Magpie
4.1(22 reviews)

Self-Guided Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle Tour

8 hours
London, United Kingdom

About this activity

Experience the grandeur of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle with a self-guided tour, including round-trip coach transportation from London.

Highlights

  • Explore Buckingham Palace's opulent State Rooms
  • Discover Windsor Castle's rich history and architecture
  • Enjoy a leisurely coach ride through the English countryside
  • Experience the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace
  • Visit the Queen Mary's Dolls' House at Windsor Castle

Full description

Step into the heart of British royal history with this self-guided tour of two iconic landmarks: Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Begin your journey with a comfortable coach ride from London, taking in the picturesque English countryside along the way. At Buckingham Palace, immerse yourself in the opulent State Rooms, where centuries of royal history unfold. Then, venture to Windsor Castle, the oldest inhabited castle in the world, to explore its rich history and stunning architecture. This tour offers the perfect blend of independence and convenience, allowing you to explore at your own pace while enjoying the comfort of organized transportation. Don't miss the chance to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, a quintessential British experience. Whether you're a history buff or a lover of architecture, this tour promises a memorable day steeped in royal heritage.

Included / Excluded

  • Self-guided audio tour of Buckingham Palace
  • Self-guided audio tour of Windsor Castle
  • Round-trip coach transportation from London
  • Admission tickets to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle

Meeting point

Start Location

Golden Tours, Bulleid Way Departure Point, Stop 1, Bulleid Way, London SW1W 9SR, UK

Important information

Know before you book

  • Admission tickets to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are not included and must be purchased separately
  • The tour operates rain or shine; plan accordingly
  • Audio guides are available in multiple languages; select your preferred language during booking

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for extensive exploration
  • Bring a fully charged smartphone or audio device for the self-guided tour
  • Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Easy Public Transport
  • Infant Seats Available

Traveler reviews

4.1
22 reviews
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Great self-guided tour but be aware of meeting and drop off points

Both the Buckingham Palace self-guided tour and the Windsor Castle self-guided tour were excellent. Our coach driver, Ashley, was excellent. He provided an interesting commentary along the way. I bought this tour through another travel agent and didn’t realize that we would be required to find our own way from Buckingham Palace to the bus station where the Windsor castle bus was departing. We were fine because we had a phone with GPS but other customers were caught by surprise. Also, the tour ended at the Gloucester tube station so if you didn’t know that, you would perhaps struggle to find your way back.

VIM689Sep 11, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Super lucky

Exceptional Tour ! We felt incredibly lucky to have such a great Driver Mehul and such a wonderful Guide Serena ! Serena was fun to be around and had so much knowledge, tips and fun facts to share! Just brilliant!

natasharT7284VRSep 3, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Great experience

John and Oliver were amazing!

cesargX4786JCAug 20, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Majestic palace.

First time visiting London, enjoyed the tour. It’s beautiful inside and outside palace. Loved learning about royal family.

katiasQ3902CGJul 30, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Brilliant, but need more time.

Brilliant. Just not enough time at Windsor. Such bad traffic getting there, we lost almost an hour. Give yourself as much time as possible. Pity we were not allowed to take photos, so many memories.

noelr190Jul 17, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

Once booked, this tour cannot be cancelled You must meet the Golden Tours representative outside King's Gallery to be able to enter Buckingham Palace. To join the Windsor Castle tour you must go to Bus Stop 1 Bulleid Way in Victoria. St. George’s Chapel is also closed to visitors on Sundays as services are held throughout the day. Worshippers are welcome to attend the services. During peak periods, additional vehicles without Wi-Fi may be used. Buckingham Palace tickets purchased from Golden Tours cannot be converted into a 1-Year Pass. For safety reasons, pushchairs are not permitted in the State Rooms. They must be checked in and reclaimed at the exit. Baby-carriers are available for loan. A one-way system operates along the entire visitor route for safety reasons. Please note: the tour itinerary and order may change. Clients that require mobility access must book directly with Buckingham Palace on (+44) (0)303 123 7324 Use of mobile phones are permitted in the Palace garden. Mobile phones must be switched off elsewhere on the visitor route. 25 and 26 December – Castle completely closed. Photography is not permitted inside Buckingham Palace. Clients that require mobility access must book directly with Buckingham Palace. Our vehicles are modern, comfortable, and kept to the highest standards of cleanliness, including a deep clean every day. Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A walking tour of the town will take place instead
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