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 at a Glance#

Address: Birdcage Walk, London, SW1, United Kingdom

Website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials

Hours: 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.

Air Quality: AQI 42 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor 2° - 8° 2° 64 mm overcast 93% 4.3 m/s 0.1 low 8.2h
February Acceptable 2° - 8° 2° 41 mm overcast 90% 4.2 m/s 0.2 low 9.8h
March Acceptable 3° - 11° 4° 52 mm overcast 86% 4.3 m/s 0.4 low 11.7h
April Acceptable 5° - 14° 7° 47 mm overcast 81% 4.0 m/s 0.8 moderate 13.7h
May Good 8° - 18° 13° 50 mm overcast 79% 3.9 m/s 1.2 high 15.4h
June Good 11° - 21° 16° 54 mm overcast 78% 3.5 m/s 1.4 high 16.3h
July Very Good 13° - 23° 18° 43 mm overcast 76% 3.5 m/s 1.4 high 15.9h
August Very Good 13° - 23° 18° 50 mm overcast 78% 3.3 m/s 1.1 high 14.4h
September Good 11° - 19° 15° 58 mm overcast 81% 3.4 m/s 0.7 moderate 12.5h
October Acceptable 8° - 15° 11° 62 mm overcast 87% 3.5 m/s 0.3 low 10.5h
November Acceptable 5° - 11° 5° 63 mm overcast 92% 3.7 m/s 0.1 low 8.7h
December Poor 3° - 9° 3° 61 mm overcast 94% 4.0 m/s 0.0 low 7.7h

Nearby Attractions to Guards Memorial#