Explore the Royal Mewsand discover coaches, horses and carriages at one of the finest working stables in existence.
These are some of the things to see and do during your visit you shouldn't miss. The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is responsible for all road travel arrangements for The King and members of the Royal Family, from horse-and-carriage to car and from livery to harness.
See behind the scenes at a real working stables in the heart of London, steeped in royal history, and marvel at the iconic 260-year-old Gold State Coach, used at State occasions such as Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953, the Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and King Charles III Coronation in 2023. The Gold State Coach is the grandest coach at the Royal Mews. At 260 years old it has been used at every coronation since that of William IV. Queen Elizabeth II used it to travel on her Coronation Day in 1953, it appeared as part of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in celebration of her seventy-year reign, and most recently at the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
The huge coach is seven meters long, 3.6 meters tall, weighs four tones, and needs eight horses to draw it. It features magnificent painted panels of Roman gods and goddesses, rich gilded sculptures including three cherubs on the roof representing England, Scotland, and Ireland, and four massive triton figures above each wheel. Look out for a horse or two during your visit to the Mews. There are 2 types of horses used to pull the carriages at the Mews: Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays.
Windsor Greys draw the carriages in which the monarch, other members of the Royal Family and guests travel. They're so called because they used to be kept at Windsor in Victorian times, where they drew the private carriages of the Royal Family. Windsor Greys are at least 16.1 hands (1.65m) high at the withers (the point on a horse's neck where the mane begins to grow) and are chosen for their steady temperament and stamina.
Cleveland Bays are used to pick up high commissioners and ambassadors presenting their credentials to the monarch, for other day-to-day activities, and as workhorses.
What there is to discover might astound you. From market towns to academic giants, escape into the history of England for a day.
Farewell for now, London. We've got a past to explore.
We make our way through Westminster and the City of London before heading north towards the county of Essex. Named after the East Saxons who colonized this area in the 6th century, suburbia soon makes way for a green and pleasant land.
First up is the quaint market town of Thaxted, nestled in the Uttlesford district of Essex.Back in the medieval day, it was a prominent centre for wool trade. It's easy to see how important this town was simply from the majestic and stunning parish church of St John the Baptist that dominates the skyline. Market squares and churches - these were the signifiers of important trade towns. Today, you can wander the town's charming streets lined with timber-framed homes on your way to one of the many hidden gems, from tea rooms to traditional pubs.
After a quick exploration of Thaxted, we head to our lunch stop for the day: the iconic city of Cambridge.
You've probably heard of it - there's a reason you picked this tour, right? It's a city known for its prestigious university, where the likes of Stephen Hawking and Charles Darwin studied. Intimidated yet? It's an 'intimidating' kind of place. It's awe-inspiring and gob-smacking and a place where all those kinds of descriptive phrases you've used come into play.
But beyond its academic prowess, Cambridge is also a beauty worthy of gazing upon. Glide down the River Cam as you discover punting - an iconic Cambridge activity- as well as the city. Walk along The Backs, a scenic stretch of parkland that hugs the river and colleges.
Explore Cambridge's vibrant cultural scene from theatres to galleries before heading to the market town of Saffron Walden.
Markets have been held here since 1141, and if you're lucky enough to visit on a Tuesday or Saturday, you'll see that tradition continues.
This little town was once known simply as 'Walden', but around 1500, the saffron crocus plant was grown extensively in the area. Saffron trade boomed. The town of Walden profited greatly from this beautiful plant... so it was renamed Saffron Walden.
But it has more than saffron and markets. Why not get lost in the Hedge Maze? Or take a moment to reflect on St Mary's Church?
After a wander and some food (and hopefully a bit of shopping!), we make our way back to London.
Tickets & Attraction Passes, Day Trips & Excursions+1 more
Service date
Over 6 hours
Full day
Our small group Cotswoldsday trip from London offers you an unforgettable experience, taking you through some of the most picturesque villages in England.
From Bibury which is named the most beautiful village in England to Bourton-on-the-Water known as the Venice of England. Bourton-on-the-Water is also our lunch stop.
After lunchwe go to Broadway Towerwhich offers one of the most spectacular viewpoints in England. Climb to the top for panoramic views that stretch over multiple counties. The surrounding parkland is also home to a herd of red deer, offering excellent photo opportunities.
Lastly, we will tour Stow-on-the-Woldwhich is a market town and a quintessential English town with mellow Cotswold stone houses and shops.
Buckingham Palace serves as the official London residence of His Majesty The King, and is one of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world today.
Each summer when the Palace is not being used in its official capacity, visitors can enjoy the 19 magnificent State Rooms that provide the setting for ceremonial occasions and official entertaining by members of the Royal Family. The rooms are furnished with many of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck, sculpture by Canova, exquisite examples of Sevres porcelain, and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world.
Visitors to the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace will see the White Drawing Room, perhaps the most beautiful of all the State Rooms with its spectacular crystal chandelier, the Music Room, where guests are presented on the occasion of a State Visit, and the Throne Room, which was most recently the setting for the official portraits from the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen.
Following a visit, the Palace's Garden Cafe offers the perfect location to enjoy a selection of light refreshments while taking in panoramic views of the lake across the lawn, before visiting the Garden Shop.
The Garden
Often called the 'walled oasis in the middle of London', the gardens of Buckingham Palace are a true sight to behold. Home to 30 different species of bird and over 350 different wild flowers, there is plenty to see and enjoy. Visitors finish their tour with a walk along the south side of the garden, taking in views of the famous lake and the west front of the palace.
Extend your day with an optional visit to theRoyal Mews - Select either the 11:15am or 12:30pm timeslot.
Visit His Majesty The King's official London residence and see two fascinating parts of Buckingham Palace. First, take a walk around the Royal Mews before entering the State Rooms and exploring the exquisite and historical rooms containing precious pieces from The Royal Mews
Begin with a look around the amazing Royal Mews, where you will see iconic vehicles are used for State visits, the State Opening of Parliament, official engagement and, of course, coronations and royal weddings. Get up-close to the Gold State Coach which has been used for every coronation since William IV. The newest addition to the fleet is the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, a beautiful vehicle made especially for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012. The vehicle combines classic style and craftsmanship with more modern technologies - an extraordinary example of modern tradition.
Important information
Please note your scheduled entry to Buckingham Place is 75min after your entry to Royal Mews. You must leave the Royal Mews and wait OUTSIDE KING'S GALLERY (formally known as Queen's Gallery) for a Golden Tours representative to take you to Buckingham Palace, you will not be allowed into the Palace without them.
Language
Audio guide available in English, Brazilian, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Spanish. British Sign Language (BSL) with subtitles. Family commently for children.
Step into the hidden underground rooms at the heart of Westminster and uncover a secret chapter of British history. These war rooms and tunnels were where critical strategies were devised to defeat Hitler's regime during World War II.
The War Rooms became operational on August 27, 1939, just days before the invasion of Poland on September 1 and Britain's declaration of war on Germany on September 3. Wander through the corridors that sheltered key government figures during this crucial period in history, visit the room where Churchill and his War Cabinet held meetings, and take a step back in time in the Map Room, left untouched since 1945. Explore the Transatlantic Telephone Room, cleverly disguised as a small private bathroom, where Churchill secretly communicated with the President of the United States.
The Churchill Museum
Located within the War Rooms, the Churchill Museum offers an in-depth look at Winston Churchill's life, from his early days at Blenheim Palace to his military career, his two terms as Prime Minister, and much more. This award-winning, interactive museum displays personal items, such as handwritten letters and personal belongings, alongside recordings of Churchill's famous wartime speeches.
Undercover: Life in Churchill's Bunker
Explore the experiences of the staff who lived and worked underground for much of the war, playing vital roles in the war effort. Discover historic images, artifacts, and interviews with those who shared close quarters with Churchill, shedding light on their lives in the bunker. See the famous Remington Noiseless typewriters, imported from the U.S. because Churchill was bothered by any noisy distractions.
Language
Audio guide available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew, Portuguese, and Mandarin.
* Free time to explore inside Tower of London until closing time
Explore British royal history on this day tour of Windsor Castle and the Tower of London, with entry tickets included.
Departing from central London with convenient pickups, travel to Windsor Castle, the world's oldest and largest occupied castle, and official residence of King Charles III. Marvel at St. George's Chapel, the site of royal weddings and burial place of 11 monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II, Henry VIII to mention a few - and the beautiful State Apartments.
After we will travel to the Tower of London, a UNESCO-listed fortress with a dark history. Discover the Crown Jewels, meet the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters), and walk the legendary Tower Green. Explore the Tower of London freely until closing time.
The 4-hour tour will take you into the footsteps of the lads of Oasis and the 'Queen of Camden' Amy Winehouse around their North London haunts and see where Coldplay started out. Camden has something for everyone! Indie Rock, Pop Stars, Punks, Ska, Brit Pop... Camden also offers some Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and One Direction places of interest, ideal for multi-generations traveling together!
Delve deep and focus on Oasis and their contemporaries around the hotspots of the Brit Pop 90s in London's Camden. Perhaps raise a glass where the lads and ladies once did.
This is the area where Amy Winehouse, the 'Queen of Camden,' held court in the early '00, real places used as filming locations for the recent film Back to Black.
Pass amazing venues and hang outs, former and some still current, like The Roundhouse, Music Machine/KOKO, Dublin Castle, Good Mixer, Dingwall's, The Falcon, Barfly, Electric Ballroom, Laurel Tree, Monarch, Underworld, The Lock...
CAMDEN has much to offer for all ages and all styles of music. Our main focus is 90s/00s, Oasis & Amy, but Camden has something to suit everyone.
This was the stomping ground for hippie London in 60s, The Clash and punk bands in the 70s, then Madness and U2 in the 80s, Oasis, Blur, 90s Brit Pop bands & Coldplay, Amy Winehouse, Pete Doherty and 'indie rock' reined in the early 00s, and now current pop stars Taylor Swift (as in her London Boy lyrics,) Harry Styles, Dua Lipa and more love Camden.
The list of artists playing Camden venues is long and illustrious and includes Oasis, Amy Winehouse, Blur, Pulp, Elastica, Coldplay, Adele, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave & Bad Seeds, Ramones, Jesus and Mary Chain, Madness, Wolf Alice, The Clash, Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Cure, Nirvana, Libertines, Killers, Bob Dylan, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Prince, Madonna, Ramones, Blondie, Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, Janelle Monae, Lady Gaga, Bikini Kill....
Really get off the beaten track on this walking tour! PRIMROSE HILL is a leafy, quiet part of London, where many artists/musicians/actors like to call home thanks to its village quality. Take a stroll past some of the scenic, colourful homes, trendy shops along the high street and see Primrose Hill itself.
This area was central for the hard partying so called "Primrose Hill Set" of the Brit Pop 90s. More Oasis & Amy W landmarks. Now, more of a 'juice bar' vibe, still a chosen part of the capital for pop stars and actors. Even some Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones & Robert Plant heritage here. Time permitting, the tour may also include "Paddington Bear's London home" from the Paddington films.
Explore via vibrant Camden high street, famed Camden markets, along the canal and past street art murals, this walking tour also gets off the tourist track to discover quaint, scenic squares and local streets.
Experience charming 'instagrammable' photo ops, see locations of famous photos and album covers, places of song inspirations - so many places of musical heritage to experience with this London rock tour in Camden!
A great value day trip to Paris including return tickets on Eurostar, guided coach tour of Paris.
Join us at St. Pancras International train station where our staff will help check you in and introduce you to our guide who will escort you on board Eurostar and throughout the day in Paris. Travelling at speeds of up to 186mph, you will be in Paris in just 2 hours 15 minutes. You will travel through the channel tunnel before arriving in central Paris and from here join a panoramic tour of the world's most Romantic city. Enjoy spectacular views of Le Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and more.
A Seine river cruise ticket is also included so why not take a romantic cruise on the River Seine that boasts spectacular views of Notre Dame, Musee D'Orsay and Place de la Concorde.
Alternatively head off to the shopping district on your own or relax and enjoy lunch while soaking up Parisien life.
In the early evening we head back to Gare du Nord for our return journey to London.
Important information
Due to Eurostar requirements, only children between the ages of 4 - 11 years old qualify for a child fare.
The supplier will have no liability if Eurostar trains are delayed for unforeseen circumstances such as security alerts, third party action or bad weather as this is beyond their control. In such cases, please contact Eurostar directly to discuss any compensation that may be due.
On some occasions the train time may change. In this case you will be informed of the revised check-in time after booking.
Upon arrival you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city taking in all the major sites including Champs Elysees, Opera House and the River Seine before arriving at the Eiffel Tower. What better way to enjoy lunch than on the Eiffel Tower itself, one of the world's most famous monuments? Our fast entry ticket means we have priority access and our reserved seats in the newly opened restaurant boast fabulous views across the city. Sit back and enjoy a fabulous three course meal while soaking up the atmosphere of arguably the worlds most beautiful city.
Reopened in June 2022, the 1st floor fully renovated brasserie is run by 2 Michelin stars chef Thierry Marx, offering contemporary brasserie cuisine. The restaurant opens 360 degrees onto the Iron Lady's metal structure for you to enjoy its beauty, and offers a breathtaking view of the Trocadero and the Palais de Chaillot.
After lunch we take a romantic cruise on the River Seine that boasts spectacular views of Notre Dame, Musee D'Orsay and Place de la Concorde.
In the early evening we head back to Gard du Nord for our return journey to London.
Important information
Due to Eurostar requirements, only children between the ages of 4 - 11 years old qualify for a child fare.
The supplier will have no liability if Eurostar trains are delayed for unforeseen circumstances such as security alerts, third party action or bad weather as this is beyond their control. In such cases, please contact Eurostar directly to discuss any compensation that may be due.
On some occasions the train time may change. In this case you will be informed of the revised check-in time after booking.
We connect you with your representative at St. Pancras International who will escort you onboard Eurostar and throughout the day in Paris. Travelling at speeds of up to 186mph, you will be in Paris in just 2 hours 15 minutes.
3 course lunch on the Bateaux Parisiens with river cruise
Come aboard Paris's most prestigious boat for an unforgettable sightseeing cruise and find yourself face to face with Paris's splendid monuments. The large picture frame windows offer unrivalled light and an exceptional view over the city of Paris, whilst you savour traditional French cuisine, elegant and refined, freshly prepared on board each day.
After lunch we will go by the Eiffel Tower for photos and in the early evening we head back to Gard du Nord for our return journey to London.
Important information
Due to Eurostar requirements, only children between the ages of 4 - 11 years old qualify for a child fare.
The supplier will have no liability if Eurostar trains are delayed for unforeseen circumstances such as security alerts, third party action or bad weather as this is beyond their control. In such cases, please contact Eurostar directly to discuss any compensation that may be due.
On some occasions the train time may change. In this case you will be informed of the revised check-in time after booking.
