Three Royal Landmarks in One Day:

Westminster Abbey, Tower of London & Buckingham Palace

Our second full day in London was packed from beginning to end with three of England’s most iconic royal landmarks in London. We started with the centuries-old history of Westminster Abbey, added an unplanned visit to the Tower of London, and finished the afternoon exploring the magnificent Buckingham Palace before ending the evening with another unforgettable meal at The Victoria.

Westminster Abbey: Where British History Comes Alive

Our day started early as we walked from our hotel to Westminster Abbey, arriving just as the doors opened. Even though we had purchased our tickets in advance, we still had to wait in line to check in. Thankfully, the line moved steadily, and before long we were stepping inside one of the world’s most spectacular Gothic cathedrals.

The architecture was breathtaking. Massive stone pillars stretched high overhead, creating elegant pointed arches that seemed to draw your eyes toward the heavens. Between the pillars along the outer walls, beautiful stained-glass windows filled the cathedral with colorful light, while the magnificent rose windows at either end of the nave added even more beauty.

The audio tour provided fascinating insight into the Abbey’s nearly 1,000 years of history. Standing in the main sanctuary, we could admire both the lower altar and the magnificent high altar while learning about the traditions that have made Westminster Abbey the spiritual home of the British monarchy.

Perhaps the most significant tradition is the coronation ceremony. Since 1066, nearly every English and later British monarch has been crowned within these walls, making Westminster Abbey one of the most historically important churches in the world.

Behind the high altar are the beautifully decorated tombs of England’s monarchs. Beginning with Edward the Confessor, whose shrine dates back to the 11th century, approximately thirty kings, queens, and members of the royal family are buried within the Abbey, including several royal children.

Walking among so much history made the centuries feel surprisingly close. Of all the royal landmarks in London, Westminster Abbey offers an incredible connection to nearly 1,000 years of British royal history.

Another Royal Landmark: Tower of London

Our audio tour moved quicker than expected, leaving us with something every traveler loves—extra time. Rather than heading directly to our afternoon plans, we made a spontaneous decision. We grabbed an Uber and headed across the city to the Tower of London.

Rather than purchasing tickets we spent a couple of hours exploring the exterior grounds, reading the informational signs that explain how the fortress evolved over nearly a thousand years. We learned about the original White Tower at the center of the complex, the later construction of the massive outer defensive walls, and the moat that once surrounded the fortress before eventually being drained.

The Tower has served as a royal palace, fortress, prison, treasury, and armory throughout its remarkable history. Simply walking its perimeter gave us a much greater appreciation for how strategically important it was in protecting London.

Our walk naturally continued to nearby Tower Bridge, where we enjoyed fantastic views in both directions along the River Thames. The contrast between London’s historic landmarks and its modern skyline was especially striking from this vantage point.

As we finished exploring, another spontaneous idea presented itself. Instead of taking another Uber back toward Westminster, we noticed boats departing from the nearby pier. Why not see London from the river? It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the day.

The boat ride along the Thames offered completely different perspectives of many of London’s famous landmarks and provided a relaxing break between tours. Sometimes the unplanned moments become the highlights of a trip.

Touring the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace

Our boat dropped us off just a few blocks from Buckingham Palace. Along the short walk, we passed Elizabeth tower (home of Big Ben the giant bell inside the tower) once again and found ourselves back near Westminster Abbey—a fitting connection between Britain’s religious and royal history. Only a block away, we easily found our way to Buckingham Palace.

Entry into Buckingham Palace was surprisingly efficient thanks to our advance tickets. After receiving our audio headsets, we entered the palace through the magnificent Grand Entrance Hall before ascending the famous Grand Staircase to the State Rooms. Buckingham Palace may be the most recognizable of London’s royal landmarks, and getting the opportunity to tour the State Rooms made our visit even more memorable.

Our first stop was the elegant Green Drawing Room, which serves as one of the reception rooms leading into the State Apartments. From there, we entered one of the palace’s most recognizable rooms—the Throne Room. Seeing the royal thrones in person was remarkable. This is where distinguished guests are received by the King and Queen, and it is also the room where the official wedding portraits of newly married members of the royal family are traditionally taken following their ceremonies.

As the tour continued, we wandered through an incredible collection of State Rooms, each more elaborate than the last. We admired magnificent artwork, elegant dining rooms, richly decorated reception rooms, and the spectacular Ballroom, where state banquets and official ceremonies continue to be held today.

The tour eventually led us back to ground level and out onto the expansive rear lawn, where members of the royal family host their famous annual garden parties.

Rather than rushing off, we decided to slow down. An outdoor tea room had been set up overlooking the gardens, so we settled in for a traditional afternoon tea accompanied by pastries. After a full day of sightseeing, it was the perfect opportunity to relax and soak in the surroundings.

When we finished, we followed the designated path through portions of the palace gardens before exiting the estate. It was a peaceful ending to an unforgettable royal experience.

A Familiar Favorite for Dinner

After a short walk back to our hotel to freshen up, our daughter headed off to spend the evening with a friend while we returned to what had quickly become our favorite restaurant in London—The Victoria.

This evening we were seated in the Winston Churchill Lounge, another beautiful dining room with its own unique character. Once again, the food, atmosphere, and hospitality were exceptional, confirming that returning for a second visit had definitely been the right decision.

Some restaurants are good. Others become part of the memories you carry home from a trip. The Victoria was certainly one of those places.

A Royal Landmarks in London: Three Historic Stops

Our original itinerary had included two royal London landmarks. By the end of the day, we had explored three.

From the Gothic grandeur of Westminster Abbey to the medieval defenses of the Tower of London and the elegance of Buckingham Palace, visiting these three royal landmarks gave us an incredible journey through nearly a thousand years of British history

It was a long day filled with walking, history, architecture, and unforgettable experiences—but when you’re surrounded by so much history, every step is worth it.