Changing of the Guard Walking Tour: Experience a Classic British Tradition

Experience the classic British tradition of the Changing of the Guard with our fully-guided walking tour. Get the best views and capture amazing photographs as our expert guide navigates the crowds for you.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Changing of the Guard - Your regal tour begins at the Duke of York Column, located in St. James’, where you’ll greet your guide, don a personal headset, and receive a historical overview of the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
    Many tourists make the mistake of viewing the ceremony outside of Buckingham Palace. However on this tour, handpicked…
What's Included
  • Small-group experience with a maximum of 20 people
  • Complimentary use of headsets when needed
  • Guidance from an expert, English-speaking tour guide
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Experience a lively display of British tradition with our comprehensive Changing of the Guard walking tour, guaranteed to offer the most stunning perspectives of this exceptional ceremony. Don’t fall into the common tourist trap of believing the best viewpoint is right outside Buckingham Palace.
Those who do often swiftly end up disappointed when they…

Location
Duke of York Monument
Meeting Point: By the Duke of York Column, Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ. This is the tall column with a statue on top. Arriving by tube: Take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and take exit No. 3 onto Regent Street/St James's. Walk south down Regent Street towards St James's Park (do not walk north towards Oxford Street). Waterloo Place is at the end of Regent Street. You will see the tall column with a statue on top. You can also arrive via Charing Cross Station. Walk down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace, you will see the statue on your right at the top of some steps.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(639 Ratings)
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Di
Oct 16, 2024
Changing the Guard at Buckingham palace - Ian was fantastic tour guide. Very entertaining. Close up views and great commentary I recommend this tour - standing in good viewing spots
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Johnjj412
Oct 14, 2024
Great Tour (especially if you haven’t got a clue where to go)! - David was the absolute best…funny, knowledgeable and got us moving quickly to the vantage points! Definitely do this tour and if you can, request David.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Justin_g
Oct 13, 2024
Great guide, informal and informative - Guide knew her stuff, and put us in position to see what was going on. Had a good time, kids did get restless but that happens anyway anywhere all the time.
Review provided by Viator
Virginia_s
Oct 11, 2024
Absolutely Amazing! - First I must thank our tour guide Aaron. He was both knowledgeable and funny in brought the history and facts to life. The thing that also made the tour so enjoyable was that we were able to see the ceremony close up, as the the Guard marched from their quarters, and again when they returned and completed the changing ceremony. We also went to the Palace grounds but had much better views of the Guard while on the walking tour than the large crowds that only went to Buckingham Palace did. Also, the photo ops were non-stop! Do not miss this tour!
Review provided by Viator
923jeanettel
Oct 8, 2024
Very nice! - It was great! More than what we where expecting, we got to walk and see the changing of the guards with music and also the guards on horses. Our guide was very knowledgeable too and gave us historical information on all the landmarks as we did the walking. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dan
Oct 7, 2024
Lee is a terrific guide who obviously enjoys doing these tours. - Lee walked us through the 90 minute ceremony and kept us entertained with his knowledge, wit, and enthusiasm. He knew where to position us throughout the event, filled in the gaps with interesting British history, and even shared a little gossip. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Lee to anyone thinking about taking in this wonderful British ceremony.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gail_m
Oct 8, 2024
Catching Up - Felt like we were running to catch up from the beginning until the end. There were so many people so we never had a good view.
Review provided by Viator
Carolyn_r
Oct 5, 2024
Informative but disappointing - A lot of good information was shared, but I came to see the actual changing of the guard IN FRONT of Buckingham Palace. Not look at it, take a picture and then leave. My biggest disappointment was that we didn't get to see the iconic red coats of the guard, but a substitute guard. I know this isn't the tour's fault but I didn't see any disclosure that there might be a subsitution. This makes me feel the need to return on my own (as friends advised) to see what I came to see. Would I book a tour again (with any company)? No. I feel I can do just as well or better by myself. a
Review provided by Viator
Lahuepj
Oct 11, 2024
Not as advertised. Misleading description. - Overall we could have saved ourselves the time/effort to get to this tour and done this on our own. We stood pretty much where everyone else did and did not have selected spots anywhere near Buckingham Palace or special places to stand and view. In fact, there were 10000+ people already in the square and we had a long shot view of ‘some’ of the soldiers marching. that is about as close to it as we got. Save the money and see this on your own. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and did talk to us for 1 1/2 hours which is why I rated this a ‘2’.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alaine_f
Oct 15, 2024
Waste of money - Never made it to the tour, directions via the tube (that I followed exactly) were terrible, I walked forever in the pouring rain! I was finally able to find the Palace on my own and just got a glimpse of the Changing of the Guard. Total waste of time and money, I have seen the rest of London on my own. Thanks for nothing, Viator.
Review provided by Viator
From $19
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).