
Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 159 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group worth booking?
Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from £15 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 159 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (159)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- £15 per person
Experience the Changing of the Guard from the best vantage points on this guided walking tour in London. Avoid the common mistake of waiting outside Buckingham Palace, where crowds often block the view. Instead, follow your expert guide through the entire ceremony, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of this historic tradition. Learn fascinating insights as the King’s foot guards, dressed in their iconic red tunics and bearskin hats, march with precision to Buckingham Palace. Beyond the ceremony, explore London’s royal landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace, Clarence House, Whitehall, and Westminster Abbey. Witness the Horse Guard Parade, stroll through Green Park, and uncover hidden stories of St. James’s Palace, once home to King Henry VIII. End your journey in Parliament Square, near Westminster Underground Station, conveniently located across from Big Ben, after an unforgettable dive into British history and pageantry.
What you get
About this experience
Experience the Changing of the Guard from the best vantage points on this guided walking tour in London. Avoid the common mistake of waiting outside Buckingham Palace, where crowds often block the view. Instead, follow your expert guide through the entire ceremony, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of this historic tradition. Learn fascinating insights as the King’s foot guards, dressed in their iconic red tunics and bearskin hats, march with precision to Buckingham Palace. Beyond the ceremony, explore London’s royal landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace, Clarence House, Whitehall, and Westminster Abbey. Witness the Horse Guard Parade, stroll through Green Park, and uncover hidden stories of St. James’s Palace, once home to King Henry VIII. End your journey in Parliament Square, near Westminster Underground Station, conveniently located across from Big Ben, after an unforgettable dive into British history and pageantry.
What's included
Included
- Changing of the Guards (occurs only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and subject to change)
- See Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and other London landmarks
- 2 hours guided walking tour with expert guide
Not included
- Gratuities
- No food or drinks included
- Entry to Buckingham Palace is not included in the tour.
What you'll see and do
Green Park
Admire and learn about the history of the place.
10 minutes here
St. James's Palace
Observe the historical changing of the guards ceremony and learn about the history of the place.
30 minutes here
Buckingham Palace
Observe the ending of the changing of the guards ceremony and learn about the history of the place.
20 minutes here
Clarence House
Admire and learn about the history of the place.
15 minutes here
St. James's Park
Admire and learn about the history of the place.
15 minutes here
Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall
Admire and learn about the history of the place.
15 minutes here
Big Ben
Admire and learn about the history of the place.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
The meeting point is outside of the Green Park Underground station. Please use the Green Park Exit. Our guide will wait for you next to the Constance Fund fountain of Diana. London SW1A 1RD, UK
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends at the Parliament Square, in front of the iconic Big Ben.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Best Tours London
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 159 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
159 verified traveler reviews for Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
It was great
Adrienne was great. Patient, knowledgeable, professional and knew how to get us to the best spots for photos.
via Tripadvisor
Great experience for changing of the guards!
Adrian was great!! Kept us at a good pace and very strategic placing to see events!!
via Tripadvisor
Great tour!
Loved the tour, and Adrian, our guide, was fantastic. He was very friendly, informative and made the tour very interesting. Good sense of humor as well. He walked pretty fast though, and as we are elderly, we had a hard time keeping up.
via Tripadvisor
Adrian was outstanding!!!
This was hands down one of the BEST tours we did during our entire time in London, and Adrian was the best guide we had\! He knew exactly where to take us at every point during the Changing of the Guard so we could get the perfect views and photo spots\. Rather than just standing in one place watching from a distance, Adrian had us moving to all the right locations at exactly the right time so we could really experience it\. He was funny, incredibly entertaining, and shared so many interesting facts and stories along the way\. We also loved that he used an iPad with photos to help explain what we were seeing and give us even more context\. It made the whole experience so much more engaging\. **One fair warning: this tour MOVES\! 😂** Be prepared to speed walk, snap your pictures, and keep up because Adrian is getting you from one great viewing spot to the next\. Wear comfortable shoes and be ready to move\! It was 100% worth it\. We saw so much more than we ever would have trying to figure out the Changing of the Guard on our own\. If you can request Adrian, DO IT\. Fantastic guide, fantastic experience, and easily one of the highlights of our London trip\. **10/10\!**
via Tripadvisor
we had a great time with Adrian
Adrian was very knowledgable and knew some great spots for us to get pictures (of the ceremony and just in front of the palace). Definitely valuable!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 56
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Best Tours London, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.9.
See everything Best Tours London runsWhy this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group cost?
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Prices start at £15 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 159 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group?
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Around 56 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour, Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group?
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Included: Changing of the Guards (occurs only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and subject to; See Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and other London landmarks; and 2 hours guided walking tour with expert guide. Not included: Gratuities; No food or drinks included; and Entry to Buckingham Palace is not included in the tour. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group?
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The meeting point is outside of the Green Park Underground station. Please use the Green Park Exit. Our guide will wait for you next to the Constance Fund fountain of Diana. London SW1A 1RD, UK Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour Small Group?
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Across 159 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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