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London Changing of the Guard Walking Tour 2 hr

TourTruth score 8.9 out of 10

Very goodTop 4% in London

284 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • London, United Kingdom
  • 2 hrs
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Watch London’s Changing of the Guard up close, then explore royal landmarks on a guided small-group walk through St James’s.

About this tour

See royal London come to life on a small-group walk timed around the Changing of the Guard. This 120-minute London Changing of the Guard walking tour brings you close to the ceremony’s key moments, with views of the Old Guard, New Guard, Household Cavalry, and ceremonial band.

Along the route, discover the royal stories behind Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, Clarence House, The Mall, and St James’s Park. Your professional guide leads the walk and helps you find viewing spots for the ceremony. The experience ends with the chance to take a photo with the Royal Horseguards, subject to guard availability. The route covers approximately 3 miles, and the tour does not go to Buckingham Palace’s front gates; most of the ceremony happens elsewhere. In bad weather, the British Army may hold a shortened Wet Change without music.

For a close-up look at a celebrated London tradition paired with a walk through royal landmarks, join this London Changing of the Guard walking tour.

Highlights

  • Watch the Changing of the Guard from close-up viewing spots
  • Admire the Old Guard, New Guard, Household Cavalry, and ceremonial band
  • Explore royal landmarks including St James’s Palace and Clarence House
  • Walk along The Mall and through St James’s Park
  • Pose for a photo with the Royal Horseguards, subject to availability

What's included

Included

  • Small-group guided walking tour of the Changing of the Guard ceremony
  • Professional tour guide
  • Photo with the Royal Horseguards, subject to guard availability
  • The Mall
  • Clarence House
  • St James’s Park
  • St James’s Palace
  • Buckingham Palace

Not included

  • Entrance tickets to sights, landmarks, or attractions
  • Access to the front gates of Buckingham Palace
  • Gratuities

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Meet in front of The Old Star pub, 66 Broadway, London, SW1H 0DB, opposite St James’s Park Station’s Broadway exit; look for a guide with a yellow umbrella
  • The tour covers approximately 3 miles of walking
  • Not suitable for guests with walking or mobility difficulties, wheelchairs, or strollers
  • Service animals are allowed
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  • Public transportation is available nearby
  • In rain or bad weather, the British Army may hold a shortened Wet Change without music; the decision is made at approximately 10:30 a.m. on the day
  • The tour does not visit Buckingham Palace’s front gates; most of the ceremony takes place elsewhere

Frequently asked questions

Where does the tour start?

Meet your guide with a yellow umbrella in front of The Old Star pub at 66 Broadway, opposite St James’s Park Station’s Broadway exit.

How much walking is involved?

The tour covers approximately 3 miles on foot.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchairs or strollers?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, or guests with walking or mobility difficulties.

Will the ceremony always include music?

Not necessarily. In rain or bad weather, the British Army may hold a shortened Wet Change without music, with the decision made at approximately 10:30 a.m. on the day.

Does the tour go to Buckingham Palace’s front gates?

No. Most of the ceremony takes place away from the front gates, which the tour does not visit.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.95 from 284 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in London
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 8.9. Top 4% in London means it ranks in the top 4% of tours in London by this score.

Provider rating distribution in London

How many tours in London have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • Viator

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