band to strike up, your guide will explain this centuries-old tradition, run through the regiments that take part, regale you with regal tales, and, as the band marches by, bag you the best spot for photos of this popular pageant of colour.
● Free to view. Usually takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between August and May and daily during June and July. It does not take place at all during wet weather. If cancelled on the tour date, guided tours of other attractions will be extended.

Tower of London
Your personal guide will give you a shortened tour of London’s oldest building and a World Heritage site. Officially known as Her Majesty’s Palace and Fortress but once described by Shakespeare as ‘The Slaughterhouse’. Blood, Bling & Beefeaters! The original ‘Tower’ was built for William the Conqueror almost 1,000 years ago, and as you will see, successive monarchs added their own defences over the years (to demonstrate their popularity!). The tour touches on the tragic tale of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII. You will discover his cruelty knew no bounds. See the awesome Crown Jewels, king of bling! Seek out the mysterious ravens. Smile with a superb photo opportunity in front of Tower Bridge. And hear how the famous Beefeaters, also known as the Yeoman Warders, with costumes designed in Henry’s reign, look after a London landmark simply drenched in history.
● Not Monday. Standard entry tickets pre-booked.

Kensington Palace
Your personal guide will give you a shortened tour of this royal palace set at the western edge of London’s Hyde Park (known as Kensington Gardens). Its history stretches from the 17th to the 21st centuries. The palace was originally lived in by King William III and Queen Mary II who ruled together. It was subsequently home to Queen Anne, George I and George II. Queen Victoria was born here. In 1837, at the tender age of 18, she awoke here one day to discover she was queen. The State Apartments were opened to the public on the occasion of Victoria’s 70th birthday. The palace was also famously the last home of Diana, Princess of Wales, and where her sons Princes William and Harry were brought up. The attached private residence is still the official London home of ‘William and Kate.’ In Nov 2017, Harry proposed to Meghan in the cottage next door. Apparently, he got down on one knee while they were ‘trying to roast a chicken’! There are often special royal collections on display. The Orangery in the garden is a pleasant place for refreshments.
●  Not Monday or Tuesday. Standard entry tickets pre-booked.

British Museum
Your personal guide will give you a shortened tour of civilization’s hall of fame! The iconic British Museum was founded over 250 years ago in the academic heartland of London known as Bloomsbury. Recently remodelled, this independent institution prides itself on being the world’s first free public museum. Step into the Great Court and marvel at the magnificent glass roof. Below are the seven million objects that make up the greatest collection of antiquities in the world. This tour examines the Museum’s top 10 treasures from major world cultures. From Ancient Egypt, the Mummies, Statue of Ramesses and the famous Rosetta Stone. From Ancient Assyria, the sculptures of King Sargon’s Palace. From Ancient Greece, the Elgin Marbles. From the Pacific, the Easter Island Statues. From Britain, the Roman Vindolanda Tablets, the early Christian Hinton St Mary Mosaic, the Saxon Sutton Hoo Treasure, and the Viking Lewis Chessmen.
● Usually open Monday to Friday. Free entry.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Your personal guide will accompany you on an inhouse tour of this faithful re-creation of the famous 16th century theatre. The ‘Big O’ was scene of the Bard’s greatest triumphs. The original Globe Theatre was built in 1598 on the south bank of the River Thames – a crucible of cultural flowering – and demolished in 1644. The New Globe was completed in 1997 by the American film producer, Sam Wanamaker (father of Harry Potter movie star Zoe Wanamaker), and transformed the local area of Bankside. Queen Elizabeth II came here during that first season. With a capacity of 1,600 (900 seats), the reconstruction time took 14 years longer than the original, using the original plans and original materials: a wooden frame, a thatched roof, and not a single metal rivet! Described as a fusion of 3 ‘A’s: actors, audience and architecture, it’s a working open-air theatre, exhibition and tour with shops and restaurants. In 2013, a separate Jacobean-style theatre was built inside the complex.
●  Usually open Monday to Friday. Standard entry tickets pre-booked.

London Eye
Your personal guide will accompany you on board to describe the city’s most popular paid-for visitor attraction. Indeed, the London Eye was recently voted the world’s most popular tourist attraction, attracting 3.75m visitors per year, more than the Pyramids of Egypt! But don’t worry about the queues, as line-busting fast-track tickets are always available. The world’s biggest and most famous observation wheel was erected to celebrate the Millennium. With engineering by the vehicle manufacturer, Skoda, it is 350ft high, turns at 1mph, and takes 30 minutes for a full rotation. There are 32 pods in total, the same number as there are London boroughs. With 26 people able to fit in a pod, the Eye can accommodate almost 1,700 people per hour. It offers unrivalled views of London. On board you can take in the vastness of the city. Kids can play the world’s biggest game of ‘I Spy’, and as a group you can be photographed as you ‘come in to land’.
●  Usually open Monday to Friday. Fast-track entry tickets pre-booked.