Changing of the Guard Tours
Last update:
Continue planning your trip to London
Changing of the Guard tours in London: ceremony, viewpoints and royal routes
From the first drum roll on The Mall to the final salute at Buckingham Palace, Changing of the Guard tours in London turn a static crowd at the railings into a moving route through parks, parade grounds and palace gates; in our catalog of activities you can choose agile walking tours that follow the bands, royal London circuits that add Westminster, the river and the Tower, or private and small-group experiences that slow the pace so you can ask more questions and frame the exact photos you want.
📚 Choose your experience
Core walking tours
Move with the bands between key viewpoints.
Buckingham Palace combos
Ceremony with a stronger palace focus.
Westminster and Big Ben
Add abbey, parliament and royal stories.
Tower and Thames days
Full-day royal London with river views.
Private and small groups
Tailored routes and flexible commentary.
Frequently asked questions
Logistics, prices and photography tips.
Changing of the Guard walking tours in London
Core routes focus on Changing of the Guard walking tours that stay close to the action, slipping through St James's Park and side streets so you reach each band and marching column before crowds thicken at the palace railings.
In these changing of the guard in London tours, guides time the route so you see guards leaving barracks, crossing Horse Guards Parade and entering Buckingham Palace, turning the ceremony into a continuous story rather than a single distant snapshot.
Our offer of experiences ranges from relaxed commentary-led walks to more energetic, fun London tours changing of the guard where groups stride alongside the music, so you can pick the rhythm that matches your own energy and mobility.
⚖️ Choosing your walking tour style
- Standard groups: more atmosphere and shared excitement.
- Semi-private groups: clearer views and easier questions.
- Family-focused walks: shorter distances and softer pacing.
Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard combos
Some Changing of the Guard tours London lean heavily into Buckingham Palace, following the regiments along The Mall before concentrating time around the famous balcony, ornate gates and royal crests.
Within our catalog of activities you will find combinations that pair the ceremony with palace-focused walks, selected interior visits or guided time in St James's Park, and many travelers later deepen that experience with the dedicated Buckingham Palace tour product page for a full look at royal rooms and collections, building a two-step royal itinerary around the same landmark.
Because this is a working royal residence, guides remain alert to last-minute changes, adjusting viewpoints when official events or weather alter the usual pattern, so you still enjoy solid sightlines when the old and new guards face each other in front of the palace.
🧭 Practical tips for Buckingham days
- Travel light so bag checks stay quick and simple.
- Stand behind barriers to avoid being moved by police.
- Stay a little longer after the music fades for calmer photos.
Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Guard ceremony
Other itineraries weave the guard ceremony into Westminster-focused tours, starting among statues and towers around Parliament Square before shifting attention to soldiers, bands and horses on their way to the palace.
Depending on the format, you may step inside Westminster Abbey or concentrate on exteriors and nearby government buildings, then continue to the ceremony with fresh context about coronations and state funerals; if the abbey captivates you, a later slot on the Westminster Abbey tour guide lets you slow down inside chapels, cloisters and tombs.
Compared with pure ceremony walks, these changing of the guard tours bring a denser narrative about kings, queens and prime ministers, so they suit travelers who prefer structured storytelling and clear chronology to a quick, photo-led stop.
🏛 Who should pick a Westminster combo
- History fans who want monarchy and parliament linked.
- First-time visitors looking for emblematic landmarks in one go.
- Solo travelers who value clear orientation around Westminster.
Full-day London: Changing of the Guard, Thames cruise and Tower of London
For a bigger day out, some routes turn the ceremony into the opening scene of a full-day royal London tour, followed by a Thames boat section and time at the Tower of London under the watch of Beefeaters.
The rhythm shifts from bright scarlet uniforms and brass music at Buckingham Palace to river perspectives of bridges and finally stone walls, ravens and the Crown Jewels, giving you a single route that joins modern pageantry with older royal power.
If the fortress itself becomes the highlight of your trip, it can be worth returning with a slower, specialist visit through the Tower of London tour product page, using the guard ceremony on another morning so you avoid rushing either of these heavyweight experiences.
⛵ When a full-day royal route makes sense
- Short city breaks where you want key sights covered.
- First-time trips with little appetite for self-planning.
- Families or small groups who prefer one clear, curated day.
Private and small-group Changing of the Guard experiences
Private and semi-private options turn the ceremony into a tailored Changing of the Guard experience, adjusting pace, distance and commentary to your group rather than the other way round.
Within our offer of experiences you will see formats that add Kensington Palace, royal squares or even food tastings to the ceremony, with guides free to adapt stories and photo stops to your interests, language and previous knowledge of London.
These tours usually sit above shared walks in price but buy you more space at barriers, smoother movement through crowds and a quieter atmosphere around the soldiers, which many multi-generational families and special-occasion trips consider a worthwhile trade-off.
🤝 Private or small-group: quick comparison
- Private tours: maximum flexibility and personalised pacing.
- Semi-private groups: limited numbers and better value.
- Standard groups: more social, with a livelier feel.
Frequently asked questions
Is Changing of the Guard Walking Tour worth it?
For many visitors a Changing of the Guard walking tour turns a brief glimpse through palace railings into a moving experience, following soldiers, bands and horses between several carefully chosen viewpoints.
What is the best way to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace?
The most reliable way is usually a guided route that starts near Westminster or St James's Park, then moves through a sequence of vantage points before reaching Buckingham Palace, so you see the marching columns on the move as well as inside the palace railings.
What time should I arrive to see the Changing of the Guard?
It is wise to reach your first viewing point well before the main guard movements begin, especially in busy seasons; guided tours build this into their meeting time, so following the instructions on your voucher keeps you ahead of the biggest crowds.
Can you see Changing of the Guard for free?
The ceremony happens in public spaces, so you can watch parts of the Changing of the Guard at no cost from areas around Buckingham Palace, The Mall or Horse Guards Parade, although tours add expert timing, stories and less stressful navigation through the crowds.
Can you take pictures of the Changing of the Guard?
From public viewing areas you may take respectful photos and short videos of the Changing of the Guard, as long as you stay behind barriers, avoid blocking soldiers or horses and follow any instructions from police or stewards on the day.
How much does it cost to change the guard at Buckingham Palace?
The ceremony itself is free to watch, but guided Changing of the Guard tours charge per person, with budget-friendly shared walks and higher brackets for full-day or private itineraries that add palace entries, river cruises or tastings; check GuruWalk's activity catalog to see the latest prices.
Do you need a tour for changing of the guards?
You do not strictly need one, because the Changing of the Guard is a public ceremony you can watch independently, but guided tours know the timings and routes between Horse Guards Parade, St James's Park and Buckingham Palace, so you usually see more of the sequence with less stress.
Where is the best spot to watch the Changing of the Guard?
Rather than one perfect place, many guides favour sections of The Mall and viewpoints inside St James's Park, where you can watch troops and bands on the move and later combine this with a closer, though more crowded, view near the palace railings.
Where can I see the Kings Guard horses?
To focus on the horses, look for tours including Horse Guards Parade and the Household Cavalry in their description, where you can see mounted troops at relatively close range while your guide ensures the group keeps a safe, respectful distance.
About the author
Author: Belén Rivas, GuruWalk
Publication date: 2025-12-01
Data updated as of December 2025
