London: Changing of the Guard Walking Tour & Royal Palaces

Follow the Guards to Buckingham Palace & Hear What Those Bearskins Really Mean

You walk the guards' actual route from Waterloo Place toward Buckingham Palace with a small group and an expert guide who explains the ceremony as it happens: the uniforms, the history, the significance of every movement. You visit St. James's Palace and Clarence House from the outside, hear the stories behind the royal residences, and see the Changing of the Guard from a viewing point that actually works, not from the crowded forecourt where you'd see almost nothing. The tour runs in all weather and takes around two hours, so wear comfortable shoes and carry water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Royal Observatory Greenwich15m
2. St. James's Palace25m
3. Clarence House10m

Changing of the Guard and royal sites

• Meet guide at Edward VII statue
• Visit King George VI and Queen Elizabeth memorials
• See St James’s Palace exterior
• Stop by Clarence House
• Watch Changing of the Guard ceremony
• View Buckingham Palace exterior
• End at Wellington Barracks

The experience

"We move pretty fast to keep up with the guards, so wear the right shoes," our guide tells the group before we even start, and that single sentence tells you everything about how this Changing of the Guard walking tour actually works. You're not standing behind a rope at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace squinting at distant figures. You're walking the route the guards walk, meeting at the Equestrian statue of Edward VII on Waterloo Place, and then moving with them as they march toward the palace. The guide explains what you're seeing in real time: why the Welsh guards wear different plumes than the Grenadiers, what those fuzzy bearskin hats signify, the whole hidden grammar of this ceremony that most visitors never catch because they're too far away to hear anything.

The tour hits St. James's Palace (the oldest royal palace in the UK, built on the site of an old leper hospital), and then Clarence House, the official residence of King Charles III, where the guide shares the stories that make these buildings more than just facades. You'll also see the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorials, which grounds the whole experience in real history rather than just pageantry. The group stays small, which matters because you're moving at pace and stopping at specific points where the view actually works. The ceremony itself can shift (the British Army decides the timing and content, and on Sundays from April 2025 they're running a slightly different version they're calling a "Parade" instead of a "Change"), but the tour goes ahead rain or shine, and even if the full ceremony gets altered, you'll still see the guards marching.

Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. There are no breaks for toilets or refreshments during the tour, and you'll be moving steadily for around two hours. The guide is an English-speaking local expert who knows the details that make the difference between standing in a crowd and actually understanding what you're watching. Service animals are welcome. The tour doesn't film the guide without permission, and you can't video them either. It's one of those small rules that keeps the experience about being present rather than about getting footage.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a guided Changing of the Guard experience with an English-speaking local expert guide who walks the route with you, explains the ceremony in real time, and shares the history and significance of the uniforms, movements, and royal residences. You visit St. James's Palace and Clarence House from the outside, see the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorials, and end at Wellington Barracks where the guards return to their quarters. Entry to the ceremony and all guidance are included.
• there are no additional fees for the main experience.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and SundayDepartures at 09:00 and 09:45

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 20

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

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

Operated by Urban Saunters

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand the Changing of the Guard ceremony rather than just watch it from a distance: the small group and expert guide are what make the difference between standing in a crowd and actually knowing what you're seeing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the Changing of the Guard walking tour start?

The tour begins at the Equestrian statue of Edward VII on Waterloo Place. Exact start times vary by day and season. Check the booking details for your specific date.

Can I film the guide or the ceremony?

No videoing of the guide unless they give permission. You can take photos, but not video.

How long is the tour?

Around two hours. The pace is brisk to keep up with the guards, so wear comfortable shoes.

Are there toilet or refreshment breaks?

No. There are no toilet or refreshment breaks on this tour, so plan accordingly and bring water.

Will we stand at Buckingham Palace forecourt?

No. The tour avoids the forecourt because crowds mean you see very little. Instead, you'll get a closer viewing point with the chance to take good photos.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour moves at a fast pace to keep up with the guards. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

What happens on Sundays?

From April 2025, the Army is running a slightly different version on Sundays called a "Parade" instead of a "Change." It involves the same number of guard movements and locations, but the format has shifted. The trial duration is not yet confirmed.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.

What do I need to bring?

Wear comfortable shoes and carry water. The tour moves at pace and there are no breaks, so dress appropriately for the weather and bring what you'll need to stay hydrated.