Buckingham Palace State Rooms Entry and Changing of the Guard - Half-DayTour - London

Explore the many marvels of Buckingham Palace and experience the renowned Changing of the Guard ceremony alongside an expert host so that no sight goes unnoticed.

Time to learn about two very British royal traditions in one morning: get your hands on hard-to-come-by tickets to Buckingham Palace and witness the Changing of the Guards in prime position. Learn all about the Royal Family in limited tours of Buckingham Palace, as it opens its doors for only two months of the year.

Your royal London experience begins with the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. This world-famous ceremony is the oldest tradition at Buckingham Palace and is held either here or at Horse Guards Parade, depending on the day.

Once inside the official residence of the King, you will be able to admire the lavish rooms that are used by the royals for State and ceremonial events, as you discover the palace’s history from the audio guide. Breathtakingly beautiful surroundings rich in history and traditions, Buckingham Palace is a must on everybody’s list, and with this tour, you get the unique chance of pre-booked guaranteed entry.

Enjoy commentary regarding the history and pageantry behind the ceremony – where the Queen’s easy-to-spot Foot Guards, with their red tunics and unmistakable bearskin hats, march to Buckingham Palace together with the military band, or enjoy the Household Cavalry change the guard at Horse Guards Parade, with their unmistakeable silver plumed helmets and mounted on their magnificent horses. (Please note that in heavy rain the guard’s parade will not take place).

Important information - There may be restrictions

Please note that the duration of the tour may vary from 2.5 hours to 4 hours, depending on the entry time at Buckingham Palace.

Others

Changing of the Guard will not operate in the rain and will be replaced with an extended walking tour.

On Sundays, a slightly different version of the ceremony takes place, known as the 'Sunday Parade'. Also on occasional Sundays the Changing of the Guards may be rescheduled to early morning, meaning that we will not be able to see it.

Please note that the changing of the guard schedule may change and on different dates, we will see either footguards or horse guards.

Ticket options

• Foot Guard option - The Changing of the Foot Guard at Buckingham Palace involves foot soldiers from the Household Division and occurs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

• Horse Guard option - The Changing of the Horse Guards at Horse Guards Parade features mounted cavalry from the Household Cavalry and takes place daily, this is what you will see if you book a tour on Tuesday and Thursday.

• On Saturday, the show that takes place is known as the "Guard Mounting" or "Inspection of the New Guard" at House Guards Parade. The inspection involves the Captain of the New Guard inspecting the soldiers to ensure they are in proper order with their uniforms and equipment in pristine condition, before they take over their duties from the Old Guard.