London: Changing of the Guard & Royal Palaces Walking Tour

Walk with the Guards, see three palaces, hear the band up close

You walk with the Guards and their ceremonial band down The Mall, see three royal palaces from the inside of the ceremony rather than outside the barriers, and learn the history from a guide trained in both the ritual and the stories behind it. The tour includes prime viewing spots and expert positioning: the thing that separates this from standing in a crowd hoping for a glimpse. You finish near transport links or can walk back to Trafalgar Square with your guide for extra sightseeing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Trafalgar Square10m
2. St. James's Palacepass by
3. Changing of the Guardpass by
4. Clarence Housepass by

Changing of the Guard walking tour

• Start at Trafalgar Square
• Learn about Lord Nelson and lions
• Visit St James's Palace
• March alongside King's Guards on The Mall
• See new Guard at Georgian barracks
• Conclude outside Clarence House
• Walk to nearby stations or squares

The experience

Boots hit the pavement in perfect rhythm, scarlet tunics catching the light, and then you realize. That's the ceremonial band, and you're walking right alongside them down The Mall toward Buckingham Palace. This Changing of the Guard tour in London is built around that moment, the one most visitors watch from behind a crowd. Your guide, a historian who designed this with a former Guardsman, positions you where the marching column passes close enough to hear the military music and see the precision drill at eye level. It's the kind of detail that changes how you experience the ceremony.

The walk starts at Trafalgar Square, where your guide points out the center of London itself and explains why Lord Nelson matters to Britain, then you head toward St James's Palace, where the Guards come off duty. This is the behind-the-scenes part most tours skip. From there, you move into position to catch the column as it marches, and the whole thing unfolds with the kind of timing that only someone who knows the ceremony can arrange. After the main event, you end at Clarence House, the home of the King and Queen, just a couple of minutes from Buckingham Palace. If the light is right and the crowds thin out, there's a final chance to see the Horse Guards and the ceremonial band again.

The tour wraps near Green Park or St James's Park stations, or you can walk back toward Trafalgar Square with your guide for bonus sightseeing along the way: about fifteen minutes on foot. The whole thing runs two to three hours, and it's designed for people who want to understand what they're watching, not just stand in a queue and hope for a photo. You'll need a moderate level of fitness. This is a walking tour, not a stationary viewing experience, and the pace keeps moving to hit the timing of the ceremony itself.

What’s included

Your tour includes an expert local guide trained in the ceremony's history and logistics, prime viewing spots positioned for close views of the marching Guards and band, and the walk through St James's Palace, Clarence House, and Trafalgar Square. You'll march alongside the ceremonial column down The Mall and have the option to return to Trafalgar Square with your guide for additional sightseeing, or walk to nearby transport links.

Options for this experience

2 options

Experience of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham PalaceGuide in English · 09:30

Tour of the Changing of the GuardGuide in English · Available from 4 Jan 2027From 1 January 2027: James II Statue, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DS, United Kingdom

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and SundayDeparts at 09:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (5 to 17 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 35

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Fantastic Walks

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to understand the Changing of the Guard ceremony from inside the action rather than behind a barrier, with a guide who knows the timing and the history. Plan for continuous walking over two to three hours. That's what puts you close enough to hear the band and see the precision drill.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 17 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What time does the Changing of the Guard tour start?

The tour begins at Trafalgar Square. Exact start times vary by ceremony schedule. Check the booking details for your date.

Will I see the King or Queen?

It's possible but not guaranteed. The tour notes that if conditions align, you might catch a glimpse, but the ceremony itself is the main event.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

No. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or those using motorized carts. It requires moderate fitness and involves continuous walking.

Can I take photos?

Yes. The tour ends outside Clarence House and Buckingham Palace gates, which offer photo opportunities as crowds disperse.

How long is the tour?

Around two to three hours, depending on the ceremony timing and route taken at the end.

What if I'm pregnant or have health concerns?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with cardiovascular issues. Check with the operator about your specific situation before booking.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes. The Changing of the Guard ceremony doesn't happen every day, and tour spots fill quickly. Book ahead to confirm your date.

Can service animals join the tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed.