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The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of London’s most recognisable royal ceremonies, where soldiers of the King’s Guard formally hand over responsibility for protecting the Palace. Watch the guards march to military music, accompanied by a military band, as the old guard is replaced by the new. The ceremony typically takes place outside Buckingham Palace, with the exact schedule subject to change.

Quick overview

  • Ticket: Separate ticket required for a guided viewing experience. Watching the ceremony itself from public areas is free and needs no ticket at all.
  • Starting price: From £14.
  • Combo available: Yes. Combos exist with the Afternoon Tea Cruise, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and a Royal London coach tour.
  • Visit duration: The ceremony itself runs about 45 minutes. Guided options add a walking tour, running 1.5–3 hours in total depending on which one you pick.
  • Best time: The ceremony takes place at 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and at 10am on Sundays. Arrive by 10:15–10:40 for a good spot.
  • Included in Buckingham Palace State Rooms ticket: No. It's a separate experience and not bundled with State Rooms entry.
Royal guard in red uniform at Buckingham Palace during Changing of the Guard, London.

Things to know before booking your Changing the Guard experience

  • Access: Watching the Changing the Guard ceremony from the street or park is entirely free — no ticket needed. The paid options here are guided experiences (small-group walking tours, coach tours, and combos), not a way to "get in" to something otherwise closed off.
  • Not bundled with State Rooms entry: If you want both, you'll need a separate Changing the Guard product and a separate State Rooms ticket, or one of the combos that pairs them.
  • When a combo makes sense: Combo tickets exist with the Tower of London, the Afternoon Tea Cruise, and Westminster Abbey. These make sense if you're already planning to visit that second attraction the same day — the savings are modest, so don't book a combo purely for the discount if you weren't already going.
  • Physical requirements: There is no seating during the ceremony, so expect to stand for the full 45 minutes. Wear comfortable shoes. Combo experiences with walking tours typically last 1.5–3 hours, with a fair amount of standing and walking.
  • Timings differ from the Palace itself: The ceremony runs on a fixed public schedule (11am Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; 10am Sundays) that's entirely independent of Buckingham Palace's own opening hours or State Rooms visiting times. Don't assume the two align.
  • Ceremony can change at short notice: The Changing of the Guard can be cancelled at short notice due to bad weather, state events, or other operational reasons. On days when the Buckingham Palace ceremony is not scheduled, you may see the Changing of the Horse Guard instead.
  • Rules on the day: Follow the instructions of police and event marshals, and stay behind the barriers at all times — both for your own safety and the marching guards'.
  • Booking lead time: Group sizes are capped (around 15–20 people), and slots can sell out during peak summer months. Book at least a few weeks ahead in July and August if you have specific dates.

Is it worth it?

Standalone vs combo vs main attraction

TicketBest for
Changing the Guard only

Visitors short on time who want the ceremony and its context, without committing to a longer palace visit

State Rooms only

Visitors prioritising the interior and art collection, or visiting on a day the ceremony isn't scheduled

Combo ticket (Changing the Guard + State Rooms)

First-time visitors who want the full royal day — the ceremony and a self-paced look inside the Palace — without booking two separate tickets

Ticket options explained

Factor / AccessChanging the Guard only+ Tower of London+ Afternoon Tea Cruise+ Westminster Abbey

Guided experience

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Changing the Guard access

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

State Rooms access

No

No

No

No

Other attraction access

No

Tower of London

Thames cruise + tea

Westminster Abbey

Why go for it

You only want the ceremony explained properly, without adding another stop to your day

You're doing the Tower anyway and want it paired with a guide for the ceremony too

You'd rather end the morning on the river with tea than rush to a second attraction

You want Westminster's landmarks and the Abbey covered in one guided booking

Starting price

From £14

From £48.45

From £51.30

From £68

How to best experience the Changing the Guard

Most visitors think the ceremony is a single moment at 11am — it isn't. It's a sequence spread across nearly an hour and three separate locations, and where you stand changes what you actually see. The full spectacle only comes together if you follow the stages rather than planting yourself at one spot and waiting.

Highlights of the Changing the Guard ceremony

Guards in red uniforms marching at Buckingham Palace, London during the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
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Wellington Barracks: the New Guard forms up

Before anything reaches the Palace, the New Guard assembles at Wellington Barracks, a few minutes' walk away. This is where the band tunes up and the formal inspection happens. Few tourists come here first, which makes it the easiest place to get close and see the guardsmen before the crowds thicken at the Palace itself.

The march to the Palace

The New Guard marches from the barracks to the Palace forecourt along Birdcage Walk, music playing, and this procession is often more visually striking than the static ceremony that follows. Position yourself along this route rather than only at the gates, and you'll see the guards in motion, not just standing still.

The forecourt handover

This is the ceremony most people picture: the Old Guard formally hands responsibility to the New Guard in front of the Palace railings. There's no public access to the forecourt itself, so sightlines from ground level are often partial. The elevated Victoria Memorial gives you the clearest view of this stage.

The band's music

Before the march, the band plays while waiting for the Regimental Colour, mixing traditional military tunes with occasional contemporary pieces — a detail that catches most first-time visitors off guard. It's worth arriving early enough at the barracks to catch this rather than only seeing the formal handover later.

The Old Guard's return

Once relieved, the Old Guard marches back to Wellington Barracks, performing a "falling out" ceremony on arrival. Following this final stretch gives you a second, quieter viewing after the main crowds at the Palace have already dispersed — worth doing if you want photos without the rush.

Historical & cultural significance

Most visitors assume the guards are performers — they're active-duty soldiers, and the ceremony began as a genuine security necessity, not a show. It dates to 1660, following the Restoration of Charles II, making it over 360 years old. What started purely as functional protection has become one of London's most-watched spectacles, yet the duty itself hasn't changed: these regiments still guard the King's residences today, the pageantry built entirely on top of a real job.

Know before you go

Frequently asked questions about Changing the Guard experience

No. Watching from public footpaths or the Victoria Memorial is free. A ticket is only needed for a guided experience with commentary and a better vantage point.

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