London’s Two Royal Landmarks in a Single Day
Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London are the two buildings that most completely embody the British monarchy — one the working headquarters where the King lives and governs, the other the 900-year-old fortress where the Crown Jewels are kept, prisoners were held, and the most dramatic chapters of royal history played out. A combined tour covers both in a single day, connecting them into a narrative about monarchy, power, and the continuity of institutions that stretches from William the Conqueror to the present.
The pairing works logistically because both are central London attractions connected by public transport, on foot along the Thames, or by tour vehicle. It works historically because the Tower and the Palace represent two poles of the same institution — the medieval and the modern, the coercive and the ceremonial, the fortress and the residence.
What You’ll Experience at Each Site
The Tower of London is the deeper historical experience. With a guide, you’ll spend 1.5–2 hours covering the Crown Jewels, the White Tower and Royal Armouries, the Bloody Tower, Tower Green, and the stories of imprisonment and execution that make the Tower one of the most historically significant buildings in Europe. The guide manages the Crown Jewels queue timing and sequences the visit for maximum impact.
Buckingham Palace is primarily an exterior experience for most of the year. The facade, the Victoria Memorial, the Mall (the ceremonial avenue leading to the Palace), and — if the schedule aligns — the Changing of the Guard ceremony are the standard elements. The Changing of the Guard is one of London’s most popular free spectacles, with the Queen’s Guard (now the King’s Guard) marching from Wellington Barracks to the Palace forecourt accompanied by a military band. It runs on specific days (not daily) and lasts approximately 45 minutes.
The State Rooms are open to visitors during the summer opening, typically late July through September. During this window, combined tours may include interior access to the Palace’s grand reception rooms — the Throne Room, the Ballroom, the Picture Gallery (with works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Vermeer), and the garden. This interior access is only available during the summer opening and significantly elevates the Buckingham Palace portion of the combined tour from an exterior photo stop to a genuine interior experience.
The Changing of the Guard: Planning Around It
The Changing of the Guard ceremony runs on scheduled days — typically Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from April through July, and on alternate days for the rest of the year. The schedule changes for state occasions, weather, and operational requirements. If the ceremony is a priority, choose a combined tour that explicitly includes it and runs on a guard-change day.
The best viewing positions fill up 30–60 minutes before the ceremony starts (usually 11:00 AM). A guided tour manages this — your guide knows where to position the group for the best sightlines and arrives at the correct time. Independent visitors who arrive late find themselves watching through a crowd of heads.
Practical Tips
Start at the Tower, end at Buckingham Palace. The Tower opens earlier (9:00 AM) and benefits from an early visit when the Crown Jewels queue is shortest. Buckingham Palace’s exterior and the Changing of the Guard are midday events. This sequencing gives you the best Tower experience first, then transitions to the Palace area for the ceremony and afternoon exploration.
The distance between the two is about 5 kilometres. By Tube (Tower Hill to Green Park or Victoria, approximately 20 minutes), by bus, by taxi, or on a tour vehicle. Walking the full distance takes roughly an hour but passes through the City of London and along the Embankment — a pleasant route with a guide who narrates the journey.
A full-day combined tour runs 6–8 hours. This includes travel between sites, guided time at each, the Changing of the Guard (when scheduled), and a lunch break. Half-day versions are possible but compress the Tower visit to the highlights only.
Book a summer visit if Palace interiors matter to you. The State Rooms are only accessible from late July through September. Outside this window, the Buckingham Palace portion is exterior-only — still worthwhile for the Changing of the Guard and the facade, but a fundamentally different experience from an interior visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book the Changing of the Guard separately?
The ceremony is free and doesn’t require a ticket. However, a guided tour manages the timing and positioning that makes the difference between a good view and a distant glimpse. Confirm with your tour operator that the ceremony is included and that your tour runs on a guard-change day.
Can I visit Buckingham Palace’s interior year-round?
No. The State Rooms are open only during the summer opening (approximately late July–September). During the rest of the year, the Palace is viewed from outside. Some combined tours offer alternative interior Royal experiences outside the summer window — the Royal Mews (the royal carriages and horses) and the Queen’s Gallery (rotating exhibitions from the Royal Collection) are open more broadly.
Which is more impressive — the Tower or Buckingham Palace?
They offer entirely different experiences. The Tower is a deep historical dive into 900 years of monarchy, with the Crown Jewels as the centrepiece. Buckingham Palace is the living monarchy — the working headquarters, the ceremonial guard change, and (in summer) the opulent State Rooms. The Tower is more historically rich; Buckingham Palace is more ceremonially impressive. The combination gives you both dimensions.