We met our guide outside the Westminster Tube Stop, right across the street from Big Ben. The tour takes place entirely outdoors and gives a great overview of the Westminster area, so you can go back and explore in more depth the things that interest you most.
We walked around Westminster Hall and Westminster Abbey, and our guide was very entertaining and informative. Many of the facts she gave us were new to me, and she was able to answer everyone's questions. Formerly employed by the House of Commons, she knew many inside stories and gave us some real insight into the history of English government.
One of my favorite parts of the tour was a walk throught the residential area behind Westminster Abbey. Long an enclave of the rich and powerful, the homes in this area are beautiful, and our guide shared many anecdotes about the residents, both past and present.
As dusk began to fall, the narrow old streets were suddenly filled with the sound of wolves howling, and it sounded as though a pack was about to round the corner. I assume the howls came from the London Zoo nearby, but it was quite eerie.
The walk ended at the Cabinet War Rooms, where we were given a group discount and left on our own. This is a must-see, and we were transported back to World War II and the amazing resilience and courage of the people of London during those trying times.