The Guards Museum

The Guards Museum We are The Guards Museum: representing the soldiers that you may have seen guarding Buckingham Palace. We tell their story.

Exploring 380 years of history behind the five regiments of Foot Guards – a history that spans from the beginning of the British Army to the present day The Guards Museum explores over 380 years of history behind the Foot Guards – the five Regiments of Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards. These Regiments are world-famous for their role guarding the British Monarch and Royal Palace

s, but they have always been highly trained, frontline infantry soldiers – from the beginning of the British Army to the present day. With over 1000 items from our collection on public display, our history will take you through Royal coronations and Royal executions, from the coldest corners of the world to riding camel-back in the desert sun, from guarding the palace to guarding the nation.

5 Regiments. 380 years of history.

Much like the bayonet itself, we have a small but mighty addition to our museum displays! Can you tell the difference be...
10/08/2026

Much like the bayonet itself, we have a small but mighty addition to our museum displays! Can you tell the difference between them? 💂‍♀️

05/08/2026

Join this brand new, free family tour as part of your museum visit, and discover the faithful companions who have accompanied the Guards for centuries 🪿🐄🐄🐕🐺

15/07/2026

An unforgettable evening at this year's Military Musical Spectacular, as hundreds of talented musicians took to Horse Guards Parade - and the showstopping collaboration between the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Household Division.

What was your favourite part? 💂‍♀️🎶

08/07/2026

PART THREE: Edge of Defeat 💂‍♀️

The conclusion to this short series, exploring the story of the Guards in the American War of Independence - 250 years later.

06/07/2026

PART TWO: The Fight Continues💂‍♀️

Germantown, General Cornwallis, and the introduction of France...

In this three part series, join us as we explore the story of the Guards in the American War of Independence - 250 years later.

04/07/2026

PART ONE: The British Are Coming 💂‍♀️

It's the Fourth of July, Independence Day: a time remembered in British Redcoats, rebellion turned revolution, and a near-decade of conflict.

In this three part series, join us as we explore the story of the Guards in the American War of Independence - 250 years later.

29/06/2026

LAST TICKETS available for an exclusive Military Musical Spectacular reception at The Guards Museum 💂‍♀️💂‍♀️

🗓️ Wednesday 8th July, from 16:45
📍The Guards Museum & Horse Guards Parade

Book by 30th June to secure your space, via our Linktree!

18/06/2026

The bearskin cap has become intrinsic to the image of the Guards, and even London itself. But what came before? To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, we are spotlighting an object from our Waterloo exhibit – THE SHAKO CAP.

The word shako comes from the Hungarian of 'csákó', meaning peak cap. They were developed following a 1799 order that “the use of hats is to be entirely abolished throughout the whole of the Infantry”, to be replaced by caps.

Shakos were typically made from hardened felt (or in the case of officers, beaver, an expensive woollen material of the period) and had a visor. Visors were thought to be implemented to shield soldiers' eyes from the sun and for rain protection. Shakos would have been worn by infantry soldiers in the Battle of Waterloo – this example is an officer’s shako of the 3rd Guards (later Scots Guards). The 1812-1815 pattern shako acquired several names including the 'Wellington', the 'Belgique' and, more popularly and much later, the 'Waterloo' shako.

After the Battle of Waterloo, this shako was superseded by the Regency design. It is a great example of the evolution of the British army uniform, and helps to understand the significant moments in the history of the Guards as we know them today.

#1815

12/06/2026

As we look to the King's Birthday Parade tomorrow, let's take a moment to explore the pivotal role of Drum Major in our final video in this series 💂‍♀️

Snapshots from our Volunteer team at Colonel's Review 2026 💂‍♀️ A very special day was had by all - the perfect occasion...
07/06/2026

Snapshots from our Volunteer team at Colonel's Review 2026 💂‍♀️ A very special day was had by all - the perfect occasion to close out !

Address

The Guards Museum, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk
London
SW1E6HQ

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+442074143428

Website

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