Household Cavalry Museum

About the museum

The Household Cavalry Museum is in Horse Guards, the building from 1750 in Whitehall that is still the headquarters of the Household Division, facing Horse Guards Parade. It presents itself as a living museum: a large glass partition lets visitors watch troopers at work with their horses in the original 18th century stables.

The Household Cavalry was formed in 1661 on the order of Charles II and consists of the two senior regiments of the British Army, The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals. The regiments have a ceremonial role as the mounted bodyguard of the monarch and an operational role in armoured fighting vehicles.

The three galleries on the ground floor cover more than 350 years of service, ceremony and sacrifice through artefacts, personal stories, interactive displays and replica uniforms that visitors can try on. The museum is next to the daily King's Life Guard ceremonies on Horse Guards Parade.

Highlights

• Glass window into the working 18th century stables
• Replica uniforms and helmets to try on
• Multimedia audio tour included in the ticket
• Artefacts and personal stories from 350 years of service
• Next to the daily King's Life Guard ceremonies

Permanent exhibition

• Household Cavalry Museum galleries – Three ground-floor galleries on the history, traditions and daily duties of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals, with a glass partition into the working stables.

Admission & discounts

Serving Household Cavalry personnel with their families and Household Cavalry veterans enter free. Carers and access companions are free without a ticket. Museums Association and National Art Pass cardholders and Go City London Pass holders enter free without pre-booking. Pre-booked tickets are recommended but not essential. The ticket includes the multimedia audio tour.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The three galleries are on the ground floor with no stairs, and the museum is fully wheelchair and pushchair accessible; the floor of the first gallery is historic cobblestones and somewhat uneven. There is one accessible toilet with baby change, and seating in the galleries. Registered guide and assistance dogs are allowed. There is no BSL on the videos (some are subtitled), no braille on displays and no induction loops. Visitors who dislike crowds and loud noise may prefer to avoid weekends and the time after the Changing of the Guard.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The museum offers family activities and crafts, family museum trails for ages 6 to 12 and for under-fives, seasonal trails and family tours. Children can try on real uniforms and helmets and look into the working stables. Relaxed early openings for families with additional needs offer sensory backpacks, a sensory tent and craft tables.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is off Horse Guards Parade. The museum encourages visitors to walk or use public transport and recommends the TfL Journey Planner. Pushchairs can be left at the front desk at the owner's risk.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

There are no catering facilities on site. More toilets are available opposite in St James's Park.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The whole museum can be hired for daytime or evening events, including drinks receptions, private functions, lunches, dinners and meetings, with out-of-hours private tours also offered.

Plan your visit