Tours/London/Private Changing of the Guard Experience
Private Changing of the Guard Experience
5.0(23)London2h 30min
VIATOR5.0(7)TRIPADVISOR5.0(16)
+4 photos
At a glance
Duration
2h 30min
Price from
$366 / person
Location
London, United Kingdom
Rating
5.0 / 5 · 23 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
The Great Weekender
Meeting point
I will meet your group outside the Dian fountain.
Description
There are few sights more quintessentially British than the Changing of the Guard—a centuries-old ceremony where stoic red tunics, glittering brass, and the rhythmic beat of military drums transform the forecourt of Buckingham Palace into a living piece of history. On this expertly guided tour, you won’t just watch the ceremony… you’ll understand it.
Your experience begins in the elegant streets surrounding St James’s Palace, the oldest royal residence still in use in London. As the Household Division prepares to march, your guide brings to life the origins of this ritual, dating back to the 17th century when King Charles II reinstated the monarchy and formalized the guard’s responsibilities. Every step, salute, and call carries centuries of military discipline—and you’ll have front-row insight into the symbolism behind it.
From there, follow your guide through The Mall, the stunning royal boulevard , toward Buckingham Palace itself before heading to Westminster!
Schedule & prices
Runs
Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sun
Start times
9:30 AM and 10:00 AM
Next available
Fri, Oct 23
Group price
$366 per group of up to 15
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 22.
Tour Options
Private Changing of the Guard Experience
Pickup included
Itinerary
Changing of the Guard
60 min
Experience the Changing of the Guard as you watch this spectacular sight, where your guide gets you up-close to the action.
You will hear the story behind the changing of the guards, the traditions and the palaces in the district. You will hear about the King's Guard and their iconic scarlet uniforms including their distinctive bearskin hats.
You will get to see the best of this military procedure which in total lasts over 1 hour. You will have plenty of time to ask your guide questions as you hear about Kings and Queens, admire the statues and see the palaces and monuments.
You will see every part of the changing of the guard and its process, hearing the most intriguing tale of the Royal family.
What's included
Included
Guide is licensed or certified
Not included
Lunch will need to be bought for the guide.
You may be required to use a bus and therefore buy Oyster Card tickets beforehand.
Pickup Locations & Times
I will factor in pickup times into the tour.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
23 reviews
5
23
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in London
Rated higher than 81% of 1,350 reviewed tours in London
Excurgo comparison of 4,775 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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 Private Changing of the Guard Experience take?
Private Changing of the Guard Experience lasts about 2h 30min. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Private Changing of the Guard Experience cost?
Prices start at $366 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 Private Changing of the Guard Experience run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, starting at 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM.
Can I cancel Private Changing of the Guard Experience for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. I will factor in pickup times into the tour. Pickup points include Hotel Indigo London - 1 Leicester Square by IHG.
What languages is Private Changing of the Guard Experience offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Private Changing of the Guard Experience worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 23 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by The Great Weekender.
Reviews(23)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
melissamP1318PP
October 7, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Forever Memories!
Carolina was an absolutely amazing guide.
She got us to all of the best viewing spots, was highly informative and engaging, and made the tour not just informational but a lot of fun!
We were within touching distance of the Guard, and it was an experience. we will never forget.
If you are considering booking, just do it and ask for Carolina!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience on our Private Changing of the Guard Tour with Carolina.
Getting those incredible close-up views of the Guards really does make the experience extra special, and it's wonderful to hear that Carolina's knowledge, enthusiasm and personality made the tour both informative and fun!
We'll definitely pass your lovely comments on to Carolina - she'll be thrilled to know she helped create memories that will last a lifetime!
Thank you again for choosing The Great Weekender and for your enthusiastic recommendation. We hope to welcome you back for another London adventure soon!
Wesley
The Great Weekender
N
nancysmith1315
August 31, 2026 · via Viator
Awesome
We had an awesome time. Wesley was great at getting an uncrowded view. Also advised us on nearby lunch spot and how to quickly get to our next destination. Thank you.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your lovely review! I'm really glad you had such a great time and that I was able to find you a good spot away from the crowds to enjoy the Changing of the Guard.
It was a pleasure showing you around, and I'm happy the lunch recommendation and directions to your next destination helped make the rest of your day a little easier too.
Thanks again for joining me, and I hope you had a fantastic rest of your time in London!
Wesley
The Great Weekender
Y
Y48VQnancys
August 31, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Whole family was happy
Wesley did a fantastic job getting us to see the parade and changing of the guard with the best views away from the crowds. He was super knowledgeable and we just enjoyed every bit. He gave us advise on a lunch spot and how to get to our next destination. Thank you, Wesley!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic time experiencing the Changing of the Guard with me, it was such a pleasure meeting you!
Thank you for choosing The Great Weekender, and we'll hope to see you on another adventure soon!
Wesley
C
Clifton_S
July 2, 2026 · via Viator
The tour is well...
The tour is well worthwhile. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and took us to great locations for viewing the ceremony. Just be prepared for a fair amount of walking through crowds
Operator response
Thank you so much for your great review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed our Private Changing of the Guard tour. It's wonderful to know your guide's knowledge and carefully chosen viewing spots helped make the expe
rience so worthwhile. The ceremony does involve navigating busy streets and a fair amount of walking, so we appreciate you mentioning this for future guests. Thank you again for your kind words, and we hope to welcome you back on another The Great Weekender tour soon!
B
B4791AHsharonp
June 8, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great ecoerience
Our tour guide Wesley was amazing. Took us to all the right spots to see the changing of the guards. Highly recommend!
Operator response
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Changing of the Guard tour and that I helped you find the best viewing spots to make the most of this iconic London experience.
We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation. It was a pleasure having you on the tour, and we hope to welcome you back for another memorable London adventure soon!
A
Alexa_T
March 9, 2026 · via Viator
Our guide was very...
Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. I learned a great deal from her. She made it very comfortable to ask questions and she had an answer for every question we asked. She was wonderful with the two young children in our party, as well.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re delighted to hear you had such a positive experience with Carolina. She truly has a gift for making tours both informative and welcoming, so it’s wonderful to know you felt comfortable asking questions and got so much out of the experience.
It’s especially lovely to hear how well she connected with the younger members of your group too - that’s something we really value in creating enjoyable experiences for everyone.
We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to Carolina—she’ll be thrilled!
Thanks again, and we hope to see you on another tour soon.
Best wishes,
The Great Weekender Team
E
Erika_P
December 30, 2025 · via Viator
Matt was great for private changing of guards
Matt was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He was patient with children's questions and did a great job making the explanations relevant to them!
Operator response
Thank you for such a thoughtful review! I’m so glad to hear the kids felt engaged and comfortable asking questions—that’s always our goal. We hope to see your family again on another tour!
I
I1555ARalland
November 24, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Best tour ever!!!
Wesley was amazing! He showed us all around London that most people do not think to see. We had great spots watching the changing of the guards and walked with them to the palace. He told us great stories along the way. We learned so much in a short period of time. We enjoyed his company so much that we scheduled for a few days later to take us to Stonehenge, Salisbury and Southampton. Couldn’t have asked for a better guide! I highly recommend this tour 100%!!! Thank you Wesley for making our first trip to the UK amazing! Until next time…
Operator response
Thank you so much for this incredibly kind and generous review! I’m thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed seeing parts of London that often get overlooked, and that the Changing of the Guard experience and stories along the way made it so memorable. It was truly a pleasure spending time with you, and I’m especially grateful you chose to join me again for Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Southampton. Thank you for the enthusiastic recommendation—I’m so glad I could help make your first trip to the UK such a special one. Until next time!
B
BhaskarB244
August 3, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Super
Excellent! Adrian was amazing! Very informative and friendly. Highly recommended. Very knowledgeable and great knowledge of history.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour and found Adrian so knowledgeable and friendly. Your recommendation means a lot!
L
Lyndsay_M
July 29, 2025 · via Viator
Would recommend.
Great experience traveling with multigenerational group (65,66,42,42,6). Even though the changing of the guards was last minute cancelled because of the ladies football win (this can happen) the tour guide was still great and accommodated our group with a great tour despite the cancellation.
Operator response
Thank you for your kind review! I’m glad to hear that, despite the last-minute change, your multigenerational group still had a great experience. It was a pleasure guiding you all, and I’m happy we could make the tour enjoyable for everyone.
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