Changing of the Guard
- Address:London
- Hours:Ceremony held at 11:30am (daily May - July, on alternate days rest of year)
- Admission:Free
4:10 AM Sunday, May 27
Clear. Cool.
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The Changing of the Guard is one of London's most famous spectacles. It is the official shift change of the Guards of the Household Regiment, who protect Buckingham Palace and the Queen.
There is a lot of history here: the Household Guard was established to protect the Monarchy around 1500. These days the Guards band plays during the duty handover and the soldiers wear their official uniform of red tunic and high bearskin hat; some are mounted on horseback. When the Queen is in residence at the palace there are four guards at the front gate, when she is away there are only two.
Latest Reviews All Changing of the Guard Reviews »
This was a wonderful tour. It visited all the sites in London that we have heard so much about and are so magnificent. We saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace. Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament were so impressive and the Tower of London just as impressive and crown jewels are a must see thing, out of this world. The ride on the Eye topped this tour off. The sites from the Eye are breathtaking.
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The tour was fantastic from start to finish, the bus driver and tour guide were fantastic very knowledgeable and humorous with it. Got to see the changing of the guard which was fantastic, had a really great view and we got some great photographs. Would really recommend this tour if you don't have much time to spend in London and want to see everything. Thanks so much.
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Great way to see a lot of sites in a short period of time. Even when we weren't able to see the changing of the guard because of the weather, the tour guide rolled with the punches and pulled out an alternative that we throughly enjoyed. Highly recommend this tour.
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This is a very popular part of any visit to London so if you want a good
view, get there early and take up position right next to the fence
rails. The guards hand over the duty shift in the palace forecourt
inside the gates so if you are too far back in the crowd, you won't see
anything. The Horse Guards ride up from their barracks at the other end
of The Mall and if you can't get a place at the Buckingham Palace Gate,
you can always wait for the Horse Guards to pass St James's Palace and
follow them from there.
The nearest tube stations are St James Park, Green Park and Victoria.
