Best London location(s) for Changing Of The Guard?
May 24th, 2006, 06:04 AM
#2
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I assume you are refering to the ceremony at Buckingham Palace? If so, it can be crowded with tourists pushing against the fence for a view...either arrive 1/2 hur early, or climb up the steps at the Victoria monument.
Better still, consider substituting the mounted horseguards ceremony at Whitehall. That venue is less crowded, you can get closer, and the mounted guards and horses are impressive.
Note that the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony--a huge parade and military celebration of the Queen's "official" birthday, takes place at Horse Guards Parade on Sat. June 17. Tickets are required, but you can still see much of the action by standing along the route or in some areas of St. James's Park. The rehersal dates for the ceremony--which are another option--are June 3rd and 10th.
Another huge ceremony--Beating the Retreat--takes place June 14 and 15 at Horse Guards Parade. Rehersals are June 6, 8 and 13.
Dave W.
dw*kidstolondon.com
Better still, consider substituting the mounted horseguards ceremony at Whitehall. That venue is less crowded, you can get closer, and the mounted guards and horses are impressive.
Note that the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony--a huge parade and military celebration of the Queen's "official" birthday, takes place at Horse Guards Parade on Sat. June 17. Tickets are required, but you can still see much of the action by standing along the route or in some areas of St. James's Park. The rehersal dates for the ceremony--which are another option--are June 3rd and 10th.
Another huge ceremony--Beating the Retreat--takes place June 14 and 15 at Horse Guards Parade. Rehersals are June 6, 8 and 13.
Dave W.
dw*kidstolondon.com
May 24th, 2006, 06:23 AM
#3
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follow up:
Trooping Colour is at 11.00 a.m. in Horse Guards Parade (Whitehall)
Beating Retreat is June 7 (not 6th), 8, 14, 15 at 6.30 p.m., same location.
Also, gun salutes in Hyde Park on June 2, 10 at 1.00 p.m.
Trooping Colour is at 11.00 a.m. in Horse Guards Parade (Whitehall)
Beating Retreat is June 7 (not 6th), 8, 14, 15 at 6.30 p.m., same location.
Also, gun salutes in Hyde Park on June 2, 10 at 1.00 p.m.
May 24th, 2006, 06:31 AM
#4
Even 1/2 an hour early won't get you a good view. Unfortunately if the changing of the Guard is a must - it will be a time waster. The best place to stand if you don't want to get there an hour ahead is on Spur Rd. This is a short street that connects the circle in front of teh Palace w/ Birdcage Walk. The Guards and band will march down Birdcage Walk and you will be w/i a few feet of them both directions.
Or - you can stand out front of Wellington Barracks and watch them form up and march out and follow them to as close to the Palace as you can get - which will probably be Spur Rd.
Or - you can stand out front of Wellington Barracks and watch them form up and march out and follow them to as close to the Palace as you can get - which will probably be Spur Rd.
May 24th, 2006, 06:33 AM
#5
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When I was there, climbing on the Victoria monument was regularly discouraged by the Bobbies while waiting for the procession to start.
Just get there early, jostle for a front position and stay there til it's over. You may need to wait a while, but otherwise you could be standing 10 people deep in some places, trying to see over them to get a photo.
Just get there early, jostle for a front position and stay there til it's over. You may need to wait a while, but otherwise you could be standing 10 people deep in some places, trying to see over them to get a photo.
May 24th, 2006, 07:35 AM
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We've done both and I'd second the vote for horseguards ceremony at Whitehall. It's where they start and end the ceremony for Buckingham so you get to see part of the more formal parade but also the more "informal" mounting and dismounting. Much more interesting than Buckingham itself (IMO)and there's absolutely no comparison in the crowds - at Whitehall we had no trouble standing at the very front next to the main gate and we didn't get there early.
May 24th, 2006, 07:47 AM
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I would reccommend the mounted horse guards. Not as croweded and was nice.
If you must see the Changing of the Guard at the Palace, just know that it will be packed full of people. I had gotten there quite early and had a spot right at the black gate. I was so squished I could not stand it. This woman, was literally stradling me. One foot on either side of me, on the concrete part of the gate. The guards asked her to get down off the fence. I asked her politely twice to get off of me. She did not move. I had to leave. That was way more than an invasion of my personal space. I ended up walking around St James? park instead. That was much nicer.
If you must see the Changing of the Guard at the Palace, just know that it will be packed full of people. I had gotten there quite early and had a spot right at the black gate. I was so squished I could not stand it. This woman, was literally stradling me. One foot on either side of me, on the concrete part of the gate. The guards asked her to get down off the fence. I asked her politely twice to get off of me. She did not move. I had to leave. That was way more than an invasion of my personal space. I ended up walking around St James? park instead. That was much nicer.
May 24th, 2006, 09:17 AM
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We day-tripped out to Windsor Castle (the London Plus Pass for the train is a great thing). They had a Changing of the Guard at Windsor that was ceremonial & entertaining... and no huge crowds like at Buckingham Palace.
Much more enjoyable....
Much more enjoyable....
May 24th, 2006, 10:35 AM
#9
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I second the recommendation of the Windsor Castle Changing of the Guard - we just happened across it in Dec. 2004 and no one else was watching.
Contrast that to the photos below that were taken hanging around Buckingham Palace just to watch the Horse Guards go by - no Changing of the Guard - in the dead of winter:
http://tinyurl.com/jox74
Contrast that to the photos below that were taken hanging around Buckingham Palace just to watch the Horse Guards go by - no Changing of the Guard - in the dead of winter:
http://tinyurl.com/jox74
May 24th, 2006, 02:03 PM
#10
Whatever you do -- DON'T stand at the Palace fence. You will be squished and will not be able to move. That is why I mentioned Spur Rd - no squishing/stradling.
As the others say if you go to one of the lower profile guard changes (horse guards, Windsor, etc.) you will be able to see more and get closer.
As the others say if you go to one of the lower profile guard changes (horse guards, Windsor, etc.) you will be able to see more and get closer.
