Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Guard”) gather for a review and inspection at Wellington Barracks, 500 yards east of the
palace (on Birdcage Walk).
At 11:15, the tired St. James's guards head out to the Mall, and then take a right turn
for Buckingham Palace. At 11:30, the replacement troops, led by the band, also head for
Buckingham Palace. Meanwhile, a fourth group—the Horse Guard—passes by along the
Mall on its way back to Hyde Park Corner from its own changing-of-the-guard ceremony
on Whitehall (which just took place at Horse Guards Parade at 11:00, or 10:00 on Sun).
At 11:45, the tired and fresh guards converge on Buckingham Palace in a perfect
storm of red-coat pageantry. Everyone parades around, the guard changes (passing the re-
gimental flag, or “colour”) with much shouting, the band plays a happy little concert, and
then they march out. At noon, two bands escort two detachments of guards away: the tired
guards to Wellington Barracks and the fresh guards to St. James's Palace. As the fresh
guards set up at St. James's Palace and the tired ones dress down at the barracks, the tour-
ists disperse.
Cost and Hours:
Free, daily May-July at 11:30, every other day Aug-April, no ce-
remony in very wet weather; exact schedule subject to change—call 020/7766-7300 for
the day's plan, or check
www.royal.gov.uk
(search “Changing the Guard”); Buckingham
