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Horse Guards Parade
back to sights listingThe Queen is colonel-in-chief of seven regiments, which are collectively known as the Household Regiments. Out of these, three Foot Guards regiments take it in turn to guard Buckingham Palace, whilst two Cavalry regiments guard the Horse Guards Building on Whitehall.
There has been a guardhouse on this site since 1649, but the present building dates from 1750. Only members of the Royal Family are permitted to drive through the central arch. Outside the building, two mounted guards are posted from 10am to 4pm offering a great photo opportunity for tourists.
All of these regiments take part in the daily ceremony known as the Changing of the Guard. Technically the name includes both the guards of Buckingham Palace and those at the Horse Guards Building, but in more common usage the name Changing of the Guard refers to the ceremony outside Buckingham Palace, whilst the ceremony that involves the Horse Guards is known as the Horse Guards Parade.
This famous ceremony consists of a colorful display of pageantry by the Foot Guards of the Household division of the Army, the Queen's personal guard.
Takes place daily in the summer (alternate days in the winter period) Arrive early to get a good view especially in the summer months.
Horse Guards Parade is London's largest single open space, built to house the old palace guards.
Today, the guards are changed at the top of Horse Guards Parade every hour on the striking of the clock, a ceremony which is well worth seeing.
Horse Guards Parade is also the setting for the Trooping of the Color.
The ceremony takes place once a year on the Saturday closest to the Queens Official birthday (June 6th).
Two mounted troopers of the Household Cavalry stand guard over the entrance to the Horse Guards.
The number of guards in the sentries differs depending on the presence of The Queen in the palace.
When The Queen is in London, the Guard consists of 1 Officer, 1 Corporal Major (who carries the Standard), 2 Non-Commissioned Officers, 1 Trumpeter and 10 Troopers. This is known as a Long Guard.
When Her Majesty is not resident in London, the Guard is reduced to 2 Non-Commissioned Officers and 10 Troopers. This is known as a Short Guard. In early times the Guard was as much as 100 strong and provided Escorts to accompany the Sovereign if he or she traveled by road.
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Address: Horse Guards Parade Whitehall London SW1, United Kingdom. More Hotels in London: Sherlock Holmes hotel St Martins Lane Thistle Bloomsbury Thistle Charing Cross Thistle Barbican hotel Thistle Euston Thistle Marble Arch Thistle Piccadilly Thistle Westminster Tower Guoman Victoria Park Plaza Washington Mayfair Athenaeum London |
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