Horse Guards Parade, London

Horse Guards Parade is a large parade ground in central London. It was once the tiltyard of the Palace of Whitehall's tiltyard, where jousting tournaments were held during the time of King Henry VIII. It was also the site for the annual celebrations of the birthday of Queen Elizabeth I. The annual Trooping of the Colour ceremonies, held to commemorate a British monarch's official birthday, is held here since the 17th century.

For much of the late 20th century, however, it was put to a much less dignified purpose - as a car park for senior civil servants - but this came to an end in the 1990s. An IRA mortar attack on 7 February 1991 on 10 Downing Street put a stop to the ground being used for parking.

The Horse Guards Parade will host the beach volleyball competition during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Horse Guards Building

Horse Guards is a Palladian style building between Whitehall and the Horse Guards Parade. It was built between 1751-1753 by John Vardy to a design by William Kent. It stand on the site of the Guard House of the old Whitehall Palace, which had been destroyed by fire in 1698.

The Horse Guards building became the headquarters of the British Army's general staff until the post was abolished in 1904. Later Horse Guards became the headquarters of the London District and the Household Cavalry Army commands. It has a central archway that forms the formal entrance to St. James's Palace via St. James's Park, though only members of the Royal Family are allowed to drive through this highly symbolic way.

Today, Horse Guards houses the Household Cavalry Museum. It is always guarded by troopers of the Household Cavalry, both mounted and on foot. It is a popular tourist attraction. Mounted cavalry troopers are stationed outside daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and are relieved every hour.There are guided tours of the building on London Open House weekend, which takes place in September.

Horse Guards
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Horseguards_-_Blues_and_Royals_-_Rel%C3%A8ve_%C3%A0_Whitehall_-_Londres.JPG
Author: PRA

Getting there

Take the Bakerloo Line or Northern Line to the Charing Cross Tube Station and walk from there.

List of Tourist Attractions in London