Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Experience the best of British tradition with this exceptional tour, featuring a guided visit to the Changing of the Guard ceremony followed by a self-guided exploration of Buckingham Palace.
Start your day with one of London’s most iconic events—the Changing of the Guard. Watch as the Old Guard ceremoniously hands over duty to the New Guard in a display of precision and pageantry. Dressed in red uniforms and tall bearskin hats, the Guards march in time to music, creating a memorable spectacle. Your guide will help you secure the best vantage points and explain the significance of each part of the ceremony.
Afterward, immerse yourself in the opulence of Buckingham Palace with a self-guided tour of the State Rooms. Explore the official home of the British monarch, marveling at royal gifts, spectacular furnishings, and priceless artworks. Don’t miss the 16-hectare Palace Gardens, once the site of Her Majesty’s famous tea parties.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
We tend to move pretty fast to keep up with the guards, so please wear comfortable shoes and always carry water.
We will not stand at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as, due to crowds, you see very little and the experience would be ten times less fun. We want to get you as close as possible with the opportunity to take some amazing snapshots.
It is at the discretion of the British Army to change or cancel the Ceremony. The announcement will not be made until after 10.30am so come rain or shine, the Urban Saunters Changing of the Guard experience will go ahead. If the full ceremony is cancelled, there will still be the chance to see the guards marching, just without the music.
No videoing of the guide unless they have given permission
Ceremony can be altered at the discretion of the British Army, or occasionally due to rain
There are no toilet or refreshment breaks on this tour
Tour operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Sundays – From April 2025, the Army is trying out a slightly different version of the usual ceremony on Sundays. It still involves the same number of guard movements and the same locations, but it’s now being called a “Parade” instead of a “Change.” There’s no word yet on how long this trial will last
What To Expect
Changing of the Guard
Join us as we serve a slice of world-famous ceremonial action with this small-group Changing of the Guards experience.
St. James's Palace
Built on the site of an old leper hospital, did you know that St James’s is the oldest royal palace in the whole of the UK? Take in this beauty, still the official royal residence today. Visiting outside
Options
Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
What‘s Included
Entrance tickets to Buckingham Palace
Guided Changing of the Guard experience
English Speaking local expert guide
Audio guide for Buckingham Palace
Gratuities
Food, drink or transport costs
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
103 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Tour!
Nancy H,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chris is an excellent tour guide! He was so informative and good to give us time for pictures! We thoroughly enjoyed the changing of the guard!
Changing of the guards!
valand0v,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mr Richardson was an incredible tripadvisor. His humor was excellent he was polite and very knowledgeable of the history. Would definitely recommend him !!!
Excellent Tour Guide David - Change of Guards
ChiragA112,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00David our tour guide was very funny, warm and knowledgeable. He made sure we got the right spots to view the band and guards
Don’t miss this tour!!!
ruthmarymessner,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing tour and our guide Paul was wonderful. Told the history and many stories. We saw all the aspects of the changing of the guard. The band the guards. Explained why and how of all aspects of the process. We saw them from several vantage points. we would never have found on our own. So glad we did this tour
Lovely experience with Babs
lidial943,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour with Babs was great and entertaining. Lovely walking tour around Buckingham Palace with her!!!! I recommend a tour with her
The best spots and good stories
895juuls,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Babs was a great tourguide. She knew the best spots to watch the changing of the guards en told a lot of fun stories along the way.
Smart Guide, No Crowds
765grazielam,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chris was an excellent guide. He knew exactly how to time our visit to see the Changing of the Guard while avoiding the crowds. His local knowledge made the experience smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free. Highly recommended.
Great tour Buckingham palace
hedim907,Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nathan told the tour really well and in an enjoyable way. He spoke with passion, it was easy to follow, and there were some funny moments too.
Great Guide and worthy tour!
Relax63716197844,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chris totally rocked our tour! From start to finish, he made the whole experience unforgettable, with laughs, stories, and just the right sprinkle of behind-the-scenes action. Even though I don’t usually get excited about history, Chris brought the ceremony to life (with way more than textbook facts) and pulled us right into the heart of it all. The best part? He kept things light, shared cool secrets you’d never find on Google, and made sure everyone,( history buff or not )was hooked. Hats off to Chris for making it memorable and a solid must-do for anyone on the fence. Thanks, Chris, for making history seriously fun!
Changing of the Guarfs
KarrlieCarb,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful tour with Chris! Even our 6 year old really enjoyed it. Saw all the highlights and would definitely recommend.
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