London Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
About this activity
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
Included / Excluded
- Expert local guide
- Visit to Buckingham Palace
- St. James's Park exploration
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
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
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
Great time had by all!
We had an amazing time with Jeremy for our changing of the guard tour. He explained the different steps involved and the significance of the ceremony, ensuring we had a great view of everything and plenty of laughs along the way!!
Great and Informative Tour
This was such a great tour. Our guide Jermey was the perfect combination of informative and entertaining. He was very knowledgeable and had answers to every question. He also got us great viewing spots and narration of what was happening and why really elevated the experience.
Great guide!
Richard was a great guide! He was so knowledgeable about where to get great views, and kept our group entertained the whole time. Highly recommended!
Changing the Guard
You will not be next to the palace, but you will see the guards exit their residence and march to the palace. Then you will walk down the mall and pick a place to watch them march to St. James palace, get inspected, and return to the palace. You will be very close to the guards, and the mounted police. Don't step into the street or you may get run over. Sundays are the absolute best, with the fewest crowds! The photos were taken from about 1000 feet away - showing the throng of people at the palace, who never got close to the guards, and only saw a bit of the ceremony, so I recommend this tour.
Good
We are so happy that we did our change of guard with Nathan