Wellington Barracks is a barracks with several king's guards living there year-round.
If you want to see the changing of the guard, you'll probably pass this building.
Let me tell you all about it in this article.
Wellington Barracks: article summary
How to get to Wellington Barracks?
There are many means of transport that can take you to Wellington Barracks. You can use :
- Visit bus 11, 24, 148, 211 and 507
- Trains leaving from St James's Park station
The various guard regiments present in the building
There are actually five regiments of royal guards:
- The Grenadiers
- Coldstream Guards
- The Scots Guards
- The Irish Guards
- The Welsh Guards
However, only three of them are based at the barracks: the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards.
Obviously, the public is not allowed to enter, as this is a military building, but you can see them for yourself. through the gates as they practice their military drills.
Wellington Barracks: when is the best time to visit??
The best time to visit is thirty minutes before the changing of the guard begins, so you can watch the new guard forming on the forecourt.
It's not a substitute for the main parade, as this one is much better, but if you've already seen the grand parade at Buckingham Palace, you might enjoy take a look at this preliminary section.
The changing of the guard ceremony
What you should try to do is stand in the very center of the building, right in front of the clock, so that when it finally starts, you'll have foot guards on your left and a drum corps on your right.
The balustrades don't start filling up until 10.15 a.m., and even then, there's still plenty of space for you to squeeze through.
The first action takes place at 10.30 a.m. when the Foots Guards come out and form up in lines. Here you can see the serious-looking Scottish Guards, wearing long socks, sporrans and tartan kilts, with bayonets inserted in the top of their automatic rifles.
A timed performance
At 10.35 a.m., an officer starts shouting at them and they swing their weapons over their heads.
Five minutes later, a lone drummer makes a few rolls and they get up exactly, on tiptoe to the left.
Then another officer starts pecking at their clothes to make sure they all look presentable for the parade.
Wellington Barracks: a brass band to keep up with the times
At 10.45 a.m., the marching band takes its place to their right. If you have good hearing, you may be able to pick up a few notes from the Palais Saint-James detachment currently marching through the mall.
The St James's group is part of the Old Guard. The soldiers at the barracks are the New Guard. When they finally meet at the palace, they will change places with the previous guards.
A rousing end to the ceremony
At 10.50 a.m. the regimental flag arrives, and seven minutes later a loud drum roll sends them all marching along the parade ground towards the back gate.
If you're fast enough, you should be able to see them on Spur Road. as they head for the palace.
You can't go much further, as you'll be up against a crowd of thousands. So I recommend you cross the park to St. James's Palace.
If you go over the central bridge, you'll have a lovely view of Buckingham Palace, and if you arrive at Stable Yard around 11.10 a.m., you can watch the soldiers retrace their steps.
Wellington Barracks is the guardhouse par excellence. During your stay, if you want to see these guards before anyone else, I advise you to visit the site.
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