Changing of the Guard Guided Walking Tour

Witness one of the most dazzling ceremonies in the world with an expert guide - get closer to the action.

General information

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• Maximum of 15 people in your group
   

• Get the lowdown as you take in the highlights of this world famous ceremony with an expert guide 

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• Experience Changing of the Guard with a true local
   

• Family friendly
   

• Available as a Private Tour. 

Tour description

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​England is known for fish and chips, four seasons in a day, warm ale, history in spades and of course, a deeply ingrained age-old love for pomp and ceremony.  Join Urban Saunters as we serve a slice of world-famous ceremonial action with this small-group Changing of the Guards experience.

There is so much more to this extravagant shift change than meets the eye though- with your expert guide to lead the way, you’ll soon know your Welsh from your Grenadier guard, understand what the deal is with those fuzzy bearskin hats, hear the astounding origins of this dazzling spectacle and truly get a handle on the significance of every colour, button, mascot, symbol and movement in this most British of traditions.

From the best possible viewing point, your small group will join the guards on their journey towards Buckingham Palace as you march to the beat of their drums... but what will the music be today?

What's Included

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• Guided Changing of the Guard experience 
   

• English Speaking local expert guide

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Meeting Place

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Meet our guide by the Equestrian statue of Edward VII, Waterloo Place, London SW1Y 5ER. Arriving by tube: Take the tube to Piccadilly Circus and take exit No. 3 onto Regent Street/St. James's. Walk south down Regent Street towards St. James's Park (do not walk north towards Oxford Street). Waterloo Place is at the end of Regent Street. You will see a statue of man on horse.

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The Important Stuff

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• Please arrive fifteen minutes before the start time on your voucher

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• The tour starts at 9:30 am on Sunday and 10:15 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 

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• The experience will end outside Buckingham Palace at around 11:30am-12:00pm

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• We tend to move pretty fast to keep up with the guards, so please wear comfortable shoes and always carry water.

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• We will not stand at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as, due to crowds, you see very little and the experience would be ten times less fun. We want to get you as close as possible with the opportunity to take some amazing snapshots.

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• It is at the discretion of the British Army to change or cancel the Ceremony. The announcement will not be made until after 10.30am so come rain or shine, the Urban Saunters Changing of the Guard experience will go ahead. If the full ceremony is cancelled, there will still be the chance to see the guards marching, just without the music.