We would like to book a tour of the Tower of London and see the Changing if the Giard. We are travelling with our 13 year old granddaughter. Selecting a good tour is a bit overwhelming. We would appreciate any suggestions!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8383 posts
Beefeater tours of the Tower of London are available free with admission to the Tower. My suggestion. Get to the Tower when it opens, go straight to the Crown Jewels, then join the next tour.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2367 posts
Carol is right on. I would skip the end of the tour in the small church there. I love history but it was to us extremely boring. You can just walk away and then wonder on your own. We truly enjoyed what I seem to remember is the Royal Mews where the magnificent carriages are kept. If you do go to the changing of the guard be sure to get there early also or she may not be able to see much. Enjoy.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32767 posts
The Changing of the Guard at the Palace has people gathering at 9 am for the 11 am short ceremony; the Tower of London opens at 9 in the summer and 10 the rest of the year. I absolutely agree with an early start at the Tower, and I really don't see how both things can be done on the same day.
I'd be lowering the expectations of your daughter, some people get a lot out of the Changing of the Guard, many don't.
Consider the Changing of the Horse Guard? You get closer, the riders have shiny breastplates, there are horses, etc.
Posted by
York
117 posts
We took my 13year old niece to London and followed this for changing of the guard
https://changing-guard.com/downloads/Visit%20With%20Children.pdf
Much better than standing for hours and you can pick the bits that interest you and her.
As a side note we were at the Palace yesterday as my daughter has completed her gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award. As a tourist you cannot get anywhere near the palace at the moment due to the stands for all the jubilee celebrations. Constitution Hill is also closed.
Posted by
Chicago
1943 posts
We went to see the changing of the horse guards and it was much more intimate and less crowded. Changing of the Guard isn't that exciting TBH. Much better idea to be in line at the Tower when it opens, go directly to the Jewel Tower and see the Crown Jewels then get a Beefeater Tour.
Posted by
Land of La
8674 posts
OP take a look at the London Walks schedule.
Might find something of interest that you hadn’t thought of. www.walks.com Ask her to look as well.
Consider a cruise on the Thames. Ride the underground trains. Find the Peter Pan statue in Hyde Park. Watch the Pelican feeding in Hyde Park.
Stroll around Spitafields market. Visit Brick Lane. Take the Emigrates Gondolas over the Thames. Visit the Sky Garden. Walk across Tower Bridge.
Is she a Harry Potter fan? If yes, visit Leaden Hall Market and locate the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.
Animal lover? Visit Mudchute Farm.
Dinosaurs? Natural History Museum
Mummies? British Museum
See a musical: Wicked, Frozen, Grease, Sister Act to name a few or for a scare, The Woman in Black.
Portobello Road Market on Saturday. Get there by 8am.