Household Cavalry Museum
- Military history enthusiasts
- Royal history enthusiasts
- Families with children
What Visitors Say
I was disappointed. The displays were good but limited in their historical scope. Their history is so much more but sadly limited by space. I paid 50% of standard price with a voucher...do not pay full price.
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.
Highlights
Stables Window
A working regiment on showGrooming, tack and quiet routine—catch the rhythm behind the spectacle.
Main gallery, glass viewing wall
Dress & Armour
Ceremony engineeredHelmets, cuirasses and boots are tools as much as symbols—weight, balance and shine have jobs to do.
Uniform cases
Trumpeters & Kettledrums
Orders you can hearSound carries commands across a moving parade—silver glint is only half the story.
Music & parade displays
On Duty Outside
Living traditionThe mounted guard changes daily—precision built from endless practice.
Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall
Opening Hours
Fun Facts
This isn’t a set—those are real working stables behind the glass, used by the Household Cavalry on duty at Horse Guards.
The museum sits inside Horse Guards, the official entrance to the royal household since the 18th century—ceremony and office share a roof.
Two regiments make the Household Cavalry: The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals—museum displays mix their kit, colours and histories.
The mounted guard on Whitehall is changed daily; time your visit and the museum becomes the best backstage pass in London.
Those mirrored breastplates aren’t just pretty—they amplify posture cues and line-keeping, so a parade ‘reads’ cleanly from hundreds of metres away.
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