Variable

About this activity

Take part to a full experience of the Changing of the Guard with an expert guide who can lead you to the best vantage points.

You will get fascinating informations from the marching style of the guards to the number of buttons on the uniforms. Start your tour at the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace with your guide and a small group. While the front of the Palace is mobbed with spectators, you’ll head over to a series of special vantage points near Wellington Barracks, where most of the protocol that makes up the ceremony happens, including music from the band and highly formal uniform checks.

Your guide will bring you into the highly symbolic world of the British military, where every badge, button, and color is imbued with centuries-old stories and traditions. As the guards process by, you’ll have front row seats to witness this ancient display of military power, then head across the park for a special treat. The Changing of the Queen’s Life Guard at the Horse Guards Parade features much of the ceremony of the more famous guard change in front of Buckingham Palace but with the added bonus of armored soldiers and highly trained horses. Unlike the guards at Buckingham, you can also stand right next to the horse guards and take pictures with them.

After you’ve witnessed these two jaw-dropping ceremonies, we have one more surprise in store for you. We end our tour atop an exclusive dome in Westminster that has the best views in the city of Westminster Abbey and 360-degree views over the rest of the city. Spared from the Blitz because of its similarities (in the eyes of German bombers) to St. Paul’s Dome, it is one of the hidden gems of the area and it’s only open to your group!