Guards Memorial

Monument London war memorial honoring Household Division soldiers

At St James’s Park edge, the Guards Memorial commemorates Foot Guards who fell in World War I; visitors combine a stop for military history with nearby ceremonial streets and museums.

Main image
Guards Memorial
Birdcage Walk, London, SW1, United Kingdom
51.5045, -0.1295
Open public access; formal ceremonies on major remembrance dates

How to Get to Guards Memorial #

The Guards Memorial is a short walk from Westminster and St James’s Park tube stations (District and Circle lines). It sits on Birdcage Walk opposite the eastern edge of St James’s Park and is easily reached on foot from central London landmarks.

Tips for Visiting Guards Memorial #

  • Visit early in the morning to avoid tour groups and to see the memorial in softer light.
  • Combine a stop with a walk around Horse Guards Parade and St James's Park for context-the memorial sits within the military ceremonial landscape.
  • Respect wreaths and ceremonies; the site is active for commemorations and official functions.

Best Time to Visit Guards Memorial #

Spring and autumn avoid the peak summer crowds but the memorial is accessible year-round for quiet reflection.

Spring
March-May · 6-16°C (43-61°F)
Mild weather and fewer heavy tourist crowds than summer.
Summer
June-August · 15-25°C (59-77°F)
Longer daylight and frequent ceremonial events in nearby Horse Guards Parade.
Autumn/Winter
September-February · 2-12°C (36-54°F)
Crisp air for reflective visits; Remembrance events take place in November.

Weather & Climate near Guards Memorial #

Climate

Guards Memorial's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (645 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 64 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
15.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

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