London is a city of layers, of history, of secrets, and of spectacular theatre. At the heart of it all lies the Changing of the Guard, a ceremony so iconic it’s practically synonymous with the British capital. It is a display of colour, mystery, and magnificence that draws thousands of visitors every single week.
Yet, here is a secret we’ll share with you: most people see only a fraction of the real show.
If you’ve ever found yourself squashed against the cold iron railings of Buckingham Palace, staring at the back of someone’s head while a fuzzy bearskin hat bobbed in the far distance, you know exactly what we mean. It’s the classic London experience… but it doesn’t have to be yours.
At Fun London Tours, we believe the best walking tours in London should feel like an adventure, not a survival test. We want to help you unearth the true spirit of this royal tradition. So, before you grab your umbrella and head toward SW1, let’s look at the seven most common mistakes people make, and how you can watch the ceremony like a seasoned pro.
1. The “Palace Gate” Pitfall
The biggest mistake, by far, is thinking that the only place to watch the Changing of the Guard is directly in front of Buckingham Palace.
We’ve all seen the photos: a sea of selfie sticks and thousands of people pressed against the gates. By the time the guards actually enter the palace forecourt, the crowds are often ten people deep. Unless you happen to be seven feet tall or arrive three hours early, you’ll spend most of the time looking at a stranger’s backpack.
The Pro Tip: The ceremony doesn’t just happen at the Palace; it’s a moving parade that takes place across three different locations. Instead of staying static, we move with the action. We prefer to catch the guards as they march down The Mall or emerge from St James’s Palace. It’s more intimate, the photos are better, and you can actually hear the rhythmical thud of boots on tarmac.
2. Arriving at 11:00 AM (When it’s already over)
Many visitors check their watches, see “11:00 AM” on a website, and assume that’s when they should show up. In reality, if you arrive at the Palace at 11:00 AM, you’ve already missed the best bits.
The ceremony is a complex choreography of different regiments moving from different barracks. The “Old Guard” and the “New Guard” begin their preparations much earlier. By 11:00 AM, the handover is already in full swing inside the gates.
The Pro Tip: A Changing the Guard tour London will usually start much earlier, between 9 AM and 10 AM. This gives us time to understand the context of the ceremony, and crucially we are able to position ourselves either at St James’s Palace or the Mall to see the Captain of the Guard march out with the Old Guard alongside the soldiers and ceremonial band.
3. Missing the “Other” Guard Change
When people talk about Changing the Guard, they almost always mean the infantry (the famous foot guards in the red tunics). But there is another, equally spectacular ceremony that happens just down the road: The Change of the Lifeguard.
The Household Cavalry, with their gleaming breastplates, plumed helmets, and magnificent horses, have their own change of the guard at Horse Guards Parade. It is steeped in history, precision, and elegance… and it’s often far less crowded than the main event at the Palace.
The Pro Tip: Don’t choose one over the other! When you join us for a small group or private Changing the Guard walking tour, we make sure you see the best of both worlds. We often start near the cavalry to appreciate the sheer scale of the horses before moving on to catch the infantry bands.
4. Not Checking the Schedule (The “Every Day” Myth)
It’s a common heartbreak: a family travels across the city, finds a “prime” spot, waits for forty minutes, and then… nothing.
The Changing of the Guard does not happen every day throughout the year. The ceremony in 2026 follows an “every other day” schedule (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). It can also be cancelled at the very last minute due to heavy rain, official state events, and even charity runs.
The Pro Tip: Always check the official British Army schedule before you book. Unfortunately there are many companies who still advertise a changing the guard tour on dates when it is not scheduled to occur. Being a tour guide led company and endorsed by the main changing the guard website out there, changing-guard.com, we are on top of scheduling, and actually care about your experience rather than being out for a fast buck. And on days when the weather isn’t looking great, our guides, like Paul or Rachel, have the know-how to ensure our guests make the most of the scaled-down ceremony, sometimes even seeing extra bits along the way.
5. Watching Through a Phone Screen
We get it, you want that perfect Instagram shot. But there’s a trap here. People spend the entire march looking through a 6-inch screen, trying to steady their zoom, and they completely miss the sensory experience.
You miss the flash of the sun on the brass instruments, the smell of the horses, and the literal vibration of the drums in your chest.
The Pro Tip: Take a couple of quick snaps, then put the phone away. The ceremony is a piece of living history that dates back centuries. When you’re on a small group Changing the Guard tour, your guide will point out the tiny details you’d never see through a lens, like the different buttons on the tunics that tell you which regiment is which.
6. Ignoring the Music
Many people think the band just plays “God Save the King” on a loop. Not even close! The Guards’ bands are world-class musicians, and their repertoire is surprisingly modern. Depending on the day, you might hear anything from traditional military marches to ABBA, Star Wars themes, or even the latest pop hits.
The Pro Tip: The music is the heartbeat of the ceremony. And although marching within 12 feet of a full ceremonial band has to be the highlight of the event, hearing a brass band blast out a Broadway hit in the middle of a 500-year-old royal ritual is a quirk of British culture you simply have to hear to appreciate.
7. Going Without the Story
The biggest mistake of all is seeing the “what” without knowing the “why.”
- Why do they wear those massive bearskin hats? (Hint: it was to look taller and scarier to the French!)
- Why does one guard have a white plume and another a red one?
- Why is there a “New” guard and an “Old” guard?
- What happens if a guard needs to go to the bathroom? (Yes, we get asked that a lot!)
Without the context, it’s just a group of men in funny hats walking around. With the story, it becomes a gripping tale of battle honours, royal protection, and British eccentricities.
The Pro Tip: This is where we come in. Our approach to London walking tours is all about the narrative. Our guides, experts like Jess, Marnie, and Rozie, don’t just point and name; they bring the history to life with wit and passion. We don’t just stand still; we march alongside the guards, giving you a front-row seat to the action as it unfolds.
How to See it Like a Pro with Fun London Tours
We believe that the best walking tours London has to offer should be immersive. We’ve designed our Changing the Guard experience to avoid the crowds and maximise the “wow” moments.
Instead of waiting behind a fence, we’ll lead you on a dynamic route. We’ll unearth the history of St James’s Palace, dig into the stories of our military commanders, and ensure you’re perfectly positioned to see the horses and the foot guards without the stress.
Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for that iconic London moment, we invite you to join us. Let us navigate the crowds, time the marches, and share the secrets of the Crown… all you have to do is keep up!
Ready to see the magic for yourself?
Explore our Small Group Changing the Guard Tour for an intimate, expert-led experience. Or, if you’re looking to combine royal pageantry with deep history, our Buckingham Palace tickets & Changing the Guard tour combo offers a full morning of discovery.
London is waiting to tell you its stories. We’d be honoured to be the ones to tell them to you.
Keen to explore more of London’s darker side once the sun goes down? Check out our Jack the Ripper Tour for a journey into the mysteries of Victorian Whitechapel.
