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Free tour

Westminster Welcome - Covent Garden to Parliament Square

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Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Languages: English
Guru: James
Registered on 21 February 2025
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Hi there! I’m James, a profesional tour guide an actor. I’m new to GuruWalk but I’ve been guiding in London since 2002. I conduct regular theatre history tours in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Palladium as well as walking tours through Westminster and The City of London. As an avid traveller myself I often find myself on the ‘other side’ of a walking tour in a new place - it really is the best way to discover a city!
Free reservation and cancellation
Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

New to London? Then this is the perfect tour to ‘welcome you to Westminster’

I will take you to the major landmarks in this historic borough, and don't worry - this tour is not just a list of names and dates you won’t remember two minute later! I have many interesting stories to make the history come alive.

Covent Garden  - Theatre’s re-birth and the best actor you have never heard of.

Trafalgar square - We gaze up at Nelson and answer 3 important questions - ’what's Nelson looking at'? 'What's wrong with those lions'? 'And what's George Washington standing on'?

Horse Guards - (on weekdays the 10:15 tour will catch the changing of the Kings Life Guard) The old Palace and a building that Churchill hated.

The Mall - Elizabeth’s red carpet.

St James Palace - A chat about leprosy and as we walk pass lancaster house we'll take a poll about who we think drank the government wine stored in the cellar during the Covid lockdown?

Buckingham palace - WW2 hits & misses and a break-in!

St James park -  Pelicans and a mishap with fireworks.

Then to the best place for a photograph of the Houses of Parliament - my opinion ;-) before we get to…

Jewel Tower - how bureaucratic nonsense burned parliament.

Parliament square -  stories from the Abbey and the only gravestone that it is forbidden to step on.

A check of the time will reveal I have absolutely, definitely not ran over time (!) and I’ll wrap it up with the final story of how religious persecution almost led to the destruction of everything around us...





Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:
5 The Piazza, London WC2E 8HD, UK
In the corner of Covent Garden Piazza near the back entrance of the Royal Opera House. I’m the guy with the Red Hat, Red umbrella & Hopeful face!
1
Outside visit
Covent Garden
Retail, Performers and an argument over a wig
2
Outside visit
Trafalgar Square
A war hero, lions and a President's feet.
3
Outside visit
The Mall
A new hotel, a red carpet and a Duke
Tour map

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).


Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group bookings.
Pets
Suitable for bringing pets.

What should I know?

Minimum attendees
Does not require a minimum number of people to conduct the tour.
Additional costs
The tour does not require payment for entries or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or card payment accepted.
Westminster Welcome - Covent Garden to Parliament Square
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