Changing of the Guard London: Best vantage point positioned

Stand where the guards actually march, not where the crowds guess

You get positioned at the best vantage point for the Changing of the Guard ceremony without the guesswork, then walk through Royal Westminster with an expert guide covering Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square, Big Ben and Trafalgar Square. The tour includes exterior views of three royal palaces and runs roughly two to three hours with a toilet break built in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Changing of the Guard1h
2. Westminster1h 10m
3. Trafalgar Square5m

Royal London and Westminster tour

• Visit St. James' Palace and Clarence House
• See Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard
• March down the Mall with Queen's footguards
• Admire horses of the Household Cavalry
• Stroll through St James' Royal Park
• Pass Churchill's War Rooms
• View Westminster Abbey from outside
• Explore Parliament Square statues
• Admire Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
• See 10 Downing Street
• Photograph Queen's Guard horses
• Visit Horse Guards Parade
• Finish at Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column

The experience

What happens if you show up to watch the Changing of the Guard without knowing where to stand? Hundreds of people find out every day: blocked by crowds, craning their necks, missing the moment. This London walking tour solves that by positioning you in the exact spot where the ceremony unfolds properly, with a guide who knows the timing and the routes the guards actually take. You start at Buckingham Palace itself, then march down the Mall as the Foot Guards or Household Cavalry move through (which one depends on the day, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday it's the Foot Guards, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday you see the Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade instead).

The route moves through St. James's Palace and Clarence House before hitting St James's Royal Park for a breather, then shifts into the Westminster half. This is where the walking picks up pace a bit. The guide takes you past Churchill's War Rooms, around Westminster Abbey (you see the exterior and spend about five minutes there), through Parliament Square where statues of Gandhi, Lincoln and Churchill face off against each other, and straight to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. You'll pass 10 Downing Street, get a proper look at the horses at Horse Guards Parade, and finish at Trafalgar Square with Nelson's Column. The whole thing is roughly two to three hours depending on ceremony timing, and there's a public toilet stop halfway through.

The guide does more than just walk you through landmarks. They position you so you're not fighting for sightlines, and they fill in the history as you go. Westminster Abbey alone has hosted every coronation since 1066, and that weight of continuity hits different when you're standing in front of it with someone who can tell you why it matters. The Changing of the Guard Ceremony itself can shift or cancel if the British Army decides (weather, operational reasons), but the tour adapts. If the Foot Guards don't happen, you'll catch the Horse Guards instead, and the rest of the route stays solid.

What’s included

• Your tour includes an expert local guide, exterior views of Buckingham Palace, St.
• James's Palace and Clarence House, vantage-point positioning for the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and a guided walking tour through Royal London and Westminster covering Parliament Square, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, 10 Downing Street, Horse Guards Parade and Trafalgar Square.
• A public toilet break is included halfway through.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:45 and 10:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

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.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

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by secret chamber tours ltd

Is this one for you?Right for you if you want to see the Changing of the Guard without spending hours finding the right spot or missing the ceremony behind a wall of tourists. The tour moves at a brisk pace in parts, so it's best for people comfortable with steady walking across London landmarks.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): 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.

Which days does the Foot Guards ceremony happen?

Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the tour watches the Changing of the Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade instead.

Do you go inside Westminster Abbey?

No, the tour covers the exterior and you spend about five minutes there. Entry to the Abbey is not included.

How long is the tour?

Roughly two to three hours, depending on ceremony timing and group pace.

Can I bring a stroller or pram?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. The tour is not recommended for people with walking difficulties, as parts move at a brisk pace.

What if the weather is bad?

If weather cancels the Foot Guards ceremony, the tour will try to catch the Horse Guards instead. The Changing of the Guard operates at the discretion of the British Army and can be cancelled without notice.

Is there a toilet break?

Yes, there is access to public toilets halfway through the tour.

Can I take photos with the horses?

Yes, you'll have the chance to capture photos with the horses of the Queen's Guard before exploring Horse Guards Parade.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.