Downton Abbey Filming Locations in London: Private Half-Day Tour

An unusual historyPopularly known as ‘Buck House,’ this extraordinary building was built in 1702 as the Duke of Buckingham’s city residence - scandalously, the site was constructed over the site of an infamous brothel. After some political shenanigans and a little regal manipulation, the building has been the official royal home from the time of Queen Victoria in the early 1800s. Here’s another peculiar fact: the lovely Queen Elizabeth doesn’t actually own the palace – the state does. Fortunately for good Queen Liz, most British people have a soft spot for the monarchy and so it remains her home. Watch for the flagWhen visiting the palace, it’s worth standing before The Forecourt, which is the site of the Changing of the Guard – a popular tourist attraction in the summer. During the sometimes-sunny summer season, when the Queen is up in Scotland, it’s possible to visit some of the palace’s 660 rooms. The flagpole will let you know whether the Queen is ‘at home’ or not. If you can see the flag, then you’ll know she’s inside doing whatever Queens do best – sipping tea, eating scones, and talking to other important dignitaries. If the flag isn’t flying, then Her Royal Highness and her entourage are off on important matters of state elsewhere.

More commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, the Palace of Westminster is one of London’s most recognisable and visited attractions. Marked by Big Ben at its northern edge, and sitting across the water from the London Eye, the palace sits at the epicentre of London’s sightseeing scene, but also has a more profound importance for the nation as a whole, and is often referred to as “the heart of British politics”. Medieval BeginningsThe Palace of Westminster has been the seat of the English government since the middle of the 11th century. When the two-house parliament was created in 1265, it was at first only the House of Lords which sat in the palace, and it was not until 1547 that the House of Commons moved here permanently, thus cementing the palace’s importance to the national government. Out of the AshesA devastating 1834 fire destroyed most of the palace, and Sir Charles Barry was commissioned to draw up its replacement. The new structure took almost thirty years to complete, but Barry’s neo-Gothic design was widely admired, with his new clock tower, now known as Big Ben, being a particular favourite. The sharply-fluted formal structure particularly impressed Claude Monet, who painted a series of canvases of the palace in different lighting conditions.If you’re interested in the Palace’s interior, there are several intriguing areas inside which are open to the public. Besides the debating chambers of the Lords and the Commons, you can explore the wonderfully historic Westminster Hall, one of the few parts of the palace to survive the fire, which has a stunning vaulted ceiling.

A seat of powerDowning Street is known the world over as home to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom: ‘Number 10’ has been the official ministerial residence for almost 300 years. Less famously, the Chancellor of the Exchequer lives just next door at Number 11; other senior members of the Cabinet, like the Chief Whip, frequently reside there in Number 9 or Number 12. Downing Street was built in the 1680s and named after its Anglo-Irish creator Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet, who had amassed a substantial fortune as a soldier and spy for Oliver Cromwell and later King Charles II. He purchased the land near St. James’s Park which once held the Hampden Mansion, a townhouse and a cottage, which he tore down in order to build a set of townhouses for esteemed British noblemen – or ‘persons of good quality’. In later years the houses served not only as official residences but also as the offices of certain branches of government such as the Treasury Office, the War Office, the Privy Council Office and the Colonial Office. Number 10 has always been home to the First Lord of the Treasury, which since 1735 has been a role fulfilled by the Prime Minister (though before 1787 it was actually Number 5). A ‘vast, awkward house’The modest front edifice of this Georgian building - unchanged since the 18th century - belies an interior of around one hundred rooms. A portrait of Sir George Downing hangs inside the door of Number 10, though the Baronet probably never actually lived on the street at all, spending his remaining years in Cambridge. The building’s longest-standing resident, William Pitt the Younger, fondly called it ‘my vast, awkward house.’ As the residence of the Prime Minister it serves an important political function, and the beautiful state rooms have received some of the most important figures in world history as guests - though its status as a seat of power has also attracted protestors. In recent years it has been adopted as the official Twitter handle of David Cameron’s office, @Number10gov. Interestingly, the door to Number 10 cannot be opened from the outside, so there is always someone waiting indoors to open it, as well as at least one policeman posted outside the door at all times. The distinctive white lettering of Number 10 has featured in many films, including Love Actually, where Hugh Grant’s down-to-earth Prime Minister dances his way through its halls and finds love (actually!). Today, Downing Street is gated and there are armed security guards standing by; yet you will always see tourists peering through the iron bars at this famous London cul-de-sac. A visit provides a thrilling glimpse at the heart of the English Government - and, of course, at one of of the most famous doors in the world.

Although the Royal Family has chosen to live in Buckingham Palace since Victoria became queen, nearby St. James’ is actually the official royal residence. As a result, all official correspondence, as well as royal envoys, are still accredited to “The Court of St. James’”, giving a stately dignity to this nearly-500-year-old building. Lepers to LordsIt was commissioned by Henry VIII in 1530, and the majority of construction work was completed over the following six years. It was built on the site of a former leper’s hospital for women which had been dedicated to St. James, and despite this rather unroyal association, it was considered a snub to the sainthood to change the patron of the location. Upon completion, it was one of the country’s grandest buildings, featuring four courtyards, a chapel, a gatehouse, and a set of state apartments that were later greatly expanded by Sir Christopher Wren after a devastating fire in 1809. The Royal GuardThese days, the palace is often used by the Royal Family for official receptions, but sadly it is closed to the public. It does still make for impressive viewing from the outside, though, and is only a five minute walk from Buckingham Palace. Unlike its more famous counterpart, though, St. James’ receives considerably fewer visitors, and is a lesser known venue of the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. Here, with much pomp and ceremony, and blistering military precision, you can watch the Queen’s royal guard, elite regular army soldiers all, enacting the traditional handover of responsibility for her protection.

The largest of the royal parks, it is home to Kensington Palace and sprawls over 350 acres.

The Albert Memorial is a monument in Kensington Gardens that commemorates Prince Albert's death in 1861, Queen Victoria's husband.

OriginalsSoho copycats have sprung up all over the world, from Hong Kong to Buenos Aires, but London’s is the original and the best. It has been the heart of the West End and the city's premier red-light district for centuries, even if it is family friendly most of the time. In spite of its central location, you still get street life here — the kind of spontaneous interactions and events that simply don’t occur in London’s posher districts like Kensington and Knightsbridge, not matter how charming they are. Thesps NestLondon’s renowned theatre scene is concentrated on the West End. Among Soho’s famous theatres are the Gielgud Theatre, the Prince Edward Theatre and the Prince of Wales Theatre, which have all been entertaining Londoners for decades, with everything ranging from musicals to classical plays, and from cabaret to comedy. London PrideHand in hand with all the art and artists here is a thriving nightlife. Soho is in particular a hotspot for the LGBT scene, with a high concentration of gay clubs and bars. Incidentally, this is where the Pride in London celebrations happen each year — head along if you can, they are wildly entertaining For a more relaxed evening, you can tap into Soho’s jazz scene. Ronnie Scott’s is still the place to go after all these decades — but then, jazz musicians do simply seem to become cooler and cooler the older they get. They are the exception to the rule!

Not that kind of circusPiccadilly Circus is one of the liveliest spots in London, and one of the best places for tourists to get a sense of the city's vivid atmosphere. This large open plaza in the heart of city is always pulsing with activity, from both the rumbling London traffic and the hundreds of people who gather here on a daily basis. Although not quite the circus you might be expecting, Piccadilly is a prime location for all things theatrical. Just off the plaza you will find Shaftesbury Avenue, a grand street full of the world’s best theatres and bursting with the most popular shows around. Many visitors also opt for a pre-theatre meal at one of the dozens of fantastic restaurants nearby. Music halls and shopping mallsThe Statue of Eros in the south end of Piccadilly Circus is one of the most popular meeting places in the city, and you will find tourists and Londoners alike sitting and chatting around the beautiful fountain while the Greek god of love flutters above, arrow at the ready. Eros is not the only piece of art to admire: Piccadilly Circus is lined round with some stunning architecture, such as the London Pavilion and the Byzantine-inspired Criterion Theatre. The Circus was constructed in 1818 to connect Regent Street, one of the best streets for London shopping, with Piccadilly, which runs down to Hyde Park and Westminster. A natural hub of activity, its energetic atmosphere has since made it one of the most celebrated places in the city. Looking for a great day or night out but can’t decide what exactly you’re in the mood for? Head straight to Piccadilly Circus and have your pick of the lot: great food, great pubs, great shopping and great shows.

Located in the West End of London, Covent Garden has become a world-class destination for tourists and Londoners alike who are looking for great food, luxury brands, and award-winning restaurants and theatres. In Covent Garden, you can:- Explore Neil's Yard, one of the most colourful and prettiest streets in London;- See the best of Banksy's artworks at ‘The Art of Banksy’;- Taste all the food you can eat at the 'Seven Dials Market'- Shop until you drop in quirky or luxurious stores and so much more! Explore London with Travel Curious!

One of London's most lavish, exclusive neighbourhoods. Embassies, prime offices and boutiques occupy former mansions and aristocratic homes.

Savile Row is synonymous with the highest quality bespoke tailoring and is known as the world’s most famous suiting street. It is where Henry Poole, the designer of the modern Dinner Jacket, first opened a store in 1831. In more recent history it was also the home to the Beatles recording studio where they wrote songs such as Let it Be, along with other hits. Curious Fact: The Japanese word for a business suit is ‘sebiro’ (Say it out loud) which comes from London’s Savile Row, famous for its tailors.

The second longest river in the UK the Thames is an iconic piece of London culture. Don't be put off by its murky colour it is actually one of the cleanest metropolitan rivers in European.

Since 1868, St Pancras Station has been one of London's most architecturally stunning structures. It is home to four main routes of travel; Eurostar, East Midlands Trains, Southeastern and ThamesLink, not forgetting Europe's longest champagne bar.

Opened in 1840, this grade 1 listed building has been perfectly designed to suit any occasion... from meetings to dinners and entertainment.