London: Changing the Guard Ceremony with a Private Guide｜United Kingdom

On this spellbinding experience, designed by professional guides who are former serving members of the British military, you will get an insight into royals and the soldiers whose duty it is to protect the sovereign, before taking the best position to witness the world's oldest military ceremony.

The Guards Regiment are just about as British as you can get. Scarlet tunics, Bearskin caps and martial music; the epitome of pomp and circumstance. But what lies behind the hours of "spit and polish"? The Guardsmen are not chocolate soldiers, they are professionals upholding centuries of tradition and pride. We will reveal the secrets behind the barrack gates and give you a glimpse of the life of the world's most famous regiments.

Starting your experience at Trafalgar Square with a presentation over coffee before the Sergeant Major roars and the drums begin to beat, we will focus on the sovereign to whom they are dedicated. Hear the word behind the gates of Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace. The triumphs, tragedies and shenanigans of the Royals over centuries.

For the ceremony you join a fascinating, weaving route, skip the crowds, see the Guards undergo inspection, three working royal palaces and offices of the Royals, then take up the best spots for a front row view of this incredible ceremony.

A break for refreshments follows before we enter the Cavalry Museum in Horse Guards Parade. Here you will see centuries of heritage in the fascinating curation, and see the guards tending their horses in the stables, where you can try on a guard's tunic for size and take your own pictures.

Who is this tour ideal for?

Perfect for history enthusiasts, military buffs, and royal tradition fans eager to uncover secrets of London’s iconic Changing the Guard ceremony. Great for families or curious travellers wanting an exclusive, crowd-free glimpse into the Guards’ world.

Highlights
Private Tour Guide
Witness the "old guard" being inspected before the ceremony
Front row view for the Changing the Guard Ceremony
See the horse mounted guard change at Horse Guards Parade
See 3 working Royal palaces
Guided tour of the Cavalry Museum
Duration (approx.): 3 hours