From Westminster Abbey, walk through St. James Park to The Mall to Buckingham Palace. Most visits here are quick, with just a view of the Palace through the fence, but if you get your timing right, you can watch the Changing of the Guard.
The Changing of the Guard occurs every other day at 11 am
(usually Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). In the summer, the Changing of
the Guard may occur daily. This schedule can change and the ceremony will not
occur in inclement weather. Click here for the up-to-date schedule.
If you want to watch the Changing of the Guard from the
best vantage points and learn more about this tradition, this walking tour gets
great reviews.

Next we will be walking over to Whitehall. Restaurants on Whitehall either mediocre or expensive (your best beton Whitehall is The Red Lion). There are numerous restaurants to try just south of Buckingham Palace, including Bon Gusto (Italian), Quilon (Indian and Asian), or Buckingham Arms (bar/pub located on at 62 Petty France)

After lunch, walk to the Churchill War Rooms. This museum has two parts to it. At the Churchill Museum you learn about the life and legacy of Winston Churchill. Then you enter the Cabinet War Rooms. This is the underground bunker where Churchill and his staff ran their operations during World War II.
You do not need to be a history buff to appreciate this
visit. We all found this fascinating, even Tyler and Kara.
Get more out
of your visit on this small group tour which includes the Churchill War Rooms
and a guided walking tour of the war sites in Westminster.

From the Churchill War Rooms, continue the walk towards Big Ben. Before long, you will be able to see some of London's most iconic sites: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Parliament.

Of course, while you are here, it's hard to miss Big Ben, one of London's most famous symbols.

From Parliament, walk up Whitehall. You will first come to #10 Downing Street, the official home of the British Prime Minister. The entrance is protected behind a fence with armed guards, but you will be able see the residence from a distance.

Walk one more block north on Whitehall to Horse Guards Parade. This is a large, gravel area used for parades and a daily changing of the guard (at 11 am).

Continue the walk north to Trafalgar Square. This is one of London's most popular public squares. It has been the site for anti-war demonstrations, New Year's Eve celebrations, and victory parades.

Covent Garden is a district in the West End that is now a popular shopping and dining area. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring this neighborhood.
There are numerous restaurants in this area, including a
cluster of restaurants and shops in Apple Market.

Neal's Yard is a colorful alley in Covent Garden. It's worth the quick visit just to take a photo. Just around the corner is Neal's Yard Dairy, one of the best spots in the city to sample artisanal cheese.