25 things to see near Buckingham Palace in less than an hour! - free London walking tour with a map
Distance to cover: 2.5 miles (4 km)
If you click on the map below, a new window will open for live navigation in the field.
This London walking tour will suit every tourist visiting London for the first time.
It will take you from the exact center of London to the home of the monarchs.
When passing on the way: the birthplace of the idea of James Bond, home of the Prime Minister and… pink pelicans!
And yes, there will be some interesting pubs to visit too!
Enjoy the read and the walk!
25 THINGS TO SEE NEAR BUCKINGHAM PALACE
I recommend you start this London walking tour by visiting Trafalgar Square.
This popular with tourists plaza is full of gems to see.
1. Nelson’s Column
The column dedicated to the never-giving-up Admiral Nelson is one hard to miss.
Nelson managed to excel in the Royal Navy despite suffering horrible seasickness. His greatest career moments (which earned him this statue) came after losing one eye and one arm during the earlier battles!
See my other post 14 (FREE) things to see in GREENWICH to read more interesting stories about Nelson!
2. The fountains at Trafalgar Square
At the end of the 19th century, London authorities approved the plan to build two new fountains.
It was a diplomatic way to limit the space for gatherings.
The fountains quickly became the most loved part of Trafalgar Square.
They are enjoyable, especially during sunny summer days and they are very charming at night as well.
3. The smallest Police Station in London
Trafalgar Square was (and still is) a favourite place for people to gather. For various reasons.
Often to protest…
During the troubled times, the square used to be monitored by Police from what must be the smallest police station ever.
The station was located in a decorative lamppost and connected (by phone) with Scotland Yard.
The lamppost is no longer in use. However, it is still visible in the southeast corner of Trafalgar Sq.
4. The Fourth Plinth
The Fourth Plinth serves as a display platform of temporary public art.
It is located in the northwest corner of Trafalgar Square.
The art is usually hard to miss. And worth seeing.
5. Pride Traffic Lights
Photo credit: MWOGIER
The next on my list of gems of Trafalgar Square are lights. Traffic lights.
They were installed as temporary filters on 50 pedestrian crossings near this area as support for a Pride in 2016.
6. The Center of London and the statue of beheaded king near it
On the south side of the square, a small plaque located next to the equestrian statue of King Charles I marks the exact (historical) center of London.
The King is looking towards the spot when his beheading took place (more about it in a sec).
7. Oscar Wilde statue
Before you head to Whitehall to see all its gems, I invite you to take a short detour to the nearby bench-like statue of Oscar Wilde.
This unique sculpture by Maggi Hambling is a wonderful tribute to the Irish poet (and one can argue the self-portrait of the sculptor as well).
On the bench, you can find the quote by Oscar Wilde:
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars"
You can sit there for a moment and have A Conversation with Oscar Wilde.
That's also the official name of this sculpture.
You will find it a little bit hidden on Adelaide Street, near the entrance to Charing Cross Station.
Now, it's time to move towards the street called Whitehall and a lovely pub is our next stop!
8. Horse & Guardsman Pub
Horse & Guardsman Pub is a themed pub located only steps away from Trafalgar Square.
It is a great spot for a break, and I recommend you find time to visit it when sightseeing in Westminster.
A place with character and a great atmosphere. Have a proper wander inside.
9. Horse Guards at Whitehall
The beautiful horses of mounted troopers at Horse Guards will probably immediately steal your attention.
At 11 am (10 am on Sundays), you can witness The Queen's Life Horse Guard Change.
And at 4'clock a Dismount Parade.
Inspection of Horse Guards at 4pm.
Dismount Parade is your last chance to see the horses for a day.
At 4 pm, the Guards are being inspected by the Officer and the horses are taken to the stables for a night.
The spectacle starts all over at 7 am the next day.
The Dismount Parade tradition was introduced by Queen Victoria. She caught her Guards misbehaving on duty (drinking combined with gambling). As a result, she punished them by introducing the daily 4 pm inspection by the Officer. The event occurred in 1894, and the (harsh) punishment was supposed to last for 100 (!!!) years. Yet, the tradition is still going.
10. The Old War Office
Opposite the Horse Guard, you can see The Old War Office.
And yes, I could tell you about the Winston Churchill time here, but I have chosen to speak about James Bond instead.
Ian Fleming (the author of the popular series of spy novels) allegedly came with the idea of a 007 when working here as the British Naval Intelligence Officer during WWII.
The building was featured in many James Bond movies.
11. The Banqueting House
Banqueting House (2022). Photography: An/London By An
Across Horse Guards Ave, you can see the Banqueting House, the only remaining (silent) witness to the beheading of Charles I in 1649.
The historical event happened just in front of its walls, on a specially built wooden stage. The unlucky King came out of one of the 1st floor windows, to meet his fate.
12. The monument of the Women of WWII
The next thing to see during this walk is a great bronze monument commemorating women's service during WWII.
The monument consists of various sculptures of uniforms and helmets and symbolizes hundreds of vital jobs undertaken by women during the war.
After the conflict ended (and men returned to their jobs), women were expected to quietly "hang up" their uniforms and return to more domestic roles. And this is what the monument represents.
The memorial was unveiled by the Queen in 2005, on the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII*.
To mark the occasion military helicopters flew by the memorial. They were flew by all-female crews!
13. 10 Downing Street
Further on the Whitehall, in between two war memorials (The Women of WWII and the Cenotaph), you can see a heavily secured gate to the official residence of The British Prime Minister - 10 Downing Street.
14. The Cenotaph
Cenotaph is a monument on the Whitehall located only steps away from Downing Street.
It is an iconic (empty) tomb erected in honor of people who were left without a grave on the front and never came back home.
After WWI, in this spot people, who lost the close ones during this deadly war were coming here to pay respect to the many fallen unknown soldiers of the war.
In the years following WWI, men passing this place used to doff their hats.
The Cenotaph became a remembrance site (today Remembrance Sunday is celebrated here).
15. Big Ben & Parliament Square Garden
Parliament Square Garden is a small green space with various statues in it (Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and many others whose left their mark on the world) located near the building of Parliament and the famous Big Ben.
A very recent addition (2018) to this collection is the first statue of a woman in this pantheon of leaders, one of Dame Millicent Fawcett.
A suffragist and one of the most influential women of the last century.
Parliament Square Garden is a good spot for taking photos of Big Ben.
You can find more about the famous tower here.
16. Westminster Abbey
39 coronations of monarchs. 16 royal weddings.
Over 3300 burial sites of prominent figures (including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking) and one of the Unknown Warrior.
It is only a brief description of the scale of history linked with the next point on our map, Westminster Abbey.
For many people known as a place of the wedding ceremony of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and the funeral ceremonies of Diana (after her tragic death in 1997) and Queen Elizabeth II in the September of 2022.
Useful link: website where you can purchase a tickets to go inside the Westminster Abbey
17. Dean’s Yard
Dean’s Yard is a wonderful hidden green space near Westminster Abbey surrounded by beautiful architecture.
It can be closed to the public sometimes, but If you are around, step inside to have a quick look at the historical buildings - a real treat for anyone who loves architecture.
18. Two Chairmen Pub
London walk without visiting a pub would not feel right. Why not stop for a break at one of the oldest pubs in Westminster, Two Chairmen Pub.
The name of this pub came from the men who used to drink here and who made money by carrying sedan chairs.
Sedan chairs (walking taxis) were a popular solution for the upper classes to avoid walking the dirty streets of London in the 18th century.
19. Duck Island Cottage
Duck Island Cottage at St James’s Park (2022). Photography: Zuzanna/WalkMeBlog
Another charming spot on our way is Duck Island Cottage, located on the east side of St James's Park Lake. A cottage with a view of Buckingham Palace and Churchill War Rooms is one way of describing it.
In practice, it is the feeding place for birds from St James Park. They are being fed here between 2:30 and 3 pm.
20. The Horse Guard Parade
The Horse Guard Parade is a ceremonial ground surrounded by grand buildings and the best location to watch The Change of The Horse Guards.
21. St James’s Park
Pink pelicans at St James’s Park (2022). Photography: An/London By An
There is probably no better park in London for entertaining kids than St James Park.
Friendly squirrels, green parrots, pink pelicans, and let's not forget about the swans*.
*Interesting fact: the ruling monarch owns all the swans in England!
The number of highly social animals in this park is impressive.
Once you are there, make an effort to go to the middle of the lake using the blue bridge.
The views from there are worth the trip.
To the East- a beautiful view of Horse Guards and Whitehall Court with the London Eye in the background.
To the West - The Buckingham Palace.
22. Changing of the Guards at The Buckingham Palace
And finally, we made it to the home of the monarchs (and the workplace for more than 800 people!), Buckingham Palace.
With an impressive 775 rooms inside, it is best known for its famous balcony serving as a backdrop to the Royals acknowledging the crowds during important occasions.
And its beautiful gates and the space outside them.
A place of one of the memorable flower tributes to the late Princess Diana in 1997 and Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
The Changing of The Guard at Buckingham Palace is the event you don't want to miss.
In the video below, you can see what you can actually see during the Changing of The Guard at Buckingham Palace.
I recommend you to turn out at least 15min before the planned change of Guards (the best viewing spots go fast!).
The whole event takes around 45min and includes the passing of the Horse Guards.
A great spectacles to watch.
Useful link: website where you can check when you can visit the Buckingham Palace
23. The Mall
The Mall is a 1 km long ceremonial (“red carpet” style) road between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. During major national ceremonies used for official processions.
The regular (red) London buses are not allowed on this road unless the monarch gives them special permission. So far, such an occasion occurred twice: in 1927 and 1950.
24. St. James’s Palace
Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of Kings and Queens since the reign of Queen Victoria. Before that, for about 300 years, the nearby St. James's Palace was used for such a purpose.
St. James's Palace was built by Henry VIII* in the 16th century.
Inside the Palace, you can still see his footprint (weirdly enough on the wall, not on the floor) in the spot where he used to dismount from his horse!
Today, St. James's Palace is still the London residence for some Royals.
Princess Anne, sister of King Charles III, lives there.
Some memorable moments from the history of St. James's Palace:
Charles I (famously beheaded king) spent his final night there (before his execution on the 30th of January 1649)
the wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert took place there (in 1840)
a most recent one: the proclamation of new King Charles III (on the 10th of September 2022)
The proclamation took place in The Proclamation Gallery.
25. King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial
Between the Mall and Carlton Gardens, you can find a beautiful monument to the parents of Queen Elizabeth II.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (Queen's Mother) are overlooking the Mall and St James's Park. Both statues were unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II 54 years apart.
The sculpture of King George VI was unveiled in 1955, and one of the Queen's Mothers in 2009.
King George VI is shown in his naval uniform. Queen's Mother sculpture depicts her at the age of 51.
She became a widow at this age after her husband passed in 1952.
Apart from the two statues, the monument also includes some iconic scenes from their lives.
For instance, you can see Queen's Mother with her corgis.
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial is a well-design memorial in a lovely setting.
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