Changing of the Guard Tours and Activities

Discover the history and diversity of London by bike on a sightseeing tour. Led by a guide, pedal past the city's top sites, including Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Trafalgar Square. Along the way, learn about the city’s colorful history — the glorious, the infamous, and everything in between.  

Discover the grandeur of London aboard the open-top, double-decker Big Bus on this hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour. With your 1-, 2-, or 3-day ticket, design a personal itinerary with stops including Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, St. Paul’s Cathedral and more. Enjoy unobstructed views and onboard commentary as you view the city’s highlights and upgrade to The Big London Day Out option to get an aerial view of the city aboard the London Eye giant observation wheel. Hop off to enjoy a Thames River cruise, currently operating Friday to Sunday only.

See the English capital’s top landmarks on this most comprehensive of London magical tours. Take a tour of beautiful St Paul’s Cathedral, then make a photo stop at Westminster Abbey. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and visit the Tower of London, where you'll have free time for lunch (own expense). Enjoy an extended river sightseeing cruise, and upgrade to cap everything with a London Eye flight or cream tea at Harrods.

See the best of London without the stress of rigid tour times and massive crowds on this hop-on hop-off bus tour. With your flexible pass, hop aboard the double-decker, open-top bus for a comfortable sightseeing excursion. Great for kids and adults, your pass offers multiple route options with stops at main attractions like Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and more. Bonus features include a free city walking tour, a Thames River cruise, and local discounts.

Discover London’s royal history and sights on a London tour by foot and boat. Start with an early access visit to the Tower of London to see the opening ceremony and Crown Jewels without the usual daytime crowds. Then, take to the water on a half-hour River Thames sightseeing cruise. Stroll to Horse Guard’s Parade or Buckingham Palace to see the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony, and learn all about the British Royal Family from a knowledgeable local guide.

No visit to England would be complete without experiencing quintessential traditions such as the Changing of the Guard. See British culture come to life from select prime vantage points. In a small group limited to 15, observe the Queen’s iconic foot guards, clad in red tunics and bearskin hats, and watch the household cavalry put on an impressive display. Follow history-rich guide commentary with ease using a headset.

Limited time in London doesn’t have to mean a limited view of the capital. Soak up the key sights in just one action-packed day on this guided small-group tour. Explore Westminster Abbey and watch the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. Then cruise the Thames River to Tower Bridge and explore its inner workings before delving into British history at the Tower of London.

Discover the spectacular sights of London according to your own personal itinerary on a private custom tour of the vibrant capital with a knowledgeable guide. Opt to enjoy a half- or full-day tour and customize your itinerary according to your cultural and historical interests. Allow your expert guide to pre-plan logistics like public transportation and reservations, and then delve into the capital’s rich history by listening to illuminating commentary. See iconic attractions like Big Ben and the Tower of London, and stray from the conventional tourist trail for a unique experience of London.

Get up close to the iconic Royal Guards on this interactive walking tour of London. Learn about London’s royal heritage as you pass sights like Pall Mall, the Duke of York Column, the Royal Society and Marlborough House, then enjoy a prime view of the famous Changing of the Guards ceremony. Not only do you see the military bands and marching guards, you also get to march alongside the Old Guard, as they head from St. James Palace to Wellington Barracks.

Don’t visit London landmarks and listen to commentary that doesn’t interest you. Set your own itinerary and explore London your way on a private half- or full-day tour of England’s capital. Tick off all of the attractions on your personal checklist and take advantage of your private guide’s local insight by visiting hidden gems and unknown corners of the city. Choose the start time and meeting point of your tour and receive the undivided attention of your guide throughout. 

Experience London’s royal highlights on this sightseeing tour by coach, including the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Take a panoramic tour of the city with your guide, passing Kensington Palace and Westminster Abbey. You'll also see Trafalgar Square and Big Ben, and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Upgrade to include an open-date ticket for the London Eye.

Delve into London’s rich royal heritage during a visit to Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Marvel at the traditional Changing of the Guard performance, which involves meticulously dressed soldiers marching to the rhythm of military drums. Then, enjoy an exclusive experience as you enter the opulent State Rooms of Buckingham Palace for an independent audio tour. See lavish chambers during a tour only available for two months of the year, and gain fascinating insight into the history of the British monarchy.

Make like a VIP in London with a private guide, personal chauffeur, and an itinerary tailor-made for you. Choose between a 3- or 6-hour tour and admire landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the Tower of London; hit the shops at Harrods or Oxford Street; or explore the local neighborhoods. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Discover the regal residences and rich royal history of London on a sightseeing tour and Thames River cruise. With an accomplished guide, travel by luxury coach through the capital’s most opulent areas to see majestic landmarks like Big Ben and Kensington Palace. Gaze at a traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace and then climb aboard a boat for a tranquil cruise on the River Thames. Glide past iconic sights like the London Eye and the Tower of London and enjoy illuminating commentary as you sail.

See the royal sights of London and save money at the same time on this day-long Super Saver tour—a combination of two popular sightseeing experiences. Start with early access to the Tower of London, and then take a cruise along the Thames River to central London to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony. In the morning, enjoy a royal-themed walking tour that takes in sights of Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.

Delight in the quintessentially English culture of London on a half-day tour that combines three iconic British experiences. With a knowledgeable guide, watch the incredible Changing of the Guard ceremony outside of Buckingham Palace, and then embark on an audio-guided tour of the residence’s lavish State Apartments, only open for two months of the year. Then, head to a prestigious hotel in central London and pleasure your palate with an appetizing array of finger sandwiches, soft scones, and aromatic cups of English tea. Book now to avoid missing the few dates that Buckingham Palace is open to the public.

Optimize your time in the British capital on a private full-day tour, zipping between landmarks by traditional black cab for an authentic London experience. Discover iconic highlights such as the London Eye, Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace and enjoy plenty of stops for pictures or a closer look. Benefit from your guide’s personalized recommendations to add additional stops according to your interests.

Don’t just watch the Changing of the Guards; get as close as you can to the action. On this exclusive Buckingham Palace tour, you’ll discover the best vantage points and most secluded spots for a close-up peek at London’s most popular spectacle. Witness two different ceremonies from four different angles, and listen to an in-depth background on the history of the iconic tradition.

With so much to see and do, travelers visiting London for the first time can often feel overwhelmed. Escape the crowds and skip the hassle of navigating an unfamiliar public transport system on a customizable tour by private minivan, a hassle-free choice designed with travelers on a time budget in mind. Your private chauffeur transports you between top attractions with ease and reveals lesser-known spots that you won't find in the guide book.

Visit three of London’s top royal landmarks—and receive pre-booked tickets for Madame Tussauds and the London Eye—on this seamless tour. Following central London pickup, travel to the Westminster Abbey (the site of numerous royal weddings and other ceremonies), visit Kensington Palace (the former home of Princess Diana), and venture to Buckingham Palace to see the famed Changing of the Guard ceremony. After the tour ends, you can visit Madame Tussauds and the London Eye at your leisure.

Don’t visit London landmarks and listen to commentary that doesn’t interest you—set your own itinerary and explore London your way on this private tour of England’s capital. Tick off all of the attractions of your personal checklist and take advantage of your private guide’s local insight by visiting hidden gems and unknown corners of the city. Choose the start time and meeting point of your tour and receive the undivided attention of your guide throughout.  

See London from the streets, water, and sky with this great-value package that lets you explore London at your own pace. Easily reach top sights without spending a fortune on cab fare with a hop-on hop-off bus ticket valid for 1, 2, or 3 days. You’ll also get an aerial view of the city aboard the London Eye giant observation wheel and glide past Parliament and Big Ben on a Thames River cruise (Fri-Sun only).

Changing of the Guards is definitely something that should be experienced when visiting London. Your guide will explain how the Changing of the Guard, also known as Guard Mounting, has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. You will see how the soldiers in place are “relieved” of their position in a very particular way while accompanied by a military fanfare. The soldiers have protected the King or Queen of England since the reign of Henry VII, who established the Royal Body Guard as a permanent institution. The tradition has continued for more than 500 years. All of the guards are dressed in a traditional red tunic and an easily recognizable bearskin helmet. The music that accompanies the changing of the guard can be either military or more contemporary. It is definitely an attraction that is not to be missed.

Make the most of your flexible itinerary and private guide on this 3-hour sightseeing walking tour of London — a great choice for first-time visitors or families. Make your way to Buckingham Palace for the famous Changing of the Guard Ceremony, then enjoy a tour of some of London’s most renowned landmarks. Pass Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, admire the architecture of Westminster Abbey and get a glimpse of No.10 Downing Street, home to the British Prime Minister, as you walk up Whitehall.