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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?
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
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English Speaking local expert guide
Guided Changing of the Guard experience
Gratuities
Food & drink
Hotel pick-up & drop-off
Small Group Tour - English: Maximum 15 participants in your group
Operated by Urban Saunters
595 reviews
Taylah L,
Mar 19, 2025
We had Chris as our tour guide. Absolutely amazing experience with him giving us all the inside knowledge and fun facts on everything. Chris was fantastic in providing such a great and memorable experience
Brian C,
Mar 17, 2025
Well organized and perfectly executed tour. You hear great history and stories, and you’re positioned perfectly to see everything.
Cheryl C,
Mar 10, 2025
Babs was great and a wealth of knowledge and very engaging. We had great views and a fabulous time. Would recommend.
Michael D,
Mar 9, 2025
We loved this tour and Babs was fantastic! Being able to see the changing of the guard on a beautiful sunny day in London was the highlight of our trip and Babs was one of the best tour guides we've ever had. She was witty, funny, kind and extremely knowledgeable. We learned a lot and we also laughed a lot. It was a memorable experience and we enjoyed every minute of it.
Jennifer O,
Mar 3, 2025
What a fantastic tour! Our tour guide, Babs, was wonderful. She was so knowledgeable, shared the best stories, got us the perfect viewing spots of all the different types of guards and to top it all off, she managed to get us a glimpse of the King as he left his residence!!! An unforgettable moment as he waved to us from his car window. No other tour groups even saw it coming so we were all alone to enjoy the moment. I would 100% recommend her to all my friends.
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