Private Changing of the Guard Experience
Description
There are few sights more quintessentially British than the Changing of the Guard—a centuries-old ceremony where stoic red tunics, glittering brass, and the rhythmic beat of military drums transform the forecourt of Buckingham Palace into a living piece of history. On this expertly guided tour, you won’t just watch the ceremony… you’ll understand it. Your experience begins in the elegant streets surrounding St James’s Palace, the oldest royal residence still in use in London. As the Household Division prepares to march, your guide brings to life the origins of this ritual, dating back to the 17th century when King Charles II reinstated the monarchy and formalized the guard’s responsibilities. Every step, salute, and call carries centuries of military discipline—and you’ll have front-row insight into the symbolism behind it. From there, follow your guide through The Mall, the stunning royal boulevard , toward Buckingham Palace itself before heading to Westminster!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Experience the Changing of the Guard as you watch this spectacular sight, where your guide gets you up-close to the action. You will hear the story behind the changing of the guards, the traditions and the palaces in the district. You will hear about the King's Guard and their iconic scarlet uniforms including their distinctive bearskin hats. You will get to see the best of this military procedure which in total lasts over 1 hour. You will have plenty of time to ask your guide questions as you hear about Kings and Queens, admire the statues and see the palaces and monuments. You will see every part of the changing of the guard and its process, hearing the most intriguing tale of the Royal family.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
I will factor in pickup times into the tour.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(20)
The tour is well worthwhile. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and took us to great locations for viewing the ceremony. Just be prepared for a fair amount of walking through crowds
Our tour guide Wesley was amazing. Took us to all the right spots to see the changing of the guards. Highly recommend!
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Changing of the Guard tour and that I helped you find the best viewing spots to make the most of this iconic London experience. We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation. It was a pleasure having you on the tour, and we hope to welcome you back for another memorable London adventure soon!
Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. I learned a great deal from her. She made it very comfortable to ask questions and she had an answer for every question we asked. She was wonderful with the two young children in our party, as well.
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a positive experience with Carolina. She truly has a gift for making tours both informative and welcoming, so it’s wonderful to know you felt comfortable asking questions and got so much out of the experience. It’s especially lovely to hear how well she connected with the younger members of your group too - that’s something we really value in creating enjoyable experiences for everyone. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to Carolina—she’ll be thrilled! Thanks again, and we hope to see you on another tour soon. Best wishes, The Great Weekender Team
Matt was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He was patient with children's questions and did a great job making the explanations relevant to them!
Thank you for such a thoughtful review! I’m so glad to hear the kids felt engaged and comfortable asking questions—that’s always our goal. We hope to see your family again on another tour!
Wesley was amazing! He showed us all around London that most people do not think to see. We had great spots watching the changing of the guards and walked with them to the palace. He told us great stories along the way. We learned so much in a short period of time. We enjoyed his company so much that we scheduled for a few days later to take us to Stonehenge, Salisbury and Southampton. Couldn’t have asked for a better guide! I highly recommend this tour 100%!!! Thank you Wesley for making our first trip to the UK amazing! Until next time…
Thank you so much for this incredibly kind and generous review! I’m thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed seeing parts of London that often get overlooked, and that the Changing of the Guard experience and stories along the way made it so memorable. It was truly a pleasure spending time with you, and I’m especially grateful you chose to join me again for Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Southampton. Thank you for the enthusiastic recommendation—I’m so glad I could help make your first trip to the UK such a special one. Until next time!
Excellent! Adrian was amazing! Very informative and friendly. Highly recommended. Very knowledgeable and great knowledge of history.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour and found Adrian so knowledgeable and friendly. Your recommendation means a lot!
Great experience traveling with multigenerational group (65,66,42,42,6). Even though the changing of the guards was last minute cancelled because of the ladies football win (this can happen) the tour guide was still great and accommodated our group with a great tour despite the cancellation.
Thank you for your kind review! I’m glad to hear that, despite the last-minute change, your multigenerational group still had a great experience. It was a pleasure guiding you all, and I’m happy we could make the tour enjoyable for everyone.
Very knowledgeable and friendly. Also flexible with the private tour. Definitely recommend. Great location to view
We walked and talked with Wesley our guide who was both informative and so friendly. Was a wonderful tour with wonderful sights. quite a bit of walking which was fine with me so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Wesley brought us to the best areas where we could see the most and really appreciate the beauty of it all. Would definitely recommend this tour.
Thanks again so much guys, it was great to meet you and show you around the Palace district including the Guard Change!
I loved the Royal Westminster area tour with Wesley! He brought a perfect combination of historical expertise, enthusiasm, and humor. Would highly recommend Free Tours by Foot in London
Many thanks for the review, it was a pleasure meeting you. :-)
