Best for
Royal ceremony fans, families, anyone wanting to avoid Buckingham Palace's crowds
Time needed
45 minutes–1.5 hours (including the ceremony)
Worth it?
Yes — a genuinely close-up, low-crowd royal ceremonial experience
Skip if
You're not interested in ceremonial guard-changing or military history
About Household Cavalry Museum & Horse Guards
Horse Guards, the Palladian building designed by William Kent and built between 1751 and 1753, has marked the ceremonial entrance to St James's and Buckingham Palace from Whitehall for over 270 years, and remains the official entrance to the Royal Court — meaning, technically, you must be granted permission to pass through its arch on foot except during the daily guard-mounting ceremony.
The Household Cavalry Museum occupies part of the working stables behind the building, and its main draw is a glass wall directly into the real working stables, where visitors can watch soldiers of the Household Cavalry grooming and preparing horses just feet away. Displayed alongside are ceremonial uniforms, breastplates, drums and regimental silver used by the Life Guards and Blues and Royals, the regiments that provide the Sovereign's official mounted escort.
Read the full storyShow less
Outside, the Changing of the King's Life Guard takes place daily on Horse Guards Parade — a full ceremony with band on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:00, and a shorter inspection on other days — offering a far less crowded alternative to the Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard, often viewable up close for free.
Combining the free ceremony outside with the modest museum ticket inside makes for one of Westminster's better-value, lower-crowd royal experiences.
What to See: Highlights
- 1A glass wall directly into the real working cavalry stables
- 2The free Changing of the King's Life Guard, held daily on Horse Guards Parade
- 3William Kent's 1750s Palladian Horse Guards building itself
- 4Ceremonial uniforms, breastplates and regimental silver on display
- 5A family trail letting kids try on replica soldier uniforms
- 6A quieter, less crowded alternative to Buckingham Palace's guard ceremony
Skip the Queue — Book Tickets Online
Same admission, instant confirmation. Compare prices across platforms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
The main mounted ceremony with band happens Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:00
Arrive 15–20 minutes early to get a good view of the ceremony for free
The museum itself is small — 45 minutes to an hour is usually enough
Combine with a walk down Whitehall past 10 Downing Street and the Cenotaph
Horse Guards Parade is also the site of Trooping the Colour in June
Book a Guided Tour
Get the most from your visit with a local expert guide.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Getting There
Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX
Open in Google Maps →- 1Charing Cross (Bakerloo, Northern lines) or Westminster (Circle, District, Jubilee) — both a 5-minute walk.
Where to stay
Hotels in London
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels near this attraction — from budget hostels to luxury stays. Free cancellation on most rooms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Powered by Booking.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Household Cavalry Museum & Horse Guards worth visiting?+−
How long does a visit to Household Cavalry Museum & Horse Guards take?+−
Who is Household Cavalry Museum & Horse Guards best for?+−
Do I need to book tickets in advance for Household Cavalry Museum & Horse Guards?+−
Is Household Cavalry Museum & Horse Guards included with the London city pass?+−
Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want to see a royal guard ceremony without Buckingham Palace's crowds
- You're interested in seeing real working cavalry horses up close
- You're already walking Whitehall between Trafalgar Square and Westminster
- You have children who'd enjoy dressing up in the museum's family trail
Skip if...
- Military ceremony and history don't interest you
- You've already seen the Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard and don't need a second version
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament
The Elizabeth Tower's Great Bell and the Gothic Revival Palace of Westminster — Britain's seat of government, viewable free from outside, or climbed on a rare, popular guided tour.
Buckingham Palace
The monarch's official London residence, watched over daily by the Changing of the Guard, with its lavish State Rooms opening to visitors only during a short summer window.
Trafalgar Square
London's grand ceremonial square, watched over by Nelson's Column and four bronze lions, fronted by the National Gallery — free, open 24/7, and the geographic heart of the city.