Changing of the Guard in London

The Changing of the Guard is a ceremony in which the Old Guard in charge of the security of Buckingham Palace is relieved of their duties by the New Guard. This spectacular parade is a free event that takes place in the morning and is one of London’s most important and famous tourist attractions.

During the Changing of the Guard, you will see regiments of guards on horseback and on foot guards. They will be wearing the traditional red robes and the famous bearskin hats. The military musical band performs alongside the ceremony of the Changing of the Guard. They play both military music and more contemporary hits – which often surprises visitors, when they play songs that you wouldn’t expect!

What is the Changing of the Guard in London?

The King´s Guard is responsible for securing two palaces in central London: Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace. St James’s Palace is located just 5 minutes’ walk from Buckingham Palace. So, the ceremony of the changing of the Guard in London can be seen from these two places: Wellington Barrack (at Buckingham Palace) and St James’s Palace.

Horse Guards is situated between the beautiful park of St. James’s and Whitehall, the road that takes us from Trafalgar Square to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.  There a Horse Guards is the official entrance to Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace.  mounted guards at Horse Guards, and these guards also switch over at 11 am. This means that we will see mounted guards passing by Buckingham Palace twice – first at 10.45am, when the new mounted guard pass by towards Horse Guards, and then at 11.37am when the old mounted Guard go back towards Buckingham Palace.

At 4 pm every day there is a dismounting ceremony at Horse Guards. This is known as the four o’ clock parade. The mounted Guard that have been guarding Horse Guards from 11am is then relieved from duty at 4pm, by guards on foot. An officer will inspect the incoming Royal Guard, and after a long day of guarding the King´s Palace, the horses are taken to the stables to rest.

So when we talk about the Changing of the Guard, we have to cover the following four key places:

1.       Buckingham Palace
2.       Wellington Barracks
3.       Palace of St James
4.       Horse Guards

Route and detailed schedule of the Changing of the Guards in London

The Changing of the Guard in London is held on specific days of the month, and the exact dates are normally confirmed a month in advance. We advise you to check the dates of the changing of the Guard a few days before you travel to London.

Top tip: Many people think that the Changing of the Guard ceremony is held every day at Buckingham Palace, but this is not the case. So some days, you’ll find that people are waiting even if the Changing of the Guard is not scheduled to take place.

10.30 am: The new Guard of both detachments (Wellington Barracks and Palace of St James) gets ready. At Wellington Barracks, the new Guard forms up in the square of the barracks for inspection. They are accompanied by a military band that starts playing a selection of music. The Royal Guard from the Palace of St James is not always accompanied by a musical band, but when there is a musical band, you will be able to hear it very clearly from Marlborough Road when the procession starts heading towards Buckingham Palace.

10.43 am: St James’s Palace detachment of the Old Guard steps off for Buckingham Palace.

 Sentries remain at the Palace of St. James.

10.45 am: The mounted Guard (Household Cavalry) rides past Buckingham Palace on their way to Horse Guards.

10.57 am: The new Guard leave Wellington barracks for Buckingham Palace.

11:00 am: Official start time for the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

11:10 am:  The new guards leave Buckingham Palace for the Palace of St James’s.

11:25 am: St. James’s Palace contingent, of the Old Guard, leaves St. James’s Palace and heads towards Buckingham Palace.

11:37 am: The old Guard that was on duty at Horse Guards rides past Buckingham Palace.

11:40 am: Old Guard who was on duty at Buckingham Palace leaves Buckingham Palace towards Wellington Barracks.

11:45 am: St. James’s Palace Detachment of The King’s Guard leaves Buckingham Palace.

Troop Movements: Map

Where to watch the Changing of the Guard in London

This is one of the attractions in London that tourists flock to see. To make sure that you don’t miss a thing during the Changing of the Guards, we recommend arriving early and knowing where the best spots to stand are.

Most people will crowd right in front of Buckingham Palace at the gates to see the changing of the Guard. There are more places where the ceremony can be seen, but just remember that the whole ceremony cannot be seen from just one spot.

These are the most popular spots on the Changing of the Guard Route.

1. Gates at Buckingham Palace: If you can get to the front row, just in front of Buckingham Palace at the gates, you’ll have a great view of the ceremony, but you won’t probably see the Household Cavalry very well.
2. Victoria Memorial: Just in front of Buckingham Palace, you’ll see the Victoria Memorial, and standing on these steps will offer great views of the ceremony. The steps on the Victoria Memorial are probably one of our favourite spots to see the Changing of the Guard in London.
3. Green Park entrance: You could stand at the Green Park entrance, which is on the right of the main entrance of the Palace – but we wouldn’t say that this is the best option, to be honest, as you won’t see the actual changing of the Guard, but you will get to see the household cavalry as they go by.
4. The Mall: This is the main road that leads up to the main entrance of Buckingham Palace. We would recommend standing at the junction with Marlborough Road. You’ll be able to take brilliant photos from here.
5. Wellington Barracks

If you are not that interested in seeing the relay itself, but you want to take some really cool pictures of the Guard walking or riding towards Buckingham Palace, we would recommend waiting at The Mall, which is the street that goes from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace.

More specifically, we would recommend that you stand at the entrance of Marlborough Road.

The Changing of the Guard Calendar in London: 2023 dates

The Changing of the Guard ceremony in London begins at 10.30 am with the relief of the guards happening at 11 am at Buckingham Palace. The ceremony lasts approximately 30-45 minutes.

The Changing of the Guard will normally take place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday of the year. During the months of April, May and June the changing of the Guard also takes place on Saturdays. During the summer, it takes place every day of the week.

However, although this is generally the schedule, there can always be exceptions, with the exact dates usually confirmed one month in advance. Below we have put together a list of confirmed dates and the provisional dates for each month. This information is updated every month, and the exact dates of the Changing of the Guard are only available the month before (sometimes only a few days!) This is why it’s so important to check the dates just before coming to London.

> January
> February
> March
> April
> May
> June
> July
> August
> September
> October
> November
> December

Changing of the Guard in London January 2023 ✓ Confirmed dates

The Changing of the Guard in London will take place on the following days in January: 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 30th of January at Buckingham Palace. Confirmed dates.

Changing of the Guard in London February 2023 ✓ Confirmed dates

The Changing of the Guard in London will be held on the following days in February: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 27th February at Buckingham Palace. Confirmed dates.

Also, in February: Valentine´s Day

Changing of the Guard in London March 2023 ✓ Confirmed dates

The Changing of the Guard in London will be held on the following days in March: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29 and 31st of March at Buckingham Palace. Confirmed dates.

Changing of the Guard in London April 2023 ✓ Confirmed dates

The Changing of the Guard in London will be held on the following days in April: 5, 10, 12, 14, 19, 23*, 24, 26, 28* and 30th* of April at Buckingham Palace. Confirmed dates.

* Exceptions: No music or ceremony on the 28th and 30th of April. London Marathon is taking place on the 23rd of April, so the changing of the guard on this day will take place at 8 am with no music or ceremony.

In April, we will also be celebrating Easter in London. 

Changing of the Guard in London May 2023 X Provisional Dates

The Changing of the Guard in London will take place on the following days in May: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29 and 31st May at Buckingham Palace. Provisional dates.

* Exceptions: Reviews for the grand ceremony Trooping The Colour will take place in May. Tickets can be bought to attend this rehearsal on the official website.

Changing of the Guard in London June 2023 X Provisional Dates

The Changing of the Guard in London will take place on the following days in June: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30th of June at Buckingham Palace. Provisional dates.

* Exceptions: Trooping The Colour takes place in June.

Changing of the Guard in London July 2023 X Provisional Dates

The Changing of the Guard in London will take place on the following days in July: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31st of July at Buckingham Palace. Provisional dates.

* Exceptions: On the 21st of July there won´t be a St James´s Palace Band, but the Band of the Irish Guards will be the musical support of the ceremony.

Changing of the Guard in London August 2023 X Provisional Dates

The Changing of the Guard in August will be held on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29 and 31st of August at Buckingham Palace. Provisional dates.

Changing of the Guard in London September 2023 X Provisional Dates

The Changing of the Guard in September will take place on these days: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, and 30th of September at Buckingham Palace. Provisional dates.

Changing of the Guard in London October 2023 X Provisional Dates

The changing of the Guard in October will take place on the following days: 2*, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, and 30th of October at Buckingham Palace. Provisional dates.

* Exceptions:  On the 2nd of October the Changing of the Guard will take place at 8 am without musical accompaniment or traditional ceremony due to the London Marathon taking place that day.

Changing of the Guard in London November 2023 X Provisional Dates

The changing of the Guard in November will take place on the following days:  2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13*, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28 and 30th of November at Buckingham Palace. Provisional dates.

Exceptions: on the 13th of November London celebrates Remembrance Sunday. The Changing of the Guard will take place at 8 am, and no musical support is expected on this day.

Changing of the Guard in London December 2023 X Provisional Dates

The Changing of the Guard in London will take place on the following days: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 27, 28 and 30th of December at Buckingham Palace. Provisional dates.

Other events that take place in December are Christmas in London and the most important night of the year: New Year’s Eve in London

Cancellation due to rain

You’ve probably heard the rumours, it does occasionally rain in London… The bad news is that the ceremony of the Changing of the Guard in London can be cancelled last minute without any notice due to bad weather. If the ceremony is cancelled, it will not be rescheduled for a later time or date. However, in our experience, it has to rain a lot for it to be cancelled, and a few raindrops won’t stop it from happening!

Walking tours of the Changing of the Guard in London

A great option is to join one of the walking tours of the Changing of the Guard. A tour guide will tell you about the history and curiosities of this fantastic ceremony, but you will also get the opportunity to walk alongside the King’s soldiers. There is also access to a platform where you will get a perfect view of the whole thing.

⇒ Find out more: Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

What to do after the ceremony

Once the ceremony is over we would suggest that you go explore the nearby areas on foot. You will be close to tourist hot spots like St James’s Park and Trafalgar Square. Take a look at our itinerary 1, a walking route that starts at Buckingham Palace and that you’ll find on our free mobile app.

See our London Itinerary 1: From Buckingham Palace to Covent Garden

Visit Buckingham Palace

Not many people know this, but you can visit different parts of Buckingham Palace. The spectacular Royal Mews is one of the finest working stables in existence. Here you will see the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, the Gold State Coach, and the carriage horses. The Royal Mews are open all year round to the public.

The state rooms at Buckingham Palace are open during the summer. We highly recommend doing this if you’re looking to do something special during your visit to London.

The Queen’s Gallery has been a gallery for the Royal Collection since 1962 and hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection. It is open to the public all year round.