OUT & ABOUT | Sights & Sounds of London 10.02.2013
Changing of the Guard
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
Dates: December - odd days (1, 3, 5, etc) up to and including 21 December, THEN on 24, 27 and 30 December only
January - even days (2, 4, 6, etc.)
February - odd days (1, 3, 5, etc.) Time: 11.30am. Venue: Buckingham Palace Forecourt, Westminster, SW1A 1AA London Transport: Nearest Tubes. Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Victoria mainline rail terminus Description: The new guards from one of five Household Guard Regiments, (Coldstream, Grenadier, Scots, Irish or Welsh Guards), arrive at the forecourt of the Palace at 11:30 from Wellington Barracks. Their march takes about 5 minutes and the soldiers are accompanied by a band. The ceremony is conducted on the Palace forecourt and takes approximately forty minutes to complete. Subject to wet weather cancellation. Beware the nuisance of pickpockets outside the Palace gates. See also the colourful changing of The Queen's Lifeguards, (Blues & Royals or Life Guards), at Horse Guards Parade, (weekdays 11am, Sundays 10am); a spectacular piece of royal pageantry. Excellent photo opportunities at these and at St. James's Palace. Check Changing the Guard for further details, regimental uniform identification, and special guidebook.
Royal London Sightseeing Tour with Changing of the Guard Ceremony This Royal Tour of London takes in many of the royal highlights of London, including Westminster Abbey where Prince William and Kate Middleton, where married on April 29, 2011. You will also see Kensington Palace, where Diana, Princess of Wales, lived. Finally, you will experience the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace, then spend the afternoon exploring London at your leisure.
Hotel pickup included
Comprehensive tour of the city
Led by a Blue Badge guide
Perfect introduction for first-time visitors
Your morning tour of London begins with a panoramic drive up to Kensington Palace, once home to Princess Diana. Nearby you will see the stunning Royal Albert Hall - where famous London concerts are hosted, and the historic Albert Memorial. Continue through London to Trafalgar Square, passing Whitehall and the Prime Minister's residence on Downing Street. On arrival at Parliament Square you'll see more top London attractions including the Big Ben clock, the Houses of Parliament and the magnificent Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Your morning tour will then head to St. James' Park and Buckingham Palace to see the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. Accompanied by a military band, soldiers from the Queen's Foot Guard march to Buckingham Palace in their familiar red tunics and bearskin hats. This the oldest ceremony linked to Buckingham Palace, and it is truly representative of the colorful pomp and ceremony that make the British Royal Family so fascinating.
Your tour finishes in Trafalgar Square, conveniently located in the heart of central London so you can continue your afternoon sightseeing independently. Book this tour
