Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
England is known for fish and chips, four seasons in a day, warm ale, history in spades and of course, a deeply ingrained age-old love for pomp and ceremony. Join us as we serve a slice of world-famous ceremonial action with this small-group Changing of the Guards experience.
There is so much more to this extravagant shift change than meets the eye though- with your expert guide to lead the way, you’ll soon know your Welsh from your Grenadier guard, understand what the deal is with those fuzzy bearskin hats, hear the astounding origins of this dazzling spectacle and truly get a handle on the significance of every colour, button, mascot, symbol and movement in this most British of traditions.
From the best possible viewing point, your small group will join the guards on their journey towards Buckingham Palace as you march to the beat of their drums... but what will the music be today?
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Your experience begins at the Equestrian statue of Edward VII on Waterloo Place, where you’ll meet your expert guide before heading to enjoy the world-famous Changing of the Guard ceremony.
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial
Visit the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorials and hear the story of the royal couple who inspired the nation during World War II.
What‘s Included
Guided Changing of the Guard experience
English Speaking local expert guide
Gratuities
Food & drink
Hotel pick-up & drop-off
Options
Changing of the Guard Tour
Small Group Tour - English: Maximum 20 participants in your group
with Buckingham Palace ticket
Upgrade your experience: with entry tickets to Buckingham Palace during its summer opening.
Reviews
825 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour
Lorraine M,May 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour, tour guide Chris very knowledgeable about all the places we stopped at. Plenty of stops at landmarks finishing with band marching up for changing of the guards.
Tour with Jeremy
Tour03325811212,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour with Jeremy. Recommend.
Great experience, highly recommend for a chance to see the guards
Jeannie A,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My visit was the day after the London Marathon and many of the streets were still closed. Our guide, Aaron did a great job of guiding us through the maze and getting us in position to see the guards. He also provided fun facts and history. Great guide and tour!
Pick this one
DesertKim,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour. Chris was so knowledgeable and we learned so much in the short tour. Perfect positioning for great pictures while avoiding the mass crowds. Highly recommend.
Instead of fighting for a...
Kristine M,May 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Instead of fighting for a place to see the guards, join this tour. While you won’t see it in front of the palace we had great spots to see the parade and final hand off at Wellington Barack’s. Richard provided a lot of history as we walked.
Take this tour - don’t miss it!
Carol D,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour is so worth taking. Our guide, Nathan, provided great information about all aspects of our tour, and he was funny! We enjoyed everything about it and had great views of the guards. Thank you Nathan.
Secret way to see the guard change
Lesley l,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Easy enough to find the meeting point, we learnt some amazing facts, there was plenty of stops & all resulted in a fab view of the changing of the guards at the palace. Our female tour guide was very pleasant and informative it is a something i now would consider again.
Crowded
Lori B,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. The issue was location. The mall was closed because of the marathon the day before. We didn't actually see the changing of the guards. It was so crowded we couldn't move to another location for viewing.
Great tour!
sgB7082MX,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible experience on our Changing of the Guard tour thanks to Richard. He was exceptionally knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about what he does. Richard made sure we were perfectly positioned to see everything, which made the entire experience seamless and enjoyable. His attention to detail and commitment to giving us the best possible experience did not go unnoticed truly splendid service from start to finish. Highly recommend booking with Richard if you want a memorable and well-guided tour!
Dave was great.
GoPlaces26187227787,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Dave was very knowledgeable and a great guide. Was longer than expected which was great.
From £15.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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