London & Buckingham Palace

"Gavin was charming, energetic, engaging and so great with our entire group - kids, adults, and grandparents. He was patient with our large group and kept us all entertained at every moment - he sang! he danced! he had us in exactly the right spot at the right time in the front of the crowd to see the Changing of the Guard! I would definitely use Gavin again and recommend him highly."

TripAdvisor: Review of Changing of the Guard

Changing of the Guard Private Tour

By the Mall

Military Band

The Calvary

By the Mall

1/6

I will make sure to make this the most exciting way to see the ceremony!

The Changing of the Guard private tour will ensure you are in the best position possible to see the extraordinary ceremony, whilst avoiding the crowds at the gates of Buckingham Palace.

Rather than standing still for hours, you will see various stages of the ceremony, including the inspection, Old Guard, New Guard, Palaces, and, if you have the energy, even march alongside the Guards and Ceremonial Bands!

So, if you are looking for a fun, fast and furious tour, this is the private tour for you.

Duration: Half day tour

Availability: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays

Key Attractions of the Changing of the Guard:

The King's Guards: The King’s Guard comprises five military regiments. If there’s a female monarch, they’re called the Queen’s Guard. They are the Coldstream Guards, the Grenadier Guards, the Irish Guards, the Scots Guards and Welsh Guards.
Military Music: During the procession, these military regiments also form a band which plays music. Though you can expect to hear some rousing classics, more modern tunes are also played.
The Mall: This is a grand ceremonial road, famous for its red surface, stretching from Buckingham Palace to Admiralty Arch near Trafalgar Square, used for royal processions, national celebrations, and parades like the Trooping the Colour.
Horse Guards Parade: The King's Life Guard, mounted on horses, guards the official entrance to Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace at the Horse Guards building in Whitehall, with daily mounted sentries and a well-known changing ceremony on Horse Guards Parade.
Buckingham Palace: This palace has served as the official London residence of the UK’s sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch.

Highlights of the Changing of the Guard private tour:

Witness a ceremony whose history and splendour is beyond compare.
Stand within 6 feet of the Guards.
March alongside the Band!
Walk along the Mall, the ceremonial route for royal weddings, birthdays, funerals and state visits.
See Buckingham Palace and hear all about the British Royal Family.
See the old palace of King Henry VIII, St James's Palace.
Walk through the Lovely Royal Parks and take great photos of the park and the Palaces around.
See the Household Calvary on their horses Horse Guards Parade.

Why not combine this tour with Westminster Abbey or The Churchill War Rooms or alternatively, head over to The Tower of London to hear more about King Henry VIII, his wives and the "Bloody" history of the Tower!

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