Westminster Abbey deep-dive
The Coronation Walk
Every English coronation since 1066 — kings, queens, poets and scientists at rest beneath one extraordinary Gothic roof. A slowe…
3 hoursThursday 29 October 2026
By almost-royal appointment · Est. reign 2024
KING HENRY LONDON
Walking & driving tours of royal London
Scroll · 2 hours · 8 stops
TRAFALGAR SQUAREST. JAMES'S PALACEBUCKINGHAM PALACEST. JAMES'S PARKHORSE GUARDS PARADEPALACE OF WESTMINSTERWESTMINSTER ABBEYPARLIAMENT SQUARESPENCER HOUSEROYAL WARRANT SHOPSPALL MALLMARLBOROUGH HOUSELANCASTER HOUSECLARENCE HOUSEROYAL SOCIETY
TRAFALGAR SQUAREST. JAMES'S PALACEBUCKINGHAM PALACEST. JAMES'S PARKHORSE GUARDS PARADEPALACE OF WESTMINSTERWESTMINSTER ABBEYPARLIAMENT SQUARESPENCER HOUSEROYAL WARRANT SHOPSPALL MALLMARLBOROUGH HOUSELANCASTER HOUSECLARENCE HOUSEROYAL SOCIETY
The King's Decree
Three reasons these are no ordinary tours
I
History, performed
Henry trained as an actor before he trained as a guide — BA in Drama & Theatre Arts, then Drama Studio London. On these tours, eight centuries of Westminster are not read off a plaque. They are performed: the betrayals, the coronations, the executions, delivered the way they deserve.
II
Scandal & sovereigns
It goes without saying — quite a few King Henrys may feature. Six wives, one Reformation, and a palace built on a whim. Expect the gossip behind the grandeur and the whispers the guidebooks leave out.
III
Tailored to you
Small parties, VIP guests, walks and drives with his own glamorous driver. This is not a flag-following crowd of forty. It is Westminster, fitted to you like a good suit.
The Full Programme
Two walks, one royal borough.
In Henry VIII's own footsteps
The Tudor Trail
St. James's Palace, Horse Guards jousting ground, the Chapel Royal, Whitehall's lost palace — the walk Henry himself might have…
2 hours
The signature 8-stop tour
The Westminster Walk
From Trafalgar Square's bronze lions to Parliament Square's statesmen — the borough where Britain is crowned, governed and occas…
2–3 hours
The Westminster Walk + The Coronation Walk
The Royal Day
Both signature walks in one seamless day, with a proper English lunch in between. Ideal for first-time visitors and history enth…
Full day (7 hours)
The Royal Route
Eight stops. A thousand years.
From the lions of Trafalgar Square to the statues of Parliament Square — a slow walk through the borough where Britain is crowned, governed and occasionally overthrown.
2–3 hrs 8 landmarks 10 min
01
Trafalgar Square
10 minTrafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS
Nelson keeps watch from his column while four bronze lions guard the square. London's living room — and our point of departure.
02
St. James's Palace
10 minMarlborough Road, London SW1A 1BQ
Built by Henry VIII himself — the first of quite a few King Henrys to feature today. Still a working royal palace after nearly 500 years.
03
Buckingham Palace
10 minSpur Road, London SW1A 1AA
The King's London residence. Time it right and you'll witness the Changing of the Guard — scarlet tunics, bearskins, and impeccable ceremony.
04
St. James's Park
10 minHorse Guards Road, London SW1A 2BJ
The oldest of the royal parks. Pelicans have lived here since 1664 — a gift from a Russian ambassador, naturally.
05
Horse Guards Parade
10 minHorse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX
Where Trooping the Colour unfolds each June, and where Henry VIII once jousted. Another Henry. We did warn you.
06
Palace of Westminster
10 minAbingdon St, London SW1A 0AA
The Mother of Parliaments and that tower — technically the Elizabeth Tower; Big Ben is the bell inside. Henry will forgive you either way.
07
Westminster Abbey
10 min20 Dean's Yard, Broad Sanctuary, London SW1P 3PA
Every coronation since 1066. Kings, queens, poets and scientists — all beneath one extraordinary Gothic roof.
08
Parliament Square
10 minWestminster, London SW1P 3BD
Churchill, Mandela, Gandhi and company cast in bronze. Our final stop — where the tour ends and London's story continues.
“Quite a few King Henrys may feature.”
Your Guide
Meet King Henry — Henry Silk, offstage
Henry Silk specialises in taking VIP guests on walks and drives of London's most famous borough — with his own glamorous PA and driver, no less. With a background in acting, history and public speaking, he brings Westminster to life through the people, places and stories that made it famous.
He is by no means camera shy: a spot of modelling on the side, a recent JustEat commercial, and a turn as a runway model for a fashion designer competition on Amazon Prime.
- — City of Westminster Lecturers & Guides Association — current cohort
- — BA Drama & Theatre Arts, University of Birmingham
- — PgDip, Drama Studio London
- — As seen in a JustEat commercial & on the runway for Amazon Prime
The Royal Portraits
A king, in his element.
Field photography from recent tours & sittings
The Coronation PortraitBy candlelight · Westminster
Off DutyMayfair · Tailored
The Court AssemblesParliament Square · A recent tour
Dispatches from Past Guests
A chorus of approval.
★★★★★ · 5.0 · Verified guests · Since 2024
★★★★★
“Henry doesn't recite history — he performs it. By the time we reached Westminster Abbey we half-expected a coronation. Genuinely the best walking tour we've done in Europe.”
Amelia & James Whitcombe
Boston · June 2026
★★★★★
“Booked as an anniversary treat and it was so much more. He tailored the whole walk around our love of Tudor history and even had a small surprise waiting at St James's.”
The Lindqvist family
Stockholm · May 2026
★★★★★
“Our teenagers came expecting to be bored. They left quoting Henry VIII's wives back to us on the tube. A magician in a very good coat.”
Priya Ramanathan
Mumbai · April 2026
★★★★★
“I've lectured on British history for thirty years and still learned three things I didn't know. Warm, mischievous, and impossibly well-read.”
Prof. Alistair Downe
Edinburgh · March 2026
Request an Audience
Book your private tour
Ideal for history enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike. Send your preferred date and Henry's court will confirm your place on the route.
Duration2 – 3 hours
DepartsTrafalgar Square
PartyPrivate & VIP groups
By Royal Decree
Answers to every enquiry.
The most-asked questions from past guests. Anything else — Henry is at the other end of the enquiry form.
01Where do we meet?
Where do we meet?
We assemble at Trafalgar Square, by the base of Nelson's Column between the two southern lions (nearest tube: Charing Cross, Exit 1). Henry arrives ten minutes before the hour, usually in a navy coat and unmistakably tall.
02What happens if the weather turns British on us?
What happens if the weather turns British on us?
The tour runs in all but the most severe conditions — a little London drizzle is part of the education. If a red weather warning is issued, we'll reschedule at no cost. Bring an umbrella and a sense of humour.
03Is the walk accessible?
Is the walk accessible?
The route is largely step-free and follows pavements and park paths, but covers 3–4km at a gentle pace over 2–3 hours. If you have specific mobility needs, tell us on the booking form — Henry adjusts the route, pace, or seating stops without a fuss.
04Is it suitable for children and families?
Is it suitable for children and families?
Absolutely — the tour is pitched for curious minds aged 8 and up. Under-12s go free with a paying adult on public walks. Private family tours can be tailored around younger children, treasure-hunt style.
05How long does the tour last?
How long does the tour last?
Between two and three hours, depending on the day, the questions, and whether the Changing of the Guard runs to schedule. We finish at Parliament Square with plenty of daylight left for lunch or the Abbey.
06What's your cancellation policy?
What's your cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 48 hours before your tour for a full refund. Inside 48 hours there is no refund, but we will reschedule you free of charge. Weather-cancelled tours are always fully refunded or rebooked.
07What should I wear?
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable. Layer up — Westminster is windier than it looks. In summer, sun cream and water. In winter, a proper coat. Henry will be considerably better dressed than everyone; don't take it personally.