Guards Memorial, London

Name: Guards Memorial
Address: Horse Guards Road, London, United Kingdom

#171 among attractions in London

Monuments and statues

Gallery (14)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / CrisNYCa / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / CrisNYCa / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / OGL v1.0 / Harland Quarrington / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Ethan Doyle White / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Myles Cullen / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Christine Matthews / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / CrisNYCa / URL

Facts and practical information

The Guards Memorial, also known as the Guards Division War Memorial, is a poignant tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of British soldiers in the heart of London, England. Standing solemnly in St James's Park near Horse Guards Parade, this war memorial commemorates the five Foot Guards regiments of the British Army who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars, as well as in subsequent conflicts.

Designed by the sculptor Gilbert Ledward and unveiled in 1926 by the Duke of Connaught, the memorial features five bronze figures representing the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish, and Welsh Guards. These figures stand atop a plinth of Portland stone, with inscriptions that honor the fallen. The memorial's central location, just a short walk from iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster, makes it a site of profound historical significance easily accessible to tourists.

Visitors to the Guards Memorial can take a moment to reflect on the cost of war and the courage of those who fought for their country. The memorial's presence amidst the bustling city serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Guards regiments and their role in British military history.

Opened: 16 October 1926 (97 years ago)Coordinates: 51°30'16"N, 0°7'46"W

Address

Horse Guards RoadCity of Westminster (St. James's)London United Kingdom

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Day trips

Guards Memorial – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Churchill War Rooms, Banqueting House, Horse Guards Building, Palace of Whitehall.

~840 ftS
Churchill's WWII underground offices
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5 min walk • Nestled in the heart of London, the Churchill War Rooms offer a unique glimpse into the secret history of Britain's wartime government. This underground complex, located beneath the streets of Westminster, served as the secret command center from which Prime Minister...
~820 ftE
Neo-classical hall with painted ceilings
Banqueting House, London
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~550 ftE
Georgian architecture, William Kent, Historical place
Horse Guards Building, London
3 min walk • The Horse Guards Building is a historic site nestled in the heart of London, England, and serves as a living museum to the city's vibrant military history. Situated at the eastern end of St James's Park, it was built in the mid-18th century and has become an iconic...
~900 ftE
Palace
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~290 ftE
Square
Horse Guards Parade, London
2 min walk • Nestled in the heart of London, Horse Guards Parade is a historic ceremonial parade ground that captures the essence of Britain's military heritage and regal pageantry. This vast open space is a stone's throw away from the iconic Downing Street and stands as a living...
~570 ftSE
Park, Vernacular architecture, Georgian architecture
10 Downing Street, London
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~830 ftN
Edwardian architecture, Memorial, Historical place
Admiralty Arch, London
5 min walk • Admiralty Arch, a majestic building in the heart of London, England, stands as a grand gateway between The Mall and Trafalgar Square. This historical structure, commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of his mother Queen Victoria, was completed in 1912 and designed...
~1120 ftSE
Street
Whitehall, London
6 min walk • Whitehall is a road and area in the City of Westminster, Central London. The road forms the first part of the A3212 road from Trafalgar Square to Chelsea. It is the main thoroughfare running south from Trafalgar Square towards Parliament Square.
~1020 ftSE
Edwardian architecture, Memorial, Edwin Lutyens
The Cenotaph, London
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~700 ftNW
Museum, Art museum, Modern art museum
Institute of Contemporary Arts, London
4 min walk • The Institute of Contemporary Arts is an artistic and cultural centre on The Mall in London, just off Trafalgar Square. Located within Nash House, part of Carlton House Terrace, near the Duke of York Steps and Admiralty Arch, the ICA contains galleries, a theatre, two cinemas, a bookshop and a bar.
~850 ftSE
Memorial, Memorial site
Monument to the Women of World War II, London
5 min walk • The Monument to the Women of World War II is a British national war memorial situated on Whitehall in London, to the north of the Cenotaph. It was sculpted by John W. Mills, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II and dedicated by Baroness Boothroyd in July 2005.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Guards Memorial?

Nearby attractions include Horse Guards Parade, London (2 min walk), Royal Naval Division Memorial, London (2 min walk), National Police Memorial, London (3 min walk), Royal Artillery Boer War Memorial, London (3 min walk).

How to get to Guards Memorial by public transport?

The nearest stations to Guards Memorial:

Bus

Trafalgar Square / Charing Cross Station • Lines: N26 (7 min walk)
Charing Cross Station • Lines: N26 (9 min walk)

Metro

Charing Cross • Lines: Bakerloo, Northern (8 min walk)
Westminster • Lines: Circle, District, Jubilee (9 min walk)

Train

Charing Cross (9 min walk)
London Waterloo (19 min walk)

Ferry

Westminster Pier • Lines: Blue Tour, Green Tour, Rb1, Rb1X, Rb2, Red Tour (9 min walk)
Embankment • Lines: Green Tour, Rb1, Rb1X, Rb2, Rb6 (10 min walk)