Change of Guard, Buckingham Palace
 

How much time is sufficient to see Change of Guard Ceremony and the Buckingham Palace? I understand that Buckingham Palace is closed on Sundays. Am I right? How much is the price for the ticket for both of them? Is the CoG Ceremony at Buckhingham Palace different from CoG Ceremony at Windsor Castle?

The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the biggest wastes of time anywhere. There is no charge - people just crowd around the palace and wait for the guard to come through. And being a short person, the only thing I ever saw was the horses' ears and the tops of guards' heads. The changing of the guard at Windsor is just a low-key affair.

Buckingham Palace is only open for a month or so in the summer (Aug - Sept I believe). So if you are visiting outside those times you will only be able to see from outside the gate...so it will take only a few minutes.

I tend to agree about the changing of the guards. We moved here mid-2007 and still havent been bothered to see it.

Here are the details for 2010:
Opening hours

The Summer Opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace will be 27 July - 29 September 2010. Further dates may be added.


To receive updates about admission details, please register for the Royal Collection
e-newsletter.


Timing your visit

A typical visit lasts between 2 and 2½ hours.

Admission prices

The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace
(includes audio guide)

Adult £17.00
Over 60/ Student (with valid ID) £15.50
Under 17 £9.75
Under 5 Free
Family £45.00 (2 adults and 3 under 17s)

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/de...=article&ID=30

Many thanks to all. We are going to London in March. I got a very useful info that Buckingham Palace is open only in August and September. But please advise if we will be able to see Change of Guard Ceremony in March from outside the Buckhingham Palace.

If you scroll to the end of the link above there is info on the Changing of the Guard. Yes, it happens year round:

Changing the Guard

Changing the Guard takes place at 11:30 daily from May until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year, weather permitting.

Provisional Schedule for 2010 (please note that this schedule is set by the British Army and is subject to change. Please check this site prior to a visit)

February - odd numbered dates (1, 3, 5, etc)

Also check here: http://www.army.mod.uk/events/ceremonial/1068.aspx

Thanks Jamikins for the detailed info.

In my experience (I've seen CoG twice) I'd look at how much time I have in London, and decide if it is worth one morning. You need to be there at least one hour ahead of time, and there is no seating. When I went, the statue in front of the gates was the prime spot to stand.

You have also the CoHorses Guards (much less crowded) and, even lower down scale, there is a London Walks tour that overlaps with the guards walking down Pall Mall after the CoG...so you can get a good photo op.

Is there any ticket to purchased to see the Change of Guard Ceremony?

No tickets required for the Changing of the Guard. It's outside on public streets.

The last time I was in London, we didn't see the changing of the guard, but we were there at that time. We were walking near there and saw the relief guard getting ready (they were to the left of the palace as you look at the palace). The band was playing the theme to the TV show 'The A-Team'!. There were only a few people in this area and we were able to get some good pictures.

We then walked in front of the palace and up the road away from the palace. The horse guards were coming down the street to the palace.


We enjoyed this more than the changing proper that I had seen years before.

Took over 30 minutes and thought it was quite boring. Because of the huge crowds, it was hard to find a spot where you could see a lot.

Skip the crowds at the fence and find a place where you can see the parade and hear the music.

We saw the changing of the guards at Windsor Castle, and got right up to the front about 20 minutes before the ceremony started. We were literally 6 feet from some of the guards, and had a great view of everything. Not sure how the ceremonies differ at each place, but the Windsor ceremony lasted about 30-35 minutes as guards march to the rear portion of the castle to change. While that happens, the band plays, which was pretty cool.

Having been there recently, I would also advocate for the Changing of the Horse Guards. It is much less crowded and easier to see.

Its been recommended to me to watch them do the warming up of the band as bigtyke suggested. I know some people who have excellent photos by sticking their camera through the fence and watching the band.

Where would one stand for the changing of the guards at Horse Guards Arch? This is all I can find:

"Horse Guards Arch - the Changing of the Guard takes place daily at 11am (10am on Sundays) and lasts about 30 minutes. It is held on Horse Guards Parade by Whitehall, which is located east of St James's Park"

Which seems like a large area of possibilities. Can you see from the St. James Park side or from Whitehall?

There is also a really neat museum at the Horse Guards

They're changing the guards at Buckingham Palace
Christopher Robin went down with Alice
Alice is marrying one of the guards
"A soldier's life is very hard"
Says Alice.

Just a snippet from A.A. Milne for your amusement. It's amazing how long some things stay in your mind. And yet, I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday.

Have a wonderful trip, motu.