The History of Buckingham Palace
Originally a grand townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham, this iconic building became the official royal residence in 1837 with Queen Victoria. Imagine the history these walls have seen on a Buckingham Palace tour.
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Always private. It's just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
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Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"We couldn't have asked for a better guide through London's history than Cory. From the moment we met, his passion for English history and modern culture was infectious, and it made every stop on our tour feel alive in a way we never expected. We started at the Churchill War Rooms, where Cory's depth of knowledge was truly unparalleled. He didn't just recite facts — he brought the underground bunkers to life, painting a vivid picture of what it must have felt like to work there during the Blitz. From there, we moved to Westminster Abbey, and thanks to his Blue Badge certification, Cory navigated the crowds and layout effortlessly, getting us to the highlights without any of the usual hassle or wasted time. What really set Cory apart was his ability to connect the dots between each site. Rather than treating the Churchill War Rooms, Westminster Abbey, and the British Museum as separate stops, he wove them into one continuous, coherent story of English history — showing us how the events, people, and eras all connected to one another. It gave the whole day a sense of narrative that we wouldn't have found on our own. Above all, Cory took the time to personalize the experience for our family. He listened to what we were most interested in and shaped the day around us, rather than sticking to a rigid script. It made the tour feel tailor-made rather than generic. If you're looking for a guide who combines deep expertise, genuine passion, and a personal touch, we couldn't recommend Cory more highly. Our day in London with him was a true highlight of our trip."
"We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Umar! He was incredibly kind, energetic, and thoughtful throughout the entire tour. He seemed to have everything timed perfectly, making sure we arrived at each attraction at just the right moment and never felt rushed. What really stood out was how attentive he was to the kids. He made a genuine effort to keep them interested and engaged, which made the day so much more enjoyable for our whole family. He also took us beyond the typical tourist experience, pointing out hidden gems, interesting details, and places that only a local would know. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and attention to detail greatly enhanced our experience. We saw and so much more than we ever would have on our own. We’re so grateful for the time and care he put into making our day special and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an exceptional tour!"
Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore London with locals










Our locals will give you the best experiences that London has to offer
Step beyond the gates and into the heart of British royalty. A private tour of Buckingham Palace is more than a visit; it's an experience. Let a local guide show you the real stories of Buckingham Palace.
Originally a grand townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham, this iconic building became the official royal residence in 1837 with Queen Victoria. Imagine the history these walls have seen on a Buckingham Palace tour.
Buckingham Palace is more like a small town! It boasts 775 rooms, including 19 State Rooms, 52 royal bedrooms, 92 offices, a swimming pool, and even its own post office. Discover its scale with a local.
How do you know if the King is home? Check the flagpole! The Royal Standard flies when the monarch is at Buckingham Palace. If the Union Flag is flying, the King is away. A local guide can tell you more secrets.
The Changing of the Guard is a world-famous ceremony of British pageantry. Don't get lost in the crowds! A private guide can secure you the perfect vantage point to experience this tradition at Buckingham Palace.
Beneath Buckingham Palace lies a network of secret tunnels! Legend has it that royals have used them to move around unseen. Uncover more hidden stories of royal London that you won't find in guidebooks.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Why wait? Your unforgettable royal London adventure is just a click away. Connect with a passionate local guide who can't wait to share the magic of Buckingham Palace with you. Book your private tour now and make your holiday truly special!
"Highly recommend for anyone touring with kids! Jenoe is warm, welcoming, knowledgeable and engaging. We had contacted her beforehand about our slow to warm up 6 year old - listed some of his interests - and she tailored our tour. She also honed in on his love of numbers and had a points reward system which got him engaged from the start. We are so glad we made the investment to do this private, family friendly tour with Jenoe - we suspect if we had just done the run of the mill "free walking tour" we would have dealt with a very cranky and reluctant 6 year old (while toting around a baby too!). Thank you for making our son's first walking tour so memorable Jenoe!"
"Cory was an amazing guide around the streets of London for our first family trip introducing our children to this amazing city. He immediately had my 2 boys (6&9) captivated with tales of dragons and beasts whilst integrating interesting historical facts for the sights we were seeing. It was a unique tour designed just for us that combined our love of history and Harry Potter which was fantastic. He made 2 hours walking feel like 5 minutes and we were sad to say goodbye at the end. Thank you so much Cory, we had a wonderful first day in London thanks to you! "
"We had the best highlights and hidden gems tour with Matt! He customized the tour to our schedule, sights we were interested in seeing and our 3 kids. He shared many hidden gems and was very knowledgeable and passionate about London’s history. Matt even delivered us to our lunch reservation spot on time and provided us additional insights on what else to see and do after the tour. Matt is a treasure himself and we will definitely tour with him again when we return to London! "
"Umar is SO knowledgeable about the city! He engaged our eleven year old through the tour. As he learned more about us, he mixed things up, updated his plan, and gave us a truly personalized experience. From miniature art in unexpected places to making crossing the street full of secret insider info, we loved this off beat view of the city from a true Londoner."
"We had a great time with Gregory; he explained everything and answered our children's questions willingly and patiently. In hindsight, we should have agreed on the route together right from the start, especially to make it even more child-friendly. For us adults, it was entertaining, and we discovered new things we hadn't known before."
"My daughter and I had the best time with Tom doing the Royal Family tour. Tom is such a good storyteller using his incredible knowledge. We were both super engaged and Tom did a great job sharing both facts and some witty humor as we toured the Royal Family famous landmarks. I highly recommend Tom and his Royal Family Tour. "
"Sophie is amazing! She is a gifted and engaging storyteller. I especially appreciated her attention with my girls, aged 7 and 10. She had a scavenger hunt, activities, and a special treat at the end that they loved. Book her! "
The best stories aren't found in guidebooks. Skip the crowds and unlock the hidden gems of Buckingham Palace with a private, personalized experience led by a local.




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