The Changing of the Guard Tour
Piccadilly Circus Tube, meet by the Eros statue
Guided by Rick Jones or Ronnie Haydon
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Weekly | 10 am | 12 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
Blue Badge guide and music writer Rick Jones leads a tour to March in time with the military band and account for the long history of the manoeuvre with special emphasis on the 1790s when militarism was in the air and Austrian composer Joseph Haydn was tripping the light fantastic here in London
HERE’S HOW TO FIND RICK
“I have a Blue Badge on my lapel. I may well wear an 18th-century wig. I have a vuvuzela with the words Property of Joseph Haydn on the side which I blow to announce the start. I have a drum roll for the Drumroll Symphony. Either way, I will draw attention to myself.”
THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD
The tour incorporates the Changing of the Guard which Haydn also witnessed and which partly inspired his 100th Symphony The Military.
He blest the City with a dozen symphonic masterpieces, half of which were popular enough to acquire nicknames – The Clock, The Miracle, The Surprise, The Drumroll and the London itself, No104, the last he composed. The tour not only tells the story of these works but also meets the composer’s English girlfriend and the German Musicianer who was here before him….
Tim Quick –
An exceptional guide for an exceptional walk. Richard is knowledgeable, funny and alround great company. He navigates you through time and through London, to land you right on cue for the changing of the guard. If you’re really lucky you might be treated to a small musical interlude en route as well. Highly recommended.
Jean Piazza –
Rick was absolutely entertaining & very knowledgeable on this walk. He stopped and pointed out all the hidden walkways & knew the history inside & out on Haydn & all the British monarchy from the beginning of time. Very fun way to get my week & morning started going on a Changing of the Guard walk. Highly recommend this walk!
Julie –
We thoroughly enjoyed the walking tour with Rick, learning about Haydn and his time in London, walking along with the Changing of the Guard, and visiting several hidden corners along the way including an old shopping arcade and a Christopher Wren church. Rick was a friendly and knowledgable guide.
Christine Russell –
I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining and informative walking tour with Rick. It was very interesting to learn so much about Haydn’s life and about the history of this part of London . So many fascinating details were pointed out that I had never noticed before!
Abigail Franklin –
Outstanding tour with an exceptionally outstanding guide. Learning about Haydn’s time in London was enjoyable with landmarks along the way that I never could have found on my own. Also, watching the Changing of the Guard was a real highlight, and our wonderful guide knew just where to stand. A wonderful way to start the day!
Brian –
A great walk, loads of interesting facts about Haydn, an excellent friendly guide with the addition of a great singing voice. Highly recommended.
Chris –
This walk was brilliant – Rick undertook it with enthusiasm, even though I was the only person on it. A good pace and full of great information for someone like me who had heard of Haydn but had not realised he had spent time in London. The changing of the guard was an added bonus. I am partially deaf but had little trouble hearing Rick even against London noise. A great walk for my final morning.
Phillip –
Walking with Rick, always a good jaunt with his musical interludes and great knowledge on the subject. Now knowing much more about Joseph Haydn and his time in London. The marching guards to Buckingham Palace from St. James extra special with fewer tourists made this talk a little bit more special today. I even learned about Grinling Gibbons
Tom –
A pleasant, well-paced walk, which includes many nuggets of information relating to Haydn’s time in London, and the regal, Hanoverian age in which he was much feted in England. The walk was further embellished by viewing the entertaining spectacle of the Changing of the Guard. Recommended for all who are interested in the London and its artistic scene of that period.
Tom –
A pleasant, well-paced walk, which includes many nuggets of information relating to Haydn’s time in London, and the regal, Hanoverian age in which he was much feted in England. The walk was further embellished by viewing the entertaining spectacle of the Changing of the Guard. Recommended for all who are interested in the London and its artistic scene of that period .