Where Is the Best Place to Watch the Changing of the Guard in London in 2026?
The Changing of the Guard ceremony spans three locations — Buckingham Palace, St. James's Palace, and Wellington Barracks. There is no single spot where you can watch the entire Guard Mounting from start to finish. The ceremony begins at St. James's Palace at 10:25am and doesn't conclude until the King's Guard has returned there at approximately 11:45am.
If you want to visit all the best places to watch the Changing of the Guard in London without missing any of the action then visit the award-winning Changing of the Guard Tour.
The 5 Best Places to Watch the Changing of the Guard — Ranked & Reviewed
📍 1. Friary Court, St. James's Palace
Address: St. James's Palace, Marlborough Road, London SW1A 1BG
Best for: Seeing the ceremony up close without the Buckingham Palace crowds.
The Changing of the Guard starts here — not at Buckingham Palace. At 10:25am, the St. James's Palace detachment of the Old Guard forms up in Friary Court for a formal inspection by the Captain of The King's Guard. At 10:43am, the Guards step off and march down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace.
✅ Pros
Close-up, unobstructed view of the Guard inspection
Far less crowded than Buckingham Palace
No railings or barriers between you and the soldiers
Excellent for photography
❌ Cons
Popular with tour groups — arrive early for the best position
The ceremony here lasts only a short time before the Guards march away
Expert Visitor Tip: Grab your photos at Friary Court, then head down to The Mall to watch the Guards and Band march past.
🚇 Nearest Tube:
Green Park (Piccadilly, Victoria & Jubilee lines) — 0.4 miles, approx. 9-minute walk
📍 2. The Mall
Best for: An unobstructed, barrier-free view of the Guards marching — and seeing moments most visitors miss entirely.
Positioning yourself on The Mall — between Marlborough Road and Buckingham Palace — puts you right alongside the marching Guards. This location also gives you the flexibility to follow the procession down to the Palace — or stay and catch a series of spectacular moments that the crowds at Buckingham Palace will completely miss:
10:43am — The Old Guard detachment from St. James's Palace marches past, preceded by the Band
11:10am — A Relief detachment marches up The Mall and enters St. James's Palace via Stable Yard Road to relieve the sentries on duty
11:37am — The Household Cavalry (King's Life Guard on horseback) rides past on their return to barracks from Horse Guards Parade
11:45am — The St. James's Palace detachment of The King's Guard, normally led by a Regimental Band, comes marching straight up The Mall towards you in full ceremonial uniform
✅ Pros
Unobstructed views
Excellent photography spot — guards march right past you
Multiple troop movements to see, spread across the morning
More relaxed atmosphere than the Palace forecourt
Flexibility to move and follow the action
❌ Cons
On some dates, the Old Guard marches from St. James's Palace without a Band (always check the confirmed schedule before you go)
You cannot see the formal handover ceremony on the Buckingham Palace forecourt from here
Expert Visitor Tip: Don't feel you have to follow the crowd to Buckingham Palace. Stay on The Mall and you'll see movements most visitors miss entirely.
🚇 Nearest Tube Stations:
Green Park (Piccadilly, Victoria & Jubilee lines) — 0.5 miles, approx. 10-minute walk
Charing Cross (Bakerloo & Northern lines) — 0.6 miles, approx. 13-minute walk
Photo credit: Lewis Clarke
📍 3. Wellington Barracks
Address: Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London SW1E 6HQ
Best for: Seeing the New Guard up close before the crowds arrive — our expert pick.
Arrive by 10:45am and you'll have an excellent, relatively uncrowded view of the New Guard forming up on the parade square, their formal inspection, the Regimental Colour being handed over, and the Regimental Band playing a full programme of music. At 10:57am, the New Guard, led by their Regimental Band, marches out of Wellington Barracks, towards Buckingham Palace.
✅ Pros
Significantly less crowded than Buckingham Palace
Close-up view of the New Guard inspection and band performance
Outstanding photography opportunity as the Guards step off
Arrive later (10:15am) and still get an excellent position
Ideal for families with children, pushchairs, and wheelchair users
❌ Cons
You will need to make your way to the Palace separately to see the forecourt ceremony
Expert Visitor Tip: Once the New Guard departs at 10:57am grab a refreshment from the nearby kiosks and then head back to Barracks ready for the Old Guard to stand down at the Barracks at 11:35am.
🚇 Nearest Tube:
St. James's Park (District & Circle lines) — 0.3 miles, approx. 6-minute walk
📍 4. The Victoria Memorial
Address: The Mall, London SW1A 1AA (directly in front of Buckingham Palace)
Best for: An elevated view of the full forecourt ceremony without being in the crowd.
The raised steps of the Queen Victoria Memorial — positioned directly in front of Buckingham Palace — offer one of the most elevated and panoramic views of the Changing of the Guard available to the public.
✅ Pros
Elevated position gives a broader view of the ceremony than ground level
Good sightlines for watching the Guards and Bands arrive and depart
Excellent view of the Household Cavalry as they ride past
A classic backdrop for photography of the Palace
❌ Cons
You must arrive early — this spot fills up fast on busy days
The Memorial gets very crowded in summer
Crowds against the railings can partially obstruct your view of the forecourt
Once the ceremony begins, you will not be able to move until the ceremony is over.
Expert Visitor Tip: Arrive by 10:00am on summer weekdays and by 9:30am at weekends to secure a good position.
🚇 Nearest Tube Stations:
St. James's Park (Circle & District lines) — 0.4 miles, approx. 8-minute walk
Green Park (Piccadilly, Victoria & Jubilee lines) — 0.4 miles, approx. 9-minute walk
📍 5. Buckingham Palace Railings (The Forecourt Gates)
Address: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA
Best for: The closest possible view of the formal handover ceremony on the Palace forecourt.
The railings along the front of Buckingham Palace are where most first-time visitors head. Arrive early enough and you’ll secure a front-row position at the gates for the closest possible view of the formal Guard Mounting ceremony on the Palace forecourt: the Present Arms, the key handover, the Regimental Band performing, and the precise drill of the Household Division's Foot Guards in their red tunics and bearskin hats.
✅ Pros
The closest public view of the forecourt ceremony
Full view of the key handover, Regimental Slow March, and Colours exchange
The quintessential Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard experience
Best spot for photographs of the Guards through the Palace gates
❌ Cons
Arrive at least 1 - 2 hours early in summer to secure a front-row position
Extremely crowded — especially on weekends and during school holidays
Restricted view of the Guards marching to and from the Palace
Once in position, you cannot leave and return — bring water and plan for a long wait
Expert Visitor Tip: Bring a water bottle — if you leave your spot for refreshments, you will not regain your front-row position.
🚇 Nearest Tube Stations:
St. James's Park (Circle & District lines) — 0.4 miles, approx. 8-minute walk
Green Park (Piccadilly, Victoria & Jubilee lines) — 0.4 miles, approx. 9-minute walk
See the best of the Changing of the Guard on a guided tour!
If you want to see the all the best parts of the Changing of the Guard ceremony then join this award-winning Changing of the Guard Tour.