Meet your guide and enter the Tower of London, where you will discover the many stories of one of the oldest buildings in London, and experience where some of the greatest events in English history occurred. Best of all, you will be able to admire the stunning Crown Jewels which are kept here behind extensive security in the aptly-named Jewel House.

On leaving the Tower, travel to Westminster by river cruise for a walking tour past some of London’s most famous buildings including St James’s Palace, Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards, the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben. If you're lucky you might catch the Changing of the Guards ceremony, which is full of pomp and ceremony (this is dependent on the day and weather).

Your tour will continue your day with a private tour of London’s royal church, Westminster Abbey - the site of 38 coronations and the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Learn about the Coronation ceremony and enjoy the beauty of this 800-year old treasure. After a day filled with history and culture, the best way to end your highlights tour is with a relaxing ride on the London Eye (one of the world's biggest Ferris Wheels), which offers spectacular views across London.

Popularly known as ‘Buck House,’ this extraordinary building was built in 1702 as the Duke of Buckingham’s city residence. When visiting the palace, it’s worth standing before The Forecourt, which is the site of the Changing of the Guard – a popular tourist attraction in the summer. The flagpole will let you know whether the Queen is ‘at home’ or not. If you can see the flag, then you’ll know she’s inside doing whatever Queens do best – sipping tea, eating scones, and talking to other important dignitaries. If the flag isn’t flying, then Her Royal Highness and her entourage are off on important matters of state elsewhere.

Today, Big Ben is one of the most iconic emblems of London and a crucial part of its skyline. Indeed, it is one of the first images that comes to mind when you think of the great city. It is located on the north side of the Palace of Westminster which is the headquarters of Parliament in England.

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, formally known as Guard Mounting, is a tradition going back to the beginning of the 17th century. It is an elaborately choreographed military ceremony in which troops of the Queen’s personal guard march out, accompanied by a traditional band, and exchange posts as well as the palace keys with a royal degree of pomp and formality.

Downing Street is known the world over as home to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom: ‘Number 10’ has been the official ministerial residence for almost 300 years. Today, Downing Street is gated and there are armed security guards standing by; yet you will always see tourists peering through the iron bars at this famous London cul-de-sac. A visit provides a thrilling glimpse at the heart of the English Government - and, of course, at one of of the most famous doors in the world.

Since 1066 AD, the year of the momentous Norman invasion, the Tower of London has stood as a sign of the strength of England and a fearsome reminder to anyone who challenges the security of the realm or the authority of the king. Visitors may also see the magnificent Crown Jewels of England, which have been on public display since 1960. The castle, host to compelling historical mystery and brimming with stories of kingship, romance, and murder, remains a vibrant and fascinating destination.

Trafalgar Square is one of the most celebrated spots in London for its history and architectural beauty. Located in the centre of London near Charing Cross, this huge open space is one of the prettiest and most popular squares in town with loads to offer the curious tourist. A bustling site where Londons old and new collide, Trafalgar Square is a vital stop for any visitor.

Tower Bridge is a Victorian bascule suspension bridge crossing the River Thames. Designed by Horace Jones in 1884, it is a beautiful construction with two tall fortified bridge-towers: this distinctive silhouette has become one of the major emblems of the city. Tower Bridge Exhibition offers visitors the chance to climb up to the walkways at the top level of the bridge which connect its twin towers, as well as to learn the history of the bridge and take guided tours of the various rooms. Tower Bridge is a London icon; even if you don’t fancy the height of its famous gangways, it is well worth a trip to the riverbank for a glimpse before you leave the city.

Westminster Abbey is perhaps the most important church in England. It is traditionally the one most associated with the monarch, as royal coronations have been held here since the arrival of William the Conqueror from Normandy in 1066. It has also held at least 16 royal weddings, including the recent nuptials of Prince William and Kate. With an impressive lineage and a royal reputation, Westminster Abbey is one of the most magnificent churches in England. It is packed with grand spectacle and fascinating details alike.

Many a visitor to London will take a spin on this famous wheel, which takes you high above the skyline and provides the best views of the buzzing metropolis. At a towering 135m, the London Eye is in the top five tallest Ferris wheels in the world and has won numerous awards for tourism. Visitors may rent a capsule for one or more rotations to enjoy a unique and romantic date, or share a glass of champagne and hors-d’oeuvres with friends. Decadent fun in a fantastic setting; what more could you want?

This royal road has become a popular route for tourists visiting the historic city: there is lots to see along the way besides Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. Wide and tree-lined, it makes for a pleasurable promenade through the heart of historic London. The Mall was originally created as a ceremonial route to and from the Palace; it is also closed during state visits when the road is reserved for exclusive use by the Queen and the visiting diplomat, who will be chauffeured up the Mall, state flags waving, as a matter of ceremony.

The River Thames is London’s oldest and most permanent feature, a winding, colour-changing ribbon that has been the lifeblood of the city since its foundation. As well as supplying London with water, it is also a surprisingly common commuting method – many people still get to work and back by riverboat. For those with a little more time in their hands, however, a leisurely cruise on the Thames is both relaxing and a great way to see some of the best sites the city has to offer.

More commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, the Palace of Westminster is one of London’s most recognisable and visited attractions. Marked by Big Ben at its northern edge, and sitting across the water from the London Eye, the palace sits at the epicentre of London’s sightseeing scene, but also has a more profound importance for the nation as a whole, and is often referred to as “the heart of British politics”. Medieval BeginningsThe Palace of Westminster has been the seat of the English government since the middle of the 11th century. When the two-house parliament was created in 1265, it was at first only the House of Lords which sat in the palace, and it was not until 1547 that the House of Commons moved here permanently, thus cementing the palace’s importance to the national government. Out of the AshesA devastating 1834 fire destroyed most of the palace, and Sir Charles Barry was commissioned to draw up its replacement. The new structure took almost thirty years to complete, but Barry’s neo-Gothic design was widely admired, with his new clock tower, now known as Big Ben, being a particular favourite. The sharply-fluted formal structure particularly impressed Claude Monet, who painted a series of canvases of the palace in different lighting conditions.If you’re interested in the Palace’s interior, there are several intriguing areas inside which are open to the public. Besides the debating chambers of the Lords and the Commons, you can explore the wonderfully historic Westminster Hall, one of the few parts of the palace to survive the fire, which has a stunning vaulted ceiling.

The River Thames is London’s oldest and most permanent feature, a winding, colour-changing ribbon that has been the lifeblood of the city since its foundation. As well as supplying London with water, it is also a surprisingly common commuting method – many people still get to work and back by riverboat. For those with a little more time in their hands, however, a leisurely boat ride on the Thames is both relaxing and a great way to see some of the best sites the city has to offer. Into the Setting SunThere are a huge number of different companies offering tours of the Thames, in everything from flashy catamarans to the cumbersome amphibious London Duck buses. Many will offer a variety of starting points, some as far downstream as the Thames Barrier. West of Greenwich Pier, though, most visitors choose to begin at Tower Bridge. Heading upstream from here, you will first pass the old Royal Navy battle cruiser turned floating museum HMS Belfast, before passing under the newest instantiation of London Bridge. Look out for Shakespeare’s Globe theatre on your left just before you pass under the Millenium Bridge a little further down. Cruising CentralJust around the bend in the river marked by Waterloo Bridge and the National Theatre, the iconic figure of Big Ben will emerge beside the Houses of Parliament on the north bank, set across the Thames from the newer London Eye. Further along, you will slide past the dramatic monolith of the Battersea Power Station. After this point, the density of riverside parks begins to increase as you leave Central London, and you will be treated to the green expanses of Battersea and Wandsworth Parks, as well as the gorgeous Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.