See this most British of traditions from start to finish with a guided tour, a spectacular ceremony sure to be a highlight on your trip to London.
Activity Details
There are a few things that are naturally associated with Britain and Britishness. Afternoon tea, grey skies and the stiff upper lip... and the Changing of the Guard, of course! There are few more distinctive sights than the Queen's Guards, whose red uniform and tall bearskin hats are so well known that they've become a symbol of Britain itself.
The Changing of the Guard is the moment, filled with pomp and ceremony, when one shift guarding Buckingham Palace relieves the other. The change includes tightly choreographed marching, with the band of the Grenadier Guards in step, adding a sense of occasion to the ceremony with their bombastic mix of horns and drumming.
And while masses of tourists make the mistake of gathering at the gates of Buckingham Palace, only catching the very end of the ceremony, you'll be accompanied by an expert guide. You'll be taken around the very best viewpoints to see the changing of the guard from start to finish, and you'll enjoy your guide's commentary: digging into the history and significance of everything from the uniforms to the choreography.
The full experience lasts around 2 hours.
Add a Tour of Buckingham Palace
Want to complete your experience? When booking, you can choose the option that also includes admission to the famous Buckingham Palace. In this case, depending on the day you take the tour, we'll witness one of several different guard changes that take place on the Palace grounds.
On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, we'll observe the Changing of the Foot Guard, as foot soldiers from the Household Division take their places. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we'll see the Changing of the Horse Guards, or the Horse Guard Parade, featuring mounted cavalry from the Household. If you're joining us on a Saturday, we'll watch the Inspection of the New Guard, where the Captain inspects the incoming soldiers, ensuring they are ready to take on their duties, and their uniforms are in pristine condition.
Then, as local guides are not permitted to speak inside the palace, you'll enter the palace to explore on your own with the guidance of an official palace audio guide. You'll be able to see all kinds of treasures of the Royal Collection, including Sèvres porcelain, fine English and French furniture, beautiful artwork, ornate décor, and more. The most complete option for your visit!
Important
The Changing of the Guard ceremony is subject to change and cancellation by the British authorities, often due to large public events in London's city centre. If the change is affected by bad weather, cancellation is not announced until 11 am. However, even when it's cancelled due to bad weather, there will still be a 'wet change' without the band and with less ceremony.
Please note that the duration of the tour may vary depending on the entry time at Buckingham Palace.
Please also note that if there are large crowds, the best place to see the changing of the guard may be at The Mall, rather than in front of Buckingham Palace.
