CHANGING OF THE GUARD ULTIMATE GUIDE
Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun: 11:00AM - 12:00PM
Time Needed: 1 hour
Price: Free
It is often said that you haven't really experienced London until you have seen the Changing of the Guard ceremony with your own eyes. And the truth is that, along with a free tour, this ceremony is one of the best free things to do in London.
The Changing of the Guard (also known as the “Guard Mounting”) is a ceremony during which The King’s Guard (the detachments at St. James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace) are replaced by The New Guard as they march to Buckingham Palace from the Wellington Barracks.
The King’s Guard have been protecting St. James’s Palace since 1689, and Buckingham Palace since 1837, and are typically dressed in traditional black bearskin hats and red tunics during the spring, autumn and summer months, or long grey coats during the winter months. The Guard consists of five different regiments (The Scots Guard, The Welsh Guard, The Irish Guard, The Coldstream Guards and The Grenadier Guards), and also post outside Windsor Palace and the Tower of London.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony officially begins at 11 a.m., but preparations start much earlier. At 10:30 a.m., the Old Guard assembles in Friary Court, St James’s Palace, and is inspected by the Captain of The King’s Guard. They then march down The Mall to Buckingham Palace, accompanied by a band or corps of drums. Simultaneously, the Buckingham Palace detachment of the Old Guard forms up in the forecourt. The St James’s Palace detachment joins them shortly after. Together, they await the arrival of the New Guard from Wellington Barracks.
At 10:40 a.m., the New Guard assembles at Wellington Barracks, gets inspected, and waits for the Regimental Colour. They then march to Buckingham Palace, arriving at 11:00 a.m. As the Band plays the New Guard’s Regimental Slow March, they advance to face the Old Guard. Both Guards 'Present Arms,' and the Captain of the Old Guard hands over the palace key, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility. Officers from both Guards salute the Senior Captain, while Ensigns patrol the forecourt. The New Guard then replaces the old sentries, with the Regimental Band playing throughout. By 11:35 a.m., the Old Guard marches back to Wellington Barracks, while the New Guard assumes their duties, with part of the detachment returning to St James’s Palace.
By the way, if you see the Royal Standard flown, it means the Sovereign is at Buckingham Palace.
Where to Watch the Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place in three different locations (Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace and the Wellington Barracks).
Getting a good spot to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony can be tricky, especially if you are visiting London during the summer and/or touristy seasons. However, there are some areas that offer better views, and although you may have to head to these spots extra early, it’s well worth it if you want to get the best view possible for the ceremony.
The Victoria Memorial (outside Buckingham Palace) is perhaps the most desired spot to watch the Changing of the Guard, as you can grab a spot on its steps and watch the ceremony from an elevated level. However, you will need to arrive super early (as in as early as 9:30 a.m. or perhaps even earlier during the summer months).
Most people tend to flock around the gates of Buckingham Palace, which means it can get incredibly busy during the summer months. If you don’t want to stand amongst a big crowd you may want to avoid the area altogether, and try and get a good spot along The Mall (the long stretch of road leading to the palace), or as close to the Horse Guards Parade as possible. That way, you can watch the procession make their way down the entire length of The Mall before they arrive at the gates of Buckingham Palace (That being said, during the winter season, you’ll probably be able to get a good view from the Buckingham Palace gates when it’s less crowded).
Special Tips
If you missed the Changing of the Guard ceremony, you can always snap a photo of the guards standing outside the main entrance of St. James's Palace.
For a more comprehensive experience, you can book a free tour of Westminster and let your guide introduce you to the royal ceremonials of Buckingham.
Getting There
There are several tube stations you can head to in order to watch the ceremony, such as Victoria Station, Green Park Station, St. James Park Station and Hyde Park Station.
To get a spot either near the Victoria Memorial or the gates of Buckingham Palace, you can take the tube to the Green Park or St. James's Park stations, which are both an eight-minute walk away. You could also get to the palace by bus via routes 11, 211, C1 and C10.
If you want to see The New Guard heading to St. James's Palace from the Wellington Barracks, the St. James's Park underground station is only a three-minute walk away.
If you want to see the old detachments replaced by The New Guard at St. James's Palace at 11 a.m., the nearest underground station is Green Park (which is a three-minute walk away), or you can reach the palace by bus via routes 9 and N9.
If you want to snag a good spot along The Mall for the ceremony, the nearest stations are Piccadilly Circus (a 12-minute walk away) or St. James's Park (a seven-minute walk away). You can also reach The Mall by bus via routes 11, 211, 239, C1 and C10.
Be aware that if you are travelling by car, the area can get incredibly busy during the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and the use of public transportation is highly recommended.
Watching the Changing of the Guard
Be aware that the Changing of the Guard ceremony may be cancelled at the last minute due to bad weather, so you may want to check the official website before you head to the area.
Because the areas surrounding Buckingham Palace can get incredibly busy during the ceremony, always keep an eye on your belongings as the area is prone to pickpockets, especially in the most crowded spots.
It is highly recommended that you wear comfortable walking shoes (as you may be standing for longer periods of time), and bring an umbrella or a raincoat with you just in case it rains. If you have mobility issues, please be aware that there are not many benches or seats to sit on along The Mall, or anywhere along the ceremony route for that matter.
There are several free toilet facilities near Buckingham Palace for visitors to use. In St. James's Park, public toilets are located halfway down The Mall, just a 5-10 minute walk from the palace. Green Park also offers public toilet facilities, including those at the Green Park Underground Station and near the park entrance close to Buckingham Palace. Additionally, the Victoria Place Shopping Centre, located near Victoria Station, provides public toilets and is conveniently close to the palace.
Prices and Hours
There is no admission cost for watching the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
The ceremony officially starts at 11:00 a.m. and usually lasts for 45 minutes.
The ceremony takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (for more information, be sure to visit the official website, which has a detailed calendar of the ceremony dates).
If you want to see the Changing of the Guard, you might want to join some of the free tours in London that run daily.
