Changing of the Guard Tour London: Small Group Walking Tour
This Changing of the Guard tour is a small group walking tour (maximum 15 guests) providing a front row viewing experience of the Changing of the Guard ceremony across Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, Clarence House and The Mall, specifically designed to avoid the crowds and witness the iconic royal ceremony up close.
Tour Information
Days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Start Time: 10:00am
Duration: 2 hours
Price: £19 per person
Meeting Point: The Old Star Pub St James’s
Walking Distance: 3 miles
Language: English
Tour Type: Guided Walking Tour
Changing Of The Guard Walking Tour Highlights
💂♂️ Enjoy a Changing of the Guard tour in London with a small group of 15 guests.
💂♂️ Follow the King's Guard between Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and Clarence House.
💂♂️ Stand in the best Changing of the Guard locations giving you front row views of the royal guards.
💂♂️ Learn the history of the Foot Guards and Household Division from an expert local guide.
💂♂️ Hear the ceremonial music of the royal guards marching bands.
💂♂️ Discover the royal and military traditions of the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
💂♂️ Finish with a memorable photograph beside the mounted Royal Horse Guards.
Top Experiences On Your Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
The Royal Ceremony
Enjoy the Changing of the Guard from multiple vantage points at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, The Mall and St James’s Palace.
Front Row Views
Witness the marching bands and ceremonial drills up close in a ceremony that brings centuries of royal tradition to life.
Stories Behind the Guard
Discover the history of the Household Division and Foot Guards through the eyes of an expert local guide.
Royal Photo Memory
Finish your Changing of the Guard tour with a memorable photograph next to the mounted Royal Horse Guards of the Household Cavalry.
Experience The Best Changing Of The Guard Tour In London
Widely regarded as the best Changing of the Guard tour in London, this small-group Changing of the Guard walking tour is the award-winning experience reimagined for those who want a closer, more personal way to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. As a small group experience, this Changing of the Guard walking tour traces the King's Guard as they march between Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Clarence House and Wellington Barracks with excellent viewpoints of the Changing of the Guard ceremony at every stop.
Led by an expert local tour guide, this Changing of the Guard guided tour brings the ceremony to life with stories of the Household Division, the Foot Guards and centuries of royal tradition, alongside the pageantry of marching bands. You'll move between carefully chosen viewpoints for front row views, learn the secrets of the guards uniform and which each regiment represents, before finishing with a memorable photograph with the Royal Horseguards.
This Changing of the Guard walking tour is the ideal introduction to Royal London for history lovers, first-time visitors, returning guests, and anyone wanting to discover the history and tradition behind London’s most iconic royal ceremony in a closer and more personal setting. Combining expert commentary, fascinating storytelling, prime positioning and the intimacy of a small group, this Changing of the Guard walking tour offers a rich and authentic insight into one of Britain’s most historic and cultural events.
Included
✓ Small group Changing of the Guard walking tour
✓ Guided viewing of the Changing of the Guard ceremony
✓ Visit Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and Clarence House
✓ Walk along The Mall through the heart of Royal London
✓ Views of Wellington Barracks and Horse Guards Parade
✓ Multiple prime viewing points to see the King's Guard and marching bands
✓ Photo opportunity beside the Royal Horse Guards of the Household Cavalry
✓ 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
The tour will have a maximum of 15 guests
In wet weather the tour will see a ‘Wet Change’ - a shorter ceremony without music.
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
Start: 10am
Meeting Point: The Old Star pub
Nearest Underground: St James’s Park
Finish: 12pm
End Point: Horse Guards Parade
Nearest Underground: Westminster
Please meet your tour guide who will be holding a yellow umbrella.
Changing Of The Guard FAQ
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The best Changing of the Guard walking tour in London is widely regarded to be the small-group Changing of the Guard tour by See The Sights Tours. This Changing of the Guard walking tour follows the Royal guards as they march between Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Clarence House and Wellington Barracks.
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The Changing of the Guard walking tour starts at 10am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
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The small group Changing of the Guard walking tour starts outside The Old Star pub, next to St James's Park Underground Station. The tour guide will be holding a yellow umbrella.
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The Changing of the Guard tour is 2 hours (approximately).
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The Changing of the Guard walking tour finishes at Horse Guards Parade.
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The small group Changing of the Guard tour is £19 per person with See The Sights Tours.
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The Changing of the Guard walking tour is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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The Changing of the Guard guided tour is in English with a professional local tour guide.
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Yes. The Changing of the Guard tour is popular with families and children.
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The Changing of the Guard walking tour is suitable for seniors who are comfortable walking around 3 miles over two hours. The Changing of the Guard walking tour is not suitable for guests with wheelchairs or walking difficulties.
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The Changing of the Guard tour still runs in wet weather. If the ceremony is affected by the weather then guests will see a "Wet Change" — a shorter version of the Changing of the Guard ceremony without music.
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No. The Changing of the Guard walking tour in London does not visit the front gates of Buckingham Palace. Instead the tour will stop at the main Changing of the Guard locations around Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Clarence House, Wellington Barracks and The Mall.
Join a Changing of the Guard walking tour or watch it yourself?
The Changing of the Guard is a public ceremony and one of London's most popular attractions. However watching the Changing of the Guard by yourself without a tour guide can be challenging and you may not get the full royal experience. Large crowds, restricted views and not knowing where to stand often mean visitors most of the ceremony's best moments.
Why join a Changing of the Guard walking tour? On the small-group Changing of the Guard walking tour your expert local guide leads you to the best viewing locations around Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, St James's Palace, Wellington Barracks and Horse Guards Parade whilst avoiding the largest crowds. As a small group Changing of the Guard tour this means you can move more easily move through the crowds, hear your guide clearly, and enjoy a more personal experience whilst capturing memorable photographs at each of the key ceremony locations including your own photo with the mounted Royal Horse Guards of the Household Cavalry.
By joining the small group Changing of the Guard tour you’ll also understand the history, traditions and symbolism behind one of Britain’s most famous royal events as your expert guide explains the roles of the King's Guard, Foot Guards and Household Division. Perfect for first time visitors, returning guests, history enthusiasts, or those who want to witness the British culture up close, the small group Changing of the Guard tour is the best way to experience the pomp and pageantry of London’s royal heritage.
Great Changing of the Guard tour
“Erik was a great guide and gave us lots of information and interesting details about the guards.”
Amazing and entertaining guide
“Erik was an amazing, accurate and funny guide!”
Awesome small-group experience
“The tour was awesome. Our guide, Matthew was great, very knowledgeable and professional.”