Attraction Info
Tel: +44 (0)20 7930 3070 Visit Website Westminster Embankment
Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX
Horse Guards Parade is situated in Whitehall Central London, this vast parade ground is where the Queen takes the salute at the Trooping of The Colour ceremony, held to mark her official birthday. Formerly the site of the Palace of Whitehall’s tiltyard, tournaments were held in the time of Henry VIII and also annual birthday celebrations for Queen Elizabeth 1. The headquarters of the Household Division, the Household Cavalry has performed the Queen’s Life Guard there in a daily ceremony almost unchanged for over 350 years. The traditional entrance to the Royal Palaces of St James’s and Buckingham Palace it is still guarded by mounted sentries from the Queen’s Household Cavalry and has been used to stage reviews and parades since the 17th century. Two mounted cavalry troopers are posted outside every day from 10 till 4 and are relieved every hour at the Guard Changing Ceremony.
The building which fronts Horse Guard Parade was designed by the Chief Architect to George II, William Kent and was at one time the Headquarters of the British Army. On the north side lie the Old Admiralty and the Admiralty Citadel and on the south, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, also the rear garden wall of 10 Downing Street, however access to this side of Horse Guards Parade is restricted for security purposes. The parade ground is ringed by a number of military monuments and trophies, notably the Guards Memorial which was erected to commemorate the First Battle of Ypres and other battles of World War 1. The Royal Naval Division Memorial, designed by Sir Edward Lutyens was returned to it’s original site at Horse Guards Parade in 2003. The double sided clock which overlooks the Parade Ground has a black background to the number 2 and is believed to pay tribute to the last absolute monarch of England, Charles 1, who was beheaded at the Banqueting House opposite.
The Household Cavalry Museum sits within Horse Guards, one of the city’s most historic buildings. The Regiment was formed in 1661 under the direct order of King Charles II, it now consists of two senior Regiments, the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals. They have two roles to fufil – as a mounted regiment to guard the Queen on ceremonial occasions – as an operational regiment serving around the world in armoured fighting vehicles, the Guards currently have units deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Interactive displays, personal stories and the opportunity to see troopers working with horses in the original 18th century stables, make this an exciting and unique experience.
A temporary arena will be built at Horse Guards Parade for the 2012 London Olympics, with sand brought in to create London’s very own ‘beach’ for the Beach Volley Ball tournament of the London Olympics.
The nearest Tube stations to Horse Guards Parade are Westminster on the Circle, District and Jubilee lines and Embankment Tube Station which is on the following tube lines Bakerloo, Northern, Circle and District line.
The London Pass
This attraction is included in the London Pass, The Pass gives you free entry to over 55 top London attractions and tours. You can also add a Travelcard option to The London Pass which gives you unlimited travel on all public transport including the Tube. Plus you can skip the lines at various attractions. CLICK HERE to read all about the London Pass.
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