London hotels provide a great base to go see the Changing of the Guard one of London's most popular visitor attractions. The bright red tunics and tall bearskin hats of the unwavering guards are an iconic image of London, up there with Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. Snapping a photo of one of these soldiers is a must for any visitor to London.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony happens every day in the height of summer at Buckingham Palace and at St James's Palace (alternate days the rest of the year). It's free and there are no tickets you need to book.
Hotel in London nearby? Being in the heart of the city, it's within easy reach of the many cheap hotels in London.
At 11am (10am on Sundays) the Queen's Life Guard changes outside Horse Guards in Whitehall at the official entrance to Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace. This is where you can see guards on horseback a squadron of the Life Guards (red tunics and white plumed helmets) and a squadron of the Blues and Royals (blue tunics and red plumed helmets).
At 11:30am the Queen's Guard changes in the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace. This is where you will most likely find the 'traditional' image of soldiers in their red tunics and great bearskin hats. And, with Buckingham Palace in the background, you'll be able to get that iconic photo of London.
For great photo opportunities try these:
Get to Buckingham Palace at about 10:30am. Facing the palace, go left toward Wellington Barracks and the gate that side of the forecourt. Find yourself a spot on the kerbside facing the road toward the Victoria Monument. At about 11:15am the old guard will march up the road from St. James's Palace and go right past you through that gate.
Once the Police let the crowd move again head along the edge of the road to the gate on the other side (the right) and take up a similar position facing the Victoria Monument to catch the new guard entering this gate at around 11:30am.
At around midday head to the pavement at the top of St. James's Palace, with the Victoria Monument to your right and looking back toward Buckingham Palace. The guards will leave the forecourt with the Palace in the background.
Want that picture of you standing next to a guard? Around the corner from St. James's Palace, left past the courtyard and into Pall Mall you'll find a solitary guard who you can stand right next to. And at Horse Guards Parade and Whitehall there are photo opportunities to be had standing next to a guard on horseback.
For many visitors to London, the iconic Changing of the Guard is reason enough for them to
book hotels in London!
