It's not hard to see why most people flock to Buckingham Palace when they come to London. The palace has been the official residence of British kings and queens since 1837 and its grandeur and sense of place are hard to beat. With St James' Park on either side and the historic Mall, (a road not a shopping precinct,) stretching towards Trafalgar Square, there's plenty to discover and stroll around. These distractions are especially welcome if you wish to wait to witness the Changing of the Guard.
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
The Changing of the Guard or Guard Mounting is a colourful ceremony that involves the changing of the old guard with a new one and is accompanied by a guards band. When the Queen is in residence, there are four guards on duty and when she's away there are only two.
The ceremony takes place at the front of the palace daily at 11.30am between May and July, and then on alternate days throughout the rest of the year.
Check here for up-to-date times on the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
