London: Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

The best part of the Changing of the Guard is not only the final view of Buckingham Palace. It is following the ceremony as it moves through central London, seeing the guards and band at several points instead of waiting at the palace gates for one crowded glimpse. This two-hour walk starts at Piccadilly Circus and ends near the Mall.

I like two things in particular: a guide helps you find useful viewing spots as the crowds shift, and the walk puts the ceremony in context with stories about royal life and military history. You may even march alongside the guards for a few minutes. The trade-off is real: this is an active walking tour, the streets can be crowded, and you will not see the ceremony inside Buckingham Palace’s courtyard.

What makes this tour worth considering

• You follow the ceremony instead of holding one spot. The route links several stages, with the guide moving the group to watch the guards and band from different places.
• The Mall becomes part of the show. You walk along the ceremonial route toward Buckingham Palace and may march beside the guards for about four minutes.
• The guide adds the story behind the uniforms. Expect commentary on the buildings, monarchy, military traditions and the ceremony itself.
• Good views depend on timing and positioning. Guides such as Paul, Angie, Alex G and Emily have been praised for directing groups to useful vantage points, but the exact route can shift.
• This is not a palace-courtyard tour. The crowd makes that section impossible to see on this walk.
• Come ready to keep moving. Comfortable shoes are essential, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with walking difficulties.

Starting at Piccadilly Circus

Meet outside the Criterion Theatre, beside the Statue of Eros at Piccadilly Circus. It is a lively, central meeting point, so give yourself time to find the group. The tour starts promptly, and late arrivals may not receive a refund.

From here, the walk heads toward the ceremonial route. Piccadilly Circus is a fitting contrast to the formal business ahead: traffic, theatre signs and busy pavements give way to palaces, military buildings and the measured pace of the guards.

The tour is listed as two hours, with 105 minutes allocated to the guided walk. That leaves room for the group to move between viewing points and follow the ceremony as it develops. The activity is conducted in English only.

Following the guards along the Mall

The Mall is the spine of this experience. Rather than treating the guard change as a single moment at the palace, the guide leads you along the route and helps you catch different parts of the procession. You might see the inspection, the Old Guard and the New Guard as they move through the area.

The exact order and position of the group can vary with the day’s ceremony and the movement of the crowds. That flexibility matters. A fixed spot may offer a clear view for a while, but it cannot follow the action. Here, your guide can respond to what is happening and move the group when it makes sense.

One of the tour’s most distinctive moments is marching alongside the guards for about four minutes. You are not simply watching a formal parade pass by; you move with it at the guards’ pace. That is memorable, but it also explains why the tour requires good mobility. You need to walk steadily and keep up.

The band is another draw. You may hear it as it accompanies the guards, and the sound gives the procession a presence that photographs cannot capture. The movement, music and close-up view make this more than a photo stop.

St James’s Palace, Wellington Barracks and Clarence House

The route passes several royal and military landmarks, including St James’s Palace, Wellington Barracks and Clarence House. Each gives the guide a chance to explain more than the mechanics of changing the guard. The buildings help place the ceremony within London’s working royal and military district.

The appeal is not a long indoor visit or a detailed architectural tour. You see these places from the street as part of the walk, with the guide’s stories connecting them to the monarchy, the guards and the route. If you enjoy history in short, lively pieces, that format suits the moving pace.

The ceremonial route also creates useful photo opportunities. You can photograph the guards, palaces and parade from more than one position, rather than relying on a view through a mass of people at the Buckingham Palace gates. Still, no guide can promise an unobstructed view at every stop. The area draws large crowds, and you should expect other people to be watching too.

Buckingham Palace without the courtyard

Buckingham Palace is the natural focus of the walk, and the tour finishes at 1 The Mall, close to the palace area. You get views of the palace and the guards as the ceremony unfolds around it, but not the section inside the palace courtyard.

That limitation is worth understanding before you book. The courtyard is not part of this tour because the crowds make it impossible to include. Seeing that section independently would require arriving at the gates at least two hours before the ceremony is due to start. This tour takes a different approach: it trades the courtyard for a moving route and several viewpoints.

For many people, that is a sensible exchange. You spend less time standing still and gain a better sense of the procession as it travels between locations. If your main goal is to watch the courtyard ceremony itself, this is not the right option.

The guide makes the difference

The guide is central to the experience. The ceremony has a set of movements and traditions that can be hard to follow if you arrive without context. A good guide tells you what is about to happen, points out where to stand and gives you a reason to look beyond the uniforms.

Guides named by participants include Paul, Angie, Alex G, Emily, Rachel, Jamie and others. Their styles differ, but the praise tends to focus on lively commentary, clear explanations, humor and sound judgment about where to position the group. Paul is noted for adding details about sites along the route; Angie for finding close viewing points; and Alex G for handling changes in the route with ease.

These are examples, not a promise that you can choose a particular guide. The practical lesson is to value the guide’s local timing and crowd sense. During a ceremony that moves and attracts large numbers, knowing where to go next can be as useful as knowing the history.

The commentary also makes the walk work for people who have seen the guard change before. One visitor who had already watched from the palace gates found the guided version more interesting because it revealed other parts of the ceremony. If this is your first time, the guide can help you make sense of what you are seeing rather than simply taking pictures of red uniforms and bearskin hats.

Crowds, pace and practical comfort

Crowds are part of the scene, not a problem this tour can erase. You may still find the streets busy and viewing points shared. The advantage is that the guide knows several places to stop and can move the group as the action shifts. Keep expectations realistic: the aim is better positioning, not a private view.

Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking between locations, standing to watch, and marching at the guards’ pace for about four minutes. There is at least one set of steps, so this tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with walking difficulties.

Leave luggage and large bags behind, and do not bring pets. Guide dogs are allowed. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to bring what you need before the tour, while keeping in mind that the group will be moving through crowded streets.

The activity is offered for $26 per person. For that price, you are paying for two hours of guided walking, context about the ceremony and help finding viewing spots along the route. If you would otherwise stand at the palace gates for a long time and see only one part of the change, the added route and interpretation can make the fee worthwhile. If you want only a quick look at the palace from outside, you may prefer to visit independently.

Who should book this walk?

This tour suits visitors who want to understand the ceremony as a process, not just catch a single photograph. It is especially useful if you are new to London, interested in royal and military traditions, or unsure how to navigate the crowds around the route. Families with children who can manage the walking may also appreciate the guide’s stories and changing viewpoints.

It is less suitable if you have limited mobility, dislike crowds, need a slow pace or specifically want to see the courtyard section. The tour does not include food or drinks, and you should arrive on time with comfortable shoes and no large bags.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Check the available starting times when planning, since the tour begins promptly.

Should you book?

Book this walk if you want the Changing of the Guard to feel like a moving London event rather than a long wait at one set of gates. The strongest reasons are the guide’s ability to direct you between viewpoints, the chance to walk alongside the guards and band, and the extra context about the palaces and military tradition.

Skip it if the palace courtyard is your must-see, or if the pace and steps are a poor fit. At $26, it offers good value for an active, guided look at several parts of the ceremony, provided you are comfortable walking with the crowd.

FAQ

How long is the Changing of the Guard walking tour?

The tour lasts two hours. The guided portion is listed as 105 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet outside the Criterion Theatre, next to the Statue of Eros at Piccadilly Circus.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at 1 The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English only.

Does the tour go inside Buckingham Palace’s courtyard?

No. The courtyard section is not included because of the crowds. Seeing it independently would require arriving at the gates at least two hours before the ceremony is due to start.

Will I walk alongside the guards?

The tour includes marching alongside the guards for approximately four minutes, at their pace.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with walking difficulties, and the route includes at least one set of steps.

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

Bring comfortable shoes. Pets and luggage or large bags are not allowed, though guide dogs are permitted.

Can I cancel the tour?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.