St James Palace

A hidden gem just around the corner from buckingham palace. Why? Because they have a smaller changing of the guards ceremony that a lot of people don’t know about and it is less packed. You don’t have to get here as early to get a good spot, you don’t have to wake up as early (for buckingham palace if you want a good view you have to get their at 9:30 am and it dosent start till 11 – 11:30 or something).
My suggestion
1. Save your spot ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. If you stand on the side of the road with the gate and st. james palace they will tell you to move, wait on the other side of the road/​other sidewalk (its shadier also lol).
2. Be their 30 minutes early.
3. Check what time it starts because I don’t remember.
I’ve seen both changing of the guards but truthfully I liked this one better. I got to see it closer, I didnt have to wake up as early, and this one is shorter. Overall, its less tiring and takes up less time in a busy hectic touristy schedule lol.

A lot of people don’t know that St. James’ have a guard changing ceremony on a daily basis which has a much thinner crowd than the one that gathers at Buckingham. This is a good alternative to see some sword-​crashing and the grounds are a nice place to sit too.