London Changing of the Guard Tour Review: Is it Worth it?

Visiting London, you almost certainly will have a checklist filled with well-known landmarks and memorable experiences. The Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, too it’s very high up on lots of visitor itineraries. But, experiencing this spectacle, actually doing it sometimes demands quite a bit of planning and also a little insider knowledge. That’s where a guided walking tour, similarly to the “Changing of the Guard Royal London Walking Tour,” might be of assistance. Now, is it something that lives up to the hype? So, does it provide good value? I suppose, we will take a closer peek.

What is the Changing of the Guard?

Originally, the Changing of the Guard, as a matter of fact is an official ceremony where The King’s Guard hands over duty to the New Guard. This ceremony happens outside Buckingham Palace and at St. James’s Palace, in a way offering us a vibrant show of pomp, pageantry and a little tradition. Now, the ‘why’ goes back centuries; The King’s Guard basically have the very important job of guarding the Sovereign and the Royal Residences. So, the Changing of the Guard, in some respects is not just a symbol; too it’s a functional changing of the guard, marking that switch in a distinctive manner. It’s been going on in some variation since the 1600s, right?

Why Consider a Guided Tour?

Alright, the Changing of the Guard seemingly draws big crowds, especially throughout peak tourist season. Just finding a good spot could be very difficult, not to mention that being aware of the schedule – seemingly it isn’t daily, and changes without notice – can actually be tricky. Also, you will possibly find yourself kind of jostling with a lot of people just to see anything at all. I mean, a guided tour handles these annoyances. It usually ensures that we have a good vantage point, too it provides context to the ceremony and history of the guard. A little bit of the inside information that would probably enhance the viewing experience in a big way.

Review of the “Changing of the Guard Royal London Walking Tour”

Actually, I recently joined a “Changing of the Guard Royal London Walking Tour,” and you know what? I think it is worth discussing what went perfectly and what might’ve been improved a bit. The tour advertised itself as a way of seeing not only the ceremony, too it’s to give you some historical background to it and some additional sights near Buckingham Palace. So, the question is that if it all actually held up.

Booking and Pre-Tour Information

Booking the tour kind of was easy, the website felt easy to get through and informative enough, and you can get most of the info very quickly. Soon after booking, there was almost immediate confirmation and also quite a bit of helpful info about the meeting point and just what to anticipate. What stood out to me a little bit was how the tour operator communicated the fluctuating schedule for the Changing of the Guard and gave quite a bit of alternatives, in case the event was cancelled. It all appeared well prepared and just looked well managed from the start, honestly.

The Guide and the Group Dynamics

Our guide, let’s call her Sarah, honestly was impressive. So, clearly she was enthusiastic and appeared to just know an impressive amount of the historical context not only behind the ceremony, too it’s about other things such as the royal family. Sarah appeared to have a skill, in a way bringing to life different elements, in a way allowing things that may usually bore some to become extremely interesting. She kept things interactive by using interesting facts, answering any and all questions. The group, I want to say was approximately 20 people, which seemed like a manageable amount. It was very big for an individual tour, yet seemingly everyone could see and hear her well enough. Group dynamics seemed cordial. Maybe everyone seemed captivated and also engaged.

Prime Viewing Locations

It is finding a great viewing location the thing that everyone is thinking, that, right? A great bit about that particular tour, clearly was that Sarah took us to a very strategic area near the front of the palace. Yes, there actually still was somewhat of a crowd, yet we were close enough, more or less being able to see everything pretty well without needing to fight for room or push to see. So, seemingly this advance planning definitely made a huge difference.

What You’ll See: The Tour Itinerary

Now, the tour started close to St. James’s Palace. What I mean is we initially walked by places, such as Clarence House, and Sarah was giving detailed narratives in terms of the Royal Family’s legacy. After this, seemingly the highlight definitely was witnessing the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace. It seemed a little incredible seeing the precision. Seeing a marching band seemingly elevated the spectacle, also getting photos just definitely had that memorable aspect to it. To put it differently, the whole event appeared theatrical.

Added Extras: More Than Just the Ceremony

A particular thing I kind of liked about this particular tour seemingly was that it did not only stop with the ceremony itself. Soon after it finished, we kind of went along towards a short walking exploration around a couple of nearby landmarks, such as exploring some areas surrounding Green Park. Sarah actually made a point of talking about details linked to these important landmarks that tied back in a bit with England’s regal customs, in a way which made that element very engaging. To summarise, it kind of became not only a tour in terms of the Changing of the Guard itself, too it turned out to be one centered a little bit on Royal London!

Benefits of Taking This Tour

So, let’s summarise precisely what that provides.

Ensured good viewing location: Fighting through that massive amount of folks can feel quite frustrating; it just alleviates some of that stress.
Detailed commentary: More Than simply finding things out about the event happening; clearly you receive extra historical awareness related to that.
Time Savings: Instead of spending some time figuring out planning/logistics – you can definitely immerse oneself straight into what actually is going on.
Insights From A Professional: Getting answers answered instantly along insight provided means obtaining some degree of expertise otherwise possibly unnoticed from research completed all alone.

Possible Drawbacks

No one thing can really be best for every single person, naturally. Here is anything else perhaps consider…

Fixed Schedule: Just remember one must possibly keep track of tour’s schedule without any adjustments according a thing happening otherwise along different adventures, instead
Group size: A bit like doing the trip together means potentially compromising specific interests.
Price tag: Totally free possibilities exist. Then investing money is actually an issue or is against specific travel choices.

Tips for Attending the Changing of the Guard

Planning to check the event, with having a trip and otherwise just by on your own.

Double-Check Schedules: Generally, go specifically during official Buckingham Palace web pages in order determine official scheduled occasions when such is happening
Arrive at Destination ahead of Time: In particular during height from a traveling month come sooner in position when planning ensure excellent vantage point
Stay secure from pickpockets: Big public locations are sadly, occasionally utilized by petty criminal so ensure possessions
Anticipate Cancellations: Keep a backup plan! Now there occur days that anything could quite possibly stop planned routine due several things (weather-linked maybe!). So possessing back up option normally aids mitigate letdown.

Is This Tour Right for You?

Would you ask me anything if tours like all is worth considering that one should reflect as you are seeking something as follows.

First-Time Guests Of London: Excellent opening, something as one moves along well familiar sites
Enthusiast in Terms of Royals: Those seriously inquisitive history about British regal traditions might enjoy this more than otherwise by independently witnessing things happen and going without context associated things occurring usually taking something of trip all so very great, indeed
Folks short in Time: In general since its structured means assisting things accomplished fairly easy rather if someone tries arrange everything on someone’s individual trip all so therefore its normally one really big plus point.

Alternative Options

Potentially, there are also other London trips if in some manner which are of any desire by everyone that has quite an intriguing point generally. All these incorporate choices specifically tailored throughout other regal attractions and normally tailored taking walks adventures going beyond places like city, for illustration Windsor Castle otherwise London Tower tour. Maybe evaluating things means uncovering what is a big aspect aligned especially considering personal taste together what amount to possibly investing

Final Thoughts: “Changing of the Guard Royal London Walking Tour”

Right, so the “Changing of the Guard Royal London Walking Tour,” if you were to ask me. Generally, something is worthy from one specific viewer from every other normally as its tailored on requirements coupled just what something usually expects so when selecting activities its vital evaluating factors in detail prior things are becoming definitely set to motion regardless any regrets. Based experiences in summary, just if you look forward with avoiding lots that come via being stuck as it involves fighting throughout crowds but you desire extra interesting aspect regarding this historical traditions. I would like to mention for the investment specifically by my advice in particular is truly well regarded definitely value considering everything that you potentially attain starting from. You know there really are times with traveling that occasionally help is valuable than undertaking issues your own independently which that particular trips normally is something really big just similar in particular when discovering the magnificent British traditions.