
Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
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Quick answer
Is Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London worth booking?
Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London is a 2.5-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $67 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $67 per person
There are few sights more quintessentially British than the Changing of the Guard—a centuries-old ceremony where stoic red tunics, glittering brass, and the rhythmic beat of military drums transform the forecourt of Buck
What you get
About this experience
There are few sights more quintessentially British than the Changing of the Guard—a centuries-old ceremony where stoic red tunics, glittering brass, and the rhythmic beat of military drums transform the forecourt of Buckingham Palace into a living piece of history. On this expertly guided tour, you won’t just watch the ceremony… you’ll understand it. Your experience begins in the elegant streets surrounding St James’s Palace, the oldest royal residence still in use in London. As the Household Division prepares to march, your guide brings to life the origins of this ritual, dating back to the 17th century when King Charles II reinstated the monarchy and formalized the guard’s responsibilities. Every step, salute, and call carries centuries of military discipline—and you’ll have front-row insight into the symbolism behind it. From there, follow your guide through The Mall, the stunning royal boulevard , toward Buckingham Palace itself before heading to Westminster!
What's included
Included
- Guide is licensed or certified
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Buckingham Palace
You will get to see the home and office of the monarch, and hear the incredible history of this Palace!
20 minutes here
St. James's Palace
You will get p close to see the inspection of the guards as they come off shift whilst hearing the Tudor history of this Royal Palace!
20 minutes here
St. James's Park
You will get to see this Royal Park and hear of its historical importance and significance!
Pass by without stopping
Duke Of York Column
You will get to see this monument to The Duke of York & Albany and hear of his role in the Napoleonic wars.
10 minutes here
Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall
You will see the Household Cavalry and their important part during the Ceremony!
10 minutes here
Houses of Parliament
You will get to see the Centre of our governmental district here in the UK, including hearing about the Palace of Westminster and its origins.
30 minutes here
Westminster Abbey
You will get to see and hear about the importance of Westminster Abbey and its Royal Origins and significance!
10 minutes here
Trafalgar Square
You will hear about the origins of this public square and its significance before the tour finishes!
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
I will meet you outside the Diana fountain.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
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, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- The Great Weekender
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London cost?
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Prices start at $67 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 Walking Tour in London take?
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Plan for about 2.5 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 Walking Tour in London worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 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 Walking Tour in London?
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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 Walking Tour in London suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London?
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Around 0 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 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Changing of the Guard Walking Tour in London 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 Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. 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.
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