Changing of the Guard Tour London | Award-Winning Walking Tour
Join this Changing of the Guard tour and witness the iconic Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. This award-winning walking tour is expertly timed to navigate the crowds, offering front-row views of the Foot Guards and the Regimental Bands as they march between Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, The Mall and St. James's Palace.
Tour Information
Days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Start Time: 10:00am (9:00am Sunday)
Duration: 2 hours
Price: £14 per person
Meeting Point: Victoria Palace Theatre
Walking Distance: 3 miles
Language: English
Tour Type: Guided Walking Tour
Changing of the Guard Tour Highlights
💂♂️ Watch the King's Guard, Foot Guards and Household Cavalry march through Royal London.
💂♂️ Discover the history of Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and Clarence House.
💂♂️ Enjoy an expert-guided route to the best vantage points, avoiding the biggest crowds.
💂♂️ Get front-row views of the Foot Guards and the Regimental Bands throughout the ceremony.
💂♂️ Capture a memorable photo opportunity with the Royal Horse Guards of the Household Cavalry.
💂♂️ Learn fascinating stories about royal ceremony, military precision and centuries of tradition.
💂♂️ Experience London's most iconic royal ceremony on an award-winning walking tour.
Top Experiences On Your Changing Of The Guard Tour
Front Row Views
Your expert guide leads you to selected vantage points giving you front row views of the guards while avoiding the largest crowds.
Full Ceremonial Route
Follow the royal guards between Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Clarence House and Wellington Barracks on their ceremonial route.
Royal Photo Moment
Enjoy a memorable photo opportunity with the mounted Royal Horse Guards of the Household Cavalry.
Living Royal History
Your guide brings the Changing of the Guard to life with stories about the King's Guard, royal traditions and centuries of British history.
Award-Winning Changing Of The Guard Tour
Join this award-winning Changing of the Guard tour, voted a top 20 tour in Europe, and widely regarded as the best Changing of the Guard tour in London.
This expertly guided Changing of the Guard walking tour follows the King's Guard, Foot Guards and Household Cavalry as they march between Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Clarence House and Wellington Barracks, revealing the history, traditions and military precision behind Britain's most celebrated royal ceremony.
This Changing of the Guard tour goes far beyond simply watching the spectacle: your local expert guide selects the best vantage points along the ceremony route, helping you avoid the crowds while offering front-row views of the Foot Guards, Regimental Band and mounted Royal Horseguards, before finishing with a memorable photo opportunity with the Household Cavalry.
The perfect royal tour for first-time visitors, returning guests, families and history enthusiasts, this Changing of the Guard guided tour brings London's royal heritage to life through engaging storytelling, fascinating history and unrivalled local knowledge. Recognised by travellers worldwide, this walking tour is consistently rated as the best Changing of the Guard tour in London for combining exceptional views, expert commentary, and authentic British pageantry into one unforgettable Royal London experience.
Included
✓ Front row views of the Changing of the Guard
✓ Guided walking tour past Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace
✓ Ceremonial stops at Clarence House and along The Mall
✓ Visit Wellington Barracks and Horse Guards Parade
✓ Photo opportunity with the mounted Royal Horse Guards
✓ The best Changing of the Guard locations - whilst avoiding the biggest crowds
✓ Professional tour guide
Not Included
✗ Buckingham Palace entrance tickets
What To Know Before Your Changing Of The Guard Tour
This tour is not suitable for wheelchairs
This tour is not suitable for strollers
This tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour start time
In wet weather the tour will see a ‘Wet Change’ - a shorter ceremony without music.
Sunday tours will see the Sunday Parade version of the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
This Changing of the Guard walking tour will not go to the front gates of Buckingham Palace. Most of the Changing of the Guard in London is away from the Palace gates. Instead of remaining behind large crowds at the palace railings, your guide uses strategic vantage points around each ceremony location to experience different stages of the Changing of the Guard. If you wish to go to the front gates of Buckingham Palace then we recommend not booking this tour.
Changing Of The Guard Tour Schedule & Meeting Point
Days of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday
Start: 10am (9am Sunday)
Meeting Point: Victoria Palace Theatre
Nearest Underground: Victoria
Finish: 12pm (11am Sunday)
End Point: Horse Guards Parade
Nearest Underground: Westminster
Please meet your tour guide who will be holding a yellow umbrella.
Changing Of The Guard Tour FAQ
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The award-winning Changing of the Guard Tour by See The Sights Tours is widely regarded as the best Changing of the Guard tour in London and has been voted a Top 20 Tour in Europe. This Changing of the Guard tour follows the King's Guard between Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Clarence House and Wellington Barracks.
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The Changing of the Guard tour starts at 10am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9am on Sundays, giving guests time to reach the best viewing points before the ceremony begins.
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The Changing of the Guard tour meets outside Victoria Palace Theatre, near Victoria Station. Guests should look for their tour guide holding a yellow umbrella.
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The Changing of the Guard guided tour is 2 hours in duration (approximately).
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The Changing of the Guard tour finishes at Horse Guards Parade.
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The Changing of the Guard tour is £14 per person with See The Sights Tours.
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The Changing of the Guard tour runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with Sunday tours featuring the Sunday Parade version of the ceremony.
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The Changing of the Guard tour is in English and is led by a professional local tour guide.
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Yes. The Changing of the Guard tour is well suited to children and families, offering an engaging way to see the ceremony and the King's Guard, Foot Guards and Household Cavalry together.
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The Changing of the Guard tour suits active seniors comfortable walking around 3 miles over two hours. The tour is not suitable for guests with wheelchairs or walking difficulties.
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The Changing of the Guard tour still operates in wet weather. If conditions affect the official ceremony, the royal guards may do a shorter "Wet Change" ceremony without music, and your tour guide will adapt the tour accordingly.
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No. The Changing of the Guard guided tour does not visit the front gates of Buckingham Palace. Instead, your tour guide uses strategic locations around Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Clarence House, Wellington Barracks and The Mall to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony from better vantage points.
Book a Changing of the Guard tour or watch it yourself?
The Changing of the Guard is a public ceremony but watching the Changing of the Guard on your own means arriving early, standing in large crowds and hoping you've chosen a good viewing spot.
Why join a Changing of the Guard tour? On the Changing of the Guard tour, your expert local guide leads you to each of the key ceremony locations around Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Clarence House, Wellington Barracks and Horse Guards Parade, allowing you to enjoy multiple front row viewpoints of the ceremony instead of remaining in one place. You'll follow the Guards' route, gain excellent photo opportunities and even have the chance to enjoy a photograph with the mounted Royal Horse Guards of the Household Cavalry.
More importantly, you'll understand what you're watching. Your Changing of the Guard tour guide brings the ceremony to life with fascinating stories about the King's Guard, Foot Guards, the Household Division, royal traditions and centuries of British military history. Whether you're visiting London for the first time or returning to explore its royal heritage, this Changing of the Guard guided tour offers a richer and more immersive experience that allows you to discover the history, symbolism and precision behind London's most iconic royal event.
Fantastic Changing of the Guard experience
“Our guide Eric explained what was going on and gave us a crash course in British history.”
Great royal history tour
“Erik knew very much about the history of the guards, royal family and house they lived in.”
Amazing and informative tour
“Erik was amazing and was so well informed!”