Hello,
I’ll be arriving into London from Bath by train in the afternoon of Sunday, August 15th, and flying home on Thursday morning.
I’d love to tour Buckingham Palace (and skip the long lines) and see the changing of the guards, but it seems as though it isn’t offered on Tuesdays & Wednesdays ☹️
I’d welcome suggestions as how best to do this.
Thanks,
Anne
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13934 posts
So is it Sunday August 14 or Monday August 15? Probably Monday August 15 from the way you've worded things.
I'd say there is no way to do the Palace tour if you are only there on Tuesday and Wednesday. You can see the Changing of the Guard any day and you would not see that from the Palace tour anyway. In fact, the best time to do the Palace tour is while everyone else is waiting outside for the change.
To me it's hard to see the actual change so I prefer to walk down Birdcage Walk and stand in front of Wellington Barracks to see the New Guard form up and listen to the band play while they are all getting inspected and ready to go. They then march across the road to Buckingham Palace and you can watch that as well.
If you miss the Palace State Rooms this time you can just put it on your list for the next visit, lol. I've got an ever-lengthening list of things to do in London! With just 2 days there are so many things to see and do that you won't miss the Palace. You could go to Windsor Castle or Kensington Palace if you wished. I'm not a huge fan of Kensington Palace but it's convenient and would get you into a Royal Palace.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
As Pam has said, there is confusion with your dates. Unfortunately, unless you know the Royal Family personally (!) you can’t get into the Palace when it’s closed.
The Changing of the Guard involves a lot of waiting around, so find your spot early and be prepared to wait.
Posted by
752 posts
If you are arriving on Sunday afternoon the 14th, wouldn’t Monday August 15 work for you? Looks like there is plenty of availability for the 15th, although you didn’t mention the size of your group. In addition to the tour, there is a special Platinum Jubilee exhibition in the Palace, which looks enticing, and is included with your ticket.
Posted by
OP
31 posts
My apologies for confusing the dates!
Arriving on Monday August 15th in the early afternoon.
I appreciate all of your prompt responses and suggestions! Great tip as to where to stand for the best view of the guards
Thanks!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13934 posts
To be specific, here is a googlemap satellite view. You can see the parade ground where the New Guard forums up for inspection. Then they march out along the Spur Road and across to the Palace.
https://goo.gl/maps/Gruekbz9Wsu1TbyJ9
Here is a link to the Official website for the Household Cavalry. It indicates in August they may only change on Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun so you would want to plan to do it on your Wednesday. Also take a look at the tabs on the left side of the page which shows you the complete timing of the schedule plus maps.
https://www.householddivision.org.uk/changing-the-guard-overview
Posted by
OP
31 posts
Thank you Pam, this is so helpful!
I’m not much of a museum person, unless the weather is nasty and I need to get indoors.
I’ll have almost 3 days to explore the city. Which
are your favorite places to visit outdoors?
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8375 posts
Outdoors: Take a Thames cruise down to Greenwich and walk around the park there; straddle the prime meridian (free and easy- just go through the gate at the bottom of the wall); enjoy the view, Cutty Sark ship.
Walk along the Embankment in London. Walk anywhere.......
Kew Gardens, Richmond