Horse Guards Parade, London

Name: Horse Guards Parade
Address: Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London, United Kingdom

#125 among attractions in London

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Gallery (18)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Lcw27 / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Tristan Surtel / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Christine Matthews / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / M0tty / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry / URL

Facts and practical information

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 museum of royal traditions and public ceremonies.

Originally the site of the Palace of Whitehall's tiltyard, where tournaments and jousting took place during the reign of Henry VIII, Horse Guards Parade now serves as the setting for some of the most picturesque and grandiose events in London's calendar. The most famous of these is the annual Trooping the Colour, a spectacular display of military precision and horsemanship that marks the official birthday of the British Sovereign.

Visitors to Horse Guards Parade can often witness the Changing of the Guard, a daily ceremony of pageantry and military drill performed by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. The guards, resplendent in their traditional uniforms and mounted on horseback, are a sight to behold as they take over the duties of protecting the official royal residences.

Apart from its ceremonial significance, Horse Guards Parade played host to the beach volleyball competition during the London 2012 Olympic Games, showcasing its versatility as a venue for both traditional pomp and contemporary sporting events.

Alternative names: Coordinates: 51°30'17"N, 0°7'42"W

Address

Horse Guards Parade, WhitehallCity of Westminster (St. James's)London United Kingdom

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London

Day trips

Horse Guards Parade – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

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

~910 ftS
Churchill's WWII underground offices
Churchill War Rooms, London
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...
~520 ftE
Neo-classical hall with painted ceilings
Banqueting House, London
3 min walk • The Banqueting House in London stands as a grand testament to the architectural splendor of the early 17th century. Situated on Whitehall, a stone's throw away from the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street, this elegant monument is the last remaining component of...
~270 ftNE
Georgian architecture, William Kent, Historical place
Horse Guards Building, London
2 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...
~610 ftE
Palace
Palace of Whitehall, London
3 min walk • The Palace of Whitehall, once the primary residence of English monarchs in London, stands as a testament to the grandeur of Britain's royal history. Though much of the palace was lost to a devastating fire in 1698, the site remains steeped in the architectural...
~430 ftS
Park, Vernacular architecture, Georgian architecture
10 Downing Street, London
3 min walk • 10 Downing Street, often known simply as "Number 10," is one of the most iconic addresses in the United Kingdom and indeed the world. Situated in the heart of London, this distinguished building serves as the official residence and executive office of the British Prime...
~770 ftN
Edwardian architecture, Memorial, Historical place
Admiralty Arch, London
4 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...
~290 ftW
Monuments and statues
Guards Memorial, London
2 min walk • 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...
~970 ftSE
Street
Whitehall, London
5 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.
~850 ftSE
Edwardian architecture, Memorial, Edwin Lutyens
The Cenotaph, London
5 min walk • The Cenotaph is a First World War memorial on Whitehall in London, England. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, it serves as the United Kingdom's national memorial to the British and Commonwealth dead of the two world wars, and British casualties in later conflicts.
~850 ftNW
Museum, Art museum, Modern art museum
Institute of Contemporary Arts, London
5 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.
~620 ftSE
Memorial, Memorial site
Monument to the Women of World War II, London
3 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 Horse Guards Parade?

Nearby attractions include Cádiz Memorial, London (2 min walk), Horse Guards Building, London (2 min walk), Guards Memorial, London (2 min walk), Royal Naval Division Memorial, London (2 min walk).

How to get to Horse Guards Parade by public transport?

The nearest stations to Horse Guards Parade:

Bus

Trafalgar Square / Charing Cross Station • Lines: N26 (7 min walk)
Charing Cross Station • Lines: N26 (8 min walk)

Metro

Charing Cross • Lines: Bakerloo, Northern (7 min walk)
Westminster • Lines: Circle, District, Jubilee (8 min walk)

Train

Charing Cross (8 min walk)
London Waterloo (18 min walk)

Ferry

Westminster Pier • Lines: Blue Tour, Green Tour, Rb1, Rb1X, Rb2, Red Tour (8 min walk)
Embankment • Lines: Green Tour, Rb1, Rb1X, Rb2, Rb6 (9 min walk)