Horse Guards Parade — Attraction in London

Experiencing British tradition and pageantry, such as witnessing the iconic Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace or the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London, is an unforgettable aspect of any private England tour. A lesser-known ceremony is the four o’clock inspection, also known as the Punishment Parade, that takes place every day in the courtyard of the magnificent 18th-century Horse Guards building, the ceremonial entrance to the royal residences of Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace and former military headquarters of the British Empire.

funny story about how it started: The ceremonial tradition dates to the reign of Queen Victoria, who initiated it as a form of punishment after finding her guards drunk or asleep on the job. She decreed the inspection last for 100 years. Although the expiry date for the punishment inspection passed in 1994, Queen Elizabeth II ordered it to continue as a regimental ceremony.

actually- We were coming back from Guards Division Memorial, saw Guards Division Memorial and while exiting, we saw some kinda of ceremony. THB, i was not even aware of any sort of ceremony like this in Whitehall. I know 'Changing of the Guard' at Buckingham Palace but it's in the same league.

The name “Horse Guards Parade” refers to the large, ceremonial parade ground in St James's Park. It’s literally an open space for ceremonial troop activities, at the site of one of London’s most historic buildings and headquarters of the Household Division.

It offers an interesting bit of history, a good alternative Changing of the Guard experience, a museum, and horses! The prominent 18th-century building that dominates the scene is referred to as Horse Guards and serves as the official entrance to St. James's and...

We actually went to see the household cavalry museum, which is in hauz khas parade. You little advertised museum. Covers the history of the household cavalry. Both other palace and in other attachments around the world. The museum is very authentic and you can even smell horses even though there seem to be none located there anymore today.

Whilst, we were there, an inspection of the household cavalry occurred at 4:00 p.m. . Apparently this tradition dates back to Queen Victoria when she used dentry at this game to get to Buckingham palace. At the time she arrived, 4:00 p.m., there was no guard on duty at this gate. As a result she decreed that for the next hundred years the guards at the gate would be inspected everyday at 4:00 p.m. . This was to ensure that at 4:00 p.m. everyday, when she went back to the palace, they would always be guards on duty. This tradition continues to this day and has been decreed by Queen Elizabeth II to continue for another 100 years.

It was certainly a crowd. pleaser. At 4:00 p.m., a few minutes later than we arrived, over 200 people had grown from almost nothing just to see the inspection.

Also taking part were armed members of the metropolitan police, who are there in a supportive role to help ensure only authorised personnel get through the gates to get to...

Horse Guards Parade is an iconic ceremonial parade ground located in the heart of London, at Whitehall, SW1A 2ET. This historic site is known for its significant role in British ceremonial and military traditions.

Key Features:

Historical Significance: Once the courtyard of the original Whitehall Palace, Horse Guards Parade has been a central location for state occasions since the 16th century.

Architecture: The area is framed by the grand Horse Guards building, an elegant Palladian structure dating back to 1750, designed by William Kent.

Ceremonial Importance: It serves as the venue for the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony, which celebrates the official birthday of the British monarch. The Changing of the King’s Life Guard also takes place here daily.

Public Access: Visitors can view the parade ground and the ceremonial guards stationed at the Horse Guards Arch, which connects Whitehall to St James’s Park.

Location and Surroundings:

Horse Guards Parade is ideally situated between Whitehall and St James’s Park, offering stunning views of nearby landmarks such as the London Eye, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace.

This spot is not only a testament to Britain's royal and military heritage but also a popular attraction for those seeking to experience London’s...