Guards Museum
What Visitors Say
We attended the Family Fun on Chapel Square event at The Guards Museum and had a really enjoyable day! It was a guard-themed adventure with lots for kids to do. There was a small play area, crafts, a live band, and we also got to watch the parade and visit the chapel. We even lit a candle and made a small donation, which made the visit feel extra meaningful. The highlight for my daughter was getting to try on the guard’s uniform – such a special experience and definitely a core memory for her! The staff were welcoming, and the atmosphere was family-friendly. The only downside was that, despite booking in advance, it seemed many tourists who hadn’t booked also joined in (probably because of the summer holidays). Luckily, that didn’t affect our fun. A small note for families: there are no toilets onsite – you’ll need to use the ones in St James’s Park or nearby at a pub near St James station. Overall, a fun and memorable experience for kids and families! 👑🎶🎨
I enjoyed my visit to the guards museum very much. You don't need to pre-book for entrance. Nice friendly woman on the entrance who gave me an audio guide (didn't have a clue how it worked though, so didn't use it). Lots of displays here, including uniforms, firearms, pictures, medals and fascinating background to the history of the guards. It took about an hour to walk round, depending on how much you read on the displays.
We really enjoyed a tour here given by Peter. There are guard boxes that you can stand in at the top of the stairs outside the museum for a free photo op. The museum is down the stairs. Call if you need an elevator/lift. There is a kids’ activity thing to keep their interest. The kids we saw there were enjoying themselves. There are chairs here and there if you need to sit. There are no restrooms/toilets available, so use the restrooms in St James’ Park across the road by one of the cafes and playground. There were lots of relics from past wars, and many items had interesting stories. There were ‘tap here’ spots on the cases that I presume were for the audio guides.
The Guards Museum is a charming and relatively small museum located in the heart of London, with an entry fee of £10 per person. All the proceeds from ticket sales go directly towards supporting the museum, helping to keep it open and preserve its collections. The museum offers a fascinating insight into the history of the Guards, featuring a wide range of remarkable artifacts that showcase their storied past. Despite being tucked away amidst London’s larger, more well-known attractions, it’s a hidden gem for those interested in British military history.
A nice little museum that is reasonably priced and is well organised, The only downfall is they don't have toilets for customers to use.
Highlights
Five Regiments, One Household
Decoding the scarlet tunicBadges, button spacing and plumes distinguish Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards at a glance.
Intro gallery
Colours & Campaigns
Flags carried where it was hardestFaded silks and battle honours trace service from the 17th century to today.
Central hall
Kit, Music & Ceremony
Why parade precision mattersFrom boots to band instruments, objects show how drill, music and image serve morale and state occasions.
Uniforms & band cases
Chapel Connection
Living community beside the museumMemorials and services link past and present within the same barracks square.
Next door at the Guards Chapel (check access)
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
The Guards Museum sits by Wellington Barracks; many exhibits come directly from regimental stores and veterans—so displays change as material rotates.
Button spacing on the scarlet tunic is a quick ‘ID card’: evenly spaced for Grenadiers, in pairs for Coldstream, threes for Scots, fours for Irish, fives for Welsh.
Proceeds from tickets support the museum’s care of colours, uniforms and archives—your entry fee directly keeps the collection on view.