Buckingham Palace Guard Change 2026: Best View Spots
Catch the iconic Changing of the Guard in London without the massive crowds. Here is the ultimate insider route, schedule tips, and best photo spots.
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Catch the iconic Changing of the Guard in London without the massive crowds. Here is the ultimate insider route, schedule tips, and best photo spots.
Watching the Changing of the Guard is an absolute must-do on any London itinerary!
By planning my route ahead of time, I managed to secure an incredible, up-close view.
Here is how you can do the exact same thing!
First, it is helpful to know that this royal tradition takes place at two main locations:
Buckingham Palace (the official residence of King Charles III) and Windsor Castle.
📍Buckingham Palace Ceremony Schedule📍
Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday starting at 11:00 AM
(Duration: Approx. 45 minutes)
📍Windsor Castle Ceremony Schedule📍
Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday starting at 11:00 AM
(Duration: Approx. 45 minutes)
Official Changing the Guard Schedule
Because schedules can change or get cancelled during major state events or heavy rain,
I highly recommend checking the official website before you head out!
The ceremony starts with detachments leaving from the red and light blue circles,
marching toward Buckingham Palace, performing the official handover inside the gates,
and then marching back out.
At the light blue circle (Wellington Barracks),
you can watch the military band warming up and practicing starting around 10:30 AM.
If you are more interested in the musical performance than the actual march,
this is a fantastic place to start your morning.
📍 St. James's Palace
Marlborough Rd, London SW1A 1BQ, United Kingdom
This is the other starting point, marked by the red circle:
the historic St. James's Palace.
We arrived around 10:40 AM,
and it was surprisingly uncrowded compared to Buckingham Palace!
Of course, the front-row spots along the road were already taken,
so we couldn't get right up to the curb.
I recommend getting here by 10:20 AM if you want a front-row view.
From here, you get to see the guards begin their march
to the beat of the band from the very beginning.
My top tip is to start here and walk alongside the guards
as they make their way down to Buckingham Palace.
It's much less chaotic, and you don't have to wait around for hours!
The walk from St. James's Palace to Buckingham Palace
takes about 8 minutes, with St. James's Park right beside you.
No need to stress about directions—just follow the crowd!
Along the way, you'll catch another glimpse of the guards.
Seeing the Life Guards (mounted on horseback) felt completely different
from the foot guards at St. James's Palace.
With their gleaming helmets and horses, they look incredibly majestic.
Since the road is so long, you can easily find a spot along the route
to get an amazing, unobstructed view.
Every spot along the path is a prime viewing location! ✨
📍 Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
This is where the actual handover ceremony takes place.
By the time we arrived around 10:50 AM,
the area outside the gates was absolutely packed.
Police officers are stationed everywhere, actively warning visitors to watch out for pickpockets.
Make sure you keep a firm grip on your bags and belongings!
There is an informative display board explaining the history of the guards.
It's definitely worth reading before the ceremony starts to appreciate the tradition even more.
Keep in mind that the interior of Buckingham Palace is only open to the public
during the summer months when the Royal Family is away on holiday.
Outside of this window, you must book guided tours in advance.
You can book these tours on the Royal Collection Trust Website.
While they offer incredible exclusive events, the tickets are quite pricey—
costing around ~$102 per person.
For the ceremony at the palace, the guards enter through the main gates (pink circle)
and march around the courtyard (red circle).
The area directly in front of the main gates (pink circle) is considered the "perfect" spot,
but to secure a place there, you need to arrive at least 1.5 hours early.
Honestly, the guards you see here are the same ones you see marching from St. James's Palace.
It's essentially the same music and marching routine.
Personally, I preferred watching them from the roadside.
If I had spent 1.5 hours standing in one spot just to see the gates,
I think I would have regretted it.
My ultimate recommendation: start at St. James's Palace,
walk along the route with the guards, and finish up with some great photos
at the Victoria Memorial fountain in front of the palace!
The ceremony at Buckingham Palace takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, while at Windsor Castle, it is held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Both start at 11:00 AM and last for about 45 minutes, but they may be canceled due to major events or rainy weather.
We recommend arriving by 10:20 AM to secure a good spot along the road where you can watch the march right in front of you. If you arrive around 10:40 AM, the roadside will already be packed with people, making it difficult to find a spot.
The interior of Buckingham Palace is only open to the public during the summer season when the Royal Family goes on holiday. Outside of this period, you can only visit by booking a paid tour through the official website, which costs ~$102 per person.
To watch the ceremony from a prime spot right in front of the main gates, you need to arrive and secure your place at least 1 hour and 30 minutes in advance. Since the waiting time is quite long, an alternative recommendation is to start at St. James's Palace and follow the route to Buckingham Palace.
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