We happen to be arriving in London on the 13th and found out about the Trooping of the Colours on the 14th. Should we stay far away due to crowds, or get in the middle of it all? Where's the best spot to enjoy the festivities?

The processional route from the Palace along The Mall to Horseguards and back again isn't an area most people would normally bother with (apart from those of us for whom The Mall is a vital cross-London driving route, and its closure for these processions is a bloody nuisance)unless you were specifically visiting something on it.

The crowds watching Trooping the Colour (just one: if a regiment had more, it'd be a pretty useless way of identifying itself, wouldn't it?) make visiting, say, the Institute of Contemporary Arts difficult between 1030 and 1230 on that day. But, apart from The Mall and Horseguards for those two hours, pedestrians are unaffected.

There's really nowhere with a decent view of the ceremony itself you can easily get to: tickets for Horseguards go ages beforehand, and if you're interested in the actual ceremony, you really are best watching it on TV. Most spots along the processional route give you a terrific view of the couple of rows of people in front of you, though you obviously hear the bands and smell the horses, and walking along the back of the crowds ought to get you somewhere they're not very dense. This is hardly a once in a lifetime event, and there's half a mile or so of The Mall to find a spot in.

If you want to be sure of actually seeing the massed troops in the procession, go to Duke of York's Steps at the east end of the Mall and stand half a dozen or so steps up

"The crowds watching Trooping the Colour (just one: if a regiment had more, it'd be a pretty useless way of identifying itself, wouldn't it?)"

An infantry regiment actually has two colours: the Regimental and the Queen's Colours. (A few have more than two, rifle regiments have none).

However, for the Queen's Birthday, only the Queen's Colour is trooped, thus the ceremony as flanneruk pointed out is the Trooping of the Colour.

Goodness, is it that time of year again already?

Whether or not you can catch a glimpse of Themselves in the processions along the Mall to and from Horse Guards, depends on the crowds (weather may have something to do with it as well): I don't see any reason why they should be particularly massive this year, so we're talking maybe half a dozen people between you and the roadway at any one point along the Mall.

Another idea might be to get yourself to the Constitution Hill side of Green Park, not too far from the Victoria Memorial, for about 12.30. The crowds are likely to be less, and you should see the Royal Horse Artillery preparing for the gun salute, which should be fired around 12.50. You should then have time to work your way back towards the front of the Palace, to see the tiny people in the balcony and watch the flypast come over just after 1pm. If you're really keen, you can watch the parade itself on TV in the early evening.

Alternatively, you could be anywhere else in London and not know anything's going on (apart from the flypast, which comes over relatively low).

If you are in London one week beforehand there is the Colonel's Review which is a full dress rehearsal - that's easy to see.

For future reference: flanner's suggestion of the Duke of York Steps is a good idea IF the police will let you get away with it. Today they were allowing people to mass at the top, but not to stop for more than a few seconds on the steps themselves.

On the other hand, they didn't seem to mind people standing on the railings under the trees outside Carlton House Terrace to get a bit of extra height. The crowds weren't unbearable, but you still get the best view on TV (an hour and a half repeat show on BBC2 tonight).

Unfortunately, my camera settings were at a smaller screen size than Youtube displays at, but you get the idea:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tiI-b7im4fU

Thanks, PatrickLondon, that was fun to watch! Looks like you had a beautiful day and the events quite festive.

That was great. Thanks ParrickLondon. Looks like the weather was really nice - but the Queen seemed to be using a lap robe or blanket. Was it cold?

Especially enjoyed seeing the Horse Guards, fly past and the carriages w/ William/Harry/Camilla and the Queen/Duke of Edinburgh.

I understand that Her Majesty, when she was a child, was given a blanket to cover her knees when in a car or a carriage, winter and summer, fine weather and foul, open carriage or closed. Nobody has yet managed to persuade her that the rest of the world has abandoned the practice. It is a bit like Prince Charles having a valet to put his toothpaste on his toothbrush.

Incidentally, my American relations were in London today, and hoped to visit the Cabinet War Rooms. They were closed for security reasons.

I watched it for the first time (on TV) this year.

I liked the short rather rotund colour sargeant! He stuck out a mile wherever he was

i know this is too late for your question but in general london has a few large events attracting thousands of people every weekend in the summer...all running at the same time. it's no use trying to avoid london when these large events are going on. yesterday in addition to the trooping nonsense was a huge thai festival right in trafalgar square and a naked bike ride all over london that also severely impeded traffic.

That's London for you. The point is, it's big enough for all these things to happen and many parts of it not to notice - I never saw a naked person all day. But then, it was the other side of Hyde Park Corner.

Nobody has yet managed to persuade her that the rest of the world has abandoned the practice.

Why be so snide about the poor old soul?
She is in her 80s and sitting in an open carriage.
Anyone who has pushed somebody around in a wheelchair will know that elderly legs can get very chilly in that situation.

And we can always rely on walkinaround
for a sneer at anything British.

It's fun, colourful and impeccably performed. Long may it continue.

I finally got around to watch the YouTube video. Thanks for posting it, PatrickLondon. It sure was an impressive display - where did they get all these horses and guards?

BTW, where is that green space in the last 2 minutes of the video? Is it Hyde Park? They fired canons in Hyde Park?

Yes they fire cannons in Hyde Park (my Dad used to do this).

A few other places too - depending on the occasion (and the horses etc are based in St John's Wood (well they were. It was a few years ago...).

Well, then I suppose the cannonballs don't travel too far? It's just hard to believe they fire cannons in the center of the city!

<<Well, then I suppose the cannonballs don't travel too far? It's just hard to believe they fire cannons in the center of the city!>>

Ever hear of blank charges?

In 2003, our first trip to London, we wanted to see Buckingham Palace. It was a lovely day and as we were standing near the gate, who should come out in a wonderful carriage but the Queen and Prince Phillip. We couldn't believe our luck. We knew nothing about the Changing of the Colours so it was just dumb luck that we happened to be there on the Mall. It was the most wonderful, exciting, gorgeous experience. However, we were amazed how few people there were. Yes, the Mall was lined but was only one person deep so we had a great view with noone in front of us. We stayed until the Queen returned and then left with no problem with crowds. Don't miss it.

Well, then I suppose the cannonballs don't travel too far? It's just hard to believe they fire cannons in the center of the city!>>>>

They aim at Penge, so no one minds.

Actually, the wadding flies a fair distance, so you aren't allowed too close to the muzzles.

They are bloody loud though.