Changing of the Guard Walking Tour
+5 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $20 / person
- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 903 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 20
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Urban Saunters
- Meeting point
- Meet our guide by the Equestrian statue of Edward VII, Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 5ER. 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. Waterloo Place is at the end of Regent Street.
Description
England is known for fish and chips, four seasons in a day, warm ale, history in spades and of course, a deeply ingrained age-old love for pomp and ceremony. Join us as we serve a slice of world-famous ceremonial action with this small-group Changing of the Guards experience. There is so much more to this extravagant shift change than meets the eye though- with your expert guide to lead the way, you’ll soon know your Welsh from your Grenadier guard, understand what the deal is with those fuzzy bearskin hats, hear the astounding origins of this dazzling spectacle and truly get a handle on the significance of every colour, button, mascot, symbol and movement in this most British of traditions. From the best possible viewing point, your small group will join the guards on their journey towards Buckingham Palace as you march to the beat of their drums... but what will the music be today?
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sun
- Start times
- 9:00 AM and 9:45 AM
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 14
- Adult (ages 18+)
- $20
- Child (ages 4–17)
- $20
- Infant (ages 0–3)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your experience begins at the Equestrian statue of Edward VII on Waterloo Place, where you’ll meet your expert guide before heading to enjoy the world-famous Changing of the Guard ceremony.
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial
Visit the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorials and hear the story of the royal couple who inspired the nation during World War II.
St. James's Palace
Built on the site of an old leper hospital, did you know that St James’s is the oldest royal palace in the whole of the UK? Take in this beauty, still the official royal residence today. Visiting outside
Clarence House
Stop by Clarence House, the official London residence of King Charles III, and hear stories of royal life behind its historic walls
Changing of the Guard
Join us as we serve a slice of world-famous ceremonial action with this small-group Changing of the Guards experience.
Buckingham Palace
The most famous of King Charles III's palaces and housing a whopping 775 rooms, the stories attached to this icon have to be heard to be believed. Visiting outside
Wellington Barracks
End your tour at Wellington Barracks, where the guards conclude the Changing of the Guard and return to their quarters.
What's included
Included
Guided Changing of the Guard experience
English Speaking local expert guide
Not included
Gratuities
Food & drink
Hotel pick-up & drop-off
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
903 reviews
How it compares in London
- Rated higher than 70% of 1,341 reviewed tours in London
- Starting price $20 is 70% below the typical $67 for tours of similar length in London
Excurgo comparison of 4,767 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We tend to move pretty fast to keep up with the guards, so please wear comfortable shoes and always carry water.
- We will not stand at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as, due to crowds, you see very little and the experience would be ten times less fun. We want to get you as close as possible with the opportunity to take some amazing snapshots.
- It is at the discretion of the British Army to change or cancel the Ceremony. The announcement will not be made until after 10.30am so come rain or shine, the Urban Saunters Changing of the Guard experience will go ahead. If the full ceremony is cancelled, there will still be the chance to see the guards marching, just without the music.
- No videoing of the guide unless they have given permission
- Ceremony can be altered at the discretion of the British Army, or occasionally due to rain
- There are no toilet or refreshment breaks on this tour
- Tour operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Sundays – From April 2025, the Army is trying out a slightly different version of the usual ceremony on Sundays. It still involves the same number of guard movements and the same locations, but it’s now being called a “Parade” instead of a “Change.” There’s no word yet on how long this trial will last
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Changing of the Guard Walking Tour take?
Changing of the Guard Walking Tour lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 7 stops.
How much does Changing of the Guard Walking Tour cost?
Prices start at $20 per person for this London experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Changing of the Guard Walking Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, starting at 9:00 AM and 9:45 AM.
How much does Changing of the Guard Walking Tour cost for children?
Children aged 4–17 pay from $20, adults from $20. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Changing of the Guard Walking Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Meet our guide by the Equestrian statue of Edward VII, Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 5ER. 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. Waterloo Place is at the end of Regent Street. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Changing of the Guard Walking Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 20 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Changing of the Guard Walking Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 903 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Urban Saunters.
Reviews(903)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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from$20
5.0(903) Free cancellation