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Guided Tours

Changing the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace

Changing of the Guards ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, London.
Tour guide leading a group on the Royal Walking Tour, Changing of the Guard in London.
Buckingham Palace State Rooms with ornate chandeliers and gilded decor.
Tourist using audio guide in Pisa with Baptistery and Cathedral in background.

Open today

09:30am - 06:30pm

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Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 3 days before the start of your experience

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Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

4.4/5

(1,478)

Carly Hildegard Peloquin

Carly

Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Our tour guide Joe was great! He had very fun and welcoming energy and kept us entertained with stories about the palace. I loved the headset that was provided because it was very crowded so we were able to still hear everything that Joe was saying without having to stand right next to him. The palace tour itself was great. It wasn't too long and overwhelming. The guided headset that came with that was also very informative without being too long.
Laura hallifax

Laura

Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Having done a different walking tour previously, I had a certain expectation, this tour blew it out of the water!! We hit specific spots at specific times and had such good views!! It was fast paced in places but the guide was kind enough to make sure everyone in the group kept up at all points! Absolutely brilliant, and Brendan the guide was just fantastic, I couldn't recommend this tour highly enough, it was worth every penny!!
Bonnie Scalf

Bonnie

Jul 2025
Verified booking
5/5
My husband and I really enjoyed the walking tour. This was our first trip to London and our tour guide,Jay made the tour very enjoyable. He was very knowledgeable and shared alot of great information. It was funny to us that he was American like us but giving tours in London.
    • Join a small group and witness a royal tradition, the Changing the Foot Guard on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

    • On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, you’ll see the Changing the Horse Guard Ceremony on the Buckingham Palace grounds.

    • Watch the Old Guard, in their vibrant red uniforms, stand at attention, as the regimental band plays a lively tune and the New Guard marches in formation.

    • Take a 1.5-hour walking tour and stroll through St. James's Park while your English-speaking guide points out famous sights like the city’s oldest wine shop.

    • Upgrade to enjoy a guided tour of Westminster Abbey or get access to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms.

    • Changing the Guard Ceremony outside Buckingham Palace (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)

    • Changing the Horse Guard Ceremony (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday)

    • Expert English-speaking tour guide

    • Small group tour

    • Audio headsets

    Additional paid upgrades:

    • 1.5-hour walking tour around Buckingham Palace

    • Entry to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms

    • Guided tour of Westminster Abbey

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 3 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.4
    1,478 ratings
    5/5
    1K
    4/5
    258
    3/5
    71
    2/5
    34
    1/5
    92
    • United States
    • Germany
    • France
    • Canada
    • Austria
    • Switzerland
    • Australia
    • Romania
    • Belgium
    • Italy
    Guests from United States, Germany, France and over 49 countries have loved this experience

    Beatriz Selene Vargas Carmona

    Beatriz

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    I love our tour lady, the best guide that i ever have in Europe, the most kind, knows a lot of the history, i enjoy every story that she told us. Was our best day in London!! The best tour ♥️!! Very complete, we learn a lot from the history that she told us.
    Laura hallifax

    Laura

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Having done a different walking tour previously, I had a certain expectation, this tour blew it out of the water!! We hit specific spots at specific times and had such good views!! It was fast paced in places but the guide was kind enough to make sure everyone in the group kept up at all points! Absolutely brilliant, and Brendan the guide was just fantastic, I couldn't recommend this tour highly enough, it was worth every penny!!
    Trisha Coelho

    Trisha

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Great tour guide and great tour. I would 100% recommend doing this tour, I had a blast and it's complete value for money.
    Heinz Katharina

    Heinz

    Jun, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The guide who knew the best vantage points at the right moment
    Xiaohua Wei

    Xiaohua

    Jun, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Thanks to Nelson's professional ,interesting and humorous guide, we had a wonderful experience and learned a lot.
  • Step into the heart of British heritage with an unforgettable experience that showcases the pomp, pageantry, and tradition of London’s iconic Changing the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

    Getting started

    Your journey begins near The Mall, a grand ceremonial avenue that leads you through the heart of royal London. Meet your expert English-speaking guide, collect your personal headset for clear commentary, and set off on a picturesque walk through the capital's historic center.

    What to expect

    Changing the Guard Ceremony

    Enjoy front-row views of the world-famous Changing the Guard Ceremony, where disciplined soldiers in bright red tunics and bearskin hats march to the sound of military bands. As you follow your guide past landmarks such as St James’s Palace, insightful narration brings centuries of tradition and royal history to life.

    Features:

    • Prime viewing: Get the best vantage points for watching the meticulously choreographed Changing the Guard, avoiding the crowds and confusion of solo exploration.

    • Expert guided experience: Benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a local English-speaking guide who unpacks the ceremonial significance of every move, uniform, and note of music.

    • Personal audio headsets: Stay connected with your guide at all times through a personal audio headset, allowing you to hear every detail, even in crowded spaces.

    • Stroll through St James’s Park: Wander through the oldest Royal Park in London, famed for its greenery, lake, and resident pelicans, offering a peaceful contrast to the ceremonial grandeur nearby.

    Extras

    • State Rooms access: Upgrade your ticket to include access to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, available seasonally.

    • Westminster Abbey guided tour: Opt for a guided tour of Westminster Abbey for a deeper dive into royal and religious history.

  • Buckingham Palace

    Monday09:30am - 06:30pmlast entry 04:30pm
    TuesdayClosed
    WednesdayClosed
    Thursday09:30am - 06:30pmlast entry 04:30pm
    Friday09:30am - 06:30pmlast entry 04:30pm
    Saturday09:30am - 06:30pmlast entry 04:30pm
    Sunday09:30am - 06:30pmlast entry 04:30pm
  • What's not allowed

    • Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.

    Additional information

    • The Changing the Guard ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout the year. However, last-minute cancellations can occur without prior notice due to decisions made by the palace or local authorities, or because of bad weather.

    • Changing the Foot Guards Ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

    • Please note that if you book your tour on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, you’ll experience the Changing the Horse Guard Ceremony instead.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

    • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

    Meeting point

    • Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.

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