The National Service of Remembrance takes place at the Cenotaph on Whitehall every year on the second Sunday in November. In 2026 that is Sunday 8 November. Thousands of veterans, families and members of the public gather in Westminster that morning, and the ceremony and march past take over the streets at the heart of it.
That shapes how you get there and how you leave, whether you are attending, staying at a hotel nearby, or simply crossing central London that Sunday morning.
Timings as of 6 October 2026, from the London Cenotaph event page. Road closure details are published nearer the date by TfL and the Metropolitan Police; check them before you travel. Fares are estimates; we confirm the final price.
The timings on 8 November 2026
| Time | What happens | | :-- | :-- | | 8:00am | Whitehall opens to the public | | 9:00am | Royal British Legion detachments form up | | 10:00am | Detachments march out from Wellington Barracks | | 11:00am | Two-minute silence | | 11:03am | Cenotaph service begins | | 11:25am | Service ends; the march past begins |
The march past goes down Whitehall, past the Cenotaph, then turns right into Great George Street and right again into Horse Guards Road, where the salute is taken. Those streets are the ceremony itself on the morning, so plan your arrival and departure around them, not through them.
Getting there by minicab
The public enters from 8am, and good viewing spots go early. If you are attending:
- Arrive early. Aim to be dropped off well before the 11am silence, and earlier still if you want to be near the front.
- Don't plan on a drop-off at the Cenotaph. Whitehall and the march route are not places a car can stop that morning. Agree a drop-off point a short walk outside the area with us once the closure details are published.
- Leave suitcases and large bags behind. The organisers ask the public not to bring them, because police security checks are in place. If you are heading to an airport or station afterwards, see below.
- Allow for the walk. Many attending are older or have limited mobility. Choose a drop-off point with a short, step-free walk, and tell us about any access needs when you book. Our wheelchair-accessible minicab guide covers requesting a suitable vehicle. Accessible vehicles are available by request, so book early.
Getting home afterwards
The service ends around 11:25am, but the march past continues after it, and the crowd leaves over a wide window. As with any large event:
- Book the return before you go, with a pickup time that allows for the march past and the walk out.
- Agree a specific pickup point, outside the ceremony area, rather than "Whitehall".
- Give the driver a phone number that will be answered. Large crowds can affect mobile signal.
Our stadium and concert minicab guide covers the general mechanics of event pickups.
Travelling to an airport the same day
Some visitors attend the service and then fly home. Because large bags are not allowed, luggage needs a plan:
- Book a car by the hour. With hourly hire (London only), the car and driver stay with you, and your luggage stays in the boot while you attend. The driver waits outside the restricted area and collects you afterwards.
- Or leave bags at your hotel and book a separate pickup from there after the service.
Either way, work backwards from your flight's bag-drop deadline. Our guide on how early to arrive at the airport explains how.
If you are not attending
Staying at a Westminster hotel or crossing central London on Sunday morning? Expect the area around Whitehall and Parliament Square to be busy and partly restricted during the morning. If you are leaving for Heathrow or Gatwick, check the published closures and tell us your pickup address when you book, so the route avoids them.
The following Saturday, 14 November, brings the City of London's Lord Mayor's Show, with its own day-long closures, so two consecutive weekends in November affect central London.
Frequently asked questions
Q: When is Remembrance Sunday 2026? A: Sunday 8 November 2026. The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph includes a two-minute silence at 11am, and the service begins at 11:03am.
Q: What time should I arrive at the Cenotaph? A: Whitehall opens to the public at 8am. Arrive early for a good view, and allow time for security checks.
Q: Can a minicab drop me off on Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday? A: No. Whitehall and the march route are the ceremony itself that morning. Agree a drop-off point a short walk outside the area once TfL and the police publish the closure details.
Q: Can I bring a suitcase to the Remembrance Sunday service? A: The organisers ask the public not to bring suitcases or large bags, because police security checks are in place. Leave luggage at your hotel, or book a car by the hour so it stays in the boot.
Q: How do I get home after the Remembrance service? A: Book your return in advance, with a pickup point outside the ceremony area and a time that allows for the march past, which continues after the service ends at about 11:25am.
Ready to book?
Tell us your pickup, the time and any access needs in our booking form, or book in conversation with our AI assistant. We provide the journey directly with our licensed drivers.