London Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
From£15
2 hours
London, United Kingdom
About this activity
Join a guided walking tour to witness London's iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, explore historic sites, and enjoy scenic park views.
Highlights
- Witness the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony
- Explore the historic Buckingham Palace grounds
- Stroll through the serene St. James's Park
- Learn about British royal history from your guide
- Capture memorable photos of London's landmarks
Full description
Step into the heart of British tradition with this engaging walking tour of London's Changing of the Guard ceremony. Led by an expert local guide, you'll visit the iconic Buckingham Palace, where you'll witness the ceremonial changing of the guards—a spectacle of precision and pageantry. After the ceremony, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the picturesque St. James's Park, soaking in the lush landscapes and historic monuments. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating insights into London's rich royal history, ensuring a memorable and informative experience. Don't forget your camera to capture the stunning architecture and vibrant park scenes!
Included / Excluded
- Expert local guide
- Visit to Buckingham Palace
- St. James's Park exploration
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Itinerary
1
Your experience begins at the Equestrian statue of Edward VII on Waterloo Place, where you’ll meet your expert guide before heading to enjoy the world-famous Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Duration: 15 minAdmission: NO
2
Visit the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorials and hear the story of the royal couple who inspired the nation during World War II.
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3
Built on the site of an old leper hospital, did you know that St James’s is the oldest royal palace in the whole of the UK? Take in this beauty, still the official royal residence today. Visiting outside
Duration: 25 minAdmission: NO
4
Stop by Clarence House, the official London residence of King Charles III, and hear stories of royal life behind its historic walls
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NO
5
Join us as we serve a slice of world-famous ceremonial action with this small-group Changing of the Guards experience.
Duration: 30 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6
The most famous of King Charles III's palaces and housing a whopping 775 rooms, the stories attached to this icon have to be heard to be believed. Visiting outside
Duration: 20 minAdmission: NO
7
End your tour at Wellington Barracks, where the guards conclude the Changing of the Guard and return to their quarters.
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NO
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately
- Photography is allowed; be mindful of other visitors
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for the tour
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly
- Arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes early
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- We tend to move pretty fast to keep up with the guards, so please wear comfortable shoes and always carry water.
- We will not stand at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as, due to crowds, you see very little and the experience would be ten times less fun. We want to get you as close as possible with the opportunity to take some amazing snapshots.
- It is at the discretion of the British Army to change or cancel the Ceremony. The announcement will not be made until after 10.30am so come rain or shine, the Urban Saunters Changing of the Guard experience will go ahead. If the full ceremony is cancelled, there will still be the chance to see the guards marching, just without the music.
- No videoing of the guide unless they have given permission
- Ceremony can be altered at the discretion of the British Army, or occasionally due to rain
- There are no toilet or refreshment breaks on this tour
- Tour operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Sundays – From April 2025, the Army is trying out a slightly different version of the usual ceremony on Sundays. It still involves the same number of guard movements and the same locations, but it’s now being called a “Parade” instead of a “Change.” There’s no word yet on how long this trial will last
Traveler reviews
5.0833 reviews
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One of the highlights of our trip
Paul, our tour guide, was incredible! Very nice and informative. It was a hot day and he made sure to let us stop and purchase water, if needed. The guards were practicing for the King’s birthday so that was a treat to see. Would recommend this tour with Paul over and over again.
Robyn_RMay 23, 2026VIATOR
We got lucky
We were booked for the changing of the guard tour but when we arrived Paul, our tour guide extruadanaire, informed us that there was to be no changing of the guard as the guards were practicing for the trouping of the colours for the Kings upcoming birthday celebration. He then took us to watch 1000 soldiers completing precision marching drills with full military bands. It was an extraordinary sight and a momentous experience.
L6321KJbarbarawMay 22, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Take this tour it was the highlight of our trip
This was a great tour The detail explained by Jo was a perfect addition to the changing of the guards. There were 3 stops included and each stop we had a perfect view and background information. Also a lot of royal family detailed shared
H6749YWdonnapMay 20, 2026TRIPADVISOR
A must see
Nathan was a phenomenal guide! He was knowledgeable and had very interesting stories about the royals that added to the experience! Highly recommend!
Dawne_AMay 13, 2026VIATOR
Enjoyable
Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Verna CMay 12, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Additional information
We tend to move pretty fast to keep up with the guards, so please wear comfortable shoes and always carry water.
We will not stand at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as, due to crowds, you see very little and the experience would be ten times less fun. We want to get you as close as possible with the opportunity to take some amazing snapshots.
It is at the discretion of the British Army to change or cancel the Ceremony. The announcement will not be made until after 10.30am so come rain or shine, the Urban Saunters Changing of the Guard experience will go ahead. If the full ceremony is cancelled, there will still be the chance to see the guards marching, just without the music.
No videoing of the guide unless they have given permission
Ceremony can be altered at the discretion of the British Army, or occasionally due to rain
There are no toilet or refreshment breaks on this tour
Tour operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Sundays – From April 2025, the Army is trying out a slightly different version of the usual ceremony on Sundays. It still involves the same number of guard movements and the same locations, but it’s now being called a “Parade” instead of a “Change.” There’s no word yet on how long this trial will last