Windsor Guard March & Changing the Guard

About

The Windsor Guard March & Changing the Guard is one of Windsor’s most popular and unique sightseeing activities and one of the highlights of a visit to our town.  The days on which the guards march along Windsor's streets and into Windsor Castle are scheduled by the British Army and can change every month.  A band usually accompanies the guards, although this is subject to weather conditions.

Where's the best place to watch the guard march in Windsor?

The guards march from Victoria Barracks on Sheet Street, up the High Street and into Windsor Castle.  The best places to see them are on Windsor High Street or on the Corn Exchange under Windsor Guildhall.

Where do I watch the Changing of the Guard in Windsor?

If you want to see the actual ‘changing’ ceremony you need to buy an entrance ticket to Windsor Castle and allow plenty of time to get into the Castle.

The Changing the Guard ceremony takes place in the Lower Ward of the Castle, outside the Guardroom, except when the monarch is at Windsor during Easter Court when the change takes place in the Quadrangle.

To watch the guards march up the High Street takes only 10 minutes; to watch the actual ceremony inside the Castle takes about 30 minutes.

When can I watch the guards marching in Windsor?

The Guard March takes place all year round on specific days of the week, weather permitting.  Here's the monthly schedule which is set by the British Army and is subject to change (please check the Household Division website for the latest information).

In October 2026, the Guard March will take place on Thursdays and Saturdays and Tuesdays 6 and 27 October, weather permitting.

In November 2026, the Guard March will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, weather permitting.

The new guard step off from Victoria Barracks on Sheet Street at approximately 10:45am and march through the Windsor town centre.

The Changing the Guard Ceremony then takes place in the Lower Ward inside Windsor Castle at 11:00am. The sentries are changed throughout the day.

The old guards then march back to the barracks at about 11:25am so visitors have a chance to watch the Windsor guards on their return journey.

Which guards are marching in Windsor?

Here's a guide to which guards are marching and which bands are providing the musical support in October 2026:

Thu 1st Oct: 26 Engineer Regiment, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Welsh Guards
Sat 3rd Oct: Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Grenadier Guards
Tue 6th Oct: 26 Engineer Regiment, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Grenadier Guards
Thu 8th Oct: Number 9 Company Irish Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Irish Guards
Sat 10th Oct: 26 Engineer Regiment, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Household Cavalry
Thu 15th Oct: 26 Engineer Regiment, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Household Cavalry
Sat 17th Oct: Number 12 Company Irish Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards
Thu 22nd Oct: Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards
Sat 24th Oct: 26 Engineer Regiment, Guard Change, 11:00, Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards
Tue 27th Oct: Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Irish Guards
Thu 29th Oct: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards
Sat 31st Oct: 26 Engineer Regiment, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Irish Guards

Here's a guide to which guards are marching and which bands are providing musical support in November 2026:

Tue 3rd Nov: Number 12 Company Irish Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Thu 5th Nov: 26 Engineer Regiment, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Household Cavalry
Sat 7th Nov: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Tue 10th Nov: 26 Engineer Regiment, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Coldstream Guards
Thu 12th Nov: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, Guard Change,  11:00, Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Sat 14th Nov: 26 Engineer Regiment, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Coldstream Guards
Tue 17th Nov: Number 9 Company Irish Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Coldstream Guards
Thu 19th Nov: 26 Engineer Regiment, Guard Change,  11:00, Band of the Scots Guards
Sat 21st Nov: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Tue 24th Nov: 26 Engineer Regiment, Guard Change, 11:00, Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Thu 26th Nov: 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Corps of Drums of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards
Sat 28th Nov: Number 12 Company Irish Guards, Guard Change, 11:00, Band of the Household Cavalry

The guard march and Windsor traffic

Please note that traffic is stopped when the guards make their way between the barracks on Sheet Street, along the High Street and into the Castle.

Traffic Wardens and Police control traffic on the following approaches to the centre of town: Thames Street, the junction of Victoria Street and Sheet Street and near the junction of Frances Road and Sheet Street.

Traffic is usually stopped between 10:45am and 11:00am (as the guards march to the Castle) and between 11:15am and 11:30am (as they return to the Barracks).