Your experience

Watch the Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace in a small-group guided tour with audio headsets for clear commentary.

Getting started

Meet your expert English-speaking guide at the designated starting point near Buckingham Palace. Join your small group and pick up your audio headset if included in your selected option, so you can clearly hear your guide throughout. Your guide will set the scene for the ceremony ahead and outline whether you will see the Foot Guards or the Horse Guards based on the day of your visit.

What to expect

Changing the Guard

Get an up-close look at one of Britain's most iconic royal traditions outside Buckingham Palace, with a guide to help you follow every detail.

Features

• Expert guided experience: Witness the Changing the Guard Ceremony outside Buckingham Palace on, with your guide explaining the history, music, and military precision behind the Foot Guards.

• Small group tour: Stay with your small group as your English-speaking guide leads you to the best available vantage points and shares stories about the palace, the monarchy, and nearby royal landmarks.

• Clear commentary: Use the provided audio headsets to hear live commentary clearly, even when the area is crowded and the band is playing.

Extras

• State Rooms entry: Get exclusive access to the palace interiors after your guided tour, with plenty to time to explore at your own pace.

• Walking tour: Upgrade your experience with a 2-hour walking tour around Buckingham Palace, which lets you explore more of the surrounding royal neighbourhood with your guide.

• Westminster Abbey tour: You can also choose a guided tour of Westminster Abbey, adding a deep dive into the site of royal coronations and burials to your Changing the Guard experience.

Watch the iconic guard change in front of the royal residence in a small group, with an expert English-speaking guide bringing the pomp, precision, and pageantry to life.
Meet your guide near Buckingham Palace, get a quick briefing, and walk together to prime viewing spots so you are ready when the Changing the Guard begins.
Enjoy guided access to the Changing the Guard and the Horse Guard ceremonies on their respective days, with your guide ensuring you see key moments and formations.
Hear stories about royal traditions, uniforms, and marching bands as your guide uses headsets so you catch every detail without missing the spectacle around you.
Upgrade your experience with a 2-hour walking tour around Buckingham Palace, get entry to the State Apartments to explore at your pace, or add a Westminster Abbey guided visit.

Included

Changing the Foot Guard Ceremony (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
Changing the Horse Guard Ceremony (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday)
Expert English-, French-, or German-speaking tour guide
Small group tour
Audio headsets
2-hour walking tour including St James's Park, The Mall and Buckingham Palace from outside
Private walking tour of St James's Park, The Mall and Buckingham Palace from outside
Entry to Buckingham Palace State Rooms
Multimedia guide in 9 languages
Guided tour of Westminster Abbey

Not included

Guided tour of Buckingham Palace State Rooms

Choose your option

5 options

Check availability on Headout

Meeting and pickup

Pickup detailsRead more

• Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

• Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

• Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.

Good to know

Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
The Changing the Guard ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays throughout the year. However, last-minute cancellations can occur without prior notice due to palace or local authority decisions or bad weather.
The State Rooms are only open for a few months in the year, typically from July to September.
The Changing the Foot Guards Ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
On Sundays, a slightly different version of the ceremony takes place, known as the Sunday Parade.
If you book your tour on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, you will experience the Changing the Horse Guard Ceremony instead.