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- English
- English
Experience the best of British tradition with this exceptional tour, featuring a guided visit to the Changing of the Guard ceremony followed by a self-guided exploration of Buckingham Palace.
Start your day with one of London’s most iconic events—the Changing of the Guard. Watch as the Old Guard ceremoniously hands over duty to the New Guard in a display of precision and pageantry. Dressed in red uniforms and tall bearskin hats, the Guards march in time to music, creating a memorable spectacle. Your guide will help you secure the best vantage points and explain the significance of each part of the ceremony.
Afterward, immerse yourself in the opulence of Buckingham Palace with a self-guided tour of the State Rooms. Explore the official home of the British monarch, marveling at royal gifts, spectacular furnishings, and priceless artworks. Don’t miss the 16-hectare Palace Gardens, once the site of Her Majesty’s famous tea parties.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet our guide by the Equestrian statue of Edward VII, Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 5ER. Arriving by tube: Take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and take exit No. 3 onto Regent Street/St. James's. Walk south down Regent Street towards St. James's Park. Waterloo Place is at the end of Regent Street.
The tour will end inside Buckingham Palace where you will have an audio-guide provided for your visit.
Itinerary
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1Changing of the Guard
Join us as we serve a slice of world-famous ceremonial action with this small-group Changing of the Guards experience.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2St. James's Palace
Built on the site of an old leper hospital, did you know that St James’s is the oldest royal palace in the whole of the UK? Take in this beauty, still the official royal residence today. Visiting outside
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
3Clarence House
Clarence House serves as the London residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
4Buckingham Palace
No guides are allowed to talk within the walls of the palace but fear not, after setting the scene for this unforgettable visit with anecdotes and stories of their own, your expert guide will see you off into the palace for a self-guided audio tour to be enjoyed at your own pace. Take up this invitation to get a rare glimpse into life at this nationally cherished palace as you tour the opulent State Rooms and marvel at gifts from Heads of State, spectacular furnishings and artworks, all brought to life by the official Palace Audio Tour. Don’t forget to stop by the 16-hectare Palace Gardens. With the palace being open to the public for just two months a year in August & September, tickets are always in high demand for this unforgettable experience Self-guided audio tour.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We tend to move pretty fast to keep up with the guards, so please wear comfortable shoes and always carry water.
- We will not stand at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as, due to crowds, you see very little and the experience would be ten times less fun. We want to get you as close as possible with the opportunity to take some amazing snapshots.
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Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We tend to move pretty fast to keep up with the guards, so please wear comfortable shoes and always carry water.
- We will not stand at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as, due to crowds, you see very little and the experience would be ten times less fun. We want to get you as close as possible with the opportunity to take some amazing snapshots.
- It is at the discretion of the British Army to change or cancel the Ceremony. The announcement will not be made until after 10.30am so come rain or shine, the Urban Saunters Changing of the Guard experience will go ahead. If the full ceremony is cancelled, there will still be the chance to see the guards marching, just without the music.
- No videoing of the guide unless they have given permission
- Ceremony can be altered at the discretion of the British Army, or occasionally due to rain
- There are no toilet or refreshment breaks on this tour
- Tour operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Sundays – From April 2025, the Army is trying out a slightly different version of the usual ceremony on Sundays. It still involves the same number of guard movements and the same locations, but it’s now being called a “Parade” instead of a “Change.” There’s no word yet on how long this trial will last
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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