Changing of the Guard: Best Views Tour

Experience the classic British tradition of the Changing of the Guard with our fully-guided walking tour. Get the best views and capture amazing photographs as our expert guide navigates the crowds for you.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 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…
What's Included
  • Small group of 20 people or less
  • Expert, English-speaking tour guide
  • Best vantage points and insights with your guide
  • Headsets when appropriate
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Entrance to Buckingham Palace
Additional Information

Experience a lively display of British tradition with our comprehensive Changing of the Guard walking tour, guaranteed to offer the most stunning perspectives of this exceptional ceremony. Don’t fall into the common tourist trap of believing the best viewpoint is right outside Buckingham Palace.
Those who do often swiftly end up disappointed when they…

Location
Duke of York Monument
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.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(745 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Debinaz
May 18, 2025
Saw the King! - Ian was full of great Royalty tales..He had us wait at a specific place because he said King Charles would probably be leaving there in a car....And viola, the King did leave in a car the time Ian thought...We got to see the King! We also got close views of the leaving guards. Do not take this tour if you expect to see the CHANGING ceremony..and unless you stand at the front gate for 1.5 hours, you will never see that ceremony....so many people! I would advise you to do both.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_g
May 16, 2025
Great guide, fun experience - Our City Wonders guide was Natalie and she was terrific! She was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and just plain fun. We even saw King Charles! She made sure we were in the best spots to see the action.
Review provided by Viator
John_b
May 15, 2025
Ian knows where to view Changing of the Guard - Ian gave us great directions to view the different areas related to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. He put us in a position to view King Charles leaving Clarence House.
Review provided by Viator
Sailsd
May 15, 2025
Great guide and experience - Our group was so lucky to have Natalie as our guide. She was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and able to get us the best viewing areas on the streets. We even saw King Charles coming out of St. James Palace! I'd highly recommend any tour with her.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle_d
May 10, 2025
Our tour guide Flora was... - Our tour guide Flora was excellent. She was very knowledgeable about the history of Britain. She took us to see some great sights on the tour. I am not sure why we didn’t actually see the Changing of the Guards.
Review provided by Viator
Ann_b
May 8, 2025
Walking tour of Changing of the Guard - Wonderful, Robert was our guide, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and found us great places to stand to get the best views. Thoroughly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Kirsty_t
May 17, 2025
London changing of the Guards - Totally amazing, the guide was very informative and got us to all the greats spots. We even got to see Camilla and King Charles
Review provided by Viator
Cherie_j
May 18, 2025
You can do this for free - We don’t even join the group . It was a longer walk away from Buckingham Palace , just to turn around and walk back . We just literally stood at the fountain and watched the event (free) . We were also able to see King Charles drive by into the palace (free) .
Review provided by Viator
Scott_s
May 12, 2025
There was no changing of the guard as specified when I ordered the tour - There was no changing of the guard you should make it clear whether or not there will be changing other guards on the day that people order this experience. We were very disappointed that there was some little band playing instead of watching the changing of the guard.
Review provided by Viator
Gerald_g
May 10, 2025
Never Even Saw Them - We NEVER even saw the changing of the guard - We finally got to stand on a hill the other side of Queen Victoria's statute as the guards walked away, but we needed a telescope to make them out. Our guide Flora spent lots of time looking at and telling us about St. James' palace and we did see the King's car drive by slow enough for us to make out who he was. But the changing of the guards for a no show. Quite disappointing!
Review provided by Viator
From $19
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).