The Guards Museum
Museum at Wellington Barracks telling the story of the five Foot Guards regiments from 1660 to today, with uniforms, medals and hands-on activities.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Guards Museum opened in 1988 and is housed at Wellington Barracks on Birdcage Walk, close to Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. It tells the story of the five regiments of Foot Guards in the King's Household Division: the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards.
The galleries follow the regiments from the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 to the present day, using more than a thousand objects such as uniforms, medals, diaries and letters. The displays range from the period of the English Civil War and the Battle of Waterloo to the wars of the twentieth century, and they also explain the Guards' ceremonial duties at state occasions and their role in guarding the royal palaces.
The collection grew out of a teaching resource for new recruits and developed into the keeper of the regiments' shared heritage. Personal stories run through the displays, with medals and mementos showing the lives of the men who wore the uniforms. In the galleries, a Guardsman's Locker lets visitors handle and try on army kit.
The museum is run by a charity, the Guards Museum Trust. The entrance lies down a flight of steps from Chapel Square, and the Changing of the Guard takes place right next door, so many visitors combine the two.
Highlights
- More than 1,000 objects, from uniforms and medals to diaries and letters
- Displays on all five Foot Guards regiments from 1660 to the present
- Guardsman's Locker with army kit to handle and try on
- Free audio guide in nine languages
- Changing of the Guard next door and two sentry boxes outside the entrance
Permanent exhibition
- Museum galleries – Permanent displays on the five Foot Guards regiments from the Restoration of 1660 to today, with uniforms, medals and personal mementos.
- Founded
- 1988
- Operated by
- The Guards Museum Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £11 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £5Concession rate for visitors receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance |
| Children & teens | £3free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 15 pay £3; children aged 5 and under are free when accompanied by an adult |
| Seniors | £9Over 65s |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · A free companion or carer ticket is included with a paid disabled admission ticket; an Access Card, Disability Card or similar is required |
| Students & apprentices | –No separate student rate; young people aged 16 to 25 pay £8 with proof of age |
| Groups (16+ people) | –Group tours are available on request for up to 15 people at standard ticket prices; groups of 16 or more receive a 10% discount |
| Families | £282 adults and up to 3 children |
| Young person (16 to 25, with proof of age) | £8 |
| Veteran (UK Armed Forces ID required) | £8 |
| Serving UK Armed Forces personnel (ID required) | £5 |
| Museum highlights tour (Saturdays and Sundays 11:30, adult, museum entry included) | £1545-minute guided tour |
| Uniform try-on experience (per person) | £5£15 for a group of four |
Card payment only; cash is not accepted. A paid ticket includes a free annual pass valid for 12 months and is not transferable. Serving Guards are admitted free. Children under 16 are free with a paying adult during October half term (24 October to 1 November 2026). The National Art Pass, Museums Association membership and the Go City London Pass are accepted. Gift Aid may be added by UK taxpayers.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Because of ongoing building works the museum has no step-free route. It is at basement level and reached by two flights totalling 33 steps; inside, the galleries are on one level, carpeted, with seating. There are no toilets on site; the nearest public toilets are in St James's Park (about 10 minutes' walk) and the nearest Changing Places toilet is at London Victoria station. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome (bring proof of identification). Free handheld audio guides can be used at touch points, and Guards uniforms can be handled. Visitors with particular requirements should contact the museum in advance.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £28 · 2 adults and up to 3 children |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities: not available
There is a children's activity table with colouring and books, and a Guardsman's Locker with army kit to handle. Seasonal trails run in school holidays and half terms, and a free 30-minute Guards Animal Army family tour for ages 6 to 12 runs during October half term. A uniform try-on costs £5 per person. There is no buggy park (buggies must stay with you) and no baby changing or breastfeeding room on site.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
St James's Park station · 5-min walk
St James's Park station (District and Circle lines) is about 5 minutes' walk; Westminster station (District, Circle, Jubilee) and Victoria station (District, Circle, Piccadilly, Victoria) are each about 12 minutes' walk. National Rail: London Victoria about 15 minutes, Charing Cross about 20 minutes and Waterloo about 25 minutes on foot. Bus stops are on Victoria Street, about 10 minutes' walk.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is no parking at the museum. Parking on Birdcage Walk is not allowed (drop-off and pick-up only); the surrounding streets are a Controlled Parking Zone (see Westminster City Council).
Enter Chapel Square from Birdcage Walk and look for the two blue sentry boxes on the right; the museum entrance is down the stairs. Birdcage Walk is a private road, and coaches and commercial vehicles pay a fee to The Royal Parks. The nearest taxi rank is by St James's Park station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Coat check: not available
No cafe or indoor picnic area; only bottled water may be taken into the galleries. Gift shop in the reception area (card payments only) and an online shop. Large bags and suitcases cannot be stored.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 400 guests.
The whole museum can be hired for day or evening events: receptions, lunches and dinners, talks, meetings and corporate tours. A marquee for up to 400 people is also available. Enquiries via the online venue hire form.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (EN, FR, DE, ZH, IT, PT, JA, KO, ES) |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Personal, non-commercial photography is allowed in all galleries; flash is not permitted. |
| Good to know | Most visitors spend 30 minutes to 1 hour; listening to every audio guide stop takes about 45 minutes. The audio guide is included in the ticket. Guided highlights tours run on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 (45 minutes). Group tours (up to 15 people, English only) can be booked on request. School visits must be booked in advance by email; primary school workshops last 45 minutes to 1 hour for up to 20 pupils. Food and drink other than bottled water are not allowed inside. |
