The Guards Museum
The Guards Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Guards Museum at Wellington Barracks tells the story of the five Regiments of Foot Guards using a unique and rich collection, which stretches back over 350 years of proud service to the monarch. Along with the two regiments of Household Cavalry they make up His Majesty’s Household Division and enjoy the treasured privilege of guarding The Sovereign and the Royal Palaces. Did you know that from their inception during the English Civil War right up to the present day the Foot Guards have always been fighting soldiers? The museum displays cover both the military achievements of the Regiments and the ceremonial aspect for which they are so well known. If you have watched the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace come and visit us to learn more about the soldiers you saw, and the history of their striking uniforms.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Westminster
If you only had an afternoon to experience London on a grand scale, Westminster would be a wise place to start. The ornate Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey sit adjacent at a corner of Parliament Square, and a short stroll along The Mall leads to Buckingham Palace. Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column are just up the road as well. As captivating as the architecture is, the wonders of Mother Nature are highlights of the area too. St James's Park (arguably London's loveliest), the expansive Green Park, and pedestrian friendly tree lined paths along the river showcase the exquisite manicure provided by English gardeners. Just beyond the landmarks and the gorgeous outdoor spaces, quiet residential squares and age old local pubs offer a more subdued take on this global seat of power in the heart of London.
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10,000 within 5 kms
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2,800 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Michael FWaterford, Ireland30 contributionsGreat VisitThe Guards Museum is a must for anyone with an interest in the Guards foundation. Especially good for History if if you had a relative or someone in the Guards. The staff were helpful and responded to any questions and queries. Thee is a wonderful array of items , facts and information .Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 13 March 2024
- Jeana P751 contributionsNicely doneA smaller museum that is reasonably priced and nicely done. We stopped here on our way to see Buckingham Palace. The museum contains lots of history and a wealth of information on the palace guards. We learned a lot and were glad we stopped by!Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 March 2024
- James MEdmonton, Canada4,758 contributionsWhat a great museum about the 5 regiments of foot guardsI came here on May 24/24, after I got off near Buckingham Palace, this was the place I tried finding last year when I went the wrong way and ended up finding the Wellington Arch and Apsley House. The first thing they do when you come to this place is get you to watch a video about what this place is all about which is the museum about the 5 regiments of the foot guards, there is so much to see; things like medals, portraits of different people in the military, the styles of clothes each regiments wear, the instruments, weapons they used. This is a place I would most definitely highly recommend to come see at least once. 4.25 out of 5 for a nicely laid out place 4.5 out of 5 for cool displays of the different military items 4.75 out of 5 overall for a great placeVisited May 2024Travelled soloWritten 28 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
267 reviews
Excellent
124
Very good
102
Average
30
Poor
8
Terrible
3
Gordon T
2 contributions
Mar 2023
An outstanding small museum, imaginatively explaining in an unstuffy manner the history of the Five Regiments of Foot Guards and their relationship with King and country. Contains many unique items. A must see destination for anybody visiting Buckingham Palace or attending the Changing of the Guard.
Written 2 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DunelmArts
Aberdeen, UK1,208 contributions
Sept 2022
The Guards Museum was originally founded as a teaching aid for new recruits to learn about their regimental history. It is now open to the puiblic and covers 360 years of history including military campaigns, uniforms and ceremonial duties. If you enjoy military history, you will be fascinated by this little museum.
Please note there are no public toilets at the museum.
Please note there are no public toilets at the museum.
Written 14 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lance M
Boise, ID5 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
If you are interested in military history, specifically that of the Guards Regiments, this is the place to visit. It has artifacts and items from the entire history of the Guards up to the present day. Great little museum with a very dedicated volunteer staff.
Written 28 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ichdien2014
Norfolk, UK56 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
Our visit was marred by the arrogant gentleman on the doorway whose response was extremely rude when I politely enquired if there were any disability admission rates as my husband is visually impaired and uses a white stick. His attitude made us feel very uncomfortable and we would have bought a memento of our visit but did not as he was on the till when we left this interesting museum. In stark contrast to the volunteer we then encountered in the Guards chapel who spent much time with us kindly giving us lots of information and insights.
Written 12 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James M
Edmonton, Canada4,758 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
I came here on May 24/24, after I got off near Buckingham Palace, this was the place I tried finding last year when I went the wrong way and ended up finding the Wellington Arch and Apsley House.
The first thing they do when you come to this place is get you to watch a video about what this place is all about which is the museum about the 5 regiments of the foot guards, there is so much to see; things like medals, portraits of different people in the military, the styles of clothes each regiments wear, the instruments, weapons they used.
This is a place I would most definitely highly recommend to come see at least once.
4.25 out of 5 for a nicely laid out place
4.5 out of 5 for cool displays of the different military items
4.75 out of 5 overall for a great place
The first thing they do when you come to this place is get you to watch a video about what this place is all about which is the museum about the 5 regiments of the foot guards, there is so much to see; things like medals, portraits of different people in the military, the styles of clothes each regiments wear, the instruments, weapons they used.
This is a place I would most definitely highly recommend to come see at least once.
4.25 out of 5 for a nicely laid out place
4.5 out of 5 for cool displays of the different military items
4.75 out of 5 overall for a great place
Written 28 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MillerWithanE
Port Harcourt, Nigeria38 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
Fascinating Tour & History Dive. While it may not be for everyone, this visit was exactly what I was looking for with a teenager (son) in tow (under 15s are free).
I’m grateful to the (ex-servicemen) Guides who provided additional detail and who did the museum proud: historians for the past and influencers for the future.
In addition, as a researcher (Great Uncle was 2Bn Grenadier Guards 1897 - 1919), they were able to provide a huge amount of guidance and advice regarding additional research.
Thank you.
I’m grateful to the (ex-servicemen) Guides who provided additional detail and who did the museum proud: historians for the past and influencers for the future.
In addition, as a researcher (Great Uncle was 2Bn Grenadier Guards 1897 - 1919), they were able to provide a huge amount of guidance and advice regarding additional research.
Thank you.
Written 31 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael F
Waterford, Ireland30 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
The Guards Museum is a must for anyone with an interest in the Guards foundation.
Especially good for History if if you had a relative or someone in the Guards.
The staff were helpful and responded to any questions and queries.
Thee is a wonderful array of items , facts and information .
Especially good for History if if you had a relative or someone in the Guards.
The staff were helpful and responded to any questions and queries.
Thee is a wonderful array of items , facts and information .
Written 13 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeana P
Raleigh751 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
A smaller museum that is reasonably priced and nicely done. We stopped here on our way to see Buckingham Palace. The museum contains lots of history and a wealth of information on the palace guards. We learned a lot and were glad we stopped by!
Written 24 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
terri
New Forest National Park Hampshire, UK26 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Very interesting museum in particular the early years of the guards. Would have liked more about the guards during WW1. The only thing letting this museum down was the total indifference of the man on the desk at entry. The lady was more helpful. No information was given about the museum and how it works, no greeting. All questions were monosyllabic answers. Asked if there was a guide. Answer ‘no’. Then found there was an audio guide which I had to ask for. Told there was a sign stating this but they didn’t offer it as it was only in English, which I thought I had been speaking quite well. Sad this is the first encounter on entering, perhaps some training would help.
Written 25 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John N
New York551 contributions
Feb 2023
Just happened past this walking from Buckingham Palace. Was closed when I found it but went back the next day and glad I did. Nice small museum to the of the British military. A short film to start you and you find out a few interesting facts. Then you pretty much wander through the history of the military.
Written 23 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there public toilets in Guards Chapel and Museum?
Written 3 November 2015
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