Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
Experience the best of British tradition with this exceptional tour, featuring a guided visit to the Changing of the Guard ceremony followed by a self-guided exploration of Buckingham Palace.
Start your day with one of London’s most iconic events—the Changing of the Guard. Watch as the Old Guard ceremoniously hands over duty to the New Guard in a display of precision and pageantry. Dressed in red uniforms and tall bearskin hats, the Guards march in time to music, creating a memorable spectacle. Your guide will help you secure the best vantage points and explain the significance of each part of the ceremony.
Afterward, immerse yourself in the opulence of Buckingham Palace with a self-guided tour of the State Rooms. Explore the official home of the British monarch, marveling at royal gifts, spectacular furnishings, and priceless artworks. Don’t miss the 16-hectare Palace Gardens, once the site of Her Majesty’s famous tea parties.
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Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
What's included in Buckingham Palace Visit & Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Changing of the Guard
Join us as we serve a slice of world-famous ceremonial action with this small-group Changing of the Guards experience.
St. James's Palace
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
Clarence House
Clarence House serves as the London residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
Inclusions
- Entrance tickets to Buckingham Palace
- Guided Changing of the Guard experience
- English Speaking local expert guide
- Audio guide for Buckingham Palace
- Gratuities
- Food, drink or transport costs
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Meet our guide by the Equestrian statue of Edward VII, Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 5ER. Arriving by tube: Take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and take exit No. 3 onto Regent Street/St. James's. Walk south down Regent Street towards St. James's Park. Waterloo Place is at the end of Regent Street.
End Points
- The tour will end inside Buckingham Palace where you will have an audio-guide provided for your visit.
