Guided Tours

Changing the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace

Name: Changing the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace
Start: 2026-05-03T09:00:00
End: 2026-05-03T10:30:00
Location: London

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.

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

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

Guided tour

4.3/5(534)

Suzanne S

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Richard, our tour guide, gave us a lot of information about the various statues and houses we passed . If we had just wandered ourselves along The Mall we probably wouldn't have noticed the various places of interest or known about their history. Richard was able to take us to various places on the route where we were able to get the best view of the guards. All in all we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would definitely recommend this tour

Shirlee C

Group

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Our guide David was very entertaining and gave us lots of trivia about buckingham and the rest of the royal family. He found us the best spots to take pictures. We were the first group to arrive at the best spots except for 1 but did not matter because he made up for it at the next spot. Never a dull moment.

Garel N

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

All right, before taking us to St. Paul’s Castle, David told us about the history of the monuments we passed along the way. It was very interesting, and of course, watching the changing of the guard was fun.

Joseph M

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Natalia or Natalie is a good tourist guide. She explains everything clearly and know the right spot for the viewing of changing of guards. Definitely book again here.

Abhi D

Solo

Verified booking

Mar 2026

On a cloudy, gloomy day, the walking tour was just so enriching and informative. Jeremy, my guide, was experienced and knowledgeable and his dash of Brit... err Scottish humour... made the tour so entertaining. He knew the right spots and right timings which made the tour fruitful and memorable!

Petra S

Solo

Verified booking

Mar 2026

Our tour guide, Babs, was full of energy and kept guiding us to the best spots so we could get the best view of the changing of the guard. Her English was so clear that it was easy to understand.

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 with an expert English-speaking guide leading you.

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

Guided tour of Westminster Abbey

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

534 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, France, Germany and over 37 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Suzanne S
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Richard, our tour guide, gave us a lot of information about the various statues and houses we passed . If we had just wandered ourselves along The Mall we probably wouldn't have noticed the various places of interest or known about their history. Richard was able to take us to various places on the route where we were able to get the best view of the guards. All in all we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would definitely recommend this tour
Shirlee C
Group
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Our guide David was very entertaining and gave us lots of trivia about buckingham and the rest of the royal family. He found us the best spots to take pictures. We were the first group to arrive at the best spots except for 1 but did not matter because he made up for it at the next spot. Never a dull moment.
Garel N
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
All right, before taking us to St. Paul’s Castle, David told us about the history of the monuments we passed along the way. It was very interesting, and of course, watching the changing of the guard was fun.
Monika G
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
We had thought the changing of the guard would take place right in front of Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, we could only see it from a side street. However, the information our guide provided was very interesting!
Joseph M
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Natalia or Natalie is a good tourist guide. She explains everything clearly and know the right spot for the viewing of changing of guards. Definitely book again here.

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

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

Buckingham Palace

Monday	9:30am - 7:30pm	last entry 5:30pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 7:30pm	last entry 5:30pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 7:30pm	last entry 5:30pm
Thursday	9:30am - 7:30pm	last entry 5:30pm
Friday	9:30am - 7:30pm	last entry 5:30pm
Saturday	9:30am - 7:30pm	last entry 5:30pm
Sunday	9:30am - 7:30pm	last entry 5:30pm

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.

On Sundays, a slightly different version of the ceremony takes place, known as the "Sunday Parade."

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.