Britain · CASTLES & PALACES

The 15 Best Castle & Palace Tours in Britain

124 tours  ·  from $16

A working palace, a fortress on a crag and a ruin on a sea loch are three different days out. These 15 sort them by what they cost, how long the coach ride runs, and which ones need a ticket booked weeks ahead.

Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London - Starting at Victoria Coach Station
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Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London

1.Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18,662 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $111Our pick

Leave London at 8am for Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath on an 11-hour Evan Evans coach tour. Choose castle and Roman Baths admission, hear live commentary from guides such as Simon, Omar, or Peter, and enjoy free time at each stop. It is a fast-paced way to sample three major English sights without renting a car.

“Great three sites grouped together. Bath was perhaps my favorite of the three stops though I would have loved more time there and will likely be back. Stonehenge was a wonder indeed! The castle was lovely but only a view from the outside (no faults of the tour or guide) was a bit disappointing.”

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Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock - Windsor Castle: royal grandeur with a tight clock
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Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock

2.Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,402 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $123

Leave Victoria at 7:45 a.m. for Windsor, Stonehenge, Lacock, and Bath by air-conditioned coach. You get guided walks, a one-course lunch in a 14th-century pub, and optional entry to Windsor Castle and Stonehenge. Guides such as Eugene, Rowan, and Nicholas are known for lively history talks, but expect a fast pace and a late return near Gloucester Road.

“Enjoyed the sites, but wished our guide was more knowledgeable about the sites rather than offering his non humorous quips.”

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Buckingham Palace: The State Rooms Entrance Ticket - The State Rooms: Ceremony, Art, and Serious Decoration
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Buckingham Palace: The State Rooms Entrance Ticket

3.Buckingham Palace: The State Rooms Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 7,395 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $44

Enter Buckingham Palace through the State Rooms Visitor Entrance and explore its grand public rooms at your own pace. Your ticket includes a multimedia guide in nine languages, with paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens, Canova sculptures, Sèvres porcelain, royal furniture, and access to the Garden Café and palace gardens. Allow up to 2.5 hours.

“So cool to see them and also good not taking photos and being in the moment listening to the commentary. Very interesting. Walking in the steps of so much history.”

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Windsor Castle Admission Ticket - Reaching Castle Hill from London
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Windsor Castle Admission Ticket

4.Windsor Castle Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7,032 reviews · 1 day · from $43

Visit Windsor Castle at your own pace with admission to the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel, and the castle grounds. A free multimedia guide is available in nine languages, and most visits take 2.5 to 3 hours. Plan ahead for the steep hill, long walking route, security checks, and no indoor photography.

“A unique experience. It’s beautiful. You don’t need to visit with a guide. The audio guide is very good. Entry was easy and there wasn’t much waiting. I recommend it 100%.”

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Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket - The outdoor castle tour and its storytelling
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Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

5.Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,540 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $51Top rated

Enter Edinburgh Castle with a local guide for about 90 minutes, including an outdoor tour of the fortress, Mary Queen of Scots’ palace, and the Great Hall. Guides such as Joe, Sonia, Raj, and Valeria bring Scottish stories to life. Afterward, explore the museums, prisons, royal rooms, and other buildings at your own pace.

“Had our review with Jen and she was as mad as bag of cats , made our tour experience for sure. I’m not sure our tour would have been as interesting with a different guide , she had a great insight on the castle and Edinburgh and seemed very knowledgeable as a whole. Would recommend.”

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Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Full Day Guided Tour - Stonehenge: ancient stones and open questions
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Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Full Day Guided Tour

6.Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Full Day Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,346 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $123

Leave London at 8am for Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath with a professional guide and air-conditioned coach. You can add entry tickets for the castle, monument, and Roman Baths. Guides such as Bruce, Morton, Josh, and Paulie are praised for clear, funny commentary, but the schedule moves fast, especially at Windsor and Bath.

“Seating/knee room on bus is limited. A good amt of waiting to enter due to crowds potentially, much depends on time of year. We were lucky we got to Windsor early, had to wait an hour for gates to be opened. Also- Windsor deserves its own day to visit. Too much to see 1.5 hr is not enough. Morton our guide was exceptional!”

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Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London - Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain
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Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London

7.Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,292 reviews · 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $123

See Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford in one long day from London. You’ll ride an air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi and USB charging, follow a guided Oxford walk, and choose ticket options for Windsor and Stonehenge. Guides such as Peter, Robert, Angela, and Richard have earned praise for clear stories and good organization, but expect a fast pace and limited meal time.

“Very cool and very fun. I should have checked the weather there and dressed more warmly. But still had an amazing time. Richard was funny and very knowledgeable.”

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Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English - Meeting on the Royal Mile at Adam Smith’s statue
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Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English

8.Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,214 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Meet Little Fish Tours near Adam Smith’s statue on the Royal Mile, walk to Edinburgh Castle, and spend about 90 minutes hearing stories about Scotland’s kings, dungeons, Crown Jewels, and unusual characters. Guides such as Koffe, Steph, Greg, Graeme, Euan, and Ben bring humor and energy. After the guided portion, explore the castle buildings on your own.

“Started late as waited for others that were running behind. Wasn’t told we couldn’t get into Castle until later we wouldn’t of booked if we had know this as we were on a tight schedule”

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Inverness: Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Trip - Leaving Inverness beside Loch Ness
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Inverness: Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Trip

9.Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,136 reviews · 12 hours · from $56

Spend 12 hours touring the Highlands from Inverness with a driver-guide such as Alex, Fiona, Owen, or Marita. Follow Loch Ness to Eilean Donan Castle, Portree, Sligachan, the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and Lealt Falls. The $56 price includes transport, live commentary, and digital translations, but not meals or entry fees.

“Mike was phenomenal, so sweet and helpful. The weather was intermittent but we managed throughout to see everything which was amazing. Would come again! Maybe in a camper van purely as it showed how much there is to see up here…”

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London: Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath Full-Day Tour - Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain
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London: Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath Full-Day Tour

10.Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,112 reviews · 11.5 hours - 1 day · from $108

Travel by coach from London to Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath in one packed day. You can add Windsor Castle and Roman Baths entry, while guides such as Richard, James, Angela, and Pablo provide commentary in several languages. Expect about 11.5 hours, long road time, and a brisk taste of three major sights.

“Chrissy our guide and Dan our driver were absolutely phenomenal, and I would highly recommend them to anyone seeking a tour! Chrissy was extremely knowledgeable and the rides to our destinations seemed to fly by with all the facts and sightseeing tidbits she shared.”

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Loch Ness: Urquhart Castle Round-Trip Cruise - What the 50-minute route actually gives you
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Loch Ness: Urquhart Castle Round-Trip Cruise

11.Loch Ness: Urquhart Castle Round-Trip Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,070 reviews · 50 min · from $30

Sail for 50 minutes from Clansman Harbour across Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle and back. Hear stories about the loch and Nessie, scan the water with onboard sonar, and choose an indoor or outdoor seat. Snacks and drinks are sold onboard, dogs are welcome, and the boat may pause by the castle for photos without letting you disembark.

“it was brilliant and the staff were excellent and very helpful. thank you”

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London: Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard Experience - Walking toward Buckingham Palace
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London: Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard Experience

12.Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,971 reviews · 2 hours · from $26

Walk from Green Park to Westminster with a live English or French guide, passing St. James’s Palace, Clarence House, Lancaster House, Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, and Westminster Abbey. The tour includes the daily Horse Guards ceremony and, on selected days, the Foot Guards in red tunics and bearskin hats. Guides such as Joanne, Chris, Angie, Jude, and Tim are praised for lively stories and smart viewing spots.

“Christopher was fantastic as a guide. He was super informative, witty, and was able to make sure we got a glimpse of King Charles arrival to Buckingham Palace. Would highly recommending this your tour to anyone who likes history and a walking tour that gets you around the area.”

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Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds & Warwick Castle Day Trip - The Cotswolds from the coach window
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Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds & Warwick Castle Day Trip

13.Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds & Warwick Castle Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,943 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $109

Leave London by coach for Warwick Castle, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, a scenic Cotswolds drive, and Oxford. You’ll get guided commentary, a walking tour, and optional admission to the castle, Shakespeare’s birthplace, Christ Church, and the Bodleian Library. Guides such as Phil, Andy, Robert, and Cameron have been praised for lively storytelling.

“Very nice tour of historical England. Each site visited had a story to tell about the significant events in history. The pace of the tour was very good.”

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Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Day Trip from London with Guided Cathedral Tour - Canterbury Cathedral and the Thomas Becket story
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Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Day Trip from London with Guided Cathedral Tour

14.Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Day Trip from London with Guided Cathedral Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,820 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $145

Spend about 10 hours exploring Kent with an English-speaking guide, visiting Leeds Castle, Canterbury, and the White Cliffs of Dover. Your climate-controlled coach includes Wi-Fi, USB charging, and Vox headphones. Choose the Canterbury Cathedral option for entry and a guided tour. Guides such as Cameron, Phil, and Sheila have earned praise for lively storytelling.

“I had no expectations going into this. My objective was to avoid the inconvenience of driving myself. I’ve wanted to visit Canterbury for a very long time, and the Dover Cliffs are a marvel. Usually these types of tours are targeted towards the retired. I was surprised to discover I was not the only one below the age of, say, …45. Would I do it again? Probably not. Time spent at each location was much too short; especially our time at Canterbury. Visiting Dover was a joke. Much too short to even 10 minutes. The view of the cliffs was barely visible. Why not make a visit to Dover Castle…”

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Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London - Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain
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Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London

15.Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,474 reviews · 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $123

Travel by coach from central London to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford in about 11.5 hours. You’ll get audio guidance at Windsor and Stonehenge, an Oxford walking tour, Wi-Fi and USB charging on the coach, and an expert guide such as Simon, Phil, Sandra, or Rowan depending on the departure.

“Excellent. Our tour guide is friendly and patient. Definitely recommend for this tour group for future”

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