Best Viewing point for changing of the guards at Buckingham palace

Absolutely no guarantee can be made about this, but try this. Go to the 10am ceremony you mention, then walk to the Palace and hope you are in time to stake out the high ground on the circular Victoria Monument. If that doesn't produce the desired view (it might not, sometimes the crowds are too large and it depends on how tall you are), on the next day show up at 10:45 for the 11:00am Inspection of the Guard ceremony at Wellington Barracks, 500 yards east of the Palace on Birdcage Walk, and you should be in the front row at the fence for that ceremony.

Years ago I watched the Changing of the Guard from inside the forecourt at Buckingham Palace. I do not know if it is possible to still do this, but might be worth investigating.

You need to telephone The Master of The Household's Department and make enquiries. The Buckingham Palace switchboard number is 0207 930 4832. Don't know what the time difference is for you, but it might be worth a phone call. If you can still stand in the forecourt there will be a dress code and you will not be allowed to take photos.

Other than that I would stand on the approach road from the barracks where IMHO you will get a better view. Where the road meets the junction of the Victoria Memorial there are steps and a balustrade. You will be higher than the main crowds. It can get very crowded right outside the palace and last time I saw the ceremony this is where I stood. I got a good view of the band and guardsmen and didn't feel claustrophobic with thousands of other people about.

I haven't seen anyone in the forecourt in years...I think security concerns have put paid to that. The best spot we ever found, actually, was around the fence to the very end. Up against the fence, we got an excellent sideways look at the ceremony. And the two pairs of guardsmen who patrol back and forth during the ceremony came right up to the fence in front of us. If you go to the left side, you can always hoist yourselves up and maybe catch a view of them marching back to Horse Guards.

Pam, my suggestion would be to get there early and "grab" a good viewing spot, especially in mid-July! At that time of year, at least one hour early would be a good idea. You both might have to be patient and stand at that location until the ceremony is over, as if one of you leaves (to get a coffee or whatever), you might not be able to get through the huge crowd to get back to your spot. Be sure to each pack at least a bottle of water while you're waiting.

I've found that huge crowds start to gather as the ceremony gets closer, and although I was close to the fence it would have been useful to have a small platform or whatever, as I couldn't clearly see or take photos of the ceremony (my mistake was moving over to the Barracks to get photos of the group marching to the Palace, which meant that I lost my spot at the Fence).

I agree with Norm that perhaps the ends are the best location, as two soldiers (I believe one from the oncoming troop and one from the leaving troop) march up to the fence with sword raised, pause for a short time (probably for photos) and then return to the ranks. If you're at the fence directly in front, you would need a good wide angle lens to get the entire group in a photo.

Enjoy the pageantry and happy travels!!!

I have only watched the changing of the guards once and I ended up standing exactly where Kent suggests.
You may not be in the front row, but the overall view and the different elevations of the monument steps makes for an excellent locations. Approaching the fence would have been like being in a Tokyo train.

Pam -
Just my $.02 worth - if you're there in mid-July and it is hot, being up against the fence with a throng behind you might not be the best place because of the heat. People have been known to pass out during the ceremoy. Also - if you're by the fence and you become bored (as I did - and I REALLY, REALLY wanted to see the COTG) there is no way out.
If you think you might want to "escape" your best bet may be on the end of the fence line (at the right or left of BP) or on the Victoria Statue.

If I had to compare the COTG at BP versus the COTG at Arlington National Cemetery, I would go to Arlington every time. I am a bit of an Anglophile and I didn't really care for it - but that's just my opinion.

Hi Pam, if you are going to see the Houseguards, I would pass up the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. Go out to Windsor and see the Changing of the Guards at Windsor Castle much better viewing there. Windsor is a 30 minute train ride from Paddington Station in London.

Echoing the post above, the Changing of the Guards at Horseguards at 11:00 the other side of St James Park to Buckingham Palace and at Windsor Castle is normally a much more satisfactory experience - there are no crowds. no gates or barriers and you'll get photo's from a few yards from the guards themselves.