Buckingham Palace: Changing of the Guard ☆☆☆
The boring of the tourists—I mean the changing of the guard—at London's Royal Residence
The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, the Queen's home and London crash pad for British monarchs since 1837, is one of Europe's most overrated attractions.
It's like a bad halftime show by a over-drilled marching band.
I'm serious, Last time I subjected myself to this boring ritual—cramming myself into the thick crowd that was at least 10 tourists deep and ran the length of the courtyard fence—her Majesty's Royal marching band actually played a medley of Billy Joel hits.
Pomp and circumstance it most definitely was not.
And don't go telling me "But it's fun for the kids!" I first saw it when I was 12 and was bored to tears then, too. (» Actual fun things for the kids in London.)
During the brief periods it is open to the public in summer and around Christmas, do tour the palace itself—but skip the 11:30am changing of the guard.
Please do not tease the guards
It is something of a London vacation tradition: To make faces at, catcall, jeer, or otherwise try to ruffle the stoically unresponsive (and long-suffering) guards flanking the Buckingham Palace gates. The idea is to try and make them break ranks, break their stiff at-attention stance, or even just break a smile.
Please don't. That's just mean.
Let me put it this way: The Palace Guards are all British military, drawn from five infantry and two calvary regiments. A posting here tends to be relief duty for those who have seen action overseas.
Yeah. Nearly all of the guards are active duty soldiers and war veterans. So go ahead. Act like a jerk at them.
Changing Of The Guard Tours
Start your day with pickup at the Victoria Coach Station in central London, and then travel by air-conditioned coach to St. Paul's Cathedral. Spend the morning there, then travel to Westminster Abbey where Prince William married Kate Middleton in a lavish royal wedding ceremony in 2011. Pose for photos outside the Gothic crowd pleaser. Head to the Mall outside Buckingham Palace to watch the legendary Changing of the Guard ceremony. Accompanied by a military band, soldiers from the Queen’s Foot Guard march in time to drumbeats, performing a ceremonial ritual that dates back centuries.
Move on to the Tower of London, a former prison, fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit sites like Traitor’s Gate, the Torture Exhibition and, of course, the glittering Crown Jewels – a collection of irreplaceable and historic items. Spend some free time here exploring and eating lunch.
Hop aboard a sightseeing boat for a short trip down the River Thames. Cruise down the river, looking out for the top London attractions such as Shakespeare’s Globe, and then step out onto dry land.
Finish your tour back at the start point or alternatively, upgrade to finish on a high note with one of two optional activities. Options include an afternoon tea on the Thames River or a must-do London Eye flight, for picture-perfect views over the capital. Both activities include transport to the attraction, but no transport back.
Please note: If your tour falls on a date when the Changing of the Guard ceremony is not taking place, you will stop at Buckingham Palace for photos
Your morning tour of London begins with a panoramic drive up to Kensington Palace, once home to Princess Diana. Pop in your state-of-the-art Vox headphones as your tour starts and listen to your guide talking clearly about each site. Nearby you will see the stunning Royal Albert Hall - where famous London concerts are hosted, and the historic Albert Memorial.
Continue through London to Trafalgar Square, passing Whitehall and the Prime Minister’s residence on Downing Street. On arrival at Parliament Square you’ll see more top London attractions including the Big Ben clock, the Houses of Parliament and the magnificent Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Your morning tour will then head to St. James’ Park and Buckingham Palace to see the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. Accompanied by a military band, soldiers from the Queen’s Foot Guard march to Buckingham Palace in their familiar red tunics and bearskin hats. This the oldest ceremony linked to Buckingham Palace, and it is truly representative of the colorful pomp and ceremony that make the British Royal Family so fascinating.
Your tour finishes in Trafalgar Square, conveniently located in the heart of central London so you can continue your afternoon sightseeing independently. Upgrade your experience to include an open-date ticket for the London Eye.
See London on a full-day sightseeing tour of the city, led by a guide. Hear the history of top London attractions like Westminster Abbey and Big Ben, and receive fast-track entry and a guided tour of St Paul’s Cathedral. After the sightseeing tour, watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace and tour the Tower of London. As a bonus, this experience also includes a one-way River Thames sightseeing cruise, which can be used on the day or another time. Upgrade to include a flexible London Eye ticket to be used on any day you wish.
Meet your guide on board your air-conditioned coach, and then relax as you travel around central London to see the sights. Pass through Parliament Square, seeing the Houses of Parliament and the Big Ben clock, and then travel past Westminster Abbey where Prince William married Kate Middleton in a lavish royal wedding ceremony. Admire prestigious government buildings at Whitehall and Downing Street, and then see the hustle and bustle that surrounds Nelson’s Column at Trafalgar Square.
Travel to Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the Queen, and walk around in front of the gates to see the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. Have your camera ready to capture the pomp and pageantry of the Queen’s Foot Guard as they march in their eye-catching red tunics and bearskin hats, and then travel by coach to a traditional London pub in Trafalgar Square.
Rest and refuel with a hearty lunch (own expense), and then continue your day of sightseeing with a visit to the City of London, an area just east of the city center where many of London’s banks can be found. Look out for the sights as your guide explains their history and hop out for fast-track entry and a guided tour of St Paul's Cathedral.
Continue to the Tower of London, and head inside to explore at your leisure. The former prison and fortress, which looks out over the River Thames, was built to terrify potential invaders and Londoners alike. Steeped in centuries of murder and treason, the tower is fascinating to explore with its famous jet-black ravens and Beefeater guides. Should you wish, opt to join one of the complimentary Beefeater tours that run every 30 minutes and hear tragic tales of the royals and nobles who met their end within the tower’s walls.
Before your tour finishes, receive a ticket for a sightseeing cruise along the River Thames, from the Tower of London to Westminster Pier. Upgrade to include an flexible ticket for the London Eye, to used any time you wish.
Day 1: Royal London Sightseeing Tour with Changing of the Guard Ceremony (3.5 Hours)
Following pickup from Victoria Coach Station, your morning tour begins with a panoramic drive to Kensington Palace, once home to Princess Diana. Pop in your state-of-the-art Vox headphones as your tour starts and listen to your guide talking clearly about each site. On route, see the Royal Albert Hall, where many famous concerts are hosted, and the Albert Memorial.
Continue to Trafalgar Square, passing Whitehall and the Prime Minister’s residence on Downing Street. On arrival at Parliament Square, view more top London attractions including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married.
Next, head to St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Accompanied by a military band, soldiers from the Queen’s Foot Guard march to Buckingham Palace in their cherry-red tunics and bearskin hats. This is Buckingham Palace’s oldest ceremony, and it is truly representative of the pomp and ceremony that make the British Royal Family so fascinating.
Your tour then finishes in Trafalgar Square.
Day 2: London to Stonehenge Independent Afternoon Trip with Audio Tour (5.5 to 6 Hours)
Head out of London on an air-conditioned coach to the UNESCO-listed Stonehenge. This fascinating stone circle has sat in the same spot on the Salisbury plain for more than 5,000 years, yet nobody knows why it is there or how it was constructed.
Plug into your included audio-guide to hear the different theories surrounding its purpose, and enjoy about an hour to wander around the stones independently. See the beautiful Bluestone rocks on the inside of the circle, and wonder at how these 40-ton stones could have been transported and who could have carved them in such a distinctive way.
When the time comes, return to your coach and travel back to your original departure point, where your tour concludes.
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Start with a pickup from Victoria Coach Station, and then kick off your morning tour with a panoramic drive to Kensington Palace, once home to Princess Diana. Pop in your state-of-the-art Vox headphones and listen to your guide’s commentary about each site. On route, see the Royal Albert Hall, where many famous concerts are held, and the Albert Memorial.
Continue to Trafalgar Square, passing Whitehall and the Prime Minister’s residence on Downing Street. On arrival at Parliament Square, take in more top London sights including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.
Next, head to St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Look on in delight as the Queen’s Foot Guards — clothed in crimson tunics and bearskin hats — march in time to drumbeats from a military band.
Your coach tour then finishes in Trafalgar Square, leaving you only a short walk from the Thames River. Make your own way to either Westminster Pier or Tower Pier to catch your Thames River cruise boat. Show your one-way ticket and then find yourself a seat on the open-air upper deck, or settle into a window-side seat in the heated lower saloon area.
With your camera in hand, gaze out over the water as you pass iconic London attractions such as London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the Shard. Learn the history behind each sight from the live commentary and help yourself to refreshments (own expense) from the onboard bar.
After roughly 45 minutes on the water, your cruise concludes at Tower Pier, if you boarded at Westminster Pier, or Westminster Pier, if you boarded at Tower Pier.
The Changing of The Guard is one of the most famous ceremonies in the world and a must-see London attraction, but what is the best way to experience it? There is more to it than can possibly be seen if you just join the melee pushing up against the gates of Buckingham Palace trying to catch a glimpse.
Over 2 hours we will offer you some of the best timed views of the different sites of the ceremony, and unlike any other London tour we will also explain to you why it is happening and trace the fascinating origins of the tempestuous history of guarding The Monarchy, allowing you to thoroughly appreciate what it is that you are witnessing.
Meet your guide outside of St. James's underground station and head over to Westminster Abbey and The Houses of Parliament to learn about the history and importance of our Monarchy, as well as finding out just why the Changing of The Guard Ceremony takes place.
After this it's a short walk to Horseguards parade to witness the oldest section of the ceremony, the Changing of the Horseguards. Then we will make our way to see the start of the Footguards' ceremony outside of Saint James's Palace. Your guide will place you at the best vantage point to see the inspection, old guard, new guard, and bands play. They will explain the meaning behind all of the maneuvers and significance of the carefully orchestrated movement.
Then follow along with the guards and band as they head to Buckingham Palace, avoiding the melee of people pushing up against the gates of the Palace trying to catch a glimpse. Your guide will keep you out of the crowds while discussing the fascinating history behind guarding the famous monarchy.
Finish the tour at the Green Park underground station (Jubilee Line, Victoria Line, Piccadilly Line), however if you would like to remain in the area and explore, your guide will be happy to give you directions to other attractions.
Best of Royal London Walking Tour Including the Tower of London and Changing of the Guard (4 Hours)Meet your guide at the Tower of London, and head inside before the doors open to the general public. Learn about the tower’s history, see the opening ceremony, and then use your time inside to explore independently. Perhaps visit the White Tower, Medieval Palace and Traitors’ Gate, and see the Crown Jewels — a dazzling collection of jewels still used by Queen Elizabeth II today.
After, meet back up with your guide and walk to a nearby pier for your 30-minute cruise. As you glide along the Thames River, listen to your guide share details about the sights you see including St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
Disembark at Embankment Pier, then stroll to Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade to watch the Changing of the Guard. As you watch the Queen’s Foot Guards or the Household Cavalry perform this impressive ceremony, listen to your guide talk about the history behind it.
Continue on foot through St James's Park and finish your tour by Buckingham Palace, where you’ll see the balcony where the British Royal Family appear during events. After your tour, enjoy two hours of free time for lunch (own expense) before meeting back up with your guide for your afternoon tour.
Please note: If there is heavy rain — or if the Changing of the Guard is rescheduled to early morning — the ceremony will be replaced with an extended walking tour.
Highlights of London Walking Tour Including Afternoon Tea (2.5 Hours)Meet your guide at the prearranged time and location in central London, and then set off on foot to begin your walking tour of London’s premier sights. If required, plug into a headset to help you hear your guide’s commentary clearly.
With your guide, stroll through the capital’s bustling streets and make your first stop at Trafalgar Square, home to the iconic National Gallery, the beautiful St Martin in the Fields church and Nelson’s column.
Continue on to Whitehall, the center of Her Majesty’s Government. Pass by Downing Street, home to the British Prime Minister, and the Horse Guards Parade, and proceed to Parliament Square.
Be awed by spectacular views of world-famous sights including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married.
After your walking tour, stroll to the 4-star St Ermin's Hotel, where you’ll indulge in a traditional afternoon tea. On arrival, take a seat in the lavish dining room and savor an exquisite spread of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and preserves, cakes and pastries, and a selection of British tea.
With your appetite sated, bid your guide a fond farewell before making your own way back to your hotel or next destination.
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Meet your guide outside the Tower of London in the morning. Receive your early access ticket, then listen to your guide’s commentary before heading inside to explore independently. Bypass any entrance lines and step straight inside to see the opening ceremony. You’ll also be one of the first to enter the Jewel House, where the Crown Jewels — a dazzling collection of jewels still used today by Queen Elizabeth II — have been stored since 1303. You may also witness the opening ceremony, performed by the Yeoman Warders, or ‘Beefeaters.’
Stroll along the East Wall Walk for bird’s-eye views of the city streets, and see the ravens that have lived here since the reign of King Charles II. Visit the White Tower, Medieval Palace and Traitors’ Gate, and see the Tower Green where a string of traitors and monarchs, including Anne Boleyn, were executed.
After your visit, meet back up with your guide and head to a nearby pier where a cruise boat awaits. Hop aboard and find yourself a spot on deck, then have your camera ready as you set off on a 30-minute Thames River cruise. Listen to your guide share interesting details about the sights you see including St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
Disembark at Embankment Pier, then stroll with your guide to Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade to watch the Changing of the Guard. Listen to your guide talk about the ceremony’s history, then watch as the crimson-clad Queen’s Foot Guards or the Household Cavalry perform this impressive procedure.
Finish your tour outside Buckingham Palace. See the balcony where the British Royal Family appear during major events, and hear tales of murderous intruders and amorous princes scaling the walls to get both in and out.
Please note: If there is heavy rain — or if the Changing of the Guard is rescheduled to early morning — the ceremony will be replaced with an extended walking tour.
Buckingham Palace is only open for select dates in July, August and September each year, so book now! Tours to this top London attraction sell out fast.
Meet your guide at Waterloo Place, central London, and stroll the short distance through beautiful St James's Park to Buckingham Palace, a monument that has served as the official London residence of Britain’s sovereigns since the 19th century.
Stop at either Horse Guards Parade or directly in front of the palace (depending on the weather) to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony from a prime viewing spot. The world-famous ceremony involves a march by the Queen’s Foot Guards, with their cherry-red tunics and bearskin hats, in time to drumbeats from a military band. Soak up the glorious pomp and pageantry, and listen to your guide to learn about the history behind the event.
After watching the ceremony, follow your guide to the entrance of Buckingham Palace, a site only open to the public for two months each year. Guides are not permitted to speak inside the palace, so listen to your guide’s insightful commentary outside so that you’re armed with all the background information.
Then, head inside with your prebooked ticket, plug in your audio guide, and explore the public rooms of the palace that Queen Elizabeth II still calls home today. Gaze in wonder at sparkling chandeliers, decadent furnishings and treasures from the Royal Collection such as exquisite Sèvres porcelain, and listen to the audio commentary for more information on the palace’s royal residents, history and traditions.
After your audio tour, leave Buckingham Palace and enjoy a leisurely stroll to your next event: afternoon tea at one of central London’s prestigious hotels. As you walk, learn about Britain’s afternoon tea tradition from your guide. Believed to have been started by one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, the custom of ‘taking tea’ in the afternoon became well established with high society in the 18th century, and its popularity later spread into a tradition favored by most of the country.
Visit either Rubens at the Palace or St Ermin’s Hotel in Westminster and enjoy an afternoon tea of delights. Nibble on scones laden with thick clotted cream and jam, sip on classic English tea and bite into dainty finger sandwiches while chatting about your afternoon’s experience. Your tour ends inside the hotel, so bid your guide goodbye after finishing your tea.
Please note: if there is heavy rain on the day of your tour, the Changing of the Guard ceremony will be replaced with a visit to the Guard’s Chapel.
Experience two top London sights and one of Britain's best traditions on this full-day combo tour. Visit Westminster Abbey; get an inside look at Buckingham Palace, the Queen's official London residence; and watch the Changing of the Guard, a wonderful display of British pageantry. Then, cap your day with an indulgent afternoon tea at a luxury London hotel.
Meet your guide by the column opposite the west entrance of Westminster Abbey, one of the world’s greatest churches and the site of royal coronations for 1,000 years.
Step inside this 700-year-old monument for a guided tour highlighting its most important and fascinating features. Learn how the abbey is a significant structure in British history, welcoming kings, queens and statesmen, and playing host to state funerals and royal weddings — most recently the marriage William and Kate.
Next, follow your guide to see the Changing of the Guard. Depending on the day, you'll either watch the ceremony at Buckingham Palace or at House Guards Parade. Your guide will make sure you’re in a prime position to get the best views and regale you with details on the history and pageantry behind this beloved event. Please note: In heavy rain, the Changing of the Guard does not take place.
After a break for lunch (own expense), it’s time to visit Buckingham Palace, the residence of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, for an audio-guided tour. See the balcony where the royal family appears during major events, and hear stories of intruders and princes scaling the walls to get both inside and out. Then, separate from your guide and head inside to see the magnificent State Rooms, which are only open to the public for two short months out of the entire year.
Join back up with your guide, and then end the day with a sumptuous afternoon tea. Savor delicious scones topped with jam and clotted cream, a selection of sandwiches and cakes, and a pot of fresh tea, all served on fine china in the magnificent setting of a traditional London luxury hotel.
See British tradition come to life on this fully-guided Changing of the Guard walking tour that ensures you get the very best views of this spectacular ceremony. Don’t make the same mistake that so many visitors often – and understandably – make, believing the prime vantage point from where to experience this time-honoured tradition is outside Buckingham Palace.
These spectators’ enthusiasm quickly turns to disappointment when they realise that they have waited for hours only to see the very end of this unique performance, their view often blocked by the throngs of people crowding around them. Instead, follow your guide on a dynamic journey that takes in the entire Changing of the Guard from beginning to end as they expertly navigate the crowds to take you to the best – and most photographable – viewpoints.
Your guide is an expert on the history of this fascinating ceremony and their knowledge will give you invaluable insight into every detail of this British spectacle. With your own personal headset allowing you to easily follow your guide’s entertaining commentary, you can fully take in the splendour parading past you. Marvel at the precision with which the Queen’s Foot Guards march to Buckingham Palace, clad in their iconic red tunics and bearskin hats, or admire the gleaming coats of the Household Cavalry’s horses as they emerge at Horse Guard’s Parade. With a small group of only 15 people or fewer you will be able to move quickly from vantage point to vantage point; your guide pointing out interesting details while you take as many photographs as you want!
Please note: The Changing of the Guard ceremony is subject to changes in date, time and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather is not announced before 11am. Even when cancelled, customers will still see a ‘wet change’ during which the guards march but without the usual music and parade.
On the morning of your tour, make your own way to Westminster Abbey to meet your guide. Sitting alongside Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the history-steeped Gothic showstopper is one of the world’s most spectacular churches. It’s also been the site of all of England's royal coronations — with the exception of two — since the crowning of William the Conqueror in 1066.
With your guide and prebooked ticket, which entitles you to fast-track entry, head inside to learn more about the abbey’s storied past. Follow in the footsteps of some history’s most fascinating characters, from Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II, as you walk down the black-and-white checkered isle toward the Coronation Chair. Peer out at the 900-year-old College Garden while you stroll through the impressive Cloisters, and spot the graves of some of the world’s most famous wordsmiths, including Dickens, Hardy and Tennyson in Poets’ Corner.
After touring Westminster Abbey, take a stroll to Horse Guards Parade or along the Mall to watch the Changing of the Guard. Listen to your guide talk about the ceremony’s history as the Queen’s Foot Guards, in their cherry tunics and bearskin hats, or the plumed Household Cavalry pass right in front of you.
Finish your tour outside Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s official London residence. See the balcony where William and Kate kissed before the public after their wedding in 2011, and hear stories of intruders and princes scaling the walls before bidding your guide goodbye.
Please note: If there is heavy rain — or if the Changing of the Guard is rescheduled to early morning — the ceremony will be replaced with an extended walking tour.
The tour begins in late morning at Piccadilly Circus where you will be given an overview of what to expect. Make your way down lower Regent Street to Waterloo Place, where you will be told a little bit about royal history and the general area of Pall Mall and St James. After hearing about the history of the Duke of York Column, you will be led along the Mall, stopping at various places along the way, possibly including the Royal Society, a statue of King George VI and Marlborough House.
Then, head over to St. James Palace, where we will await the arrival of the Old Guard on the courtyard. The inspection will take place, and the Guards will then depart.
The next part of the tour involves marching in step with the Guards. Your guide will then take you to see the New Guard at Wellington Barracks. We will then finish the tour with a wonderful view of Buckingham Palace. Although this is the proposed itinerary, it is at the mercy of the British Army, British weather, and crowd size, so it is in its very nature a rather flexible tour.
Please note that as you march at the same pace as the guards at one point and encounter two flights of steps, you must have a reasonable level of fitness and be physically able in order to take this tour. Also, while you will see various stages of the Changing the Guard ceremony, you will not see the section within the courtyard of Buckingham Palace as the crowds are too large and also very little happens there.
Start the tour at Trafalgar Square, then make our way past the statue of two famous kings on the way towards the Horse Guards Parade Ground. Here you will eagerly wait in anticipation for the Household Cavalry, who will be involved in the Changing the Life Guard (Horse Guard) Ceremony which dates back over 350 years. You'll be amazed at how close you get to the horses and how magnificent the ceremony is.
You will then see the location of where a king was executed (a bust of his head marks the spot), then head off through the beautiful St James Park towards the Mall, home to many famous processions over the years, including Kate and William's wedding in 2011.
Now it is time to see the two operational royal palaces of central London - St James and Buckingham. Your guide will show you the balcony on which the death of the monarch is announced, the chapel in which Queen Victoria was married and Prince George baptized, as well as little inside tips to know if the Queen is in Buckingham Palace or not.
The whole way around you'll be in safe hands with accredited and friendly guides who will leave you with a real understanding and appreciation of this most extraordinary of settings.
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More toursTips
The ceremony itself last about 45 minutes—but you should get here early to get a good spot, so budget at least 75 minutes.
The changing of the guard itself doesn't hapen until 11:30am—but by then, the tour bus hordes are already a dozen ranks deep, pressed up against the high fence around the courtyard where all the action happens.
Get here at least by 11am to try and find a spot from which you can actually see what's going on.
You can download a cheap app from the Royal Colection website for the palace that acts as a digital pamphlet, giving you much more background information, showing a map with the route the Guard takes as it processes to the palace, and more. Nifty.
Related
London's Royal Residence, from the State Rooms and royal gardens to the Queen's Gallery and the (yawnfest) changing of the guard
