

Explore London's living museum celebrating the Household Cavalry with interactive exhibits, working stables, and daily ceremonial parades at Horse Guards.
Venue Type
Indoor & Outdoor
Typical visit duration
1-3 hours
Booking
Walk-in or book in advance
On-site dining facilities available for visitors to the museum
Great little museum, actually in horse guards itself so you can see the regiment looking after it's horses first hand. The history is niche but wonderful, with a compelling sense of the ethos and character of the place through exhibits of armour, medals, photos, uniforms, writing and so on. Be aware that the museum is necessary small but still it is a wonderful insight into the regimental life.
Been before and really enjoyed it so i took my grandson’s to see it. Not only did it cost me £29 to get in, when last time im sure we didn't pay, it seemed as if it has been made smaller not so much to see. What there was it see was interesting, my grandson’s said that they enjoyed it but we were in abd out in less than and hour and had seen it all.
Horse Guards building is located in Whitehall, London, United Kingdom, SW1A 2AX, between Whitehall and St. James's Park. It was built in 18th C, replacing an earlier building, to be used as barracks and stables for the Household Cavalry. The first Horse Guards building was commissioned by King Charles II in 1663, on the same site of the cavalry stables, on the tiltyard of the Whitehall, during the Common wealth. Built of red brick then and at a cost of 4000 £. Horse Guards, originally formed the entrance to the Palace of Whitehall and later St James's Palace. Entry to the park, then an enclosed private garden, was controlled by special ivory passes issued to favoured courtiers, a tradition which continues even today. Horse Guards has been the site where the King's Life Guards have been mounted, since the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660. The building is famous for the daily ceremonies of the Changing of the King's Life Guard, conducted by soldiers of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. Though still in military use, part of the building houses the Household Cavalry Museum, which is open to the public. It still functions as a gateway between Whitehall and St James's Park. The Household Cavalry Museum is official and is located in the Horse Guards. Visitors can view the horses in the 18th C working stables, through a glazed partition. Exhibits explain the training and history of the regiment. Visitors to the museum are also welcome to watch the afternoon inspection of the guards and horses that happen's daily at 4 pm Two mounted sentries guard the entrance of the HG building, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, with an hourly change. Since this change happens hourly, it offers, tourists like us, to take over the clicking of photo's happily. I loved their smartness and the dignified way of perching themselves on the horseback, with a straight spine and NO droop what so ever.
The parade is very well organized, the horses are magnificent, and the officers look very elegant and impeccable. It's a beautiful tradition that underscores the importance of each changing of the guard. Beautiful, elegant, and traditionally military.
The staff were very helpful and kind. The museum itself was nice and compact, filled with interesting historical facts and artifacts! Learned a lot in 30 mins.
Reviews last updated: 6 October 2026
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This venue was last updated on 6 October 2026
