Changing of the Guard London: Follow the Guards on Foot

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/16

Duration2h

GroupUp to 20

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Watch the Ceremony from the Best Vantage Points Without the Courtyard Crowds

You arrive at Piccadilly Circus, walk with a local guide to St. James's Palace to watch the guards assemble, then follow the ceremony procession along the Mall toward Buckingham Palace. You march alongside the guards at one point and see the royal parks and Regent Street. The whole thing takes two hours, operates in any weather, and you need to be there ten minutes early for check-in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Changing of the Guard walking tour

Begin at Piccadilly Circus
See St. James's Palace exterior
Wait for Guards' ceremony start
Follow guards along the Mall
View Buckingham Palace
Walk along Regent Street

The Experience

The tour starts at Piccadilly Circus, where your guide meets you ten minutes before departure. From there you walk toward St. James's Palace — a 500-year-old building that sits quietly in the middle of London, and this is where the Changing of the Guard ceremony actually begins. You're positioned to watch the guards assemble, and then the real part happens: you follow them along the Mall as they march toward Buckingham Palace. There's a moment where you walk at the same pace as the guards themselves, which sounds small until you're actually doing it and realizing how precise their steps are, how the whole thing moves like a single organism.

The guide knows where to stand so you see the highlights of the ceremony without fighting through crowds. You won't see the courtyard section at Buckingham Palace itself — that's the trade-off — but what you do see is the procession, the handover, and the route most visitors miss because they're stuck behind barriers. The walk takes in Regent Street and the royal parks, so even if the ceremony timing shifts (which it can, depending on the British Army's schedule), you're still moving through the parts of London that matter. Two hours goes faster than you'd think, especially if you're paying attention to the detail work — the uniforms, the formations, the way the whole thing is choreographed.

Bring comfortable shoes. There are three flights of steps along the route, and the walk happens in all weather, so dress for whatever London throws at you that morning. No toilet breaks on the tour, and no dogs except guide dogs. Children need to be with an adult, and if you have mobility concerns — spinal injuries, cardiovascular issues — this one's not the right fit because of the pace and the stairs. The ceremony itself can change at the discretion of the British Army, or occasionally get rescheduled due to rain, so it's worth checking the schedule before you book.

What’s included

Your tour includes a local guide, entry to view the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and the walking route through St.
James's Palace, the Mall, Regent Street, and the royal parks.
You march alongside the guards at one point during the procession.
No meals, drinks, or refreshment stops are included.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Fun London Tours Ltd

Is this one for you?Right for London visitors who want to see the Changing of the Guard without spending hours finding a spot or navigating crowds alone. Expect a steady two-hour walk with three flights of steps and a moderate pace — that's what lets you follow the ceremony from start to finish with a guide who knows where to stand.