London Changing of the Guard

Description

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.

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, after being taken to the best spots to witness the Changing of the Guard, your guide will share captivating stories about the palace and its history.

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 from 2.5 hours to 4 hours, 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.