Buckingham Palace is the monarch's official London residence and the ceremonial centre of the British monarchy. Most visitors experience its grand façade, forecourt and gates from The Mall, while the surrounding royal parks and memorials help place the palace within a wider historic setting. On selected occasions, parts of the working palace welcome visitors, but the exterior remains the essential sight throughout the year. It forms a natural walking route with St James's Park, Green Park and Westminster.
Green Park or Victoria
1 hour
10:45 on ceremony days — check schedule online.
Why visit
Watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony in front of the gates.
Visitor information
- Watching Changing the Guard from outside the gates is free.
- The ceremony usually starts at 11:00 on scheduled days and is not held every day — the official Household Division calendar confirms each date.
- Good free viewpoints: the Victoria Memorial steps and along The Mall.
- Visiting the State Rooms inside the palace is a separate seasonal ticketed visit run by the Royal Collection Trust.
Visit plan
10:15
Take your position: Victoria Memorial steps for height, the gates for close-up.
10:30–10:45
The Old Guard forms up and the St James's Palace detachment marches down The Mall.
~11:00
The New Guard enters the forecourt from Wellington Barracks with the band.
11:45
Walk off through St James's Park to Horse Guards and Westminster.
When to go
Free vs paid
Free
- The whole ceremony seen from outside: the gates, the Victoria Memorial, The Mall and Wellington Barracks.
- St James's Park and Green Park on either side of the palace.
Paid
- The State Rooms inside the palace, open only in limited periods, ticketed by the Royal Collection Trust.
- Dates and prices are published each season by the Royal Collection Trust.
Access & families
- The whole viewing area is outdoors, step-free and on pavement, but there is no seating.
- Standing for up to an hour in a dense crowd: hard with toddlers.
- With children, The Mall or Wellington Barracks gives a clearer view of the marching band than the gates.
- Nearest step-free stations are Green Park and Victoria; both are about a 10-minute walk.
Practical tips
- 01State Rooms open to visitors only in summer; check the official site.
- 02Walk through St James's Park afterwards.
- 03Arrive 45 min early for a good Guard view.
Frequently asked questions
Does Changing the Guard happen every day?
No. It runs on selected days and can be cancelled in bad weather or for ceremonial reasons. Always confirm the date on the official Household Division calendar before going.
Can I go inside Buckingham Palace?
Only during the limited periods when the State Rooms open to visitors, with a ticket from the Royal Collection Trust. Outside those periods the palace interior is closed.
Where should I stand to see it properly?
The Victoria Memorial steps give height over the crowd, the palace gates give the closest view of the forecourt, and The Mall or Wellington Barracks are best for seeing the guards and band marching.
What time should I arrive?
About 45 minutes before the ceremony, which normally starts at 11:00 on scheduled days. In summer and at weekends, an hour early is safer for a front position.
What can I do if it is cancelled that day?
Walk to Horse Guards Parade, where the Household Cavalry has its own daily guard duties, and continue through St James's Park to Westminster.