London Drum

Guided Tour: Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
Where? Buckingham Palace, The Mall When? Every Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun (it's held on the same day as Changing the Guard) The tour starts at 10 AM outside the Victoria Palace Theatre, and ends at Parliament Square Price? From £10 Parking: Nearby car parks Buses: 11, 211, C1, C10 Bus fares Trains: The closest station is St. James’s Park Circle District Other nearby stations: Green Park Train fares

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The Changing the Guard ceremony is one of Britain's most famous traditions, and immersing yourself in the full glory of its pomp and pageantry will be one of the highlights of your stay.

Soldiers marching out of Buckingham Palace
Soldiers marching out of Buckingham Palace

Unfortunately the crowds outside Buckingham Palace are so huge that you have to arrive a couple of hours early to grab the best spots. If you haven't got that kind of time to spare then how about this guided tour instead? It will take you to the places where it's much easier to see the soldiers up-close, like when they're marching down the Mall, around the Queen Victoria Memorial, and down the side of St. James's Palace.

The Household Cavalry on Horse Guards Parade
The Household Cavalry on Horse Guards Parade

After meeting your knowledgeable guide near Victoria station they'll take you to see the Foot Guards, Household Cavalry and Regimental Musical Bands, keeping you entertained with the history of the regiments and sharing stories about the ceremony, Clarence House and St. James's Palace.

Buckingham PalacePhoto: Craig Cross
Buckingham Palace

After taking some photos of Buckingham Palace and discovering just how many rooms it has inside, they'll take you into the heartland of British government for a closer look at Big Ben, Parliament and Westminster Abbey -- the home of Royal weddings, Royal funerals and Royal coronations for the last 1,000 years.

Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey

Note: You might like to read our review of the soldiers forming up outside St. James's Palace and Wellington Barracks. If you'd like to get the full experience then read our complete review of the Changing the Guard ceremony.

We also recommend… If you enjoy Buckingham Palace then you might like to visit Clarence House (you can walk it in 6 mins), Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace (catch a tube from St James’s Park to Queensway), Royal Mews (you can walk it in 4 mins) and Windsor Castle

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