The Changing of the Guard is one of the most famous free things to do in London, which also means it’s one of the most crowded. With a bit of planning you can skip the worst of the crush and actually see the soldiers, rather than the back of somebody’s phone.

What actually happens?

The King’s Guard protects the royal palaces. Every few days the guard on duty (the Old Guard) is relieved by a fresh one (the New Guard). The handover happens in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, with soldiers marching in from St James’s Palace and Wellington Barracks, usually accompanied by a military band. The ceremony at the palace lasts about 45 minutes.

Royal guards band marching in red tunics

When does it happen?

  • At Buckingham Palace the guard usually changes at around 11 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with Sunday parades too. The schedule changes through the year.
  • Soldiers start forming up from about 10 AM, so the action begins well before 11.
  • It can be cancelled or changed at short notice, especially in heavy rain. The decision is sometimes only made on the morning itself.
  • Always check the official Household Division calendar before you go.

Where to stand

  • The Victoria Memorial steps give a raised view of the forecourt, but fill up early.
  • The palace railings are the classic front-row spot, but you’ll need to arrive very early and you won’t see the marching route.
  • The Mall and Marlborough Road are great for close-up photos of the guards and band marching past, and they’re usually less of a crush.
  • Birdcage Walk, near Wellington Barracks, is good for watching the New Guard set off.

Local tip: you don’t need to see the handover itself to enjoy the day. Watching the soldiers form up at St James’s Palace and march down the Mall is often more fun than standing at the palace gates.

Horse Guards building and parade ground in Westminster

Make a morning of it

  • Horse Guards Parade: the King’s Life Guard (the ones on horseback) also changes over at Horse Guards on Whitehall, usually late morning.
  • St James’s Park: one of London’s prettiest parks, with pelicans and a lovely view of the palace from the bridge.
  • Trafalgar Square and Admiralty Arch: just at the other end of the Mall.
  • Westminster: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament are a 15-minute walk away.

See it with a guide (and the gossip)

Our Cheeky Changing of the Guard tour gets you to a spot that’s perfect for pictures, and fills the waiting time with the stories of the seedy kings and bloody queens behind it all. Along the way we pass Trafalgar Square, Admiralty Arch, the Mall, St James’s Palace, Clarence House and Wellington Barracks. If it rains, we run the tour reGUARDless.

Want the best view and the best stories? Book the Cheeky Changing of the Guard tour.