London Changing of the Guard & Royal Family Private Walking Tour
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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 London Changing of the Guard & Royal Family Private Walking Tour worth booking?
London Changing of the Guard & Royal Family Private Walking Tour is a 3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $150 per person. It scores 48 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
- 48 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $150 per person
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the world’s most magnificent displays of military tradition and British heritage. Marking the formal handover of duties between the King’s Guard, set to the stirri
What you get
About this experience
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the world’s most magnificent displays of military tradition and British heritage. Marking the formal handover of duties between the King’s Guard, set to the stirring music of a military band performing everything from historic marches to contemporary hits. Led by an expert guide, our Changing of the Guard tour is designed with insider knowledge from serving and former members of His Majesty’s Guards. Their insider knowledge ensures an unparalleled perspective—revealing what it’s like to stand guard at Buckingham Palace, the discipline behind the drills, and the fascinating history behind the iconic uniforms. Including sites such as The Mall, St. James’s Palace, Clarence House, and Whitehall, your guide will share captivating stories of royal history and military tradition. You’ll witness the best vantage points for photos, uncover hidden gems, and see legendary landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament along the way.
What's included
Included
- Pick-up
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Statue of Eros (Anteros)
Whilst in Piccadilly, your guide will explain the significance of some of the beautiful historic buildings that surround this part of London. They will also reveal what most London guidebooks have got wrong about the famous statue of 'Eros'.
10 minutes here
Burlington House
After walking down Piccadilly, we will quickly stop to admire Burlington House, home to the Royal Academy of Arts plus several of London's royal societies, including the Royal Society of Chemistry, who have a very surprising honourary member. Whilst here, you will learn about Burlington House's origins as a stately home for the Earl of Burlington as well as its use as home to several of the Royal Societies and the Royal Academy of Arts.
10 minutes here
Hatchards
A visit to Hatchards in London is an essential experience for any bibliophile, history enthusiast, or admirer of literary elegance. As the oldest bookshop in the UK, established in 1797, Hatchards exudes a timeless charm with its creaking wooden floors, grand spiral staircases, and shelves lined with beautifully bound volumes. This iconic shop has served literary giants such as Lord Byron, Oscar Wilde, and John Keats and has supplied books to multiple members of the British monarchy. Beyond its illustrious heritage, Hatchards offers an expertly curated selection of books, from bestselling fiction and classic literature to rare first editions and signed copies, making it a paradise for collectors and casual readers alike. While the shop’s intimate, wood-panelled rooms invite leisurely browsing, we will only have approximately 10 minutes to explore this book-lovers idea of paradise.
10 minutes here
Fortnum & Mason
A visit to Fortnum & Mason in London is an unforgettable experience that embodies the very essence of British elegance, heritage, and culinary excellence. This iconic department store on Piccadilly is renowned worldwide for its products and service, and stepping inside feels like entering another world. Fortnum’s is famed for its royal connections—holding multiple Royal Warrants as grocers to the British monarchy and at one time in this store’s illustrious history it wasn’t uncommon to see a member of the Royal family shopping here in person! The store boasts an exceptional food hall stocked with artisanal cheeses, handcrafted chocolates, rare spices, and its signature St. James’s Rare Tea Collection, perfect for unique gifts or indulgent treats. Like Hatchards our time here is brief, but that shouldn’t stop you enjoying a trip to this legendary institution where everyone, no matter where they come from, is treated like royalty.
10 minutes here
Green Park
As we walk from St James's Palace to Green Park we will stop off at St James's Place and look at the childhood home of Sir Winston Churchill. Whilst here your guide will give you a quick history of Sir Winston and his involvement with London both as Prime Minister and as a private citizen. After this we will take you through one of London's secret passages before walking through Green Park. Whilst here our guide will tell you some of the stories behind how the park got its name before walking you down to Buckingham Palace.
10 minutes here
St. James's
As we walk down St James's Street your guide will explain some of the amazing stores that have called St James's Street home, including the tobacconist to Royalty and Prime Ministers, a hatter's shop that you'd be mad to miss and a right royal liquor store.
20 minutes here
St. James's Palace
St James' Palace is the oldest of the Royal palaces still standing in London today. Originally a hunting lodge for Henry VIII, today it stands largely empty but serves a very important purpose in the planning of the state funeral and coronation of our monarchs.
15 minutes here
As you walk up the Mall, famous for being the site where crowds gather for royal and state events such as Royal Weddings and Jubilee celebrations, your guide will explain the history behind the famous name, the interesting addition to the local wildlife and how film and TV crews often flood the area - who knows you might also get to see one of the crews setting up, taking down or even filming a scene!
Pass by without stopping
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the London home of British Royalty since the reign of Queen Victoria, one of Britain's most famous Queens. Now home to Queen Elizabeth II, the most famous Queen in the world, the tour will take you to see this beautiful palace and depending on the time of year and day of your booking the world-famous Changing of the Guard. Please note that the Changing of the Guard takes place every day during June and July and on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between August and May. Please also be aware that the Changing of the Guard can be cancelled at late notice due to poor weather or security alerts.
30 minutes here
Whitehall
Whitehall is the home of the UK's government. As you wander down Whitehall our guide will tell you all about the various government departments, the statues of famous faces and the memorials to the brave men and women who made great sacrifices during the First and Second World Wars.
20 minutes here
Parliament Square
The final location on the tour will be Parliament Square. Here your guide will tell you all about the significants of the square and the figures that surround it, we well as the numerous internationally important buildings nearby that include Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
The tour will start outside the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour will end at Westminster Station.
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
- Tours Of The UK
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 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 48
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
London Changing of the Guard & Royal Family Private Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does London Changing of the Guard & Royal Family Private Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $150 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 London Changing of the Guard & Royal Family Private Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 3 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 London Changing of the Guard & Royal Family Private Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 48 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 London Changing of the Guard & Royal Family Private Walking Tour?
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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 London Changing of the Guard & Royal Family Private Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book London Changing of the Guard & Royal Family Private Walking Tour?
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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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does London Changing of the Guard & Royal Family Private Walking Tour 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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