ValerieM

I will be visiting London very soon (yeah!), and I am trying to figure out which cermony to watch. Which of the following is the best: the changing of the guard, the mounted guard ceremony, or the horse guards dismounting ceremony?

Due to time constraints, I want to see the dismounting ceremony more than the other two, but I am worried that it pales in comparison to the other two. Also, are any of these ceremonies worth the trouble; would my trip be diminished by not taking in any of them?

Thanks for your help!

nona1

I wouldn't bother with any of them myself....but if you have to, the mounted stuff is a bit more interesting.

ira

Hi V,

>...are any of these ceremonies worth the trouble; ....<

Only if you haven't seen them.

Once is enough.

The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is a mob scene, and not all that interesting.

I would go with one of the mounted ceremonies.

KidsToLondon

Agree that the Buckingham Palace guard ceremony can be a zoo of tourists, crushed against the palace fence for a view. However, if you follow the "old" guard out of the palace to the retreat ceremony at St. James's, that can be less crowded and more interesting.

The horseguards ceremony is more accessible, less of a crowd scene, than Buckingham Palace. You are much closer to the action.

P_M

I agree with the above, it's not time well-spent.

Intrepid1

If you are planning to visit Windsor Castle during your UK trip you can see it there..smaller, of course, but impressive all the same.

suspire

For a really interesting and different ceremony, you might try the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London:

http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/content.asp?ID=704

You do have to write for advance tickets, so act now!

suspire

Here's a little more info about the Ceremony of the Keys

http://www.toweroflondontour.com/keys.html