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Changing of the Guard Small-Group Walking Tour

star-4.5165 Reviews
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Greater London, United Kingdom
Changing of the Guard Small-Group Walking Tour
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Changing of the Guard Small-Group Walking Tour
The Changing of Guard
The Changing of Guard
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From $24.37

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Number of travelers
1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults5 Adults6 Adults7 Adults8 Adults9 Adults10 Adults11 Adults12 Adults13 Adults14 Adults15 Adults0 Children1 Child2 Children3 Children4 Children5 Children6 Children7 Children8 Children9 Children10 Children11 Children12 Children13 Children14 Children15 Children0 Infants1 Infant2 Infants3 Infants4 Infants5 Infants6 Infants7 Infants8 Infants9 Infants10 Infants11 Infants12 Infants13 Infants14 Infants15 Infants
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
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Safety measures
icon1 hour 30 minutes  (Approx.)
iconOffered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds

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Overview

No visit to England would be complete without experiencing quintessential traditions such as the Changing of the Guard. See British culture come to life from select prime vantage points. In a small group limited to 15, observe the Queen’s iconic foot guards, clad in red tunics and bearskin hats, and watch the household cavalry put on an impressive display. Follow history-rich guide commentary with ease using a headset.
  • Watch the royal performance from select vantage points only known to experts
  • Witness the Queen’s iconic foot soldiers clad in red tunics and bearskin hats
  • Admire the precision and gleaming coats of the household cavalry
  • Listen to history-rich commentary with ease using a personal headset
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From $24.37

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Expert, English-speaking tour guide
Small groups of 15 people or fewer
Headsets when appropriate
Gratuities
Hotel pick-up/drop-off

Departure Point

St. James's, London SW1Y 5AJ, UK

Meeting Point: By the Duke of York Column, Waterloo Place, 9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ. This is the tall column with a statue on top. Arriving by tube: Take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and take exit No. 3 onto Regent Street/St James's. Walk south down Regent Street towards St James's Park (do not walk north towards Oxford Street). Waterloo Place is at the end of Regent Street. You will see the tall column with a statue on top. You can also arrive via Charing Cross Station. Walk down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace, you will see the statue on your right at the top of some steps.

Return Details

Spur Rd, London SW1A 1AA, UK

Outside Buckingham Palace

Your regal tour begins at a central location, where you greet your guide, don a personal headset, and receive a historical overview of the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Many tourists make the mistake of viewing the ceremony outside of Buckingham Palace. However, on this tour, handpicked vantage points ensure you get the best views of the royal tradition while listening to commentary that explains each part of the performance.

Marvel at the shimmering coats of the household cavalry as their riders control the horses with expert precision; capture photographs of the iconic red and black attire of the Queen’s foot soldiers; and, move quickly between vantage points in a small group of only 15 people.

Your tour concludes outside of Buckingham Palace.

Please note: The Changing of the Guard ceremony is subject to changes in date, time, and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather is not announced before 11am. Even when canceled, customers still see a ‘wet change’ during which the guards march but without the usual music and parade.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Changing of the Guard
Your regal tour begins at the Duke of York Column, located in St. James’, where you’ll greet your guide, don a personal headset, and receive a historical overview of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Many tourists make the mistake of viewing the ceremony outside of Buckingham Palace. However on this tour, handpicked vantage points ensure you get the best views of the royal tradition while listening to commentary that explains each part of the performance. Marvel at the shimmering coats of the household cavalry as their riders control the horses with expert precision; capture photographs of the iconic red and black attire of the Queen’s foot soldiers; and, move quickly between vantage points in a small group of only 15 people. Your tour concludes outside of Buckingham Palace. Please note: The Changing of the Guard ceremony is subject to changes in date, time and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather is not announced before 11am. Even when cancelled, customers will still see a ‘wet change’ during which the guards march but without the usual music and parade.
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Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
Pass By:  
Buckingham Palace
Passing by
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  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • The Changing of the Guard ceremony is subject to changes in date, time and cancellation at the discretion of British authorities. Cancellation due to bad weather is not announced before 11am. Even when cancelled, customers will still see a ‘wet change’ during which the guards march but without the usual music and parade.
  • Please note weather is very changeable in London, please ensure you have rainproof clothing
  • Please note that the changing of the guard schedule may change and on different dates we will see either footguards or horseguards
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
  • OPERATED BY City Wonders UK
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Changing of the Guard Small-Group Walking Tour?
A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
See all safety measures taken by Changing of the Guard Small-Group Walking Tour.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Changing of the Guard Small-Group Walking Tour?
A:The policy on social distancing is:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
See all safety measures taken by Changing of the Guard Small-Group Walking Tour.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "Some running and rushing was required but it was definitely worth it." See review
  • "We would highly recommend attending on Sundays since you can see both the horse guards changing, as well as, the foot soldiers." See review
  • "One note, if you have a small child or one who doesn't like adult-sized earbuds, bring a pair of kid headphones; regular headphones will connect to the guide's microphone system." See review

Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
165 Reviews
5 stars
135
4 stars
13
3 stars
5
2 stars
6
1 star
6

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 165 reviews
star-5
A wonderful experience!
Kayla_P
, Nov 2021
Wonderful walking tour with a truly awesome guide. Some days they have foot soldier and horse soldier change over. I suggest asking to make sure you can see both!
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star-5
Perfect morning to start our London experience
Kristin_V
, Nov 2021
David was entertaining, knowledgeable and attentive to our group. Well worth it!! David was willing to help with London tips.
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star-2
Skip it
Bert_P
, Nov 2021
Changing of the guards? The guide convinced us that we didn’t need to actually go over to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards. Given, we saw more events prior to the usual, but the actual changing of the guards we did not see. We watched about a 1/4 mile away as other people watched. Not sure why. I wonder if they prohibit tours there. We left the group and walked over to take pictures up close and personal
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star-5
The whole kit and caboodle
Victor_B
, Nov 2021
Wonderful tour. Richard was extremely knowledgeable about the changing of the guard ritual and English history in general. We enjoyed seeing the different aspects of the ritual vice standing in front of Buckingham Palace and viewing just one aspect of thus complex ceremony. Richard also gave us a great lunch place recommendation at the end of the tour.
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star-5
Great experience
Andrea_M
, Nov 2021
Even though the weather was not great we had an amazing experience as a family. We learnt a lot from a are guide Robert who was very pleasant, humorous and knowledgeable, thanks again
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star-5
Our guide was Robert he...
Lorna_M
, Sep 2021
Our guide was Robert he was brilliant, he was full of information and facts. Robert was like a walking history book. Our group was very small only 7 of us. This tour was well worth the money and learnt a lot of new thing's. Thank you Robert you were brilliant.
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Great Walk and Guide!
Sarah_N
, Sep 2021
Everything promised and beautiful weather as well. Perfectly timed to capture the changing of the guard and then a lovely walk through St. James Park onto Buckingham Palace where we arrived in time to see the guards march out of the Palace with the band playing. Guide was great and was very knowledgeable. I would thoroughly recommend.
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star-4
Great experience
Eric_S
, Sep 2021
The whole experience was very educational and fun just what the family and I wanted Our guide David was well versed and made an effort to make everyone feel part of our group
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Great Experience
Karen_C
, Aug 2021
Great walking tour from start to finish, tour guide was very informative, sorry his name escapes me but he had a spanish name! It was a lovely end to our trip to London and something I have never done before. We had a great view of all of the Changing of the Guard, the horses looked beautiful and the guards looked absolutely pristine in their uniforms. We had a lovely walk through St James's park and saw the pelicans. The squirrels are so friendly too. I would recommend this to people who are unsure of places to watch this experience. I dont think children should be charged for as a lot of the information went over my daughters head and she is 9 years old, but she loved watching the horses.
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star-5
Small group tour
RANDALL_B
, Mar 2020
Our guide was AWESOME!! We git to see the Changing of the guard from multiple locations and learned a lot that we would have missed in our own!! This small tour group is highly recommended and if we return to London we will do it again!!
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