The best time to see Changing the Guard is on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sunday morning, arriving well before the start of the ceremony.
Most visitors get this wrong. They read that the ceremony starts at 11am, so arrive a few minutes early and make their way to Buckingham palace. Sadly, this generally leads to disappointment as they stand amongst a sea of tourists, watch a fraction of the ceremony through someone else’s raised phone, then leave confused.
Even worse, many sites (and tour companies) may suggest that the ceremony occurs every day of the week. This is not the case.
Let’s ensure you are one of the people who knows what’s going on, when and where. Here’s exactly when it happens, when the crowds thin out, and where to stand so you actually see something.
When Does Changing the Guard Actually Happen
Usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with the separate Sunday Parade on Sundays. The full ceremony runs about an hour, from the Old Guard’s first movements at St James’s Palace at around 10:40am to completion back there at around 11:45am. Within that hour the guards move between St James’s Palace, Buckingham Palace and Wellington Barracks, which is why watching it well is about being in the right place at the right time rather than standing still.
We keep the full times and schedule up to date, including what happens when the ceremony is cancelled and what runs on the other days of the week.
The catch is that each month is only confirmed about six weeks ahead, and it shifts for state occasions and bad weather. When we build our own tour schedule we plan well in advance, so you are not turning up on a day a half marathon has taken over the streets. If there is a late change, we contact you and offer another date.
Crowds start arriving at Buckingham Palace as early as 8am in summer. Stand there and you are rooted to that spot for hours, and you will miss the marching bands along the Mall, the cavalry, and the troop movements around them.
Best Months and Days to Watch the Ceremony
This is where the best time to see Changing the Guard really gets decided. Month matters. Day matters more.
Crowd-Density Comparison by Season
- Spring (Mar–May): Medium. Crowds start increasing in size in late May. The two weeks either side of Easter are similar to those in peak summer
- Summer (Jun–Aug): High. Biggest crowds of the year.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Low. The sweet spot for space and photos.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Low, except around Christmas.
If your only goal is the best time to see Changing the Guard with room to breathe, aim for an autumn or winter weekday.
Best Days for Fewer Crowds
Weekdays are the busiest, so why not try the Sunday Parade? It’s just as exciting as the weekday ceremony, and you see plenty of guards and musicians. Plus the crowd size is usually far smaller. The logistics of navigating the Sunday Parade are very much unavailable or incorrect in online searches, so this is definitely one where a tour guide is essential.
Want a family-friendly plan? Our guide on seeing Changing the Guard while avoiding the crowds breaks it into five simple steps.
Weather and Seasonal Considerations at Changing the Guard
British weather has a vote here. The best time to see Changing the Guard can hinge on what the sky is doing that morning.
What Happens in the Rain
If the weather is bad, the event may run as a scaled-down “Wet Change”.
That means guards in light overcoats, no band, and guard movements that may vary as they protect the regimental colour and instruments. It’s still worth watching, but it’s not the full show.
London’s weather is notoriously unpredictable however, so no announcement of the Wet Change is announced in advance. The decision rests with the Captain of the Guard who will make the call sometimes only minutes before the ceremony is due to start.
The full ceremony sometimes goes ahead in the rain, and at other times it can be cancelled if it looks like it will rain within the next 30 minutes.
Seasonal Comfort Tips
Summer brings heat and the thickest crowds. Bring water, wear a hat, and get into position early before the sun and the numbers build.
Winter flips it. Fewer onlookers, but colder, longer waits. Layer up, wear waterproof shoes, and keep moving along The Mall to stay warm rather than standing frozen at the gates.
Booking a Guided Tour vs Going Alone
By now you’ve spotted the theme. The ceremony rewards people who know where to be and when. That’s exactly what decides whether you go it alone or join a guide.
What You Miss Going It Alone
On your own, there’s nothing telling you where the guards form up, march from, or march to.
Good photos and clear views happen by luck. You might nail it. You might spend two hours seeing the back of a crowd and a distant flash of red.
What a Guided Walking Tour Adds
Our Changing the Guard walking tour is built to solve the exact problems this article has laid out.
Small groups, capped for a clear view rather than a coach-sized scrum. An experienced guide who has the knowhow to assess and track the ceremony stage by stage across all three locations. And the chance to march alongside the band instead of standing still for two hours.
We’ve also written about the smarter way to see the ceremony beyond the railings if you want the thinking behind the approach.
Which Option Suits You
Be honest with yourself about what you want.
Independent viewing works fine if flexibility matters more than a guaranteed spot. You can wander, change plans, and stay as long or short as you like.
A guided tour suits anyone who wants to see the full ceremony without the guesswork. If this is a once-in-a-trip moment, don’t leave it to chance.
Ready to lock in the best time to see Changing the Guard without the crowds and the confusion? Book a spot on our Changing the Guard tour and let a guide handle the timing, the route, and the position for you.
