Go Up The Shard & London Landmark Walking Tour

The best part of this six-hour London tour is the route: you begin at Buckingham Palace and finish high above the Thames at The Shard. Along the way, you see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, and many more sights without having to plan every turn yourself.

I like the way the tour joins famous landmarks with ordinary city scenes, especially the walk through Green Park, the trip across Millennium Bridge, and the stop at Borough Market. I also like the priority entry to The View from The Shard, which can save up to an hour in line.

The main thing to consider is the pace. This is a full day on foot, with an Underground ride and roughly five hours of guided sightseeing before the final hour at The Shard. You will cover a lot, but this is not a slow, detailed tour of each attraction.

Key points to know before booking

• Start at The Ritz and finish at The Shard: The route crosses central London from west to south-east, so plan your onward journey from London Bridge.
• See more than 30 London sights: The tour focuses on outside views and short stops rather than lengthy interior visits.
• The Shard admission is included: Your guide gives you the ticket and directions at the end of the walking portion.
• Changing of the Guard may be included: On suitable days, the guide chooses a viewing place for the ceremony.
• Families get a useful price break: Children only pay for The Shard admission ticket, according to the tour details.
• Bring a contactless card or Oyster: The Underground trip is not included in the tour price.

From Green Park to Buckingham Palace at 10 a.m.

Meet your local guide outside The Ritz London, at 150 Piccadilly, for a 10 a.m. start. The first walk leads through Green Park, a pleasant way to begin before the grand scale of Buckingham Palace appears ahead.

Buckingham Palace is the official London home of the King, and the guide uses the exterior as a starting point for stories about British royal life. You will have about an hour in this area, including time to admire the palace and walk along The Mall.

On certain days, the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony can be part of the visit. The exact ceremony schedule is not provided, so you should not book this tour assuming it will happen on your date. When it does, the guide aims to find a good viewing position.

The palace stop is mostly about orientation, history, and photographs. Admission to Buckingham Palace is not included, so you should expect to see it from outside. That keeps the route moving, but it also means you will not tour the royal rooms during this experience.

Trafalgar Square, Horse Guards, and Whitehall

From The Mall, the route continues to Trafalgar Square. You get about 20 minutes to see Nelson’s Column, the fountains, and the National Gallery building. This is a short stop, but it gives you one of central London’s clearest public spaces and a useful sense of how the city’s major roads meet.

The next stop is Horse Guards Parade, near St. James’s Park. The famous arch and clock make it a strong photo stop, and the guide can explain the ceremonial role of the area. You have about 20 minutes here.

Whitehall follows, with another 20-minute stop. This broad government street is lined with official buildings and memorials. You also see Downing Street, where British prime ministers have lived and worked since 1735.

These stops work best as a connected walk rather than separate attractions. You are moving through the center of royal, military, and political London. The tradeoff is that you will not have much time to pause inside the National Gallery or explore every monument at your own speed.

Big Ben and Westminster Abbey in one compact section

Parliament Square brings you close to the Palace of Westminster, home of the Houses of Parliament. Big Ben is the obvious star, but the square also gives you views of the London Eye and a Churchill statue.

The tour allows about 40 minutes here, which is enough for a good look and photographs. The guide can help place the buildings in their political setting, something that is easy to miss if you are simply passing by on your own.

Westminster Abbey comes next, with about 20 minutes outside the building. The abbey has more than 1,000 years of history and is the traditional setting for the coronation of British kings and queens.

Admission to Westminster Abbey is not included. That is important if you want to see the interior, royal tombs, chapels, and memorials. This tour gives you context and an exterior view, not an abbey visit. I would treat the stop as a preview and return separately if the abbey is high on your list.

Crossing to Southbank by Underground

After Westminster, you take a short London Underground journey to Southbank. You must pay for this ride yourself with a contactless bank card, Oyster card, or Travelcard.

The Underground transfer helps the tour cover more ground without spending a long time walking between Westminster and the Southbank area. It also adds a small practical task to the day, so keep your payment card ready and follow the guide through the station.

Southbank brings a change of mood. You see Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre during about 40 minutes in the area. These are exterior sightseeing stops, with time to understand where they fit along the Thames.

The area is especially useful for first-time visitors because several major cultural sights sit close together. If you want to visit Tate Modern or attend a performance at the Globe, you will need a separate plan and more time. This tour gives you a quick introduction rather than an interior visit.

Millennium Bridge and the view of St. Paul’s

The walk continues across Millennium Bridge, known locally as Wobbly Bridge. From here, you get a direct view toward St. Paul’s Cathedral and its large dome.

You have about 20 minutes for this section. The bridge is one of the tour’s more memorable walking stretches because it links the riverfront with the cathedral view in a single frame. It also gives you a nice break from the formal squares and government buildings earlier in the day.

Again, the cathedral admission is not included. You see St. Paul’s from outside and from across the river. If you want to climb to the galleries or inspect the interior, set aside another visit.

Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, and a food break

Borough Market is one of the liveliest parts of the route. The guide takes you inside the market, where you can see local food stalls and busy trading areas. There are also some Harry Potter filming locations nearby, which adds a bit of film interest to the historical route.

You have about 30 minutes here, and food and drinks are not included. That means you can buy something if time and the group schedule allow, but you should not count on a full meal. For a six-hour tour, it is sensible to eat beforehand and carry water, then use Borough Market as an optional snack stop.

Southwark Cathedral is also part of this section. The contrast is appealing: you move from food stalls and modern city life to a church with centuries of history. The stop is brief, so expect an introduction and an exterior look rather than a long church visit.

London Bridge views before The Shard

The route then reaches London Bridge, where you get a wide view of several important sights. From here, you can see Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, HMS Belfast, The Shard, and the Square Mile.

This is a useful moment in the tour because the guide helps you connect the separate landmarks you have seen throughout the day. It also gives you a sense of London’s river geography before you go up to the highest viewpoint.

The London Bridge stop lasts about 30 minutes. Do not confuse London Bridge with Tower Bridge, a common first-visit mistake. London Bridge is the working crossing used on this route, while Tower Bridge is the ornate landmark visible farther east.

Going up to The Shard at the end

After the walking tour, the guide does not accompany you into The Shard. Instead, you receive your ticket and directions, then make your own way to 32 London Bridge Street.

The included admission is for The View from The Shard. A high-speed elevator takes you to level 68, where you can look across London from the indoor viewing areas. On a clear day, the views can reach up to 40 miles, according to the tour details.

You can also go to the open-air viewing platform on level 72 if you want a more exposed viewpoint. That final hour changes the experience from street-level history to a broad view over the whole city. You may be able to pick out places visited earlier, including the Thames, Westminster, St. Paul’s, and the Tower area.

Priority admission is a real convenience here. The tour says it can save up to an hour of waiting, which matters after five hours of walking. Still, the exact wait on your date can vary, and priority entry does not mean the guide stays with you at the viewing gallery.

How much walking and waiting should you expect?

The walking portion takes about five hours. The stops are usually short, and the route moves steadily from one area to the next. Comfortable shoes are essential, even though the tour does not give a precise walking distance.

You will also use the Underground once. That ride is not included, so bring a contactless bank card, Oyster card, or Travelcard. Food, drinks, and hotel pickup are also outside the price.

The group can have up to 20 people. That is small enough for a guide to manage, but it is not a private tour. The pace may feel brisk if you want long photo sessions, quiet museum visits, or extended market browsing.

A past booking received a five-star rating for the guide’s city knowledge, historical explanations, willingness to let the group explore, and help taking pictures. Those are worthwhile qualities on a route with many quick stops. No guide name is supplied, so you cannot request a particular guide from the available information.

Is the $115.92 price good value?

At $115.92 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see London’s landmarks. You are paying for a local English-speaking guide, a five-hour small-group walking tour, the Underground route plan, and admission to The View from The Shard.

The value is strongest if you are new to London and want a clear first-day overview. Booking separate transport, researching the royal and political sights, finding Borough Market, and arranging Shard tickets yourself could take more time than expected. The priority admission also has practical value after a long morning.

The price is less attractive if you already know central London or prefer to enter major sights. Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, and the National Gallery are not included as interior visits. You would need separate tickets and extra time for them.

Families should check the exact child pricing before booking. The tour says children only pay for The Shard admission ticket, but no child price is provided here. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Who should book this London tour?

I would choose this experience for a first visit, a short stay, or a family that wants the main landmarks explained without spending hours on trip planning. It is also a good fit if you like walking and want the city’s royal, political, cultural, and riverside areas connected in one day.

The tour suits you less if you need a slow pace, dislike group schedules, or want to spend a full morning inside Westminster Abbey or the National Gallery. It also may not be ideal for anyone who finds five hours of sightseeing on foot tiring.

Most participants can take part, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, but there is no hotel pickup. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 10 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book Go Up The Shard and London Landmark Walking Tour?

Book it if you want a fast, well-organized introduction to London with a memorable finish above the Thames. The guide-led route, photo stops, Borough Market visit, and Shard admission give you a lot in six hours.

Skip it if your priority is going inside several landmarks or exploring at your own speed. For most first-time visitors who value orientation and convenience, the combination of street-level sights and 360-degree views from The Shard makes the price reasonable.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at The Ritz London, 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR, at 10 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The experience ends at The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG.

Is admission to The Shard included?

Yes. The View from The Shard admission ticket is included, with access to the viewing areas and the open-air viewing platform on level 72.

Does the guide enter The Shard with the group?

No. The guide provides your ticket and directions at the end of the walking tour, then you continue to The Shard independently.

Is the Underground fare included?

No. Bring a contactless bank card, Oyster card, or Travelcard for the Underground journey.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 20 travelers.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.