The Guards Museum image

The Guards Museum

Tourist attraction Museum

Exhibition detailing the history of Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry, with tours and talks. People often mention museum, history, interesting, visit, guards, Guards, military, Buckingham, staff, Palace,


Address

Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London SW1E 6HQ, United Kingdom

Website

www.theguardsmuseum.com

Contact

+44 20 7414 3428

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (450 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Monday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 4 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (33) history (20) interesting (15) visit (13) guards (12) Guards (11) military (9) Buckingham (8) staff (8) Palace (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Sean M. 4 years ago on Google
    The Guards Museum is a military museum in Central London, England. It is in Wellington Barracks on Birdcage Walk near Buckingham Palace, which is the home of the five regiments of Foot Guards.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael O. 3 years ago on Google
    Incredible memorabilia a fascinating place to visit
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Steven C. 1 year ago on Google
    My wife and I did not actually went in the museum to visit but was lucky enough to able to saw and film the processions of the group of guards in the morning about 9:00AM! I think they are Palace guards but not in the palace guards uniform but no less impressive! It was very nice and fun to watch! And maybe next time we will go inside the Guard museum to visit!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Anne P. 4 years ago on Google
    Was so looking forward to visiting this museum, but I have to say I was disappointed. Though I only paid for myself I would have PAID MORE. They need to get into this century and give customers head phones and be allowed to take photos. Found that odd! So much to read and if your eyes are not good you have had it! The museum looks tired, needs a revamp and maybe they need to section it off into regiment's where they can! I would say you need about 1hr45mins. The museum closes at 4, but the shop next Door was even more disappointing. It was 3:40 and the gentleman refused to let us in when it clearly states 4pm. So couldn't buy any souvenirs. I understand it's run by volunteers but even still. I think you need to take a walk up to Horse Guards Parade and see how they do it. Sorry!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 C J G. 11 months ago on Google
    Great place, very interesting. 🪖
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joel W. 1 year ago on Google
    A wonderful little museum with all of the history of the Guards. If it's not there you don't need to know it. Lots of interesting artefacts from the Crimea to Afghan. Well worth a visit. Nulli secundus.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tony H. 10 months ago on Google
    Excellent Central London museum, fascinating history but I will have to return as I hadn't left myself enough time to do it justice. Most of the exhibits are displayed behind glass but the lighting is some of the best I have seen and as a result you can take photos without any glare or reflection spoiling the pictures. Very impressed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Throw g. 7 months ago on Google
    If you have ever wanted to find out more about those guys in red with the fuzzy hats this is the place to go. The history and details of the grenadier guards is truly amazing and it's all laid out here in display cases filled with military items dating back many many decades. The displays are a bit basic in presentation and a little bit old fashioned, but for the price it's great. They even have some items worn by the late Queen Elizabeth II , as she was technically the boss of this regiment. If you are going to see the Mall and Buckingham palace, it's well worth going round the corner and visiting this awesome little museum.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mayte G. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Guard Museum very close to Buckingham Palace, you can see the changing of the guard. (Original) Museo de la guardia muy cercano al palacio de Buckingham, se puede ver el cambio de guardia.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dave O. 4 years ago on Google
    A lovely museum to spend a couple of hours in, telling the history of the guards and a wonderful collection of artefacts
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jack A. 4 years ago on Google
    A fun little museum filled with great artifacts and history. Not entirely noticeable from the street this museum isn't regularly crowded and allows patrons to move at their own pace throughout the exhibits. The staff and friendly and can answer any questions you may have regarding the subject matter. Be aware there is a small fee die upon entry but with so much to offer, it is a fair price.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jennifer P. 1 year ago on Google
    Husband is ex military, really enjoyed this. Not very big doesn't take long to go through. A lot to see in a small place.

  • 5/5 Joanne K. 9 months ago on Google
    Historic, informative and interesting. The volunteers are very friendly and helpful. Close to Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade.

  • 5/5 Flávia S. 9 months ago on Google
    Very interesting Museum. It's close to the Buckingham Palace, and you can learn a lot about the Guards. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

  • 4/5 Patrice M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Small interesting museum. Quick visit. A page of military history. A British pride to discover (Original) Petit musée intéressant. Visite rapide. Une page d'histoire militaire. Une fierté toute britannique à découvrir

  • 5/5 francis k. 2 years ago on Google
    Took ma great grandchildren and ma pal. Twas a grand day,it was a day tae remember,along with the Guard Change brought back memories of the late 60s

  • 5/5 Kat 6 years ago on Google
    A nice well put together museum. Definitely recommend for adults to visit. My children (7 & 8) enjoyed about 30 minutes then they were ready to leave.

  • 1/5 William Z. 4 years ago on Google
    Disappointed. It is claimed on their website, google profile and signage that open every day, but I visited on 4th Jan 2020 (Saturday) 2 pm, the museum wasn’t opened. Waste my time and energy.

  • 3/5 Daiva T. 5 years ago on Google
    You need to pay only for adults but not for the children. My son is 14 and i didnt need to pay for him. The museums small. Doesnt intrest the kids. You need to leave the big bags at the front desk, It makes the walk easier around the place.

  • 4/5 Russell W. 4 years ago on Google
    Was closed when I came to visit, but the guards church was open and that's full of decaying flags as is the tradition of doing this in church buildings

  • 3/5 kathryn K. 4 years ago on Google
    Was interesting but not friendly welcome and asked questions but shop more informative and helpful.

  • 3/5 andy l. 1 year ago on Google
    It was shut and nothing on website to say so

  • 5/5 Adela Z. 6 months ago on Google
    Absolutely loved visiting this museum. When we visited, the entrance was free. The staff was extremely nice and we got a little tour as soon as we walked in and we learned so much. We ended up buying some soldier fans for £2 and used them throughout the whole day since it was so hot. Wonderful experience!

  • 5/5 Elio V. 1 year ago on Google
    It's an excite and funny places to enjoy with the family and friends. However, I was expecting to see other iconics of our current story, for example, Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan and Mr. Been.

  • 3/5 David H. 1 year ago on Google
    Very good displays, but limited video explanations of the amazing history of the guards. That would bring it to life.

  • 5/5 Crime d. 4 years ago on Google
    Very good place

  • 4/5 Brian F. 1 year ago on Google
    With family interests in the Grenadier Guards, this is the best place to learn more of specific details of their history. For tourists, it is ideally placed to add background of the Guards they might have seen in and around Buckingham Palace.

  • 3/5 Courtney W. 1 year ago on Google
    This museum was full of very interesting items, but I had a difficult time with the labeling. The labels seem to assume you already have a comprehensive knowledge of British military history. I struggled to see any context or storyline by relying on the labels. Because of that I would probably recommend paying for the tour.

  • 3/5 Mark G. 1 year ago on Google
    An interesting museum for about 90mins, if you are interested in the history of the five famous footguard regiments of the British Army. However, let down by its old-fashioned displays that, although full of artefacts, are not well deployed. It hits unhappy extremes - too much emphasis on uniforms for those bored by clothes ( seen the five, seen them all) but not enough emphasis on locations of campaign histories - few maps, or details of the many battle honour locations. Also, no toilets on site, no refreshments. And guards model shop appears to have gone too. I've visited better regimental museums (Horseguards being one close by!)

  • 5/5 Diego C. 1 year ago on Google
    I stumbled upon this museum on accident and I’m very glad I did. It is a wonderful museum well laid out and thoughtfully put together. It was a very nice experience. Lots to learn and to see I would definitely recommend coming here and checking it out. The only downside is it was a little bit expensive to see a small museum but it was definitely worth it.

  • 5/5 Taylor W. 1 year ago on Google
    Great trip around, had an amazing time seeing such rich history. Would go again.

  • 5/5 Stephen W. 10 months ago on Google
    Great value for £8. Loads to see and interesting, even for those not specifically interested in this subject. Welcoming staff too. A good way to spend two hours of your time!

  • 5/5 Anna 9 months ago on Google
    Wow, so much history and all of the uniforms are so beautiful. A must stop.

  • 5/5 Erik M. 4 years ago on Google
    Very friendly gentlemen working at the museum who are passionate about the subject. The museum is very well done despite it being small. Very interesting and worth a visit.

  • 5/5 Liz L. 5 years ago on Google
    When Guards changing , they walked out from here . A bit less busy here and you still get to see a bit of it without the over crowded.

  • 5/5 adel17700 4 years ago on Google
    paid entry, about 6 quids !, I visited that museum last summer, I really appreciated the place, lot of things to see and things to learn about the guars history, not many peoples inside, quite place, but the most cool things are the shop museum and reception desk, the guys are just fantastic, they give you lot of advices and explanations, enjoyed it. I love military history

  • 5/5 ชัชวาล �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) bangu (Original) bangu

  • 4/5 Jussa P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A small but interesting museum. Very friendly staff and great museum shop. (Original) Pienehkö mutta mielenkiintoinen museo. Erittäin ystävällinen henkilökunta ja loistava museokauppa.

  • 4/5 Wally F. 4 years ago on Google
    Business visit, interesting place.

  • 4/5 Alejandro Perez V. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Do not get in, even if only the outside is very beautiful and worth visiting if you go to London, and is very close to other places of interest to visit if you are in Lonres ... Have a Happy Day! (Original) No llegue a entrar, aunqe ya solo la parte exterior esta muy bonita y digna de visitar si vas a Londres, y esta muy cerca de otros lugares de interes para visitar si esta por Lonres... ¡Que tengas un Feliz Día!

  • 2/5 C S. 4 years ago on Google
    Very confusing. Info is very technical and complex. Not sufficiently broken down for the interested tourists who may not know all the ins and outs. I also found it slightly disorganized, with no clear progression or flow. I had no idea in which direction to send my eyes.

  • 5/5 James J. 4 years ago on Google
    Took my nephew here. Packed with the guards full history, will definitely come back in the near future

  • 5/5 Steve G. 4 years ago on Google
    Fantastic displays brought many memories back. Nulli Secundus

  • 5/5 k3ranzy m. 4 years ago on Google
    Brilliant

  • 4/5 Ben L. 4 years ago on Google
    A Maze Ing

  • 5/5 Laura Q. 4 years ago on Google
    😀 🇬🇧

  • 5/5 Mirela B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Impressive tradition. Even though it was a rainy February day, it was full of the world but it was worth the effort. Horses are superb, extraordinary fanfare (Original) Impresionanta traditie. Chiar daca era o zi februarie ploioasa, a fost plin de lume dar a meritat efortul. Caii sunt superbi, fanfara extraordinară

  • 3/5 Ivan Rodrigues Da S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Gives a nicer look. (Original) Gibt schöneres anzusehen.

  • 5/5 Alessio F. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nice museum on the English guards, done very well and has an economic entrance. (Original) Bel museo sulle guardie Inglesi, fatto molto bene ed ha un ingresso economico.

  • 5/5 Valentina f. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice and staff kind

  • 5/5 vincenzo a. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very nice interesting (Original) Molto bello interessante

  • 5/5 Gill N. 4 years ago on Google
    great little museum off Birdcage Walk. Go and visit.

  • 4/5 andrew l. 4 years ago on Google
    👀 nice place & people 😜

  • 5/5 Donna W. 4 years ago on Google
    Good for tourists

  • 5/5 Steven K. 4 years ago on Google
    If your visiting Buckingham Palace, and have an interest in military history, this is definitely worth a stop, especially for free with the London Card, or even for the £8 admission costs for adult non-ex-servicemen. If you have ever wanted to know the history of the Coldstream, Welsh, Irish, or Scotsguards this is the perfect place to do so. You'll find the history of the Royal Guards, from the 1700s to the modern period, including artifacts ranging from the Duke of Wellington, Waterloo, the American Revolution, to Afganistan. Note that this museum is not part of the Imperial War Museum and related collections (unlike the HMS Belfast), and relies on people visitng for contributions.

  • 4/5 Julian S. 4 years ago on Google
    Conventional museum of militaria focussed on the various Guards regiments going back to their roots.

  • 4/5 Yehuda ben p. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) You can see the orchestra coming out of the palace here in the exchange of shifts (Original) אפשר לראות כאן את התזמורת יוצאת לארמון בחילופי המשמרות

  • 5/5 G N. 4 years ago on Google
    Friendly staff, very interesting displays spanning the years

  • 5/5 Angelo M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) All about the English guards. There is talk of both royal guards and soldiers at war. There are also officers' uniforms, including those of the royals (Original) Tutto sulle guardie inglese. Si parla sia di guardie reali, sia di militari in guerra. Ci sono anche divise da ufficiali, comprese quelle dei reali

  • 3/5 Ulric S. 4 years ago on Google
    Fascinating history clearly explained if you take your time. The display chronology was a little confusing even for someone with a fair grounding in the period's history. Pity that photography is not permitted, and that there are no restrooms. Has the potential to be more welcoming and hands on e.g. Lancashire Infantry Museum in Preston.

  • 3/5 ILAN S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is worthwhile to understand how much is invested here in raising and training the noble horses and photographing them next to the horse-riding man in the front of the place whom he must not move. (Original) כדאי להבין כמה מושקע כאן בגידול ואימון הסוסים האצילים ולהצטלם ליד איש המשמר הרכוב על סוס בחלקו הקדמי של המקום שאסור לו לזוז.

  • 5/5 Rita O. 4 years ago on Google
    Great staff and really awesome place to visit with friends!

  • 4/5 Eliano M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Not very big but interesting. (Original) Non grandissimo ma interessante .

  • 5/5 Calvin C. 4 years ago on Google
    The is one of the best military museum which I have been to. The museum is full of nice figures and uniforms. The souvenir shop is also awesome. Fans of military must visit this!!!!!!!!!


Call +44 20 7414 3428 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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