Mon, 29 Sept 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Scots Guards
- Band of the Welsh Guards
Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard: Dates, Times & Tips
Few London moments are as iconic as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace; precision drill, bold music, and centuries of tradition in one spectacle.
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Changing of the Guard — Buckingham Palace
Confirmed schedule (as of 29 Sept 2025)
September 2025
Tue, 30 Sept 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Welsh Guards
October 2025
Wed, 01 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Welsh Guards
- Pipes No. 12 Coy. Irish Guards
Thu, 02 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Welsh Guards
Fri, 03 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
F Company Scots Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Welsh Guards
- Pipes No. 12 Coy. Irish Guards
Sat, 04 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
F Company Scots Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Grenadier Guards
Sun, 05 Oct 2025
10:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
F Company Scots Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Grenadier Guards
Mon, 06 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Coldstream Guards
- Pipes No. 12 Coy. Irish Guards
Tue, 07 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Coldstream Guards
Wed, 08 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
Number 9 Company Irish Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Scots Guards
- Pipes No. 12 Coy. Irish Guards
Thu, 09 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
Number 9 Company Irish Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Scots Guards
Fri, 10 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Coldstream Guards
- Band of the Grenadier Guards
Sat, 11 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Grenadier Guards
Mon, 13 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Coldstream Guards
- 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards Corps of Drums
Tue, 14 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Household Cavalry
Wed, 15 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Irish Guards
- 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards Corps of Drums
Thu, 16 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Irish Guards
Fri, 17 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Coldstream Guards
- 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards Corps of Drums
Sat, 18 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Grenadier Guards
Sun, 19 Oct 2025
10:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Household Cavalry
Mon, 20 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Irish Guards
- 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards Corps of Drums
Tue, 21 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Scots Guards
Wed, 22 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Scots Guards
- 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards Corps of Drums
Thu, 23 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Grenadier Guards
Fri, 24 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Household Cavalry
- Band of the Grenadier Guards
Sat, 25 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Irish Guards
Sun, 26 Oct 2025
10:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Irish Guards
Mon, 27 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Welsh Guards
- 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards Corps of Drums
Tue, 28 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Welsh Guards
Wed, 29 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Coldstream Guards
- 1st Bn. Grenadier Guards Corps of Drums
Thu, 30 Oct 2025
15:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Musical Support
- Band of the Scots Guards
Fri, 31 Oct 2025
11:00
Guard (Regiment/Company)
1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Musical Support
- Band of the Coldstream Guards
- Band of the Scots Guards
Key Times
Note: This changes depending on the date and ceremony.
10:43 – Old Guard steps off from St James’s Palace
10:57 – New Guard departs Wellington Barracks (band playing)
11:00 – Buckingham Palace forecourt ceremony begins
11:10 – Relief heads to St James’s Palace
11:25 – Sentries relieved at St James’s
11:40–11:45 – Units depart; forecourt clears
Tip: Aim to be in position 45–60 min early for railings views, or see the lively step-off at Wellington Barracks and stroll up with the band.
Fancy a hosted experience? Our guides time this perfectly on the Landmarks & Gems Ride → See tours
Best Spots
Why here: See the New Guard form up, hear the band up close, and avoid the densest crowds.
When to arrive: 10:35–10:45 for a front-row view of the 10:57 step-off.
Vibe: Energetic, great for photos, easy to move with the procession.
Accessibility: Wide pavements; easier than the forecourt for wheelchairs/strollers.
Why here: The handover happens here—iconic shots, full pageantry.
When to arrive: By 10:15 on busy days; railings fill quickly.
Vibe: High energy, tightly packed; expect phones overhead.
Accessibility: Flat but crowded; no dedicated wheelchair area—arrive earlier.
Why here: Watch detachments and drum majors with more breathing room.
When to arrive: 10:35–10:45 to catch movements to/from the palace.
Vibe: Calmer, elegant backdrops; great for families and photography.
Pro move: Start here, then drift toward the forecourt as the ceremony develops.
Prefer someone to navigate the flow? Join our guide and roll with the music →
Top Tips
Arrive early: 45–60 minutes ahead for the best railings views.
Choose your vibe: Barracks (lively), Forecourt (iconic), St James’s/Mall (calmer).
Travel smart: Tube to Green Park or St James’s Park; avoid driving.
Pack light: Water, camera, light layer; London weather changes fast.
Kids & groups: Agree a meeting point; crowds swell at 10:50–11:10.
Accessibility: Flat approaches; earlier arrival helps.
Follow the music: You can walk alongside (on pavements) from Barracks toward the Palace for varied angles.
Check the schedule the morning of: Weather or state events can alter timings.
Make it a day: Pair the ceremony with our Landmarks & Gems Ride or a Private Royal London experience → Explore tours
Make it a day: Pair the ceremony with our Landmarks & Gems Ride or a Private Royal London experience →
What's it all about
What is the Changing of the Guard?
A precision handover where one regiment takes over palace protection from another. Expect immaculate drill, bold marching music, and centuries of ritual—right in the heart of Royal London. The action starts at Wellington Barracks, flows to Buckingham Palace at 11:00, and ripples to St James’s Palace, giving you multiple vantage points.
A little history
Ceremonial guard duties date back to the 1600s, moving to Buckingham Palace when it became the sovereign’s residence in 1837. Today, regiments from the Household Division—Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards—rotate duties, often with the stirring accompaniment of their military bands. It’s living tradition: disciplined, theatrical, and very London.
Want the best angles without the guesswork? Our guides choreograph your morning so you see more and wait less →