London Changing of the Guard walking tour
Activities

London Changing of the Guard walking tour

4.3/5

Excellent
16 reviews
from
$20.00
Free cancellation
Language: English
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: up to 1 hour 30 minutes
Why you’ll love this…
  • Get views of the Changing of the Guard ceremony
  • Hear about the history of this event from an expert guide
  • Visit stunning Buckingham Palace
What to expect

See British tradition come to life on this fully-guided Changing of the Guard walking tour that ensures you get the very best views of this spectacular ceremony. Don’t make the same mistake that so many visitors often, and understandably, make, believing the prime vantage point from where to experience this time-honoured tradition is outside Buckingham Palace. These spectators’ enthusiasm quickly turns to disappointment when they realise that they have waited for hours only to see the very end of this unique performance, their view often blocked by the throngs of people crowding around them. Instead, follow your guide on a dynamic journey that takes in the entire Changing of the Guard from beginning to end as they expertly navigate the crowds to take you to the best viewpoints.

Your guide is an expert on the history of this fascinating ceremony and their knowledge will give you invaluable insight into every detail of this British spectacle. With your own personal headset allowing you to easily follow your guide’s entertaining commentary, you can fully take in the splendor parading past you. Marvel at the precision with which the King's Foot Guards march to Buckingham Palace, clad in their iconic red tunics and bearskin hats, or admire the gleaming coats of the Household Cavalry’s horses as they emerge at Horse Guard’s Parade. Please note that if you book your tour on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, you’ll experience the change of the Household Cavalry.

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What's included
  • check Expert guide
  • check Headsets when appropriate, so that you can always hear your guide
What's not included
  • x_not_included Hotel pick-up/drop-off
Where

Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton Terrace, London SW1Y

Meeting point:
You will meet your guide at Duke of York column at Waterloo Place. This is the tall column with the statue on top. Your guide will have a sign with the tour name for easy recognition. Arriving by tube: Take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and take exit No. 3 onto Regent Street/St James's. You can also arrive via Charing Cross Station.
What to remember
  • The Changing of the Guard ceremony is subject to changes in date, time, and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather is not announced before 11.00am. Even when cancelled, customers will still see a ‘wet change’ during which the guards march but without the usual music and parade
  • Please note that if you book your tour on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, you’ll experience the change of the Household Cavalry
  • Please note that the changing of the guard schedule may change and on different dates you will see either foot guards or horse guards
  • Unfortunately, this tour is unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance as well as strollers or baby carriages
  • Please note weather is very changeable in London, please ensure you have rainproof clothing
  • This tour involves a reasonable amount of walking thus, comfortable shoes for all guests are recommended
  • The tour operator reserves the right to refuse participation on its tours to any guest under the influence of drugs or alcohol or to any guest whose behavior is disorderly, or poses a threat to other guests or staff
  • Everything will be done to ensure timings and itineraries are respected; however, due to issues beyond control, timings, and sites are subject to last minute changes on rare occasions
  • Infants (0-3 years): free
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Provider
City Wonders
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Excellent

4.3 /5

Based on 16 reviews from verified customers


Review categories

Value for money

4.8/5

Safety

4.5/5

Service

4.5/5

Staff

4.5/5


44%
44%
13%
0%
0%

Sort by:

  • N

    Nadine

    Verified booking

    4.2

    August 6, 2025

    Traveled with family


    Tour mit Carla war super. Viele Infos per Ohrhörer in Englisch. Sie kennt die besten Plätze, um alles nah erleben zu können. Trotz der Vollheit ein Erlebnis. Sehr rechtzeitig vor Ort sein (20 Min. vorher), damit man bei den Veranstaltern auf den Tourguide verteilt wird und alles vorbereitet ist, wenn es los geht.

  • A

    Andrea

    Verified booking

    5

    March 27, 2024

    Traveled as a couple


    Wir waren an Orten die nicht alle kannten

  • L

    Linneylittle

    Verified booking

    4.6

    May 29, 2024

    Traveled with family

  • S

    Siobhan

    Verified booking

    5

    July 21, 2023

    Traveled with family


    Sandy was a helpful and friendly guide. She was extremely knowledgeable and a terrific accompaniment to our changing of the guard experience! A natural communicator!

  • T

    TUI Musement Traveler

    Verified booking

    5

    December 5, 2023

    Very Nice guide called Lee had humor , knowledge and took is to all the right places !

  • T

    TUI Musement Traveler

    Verified booking

    4

    May 27, 2023

    Without tour guide ,lovely Louise ,the event wasnt be as good as it was.Despite moderate wx,Louise was full of positive energy,smile and lot of interesting stories. FYI,The" changing guard" is just watching guards marching from st James palace to Backingham.You not see actuall "change of guards"

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