the changing of the guard | avoid the crowds

changing of the guard (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

The changing of the guards is perhaps London's most spectacular daily spectacle, and yesterday we experienced this event. But we did not do it the way most tourists do. Most head to the Victoria Memorial (in the center of the circle in front of Buckingham Palace) where thousands of tourists gather each day at 11:30 to be a part of the pageantry. This is certainly how I have done it in the past — as part of a massive crowd of tourists — but only because I didn't know there is a much better way.

You can avoid the crowds by heading to the Wellington Barracks (where the guard lives) just a few hundred feet away. If you look closely at the picture above, you can see the single row of tourists lined up behind the fence on Birdcage Walk. The map below shows just how close it is — but those few hundred feet mean no crowds standing between you and what you came to see.

But we got even closer than Birdcage Walk. We had the exclusive experience of witnessing the event from inside the Wellington Barracks. The new detachment of guards was lined up in the parade grounds (the rectangular area I've marked in the google map) preparing to march to Buckingham Palace. No crowds, no fence, just ourselves and our knowledgeable guide. We witnessed the inspection of the troops, heard several musical pieces performed by the band, and then watched as they processed out the gate at the northwest corner of the yard and marched to Buckingham Palace.

Brownell Travel has connections, and we can get you inside the Wellington Barracks. But even if this is beyond your budget, position yourself by the gate at the northwest corner of the parade square where the band marches straight out onto Spur Road. You'll have a thrilling experience, and it won't cost you a pence.

copyright  (c)  2016 by David Ourisman LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.