Guided Tours

Changing of the Guard Tour

Tower of London with early access, Thames River cruise, and Changing of the Guards ceremony.

Buckingham Palace guards in traditional red uniforms during Changing of the Guard, London.

Hohenschwangau Castle in Schwangau with audio guide, Combo: Changing of the Guards + Tower of London Tickets

Walk in the footsteps of Britain’s Royals and learn interesting facts about their lives on this guided tour and see the famous Changing of the Guard!

Highlights

Join a small group and witness a royal tradition, the Changing of the Guard or the Changing of the Horse Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Watch the Old Guard, in their vibrant red uniforms, stand at attention, as the regimental band plays a lively tune and the New Guard marches in formation.
Take a 1.5-hour walking tour and stroll through St. James's Park while your English-speaking guide points out famous sights like Prince Philip's barber.
Upgrade to enjoy priority access to Westminster Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and marvel at the grandeur of this historic church.
Fun fact: Those iconic guards' hats? They're not bearskin but synthetic fur, reflecting a commitment to animal rights.

Inclusions

Changing of the Guard Ceremony outside Buckingham Palace
Expert English-speaking tour guide
Small group tour of 20 people or fewer
1.5-hour walking tour around Buckingham Palace (as per option selected)
Skip-the-line entry to Westminster Abbey (as per option selected)
Audio headsets

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Reviews

4.2

224 ratings

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Malgorzata

5/5

Nov, 2024

Very nice guide. The trip met our expectations: a small group, some knowledge, some humor, the opportunity to take fantastic photos. I recommend

Amanda

5/5

Oct, 2024

A guided tour for the changing of the guards was definitely the way to go! Our guide knew exactly where to go to get the best views and was very knowledgeable.

Jörg

4/5

Oct, 2024

The guide was very good and there was plenty of information about Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard. Unfortunately a group of four who were late for another group aggressively joined us. The guide was furious and eventually gave in and took the group away. I thought that was outrageous. After half an hour, the four of them were suddenly gone, with equipment including earphones. As if that was planned? Nevertheless, the guide was great and did a good job.

View original review in German

Thérèse

4/5

Oct, 2024

The lecturer was perfect, very friendly, and her articulation of English very understandable, with anecdotes. She took us to the best places to get a good look at the horseguards.

View original review in French

Danielle

5/5

Oct, 2024

Adrian, our guide, was enthusiastic and gave a lot of information. A great experience, I highly recommend it.

View original review in French

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Your experience

Experience royal London like never before

Go on an immersive tour that unravels the grandeur of British tradition, on this guided tour to see the Changing of the Guard Ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. These guards, in their distinctive red tunics and faux bearskin hats, make for an unforgettable sight. With a personal headset, your guide's lively commentary brings alive every intricate detail of this tradition.

Engage with history and pageantry

Enjoy a tranquil stroll through St James's Park, the oldest Royal Park in London, known for its resident pelicans. If you opt for the London walking tour, your journey begins at The Mall where you will admire the majestic view towards Buckingham Palace. Led by an expert English-speaking guide, you'll move onto the vibrant St James's Palace/Horse Guards Parade. Alternatively, you can upgrade your tickets and choose to get a skip-the-line entry to Westminster Abbey.

Know before you go\

What's not allowed

Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.\

Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.

Additional information

Changing of the Foot Guards Ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Please note that if you book your tour on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, you’ll experience the change of the Household Cavalry.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Meeting Point

Meet your guide at Duke of York Monument.
Address: St. James's, London SW1Y 5AJ, United Kingdom.
Guide Identifier: Your guide will be holding a sign or a flag with the name City Wonders written on it.

Get Directions to the Meeting Point

Getting There

By Bus

The closest bus stop is Trafalgar Square (Stop T). It is a quick 3-minute walk to the meeting point.
Board buses 12, 88, and more to get you there.

By Subway

The closest subway station is Charing Cross. It is a quick 5-minute walk to the meeting point.
Board subway line Bakerloo or Northern to get you there.