Changing Of The Guard Small-group Walking Tour In London

Guest Rating: 5

About Activity

Enjoy the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace with this small group walking tour! This walking tour gets you up close for the best views of the Guard change in a historic Royal event filled with classic British pomp and pageantry. The tour will position you in the best front row spots for the key parts of the Changing of the Guard ceremony as you enjoy memorable views of the Old Guard, New Guard, Household Cavalry and the ceremonial military band. You’ll even finish your tour by getting your photo with the Royal Horseguards! As well as enjoying unbeatable views of the Guard change, your walking tour is teeming with Royal history as you discover Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, Clarence House, The Mall and Horseguards Parade. This small group tour is the best way to see the Changing of the Guard in London, filled with memorable views and fascinating history of London’s most historic Royal event that encapsulates British history and heritage in one Royal morning.

What's Included

Includes

The Mall
Clarence House
Small-Group guided walking tour of the Changing of the Guard ceremony
St James’s Park
St James’s Palace
Professional Tour Guide
Photo with the Royal Horseguards
Buckingham Palace

Excludes

Entrance tickets to sights, landmarks or attractions
Front gates of Buckingham Palace
Gratuities

Departure & Return

Departure Point

The tour starts in front of The Old Star pub in St James's. The Old Star pub is opposite St James's Park Station (Broadway Exit). The address of The Old Star pub is 66 Broadway, London, SW1H 0DB. Please meet your tour guide who will be holding a yellow umbrella.

Return

The tour will end at Horseguards Parade.

Itinerary

Stop At: Changing Of The Guard

Duration: 1 hour

The Changing of the Guard is a traditional ceremony showcasing the handover of duties between the King’s Guard. The ceremony features a precision display of marching, music, and military pageantry. Guards in iconic tunics and bearskin hats parade to live music. The event symbolizes British heritage and monarchy, blending discipline with centuries-old tradition.

Stop At: Buckingham Palace

Admission Ticket: Tickets are not included

Duration: 10 minutes

Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the British monarch, is a symbol of the United Kingdom's heritage and royal tradition. Surrounded by lush gardens and Royal parks, the palace remains a working institution, hosting state events and providing a regal backdrop to national celebrations.

Stop At: St. James's Palace

Admission Ticket: Tickets are not included

Duration: 15 minutes

St James's Palace is one of Britain's oldest royal residences. Built by Henry VIII, it served as the official residence of the monarch until the 18th century. Its historic rooms host key royal events and house several royal offices with its iconic red brick façade being a symbol of British heritage.

Stop At: Clarence House

Admission Ticket: Tickets are not included

Duration: 10 minutes

Clarence House, located in St James’s, London, is the official residence of King Charles III and his family. It has served as a royal home for various members of the British monarchy and hosts official events and ceremonies, playing a significant role in the British royal family’s public life.

Stop At:

Duration: 10 minutes

The Mall is a grand ceremonial avenue in central London, stretching from Buckingham Palace to Admiralty Arch. Lined with trees and flanked by royal landmarks, it serves as the site for major state events and royal processions. Known for its vibrant red surface, The Mall hosts iconic celebrations, such as royal weddings and national holidays, making it a focal point of British culture and history.

Stop At: St. James's Park

Duration: 5 minutes

St James's Park is one of London's most beautiful royal parks. Spanning 57 acres, it features lush gardens, a serene lake, and picturesque views of Buckingham Palace. The park is home to diverse wildlife, including pelicans and swans.

Stop At: Horse Guards Parade At Whitehall

Horse Guards Parade is a historic ceremonial ground in London, renowned for hosting royal events like Trooping the Colour. It’s home to the Royal Horseguards, an elite cavalry regiment serving as the monarch’s personal guards. Enjoy a photo standing next to the Royal Horseguards.

Language Offered

English - GUIDE

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

The tour starts in front of The Old Star pub in St James's. The Old Star pub is opposite St James's Park Station (Broadway Exit). The address of The Old Star pub is 66 Broadway, London, SW1H 0DB. Please meet your tour guide who will be holding a yellow umbrella.

The tour is not suitable for guests with walking or mobility difficulties.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchairs.

The tour is not suitable for prams, buggys or strollers.

The tour covers approximately 3 miles of walking.

The tour will not go to the front gates of Buckingham Palace. Most of the ceremony is away from the front gates. If you do wish to go to the front gates of Buckingham Palace then do not book this tour.

If it is raining or bad weather then the Changing of the Guard ceremony may be a ‘Wet Change’. This is a shortened version of the ceremony without music. This is decided by the British Army at approximately 10.30am on the day of the ceremony.

Photos with the Royal Horseguards are subject to Guard availability.

Operated by See The Sights Tours

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

Excellent tour to see all spots of the changing of the guards

NadineM340

Nov 4, 2026, 9:02:56 AM

Rachel was a great tour guide, funny and very informative

The Best Way to Experience the Changing of the Guard!

Go31377370746

Oct 30, 2026, 8:16:24 AM

We had such a wonderful and fun experience on the Changing of the Guard tour with Eric! He was knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and engaging throughout the tour. He shared interesting facts and stories while keeping things lighthearted and entertaining. It was not only informative but genuinely fun! Eric’s enthusiasm made the experience even more memorable. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting London. Definitely a 5-star experience!

Great tour

29dejan_

Oct 25, 2026, 7:09:46 AM

Caroline was loud and amazing

Best expérience

963margauxl

Oct 25, 2026, 7:09:38 AM

Amazing experience thanks to Carolina for sharing London history

Fun experience

w0rldexpl0ring

Oct 19, 2026, 7:15:52 AM

Rachel was great 👍 We had fun watching the guards and music

Excellent Tour and Guide

carlbQ741BJ

Oct 18, 2026, 6:38:17 AM

Our guide Carolina was THE BEST! Her humor, knowledge, attention to the group were unsurpassed.

Amazing

ameera85

Oct 16, 2026, 7:12:20 AM

We enjoyed out trip with Mathew

Incontournable

pierrecM3903BS

Oct 12, 2026, 10:04:34 AM

Carolina was exceptional, well spoken, very knowledgeable about history and gory tidbits anout royals. Kept our attention for over 2 hours. Viewpoints for guards and bsnd parade were great

Great tour!

LRR55

Sep 28, 2026, 7:15:10 AM

Sara, our guide was GREAT! So informative, loved all the history she provided!

Great tour!

R5739ZCsarahc

Sep 28, 2026, 7:03:45 AM

Connor was great! Knowledgeable, funny, and kind.

Changing if the Guard tour

diannek412

Sep 25, 2026, 4:34:05 PM

Excellent tour given by Rachel. Knowledge and interesting history and ideal locations to see Changing of the Guard up close and away from crowds. Highly recommend!

Great tour with the best guide ever!!!

632kennethp

Sep 18, 2026, 7:09:16 AM

Betsy is literally the best!!!!! Very knowledgeable and very funny

DO NOT MISS

W7357MOleighs

Sep 4, 2026, 8:38:43 AM

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip with Rachel. Excellent in every way and very knowledgeable! A must do while in London! Plan ahead and ask for Rachel!!

Great Changing of the Guard Tour!

katiekX3888UX

Sep 4, 2026, 7:56:37 AM

Adam was a terrific tour guide! He had great insights into everything we saw and provided excellent commentary. He had us positioned in the perfect spot for pictures and video.

Five Stars for Rachel!

Meander525659

Aug 31, 2026, 3:16:56 PM

It was an excellent tour with our guide, Rachel. She made this tour special by the way she conducted it, providing every detail and the history of the events, as well as insights into the British royal family.

Touring London with our guide Rachel.

Pioneer650365

Aug 31, 2026, 8:32:07 AM

Our guide Rachel was fantastic, knowledgeable, welcoming and friendly, full of good advice and an absolute treat to converse with. My better 3/4's and I couldn't be happier!

Interesting and informative

838djc

Aug 28, 2026, 3:25:54 PM

Erik was a great guide and gave us lots of information and interesting details about the guards. He made sure we had front row views as the guards passed and easily answered all inquiries. We would highly recommend Erik as yiur changing od the guards tour guide.

Awesome experience

284abhinavr

Aug 26, 2026, 7:17:02 AM

The tour was awesome. Our guide, Matthew was great, very knowledgebake and professional.

Changing of guard tours

O8100ECkenc

Aug 26, 2026, 7:13:19 AM

Matt was really friendly and knowledgeable! Would recommend!

Changing of the Garde

christinabD9336RL

Aug 17, 2026, 7:11:49 AM

It was amazing Thank you Betsy

Thank you Carolina

pierreyvesz2025

Aug 16, 2026, 6:13:04 AM

Thank you Carolina for this tour

Group tour of the changing of the guards

Guide60771027736

Aug 10, 2026, 7:15:00 AM

Rachel did an amazing job with sharing a lot of history and explaining the whole process with the changing of the guards. She managed to place the group in ideal spots to have some of the best views.

Great tour, we saw more than expected. We would have missed much of the ceremony if we would have attempted it ourselves

NorthStar12314338695

Aug 10, 2026, 7:14:38 AM

Sara was an excellent guide!! Highly recommended!

Great!

M6265AMlindav

Aug 7, 2026, 5:13:22 PM

We were in the group of Carolina, she was absolutly great! She knows so much and is kind and funny. I've learned so much today and saw a lot. Thank you!

Cool tour

serenagA5942RC

Aug 7, 2026, 7:10:43 AM

Very interesting tour, our guide Becksy was very nice and very professional

Great!

laurenbY8714IX

Aug 7, 2026, 7:07:33 AM

Carolina was an amazing tour guide. So much knowledge!

Connor qas great

linatE7254FP

Aug 5, 2026, 7:10:11 AM

Connor was great. Had a great time

Nice changing of the guards tour with Eric

koenp390

Aug 3, 2026, 7:17:49 AM

Very interesting and insightful. Nice front row views, also at other places. Very clear explanation

Changing of Guards for Family

P9591STstephaniew

Aug 3, 2026, 7:17:28 AM

Matt was very informative. He lead us to several locations. At each spot we saw the guards. It was amazing to see. He shared many stories or historical histories. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour and Matt.

Changing of the guard walking tour

359harshitas

Aug 3, 2026, 7:15:13 AM

We were with Rachel and she was great.

london trip

mattiagS2611ZJ

Aug 3, 2026, 7:14:37 AM

rachel was great i loved it wow

Changing of the guards tour!

chloejY4827NF

Jul 31, 2026, 3:20:56 PM

Connor was amazing! One of the best tours in London!!

Lovely end of my stay in london

beauv305

Jul 31, 2026, 7:12:13 AM

Connor was an amazing guard! Funny, knowledgeable,…

Changing of the guard

MAWTX

Jul 29, 2026, 7:13:57 AM

Rachel was an amazing tour guide. We got to see all of the highlights and learned some history along the way. Highly recommend!

Thanks a million Conor

johneH643RV

Jul 29, 2026, 7:11:32 AM

It was an absolute amazing experience with Conor who really helped us having the best experience

Changing of guards, touring royal palaces and parliamentary buildings in London

883husaina

Jul 27, 2026, 7:15:15 AM

Great experience of changing of guards but also great to talk with the guide and him showing us around

Awesome experience

O3777GJjilll

Jul 24, 2026, 7:17:23 AM

Awesome tour and experience, Sarah our guide was engaging and very knowledgeable. Definitely would recommend!

Great tour

I3812DSlingl

Jul 24, 2026, 7:13:39 AM

The tour guide was amazing and super knowledgeable. Learned a great deal

Top!

Paradise12885158635

Jul 20, 2026, 7:23:49 AM

Incredible experience with Carolina!

Must do in London!

auspartan242023

Jul 15, 2026, 7:05:49 AM

Connor made this tour just amazing! So much history and knowledge provided!

Changing of the Guard

Explorer653023

Jul 13, 2026, 7:11:47 AM

It was a very informative tour. Sarah our guide was an excellent guide. We appreciated the tour and the information she provided.

Two beatiful hours

L1258AVchiarac

Jul 10, 2026, 7:18:46 AM

Beautiful and interesting experience

Changing of the guard walking tour

624lanep

Jul 10, 2026, 7:18:43 AM

Connor was great and gave an amazing history lesson.

changing of the guard

768jeninea

Jul 8, 2026, 7:10:46 AM

it was a good history tour. connor was funny

Changing of the guards walking tour

jessicahO6553MW

Jul 8, 2026, 7:09:36 AM

Connor was an excellent tour guide. He was easy to hear and follow and provided some great insight

A plus guided tour to see changing of guards.

E4689LNmaryw

Jul 6, 2026, 7:20:04 AM

Eric was a wonderful guide!! He brought us to some hidden gem locations to see the changing of the guard!! And he had somegreat additional TRIPEA about the city and about the Royals! Definitely recommend!

Great, enjoyed the walk tour with Betsy

934avijitg

Jul 6, 2026, 7:14:53 AM

Great, enjoyed the walk tour with Betsy

Awesome experience

J9103OAjoe

Jul 6, 2026, 7:08:02 AM

Connor was fantastic so knowledgeable and made sure we had the best virw

Great guide and great tour !

E3985RBdeniset

Jun 29, 2026, 7:32:48 AM

Connor was exceptionally Entertaining and informative. I highly recommend tours with Connor.!

The Changing of the Guard Walking tour

951latishac

Jun 29, 2026, 7:21:47 AM

Eric was an excellent tour guide for the Changing of the Guard! Very informative! Walked at a great pace and showed the important highlights!! Truly exceptional

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