The Changing of the Guard Tour and Buckingham Palace

The best reason to book this tour is simple: a good guide can put you in the right place for the Changing of the Guard. At Buckingham Palace, the foot guards ceremony runs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, you watch the King’s Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade instead.

I like the smart route through royal London and the way the tour connects the ceremony with Westminster’s great sights. I also like the price, $24.95, which is fair for more than two hours with a guide. The catch is that this is a brisk outdoor walk, and the army can change or cancel the ceremony without notice.

Key things to know before you book

• The ceremony changes by day: Buckingham Palace foot guards operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Horse Guards Parade is used Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
• The best viewing spot is part of the value: Guides such as Alan and John are praised for getting groups close to the action and away from the worst crowding.
• Westminster Abbey is viewed from outside: You spend about five minutes at the Abbey, with no entry ticket included.
• The route covers major royal sights: Expect St. James’s Palace, Clarence House, Buckingham Palace, Churchill’s War Rooms, Parliament Square, Big Ben, Downing Street, and Trafalgar Square.
• Plan for a brisk two-hour walk: There is a public toilet stop halfway, but the tour is not a good fit if walking is difficult.
• The group can reach 35 people: That is small enough to feel guided, but it is not a private tour.

Why the Changing of the Guard is worth seeing with a guide

The ceremony looks simple on a map. You walk toward Buckingham Palace, wait for the guards, and watch the pageantry. In practice, the best view depends on timing, crowd movement, and knowing which route the guards will take.

That is where this tour earns its fee. Guides Alan and John receive repeated praise for choosing strong viewing positions, sometimes putting the group close enough to see the royal procession clearly. One especially fortunate group saw the King and Queen wave from nearby. You cannot count on that happening, but the guide’s position can make the difference between a clear view and a sea of heads.

The ceremony itself is also easier to understand when someone explains what you are seeing. Your guide adds facts, royal anecdotes, and small details about the foot guards, the Household Cavalry, and the buildings along the route. Alan is noted for trivia and practical information, while John is known for an animated presentation and a warm way with families.

Keep your expectations realistic. The Changing of the Guard is controlled by the British Army, not the tour company. It can be shortened, changed, or cancelled without notice, especially in bad weather. If conditions interfere with the foot guards at Buckingham Palace, the tour may try to watch the Horse Guards instead.

Starting at Green Park and walking through royal London

The meeting point is Colicci Ritz Corner at Green Park, Stop H, in London W1J 9DZ. Take the location seriously and arrive early. The meeting area can be busy, and missing the group means you may not be able to catch up once the walk begins.

The opening hour takes you through the royal district around St. James’s Palace, Clarence House, Buckingham Palace, and the Mall. These are not isolated photo stops. Together, they show how London’s royal center fits into one connected route.

St. James’s Palace brings the oldest royal setting into view. Clarence House adds a more personal royal connection, while Buckingham Palace provides the main ceremony setting on the scheduled foot guard days. Your guide supplies the context as you walk, so the buildings become part of a story rather than a string of grand façades.

The Mall gives the procession its ceremonial setting. This broad route toward Buckingham Palace is one of London’s most recognizable approaches, and walking along it helps you understand the scale of royal occasions. The pace can be quick, especially when the group is moving into position before the guards appear.

After the ceremony, you take a more relaxed walk through St. James’s Royal Park. This is a useful change of rhythm after standing among crowds. You get a little breathing room before the route turns toward Westminster.

Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade

The schedule matters more than the title of the tour. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, the focus is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, involving the foot guards. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, you watch the King’s Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade.

The two settings offer different sights. Buckingham Palace gives you the famous palace frontage and the traditional foot guard spectacle. Horse Guards Parade brings impressive mounted horses into the picture and lets you see a different part of ceremonial London.

A guide is especially useful here because the group is not simply waiting in one fixed place. Alan, John, and Peter are praised for getting good positions and keeping the timing on track. One group described having a front-row view, while another said the guide handled holiday crowds by moving the group around them.

You should also prepare for standing outdoors. The tour goes ahead in ordinary cold or rain when possible, and the ceremony may be cancelled in poor weather. Wear shoes suited to a brisk walk and bring suitable outerwear. A cold day can still be enjoyable, but the guide cannot make a long wait feel warm.

Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square, and Big Ben

The second half moves into historic Westminster. You pass Churchill’s War Rooms before reaching Westminster Abbey, the church used for royal coronations since 1066. The Abbey is one of the most important sights on the route, but this tour does not take you inside.

That distinction matters. You get an exterior explanation and roughly five minutes at the Abbey itself, not an interior visit. The admission fee is not included because there is no Abbey entry during the tour. If you want to see coronation spaces, tombs, memorials, and the interior architecture, you need to arrange a separate visit.

From the Abbey, the walk continues to Parliament Square. Statues of figures including Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, and Winston Churchill give the square a strong political and historical character. Your guide can connect the people represented there with the buildings around the square.

Big Ben, technically the famous clock bell associated with Elizabeth Tower, rises above the Houses of Parliament. You view the Gothic exterior from outside, along with Victoria Tower. The tour does not enter Parliament, so this is a photo and explanation stop rather than an indoor visit.

This part of the tour works well for first-time visitors who want an overview of Westminster without committing half a day to museum interiors. It is also useful if you are trying to fit several famous sights into one morning or afternoon. The tradeoff is time. You see a lot, but none of these stops receives a long, quiet exploration.

Downing Street and the Horse Guards photo stop

The route continues to 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s official home. You view it from outside, as you do with the other government buildings. The stop helps connect royal London with the modern center of British government.

The tour then includes a photo opportunity with the Queen’s Guard horses before reaching Horse Guards Parade. The mounted guards are a highlight for many people, particularly on the days when the Horse Guards ceremony is the main event.

If you are travelling with children, this section can be especially effective. The horses give the formal procession a more immediate appeal, and guides such as Peter are praised for being patient and friendly with children. Still, follow the guide’s directions closely and keep a respectful distance from the animals.

The wording around the guards can be confusing because the royal titles and ceremonies have changed. The important practical point is the schedule: foot guards at Buckingham Palace on four days, mounted Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade on the other three.

Finishing at Trafalgar Square

The tour ends at Trafalgar Square after a short final stop of about five minutes. Nelson’s Column dominates the square, making it an easy place to recognize and a useful point for continuing your day in central London.

Ending here is convenient for a first day of sightseeing. You have covered royal palaces, government buildings, Westminster, and a major public square without needing to arrange several separate walks. The tour does not return to Green Park, so plan your next move from Trafalgar Square.

The end location also gives you flexibility. You can continue sightseeing independently, find food nearby, or use public transport. The activity information does not promise transport assistance after the tour, so treat Trafalgar Square as the final point rather than expecting a return escort.

How the guides shape the experience

The strongest part of this tour is the human element. John is repeatedly praised for energy, humor, clear communication, and strong knowledge of royal and London history. He is also described as good at keeping the walk moving and making people feel included.

Alan receives similar praise for positioning groups well, explaining the ceremony, and adding facts that are easy to miss on your own. Peter is noted for his timing, royal stories, and kindness toward children. Camila is described as professional and well informed.

You cannot choose a particular guide with certainty from the information provided, and guide assignments can change. Still, the pattern is clear: the experience depends heavily on who leads your group. A strong guide can make the ceremony easier to follow, help you find a better view, and fill the walking time with useful stories rather than filler.

One practical warning comes from the meeting point. A missed start can spoil the whole experience. The operator says guides use flags and wait in a small area near the coffee van at Green Park, but you should still confirm the exact meeting instructions on your booking and arrive before the stated time.

Is $24.95 good value?

At $24.95 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want the ceremony and an overview of royal Westminster in one outing. You are paying for a guided route, crowd positioning, historical explanation, and timing across several major sights.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is to enter Westminster Abbey. That ticket is not included, and the tour spends only about five minutes outside the Abbey. You would need a separate visit, which means additional cost and time.

I would also compare the price with what you would realistically do alone. You can walk around Buckingham Palace, Westminster, and Trafalgar Square without a ticket, but finding the best ceremony viewpoint and understanding the procession takes more effort. For many first-time visitors, $24.95 is a reasonable trade for guidance and a planned route.

The maximum group size is 35 people. That is not intimate, but it is manageable for a walking tour if the guide is organized. Large crowds around the ceremony may matter more than the group size itself.

Who should book this London walking tour?

I would recommend it to first-time London visitors, families, and anyone who wants the royal highlights without spending a full day indoors. It suits you if you like moving from sight to sight, listening to stories, and getting the key facts without arranging every stop yourself.

It is also a good choice if the Changing of the Guard is high on your list. The ceremony is free to watch, but the viewing area is the real challenge. A guide who knows where to place the group can make the event far more satisfying.

I would think twice if you have walking difficulties, dislike standing outside, or want a slow architectural tour. The pace can be brisk, the weather may be cold or wet, and the Abbey, Palace, Parliament, and Downing Street are viewed from outside.

The tour is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and allows service animals. Most people can take part, but the walking requirement is worth considering before you book.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a practical introduction to London’s royal and political center, with the Changing of the Guard as the main event. The best reasons are the carefully chosen viewing positions, the efficient route, and guides such as Alan, John, and Peter, who bring plenty of energy to the walk.

Skip it if you mainly want to tour Buckingham Palace or Westminster Abbey from inside. This is an outdoor overview, not an interior visit. Also remember that the ceremony is never guaranteed, since the British Army controls the schedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If bad weather or a minimum-group issue cancels the activity, you are offered another date or a full refund. That gives you useful flexibility, but it does not remove the uncertainty of the ceremony itself.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Colicci Ritz Corner, Green Park, Stop H, London W1J 9DZ, UK.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Trafalgar Square.

Does the tour enter Westminster Abbey?

No. Westminster Abbey is viewed from outside, and the tour spends about five minutes there. Entry is not included.

What days can I see the foot guards at Buckingham Palace?

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, subject to changes by the British Army.

What happens on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday?

On those days, the tour watches the Changing of the King’s Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade.

Is the Changing of the Guard guaranteed?

No. The British Army may change or cancel the ceremony without notice. Bad weather can also cause a cancellation.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drink are not included.

Is the tour suitable for people with walking difficulties?

It is not recommended for people with walking difficulties because parts of the route can be brisk.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.