London's New Attraction

The Household Cavalry Museum has opened to the public for the first time.

Unlike any other military museum The Household Cavalry Museum offers a unique 'behind-the-scenes' look at the work that goes into the ceremonial duties and operational role of the Household Cavalry Regiments. Formed in 1661 under the direct order of King Charles II, it now consists of the two senior regiments of the British Army – The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals.

The Household Cavalry has two roles.  One as a mounted (on horseback) regiment it guards Her Majesty The Queen on ceremonial occasions in London and across the UK, and is a key part of the Royal pageantry.  As an operational regiment, it serves around the world in armoured fighting vehicles. The Household Cavalry currently has units deployed on active service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its fighting capacity is matched by its strategic role in international peace keeping and humanitarian operations.

Visitors can watch troopers working with horses in the original 18th century stables and hear first hand accounts of their rigorous and demanding training. At different times of the day there will always be something to see – whether it’s the horses being fed and watered or having their hooves oiled and checked.

The curators want this to be a living museum, about real people doing a real job, i a unique place. and we hope that it will become an established stop-off on the London tourist trail.

The Museum has an outstanding collection of treasures from ceremonial uniforms, Royal Standards and gallantry awards to musical instruments, horse furniture and jewelled boxes by Fabergé. These have been amassed over the centuries and many are on display to the public for the very first time. Each exhibit has its own compelling story to tell and is brought to life using a mix of graphics, audio visual and interactive displays.

Amongst the treasures are two silver kettledrums given to the Regiment by William IV and the cork leg which belonged to the first Marquess of Anglesey, who lost his real one at Waterloo. Modern additions include Jacky Charlton’s football cap – he did his national service with the regiment – and Sefton’s bridle – the horse that was injured in the 1982 Hyde Park bombings.

The Household Cavalry Museum sits within Horse Guards in Whitehall and is one of the city’s most historic buildings. Dating from 1750 it is still the headquarters of the Household Division in which the Household Cavalry plays a central role and has performed the Queens Life Guard in a daily ceremony that has remained broadly unchanged for over 350 years.

The £5 million project to develop the Museum has been supported by the UK’s Heritage Lottery Fund to the tune of £2m with the remainder coming from other generous donations.

Visitor Information

The Museum is situated on Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX.  Nearest underground: Charing Cross, Embankment, Westminster.

Opening Times: Opens daily (except 25 & 26 December and Good Friday) from 10am -6pm (last admission 4.45pm)

Admission: Adults £6, Children (5-16)/Concessions £4.  Family ticket (2 adults & 3 children) £18
Advanced ticket sales: 020 7766 7330 (Groups of 15 or more: 020 7766 7331)

For further information visit www.householdcavalrymuseum.org.uk Email: museum@householdcavalry.co.uk or telephone 020 7930 3070.



 

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