Where Is the Best Place to Watch the Changing of the Guard in London in 2026?
This is the single most searched question about the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace — and the honest answer surprises most visitors.
Because 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.
The good news? Every location offers something different, and knowing where to stand — and when — is the difference between a frustrating, crowd-blocked experience and one of the best free things to do in London.
One important rule applies at every location: never stand in, or try to cross, the road in front of the Guards. The King's Guard will not stop, slow down, or deviate from their line of march for anyone. Metropolitan Police Officers are always present throughout the ceremony to manage crowds, keep the gates clear for troops, and assist visitors — don't hesitate to ask them for help.
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, accompanied by a Regimental Band playing a selection of music. At 10:43am, the Guards — normally led by a Regimental Band or Corps of Drums — step off and march down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace.
This is one of London's most atmospheric and intimate royal viewing experiences, and the majority of visitors never see it.
✅ 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. Alternatively, cross The Mall into St. James's Park, walk over the bridge towards Birdcage Walk, and make your way to Wellington Barracks to see the New Guard forming up before they step off for the Palace.
🚇 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 with no railings, fences, or barriers between you. The Guards march directly past you on the road, making this one of the best spots in London for close-up Changing of the Guard photographs.
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
That final movement — the New Guard returning up The Mall — is one of the most visually spectacular and least-seen moments of the entire ceremony.
✅ Pros
No railings or barriers blocking your view
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. There is a refreshment kiosk and public toilets in St. James's Park, next to the Marlborough Gate entrance — useful if you're planning to stay for the full sequence of events.
🚇 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
Our favourite spot to watch the Changing of the Guard is not outside Buckingham Palace — it's Wellington Barracks. Here's why: 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 — all before the crowds at Buckingham Palace have even secured their spot at the railings.
At 10:57am, the New Guard, led by their Regimental Band, marches out of Wellington Barracks, turns left, and heads for Buckingham Palace along Birdcage Walk. The sight and sound of a Foot Guards regiment stepping off from barracks — boots striking the pavement, band in full voice, Colour flying — is one of London's great free spectacles.
✅ 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, you have two options. Follow them directly to Buckingham Palace — or take a leisurely stroll through St. James's Park (with time for a coffee), and position yourself on The Mall to watch the Household Cavalry ride past at 11:37am, followed by the St. James's Palace detachment of The King's Guard marching up The Mall at 11:45am.
🚇 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. The height advantage allows you to see over the heads of the crowd and follow the Guards and Bands arriving and departing from the Palace forecourt.
✅ 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 pressing against the railings can partially obstruct your view of the forecourt
Once the ceremony begins, you will not be able to move — plan accordingly and bring water
Expert Visitor Tip: Aim for a position on the side of the Memorial directly facing Buckingham Palace for the best sightlines. 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 — and for good reason. If you secure a front-row position at the gates, you will have 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.
The honest caveat: once the formal handover is complete, there is a period of approximately 25 minutes during which the sentries are being individually relieved. During this time, relatively little happens that is visible from the railings. Many visitors leave disappointed because they expected continuous action throughout the 45-minute ceremony.
✅ 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. Aim to be at the north side of the railings (to the right when facing the Palace) for the best view of the New Guard entering through the North Centre Gate.
🚇 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