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Horse Guards Parade
Horse Guards Parade Review
Once the tiltyard of Whitehall Palace, where jousting tournaments were held, the Horse Guards Parade is now notable mainly for the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony, in which the Queen takes the salute, her official birthday tribute, on the second Saturday in June. (Like Paddington Bear, the Queen has two birthdays; her real one is on April 21.) There is pageantry galore, with marching bands and throngs of onlookers, and the ceremony is televised. Throughout the rest of the year the changing of two mounted sentries known as the Queen's Life Guard at the Whitehall facade of Horse Guards provides what may be London's most popular photo opportunity. The ceremony last about half an hour. Somewhat less ceremoniously, the area is hosting the beach volleyball competitions of the 2012 Olympics.
- Address: Whitehall, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AX | Map It
- Phone: 020/7930--4832
- Hours: Changing of the Queen's Life Guard at 11 am Mon.-Sat. and 10 am Sun.; inspection of the Queen's Life Guard daily at 4 pm
- Tube: Westminster.
- Location: Westminster and Royal London
Contact Information
Member Reviews
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ecambridge, from Cambridge, MA
My 16 year old niece and I visited Horse Guards early evening, not for the changing ceremony but just to see the two guards stationed near the parade area guarding the building. My niece walked up to one of the guards who was extremely handsome and began talking to him. He was able to reply to her without making it obvious to onlookers that he was talking. Within about 10 minutes, he had asked my niece on a date and given her his cell phone number. So for us, visiting Horse Guards was a real thrill!! (Aidan, we miss you!)
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bachslunch, from US
Saw the Changing of the Guard here. There are several soldiers sitting motionless on horseback in what amounts to a big parking lot, then a short burst of activity while the changing ceremony happens and the soldiers ride off. One one side is a building with a gate. Not really a must-see, but one could do worse.
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