London self-guided walking tour: Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square
Royal and political London in one easy loop: Buckingham Palace, St James's Park, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, then up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square. Watch the whole route in 4K first, then walk it yourself, stop by stop.
- Distance
- About 3.1 km1.9 miles, on foot
- Time
- 2 to 2½ hoursabout 38 min of walking
- Start
- Buckingham PalaceGreen Park station
- Finish
- Trafalgar SquareCharing Cross station
Press play to start at stop 1, or pick any stop below.
Video by Tours by Foot - London on YouTube
This route follows a narrated walk by a London guide, filmed on these streets. Each stop opens the video where the guide reaches it.
The route, stop by stop
- 1
Buckingham Palace
Start at the Victoria Memorial in front of the palace, the King's official London home, at the end of the long red avenue of The Mall.
The Changing of the Guard does not take place every day; check the schedule and arrive early for a spot by the railings.
↓ About 7 min walk (600 m) to St James's Palace
- 2
St James's Palace
Walk along The Mall past Clarence House to the red-brick Tudor gatehouse of St James's Palace, still a working royal palace.
↓ About 14 min walk (1.1 km) to Westminster Abbey
- 3
Westminster Abbey
Cut through St James's Park and past the Churchill War Rooms to the Abbey, where English and British monarchs have been crowned for almost a thousand years.
The park's lake bridge has a fine view back to the palace.
↓ About 4 min walk (300 m) to Big Ben and Parliament
- 4
Big Ben and Parliament
Across Parliament Square, the Palace of Westminster and its famous clock tower, the Elizabeth Tower, home of the bell called Big Ben.
For the classic photo, walk a few steps onto Westminster Bridge.
↓ About 5 min walk (410 m) to Downing Street
- 5
Downing Street
Walk north up Whitehall past the Cenotaph to the gates of Downing Street, home of the Prime Minister.
↓ About 2 min walk (200 m) to Horse Guards Parade
- 6
Horse Guards Parade
Mounted sentries stand on duty in the archways of Horse Guards on Whitehall, with the wide parade ground behind them.
↓ About 6 min walk (470 m) to Trafalgar Square
- 7
Trafalgar Square
Finish at Nelson's Column and its four bronze lions, with the National Gallery along the north side of the square.
The National Gallery is free to enter, a good place to rest after the walk.
About this walk
This is the most famous short walk in London, and for good reason: the palace, the Abbey, Parliament and the great avenue of Whitehall sit within a short stroll of each other, linked by one of the city's prettiest parks.
The route follows a narrated walk by a London guide, filmed on these streets, so each stop opens the video at the moment the guide reaches it, with tips for watching the Changing of the Guard.
Good to know
Is this walk free?
Yes, everything on the route can be seen from outside for free, including the Changing of the Guard. Westminster Abbey and the state rooms of Buckingham Palace (open in summer) charge for entry.
When is the best time to do it?
Late morning on a day with the Changing of the Guard, so you can watch it at the start and walk on as the crowds leave the palace.
Is it suitable for children and buggies?
Yes. The route is flat, on wide pavements and park paths, with toilets and cafés in St James's Park.
Distances and walking times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Watch the full walk with its key moments on the video page. More walks in this area: Westminster neighborhood guide.
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