Household Cavalry Museum

Enjoy access to the Household Cavalry Museum with The London Pass®

• Pay nothing at the door—simply show your pass.
• See troopers performing their daily duties in the stables.
• Dress up like a cavalryman.
• See hourly sentry changes, daily morning guard changes and afternoon inspections.

The Household Cavalry Museum gets you up close to The King’s Mounted Bodyguard. Explore their history and discover more about their present-day role. The museum offers views into the working stables operated by the regiment and tells the story of The Household Cavalry through compelling personal testimonies, interactivity and rare artifacts.

The Household Cavalry Museum history

The Household Cavalry Museum located at the Horse Guards in Whitehall is one of the most historic buildings in the city. Dating back to 1750, the building is still the headquarters of the Army in London. Visitors to the museum learn about the traditions of the Household Cavalry and experience the daily ceremony of the King’s Life Guard that has remained unchanged since its founding in 1660. The museum's location provides a unique backdrop that helps immerse visitors in the rich history and ongoing activities of the regiment.

Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007, The Household Cavalry Museum offers a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on two vital British Army regiments - the Life Guards and the Blues & Royals - and both the ceremonial and operational duties they perform. It offers a metaphorical and literal window into the prestigious history and everyday workings of the Household Cavalry, with a large glazed partition through which visitors see troopers tending to their horses in the original 18th century stables and a wealth of exhibitions covering the regiments’ history in theatres of conflict and during Royal ceremonial occasions.

This is a living museum, giving access to the heart of the modern working environment of a place the Household Cavalry has guarded for well over 350 years. The King’s Life Guard ceremony is performed here each morning, as is the daily afternoon inspection. The Household Cavalry Museum pairs the everyday activities at Horse Guards with a wealth of interactive exhibits, as well as personal testimonies from troopers regarding their training and responsibilities. There’s even the opportunity to try on the iconic uniform for yourself and dress like a cavalryman.

The Household Cavalry Museum facts

• The afternoon inspection of guards and horses began in 1894 when Queen Victoria discovered the guards drinking and gambling instead of performing their protective duties. She doled out her punishment: the guards would be inspected at 4PM daily for the next 100 years. 

• In 1994, when the royal punishment officially expired, Queen Elizabeth II elected to persist with the daily inspections because by then they were a firmly established tradition.

• Horse Guards Clock faces out onto Whitehall and Horse Guards Parade. You can’t miss it during your visit to the Household Cavalry Museum. Before Big Ben, it was the primary public clock in the Westminster area. 

Don’t miss: The Changing of The King’s Life Guard

This ceremony takes place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Members of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment ride down from the Hyde Park Barracks to relieve those on duty and take up guard positions at Horse Guards. Passing through Hyde Park Corner, along Constitution Hill and The Mall, the riders arrive at Horse Guards Parade, right outside the Household Cavalry Museum. It is here that the impressive guard change ceremony takes place.

There are hourly sentry changes when the two guards protecting the Horse Guards entrance are replaced, as well as a formal inspection on the Front Yard of Horse Guards at 4PM daily.

For more upcoming events, consult the Household Cavalry Museum website.

Getting in

Show your pass at the ticketing desk, inside the main entrance of the museum, to be scanned and validated. At busy times, you may be asked to wait for the next available time slot.

 

For more information, please visit the Household Cavalry Museum website.