Horse Guards Parade Plaza
Ceremonial parade ground used for state occasions
Horse Guards Parade lies between Whitehall and St James's Park in London and hosts ceremonial events such as Trooping the Colour; tourists come for mounted guards, ceremonial changeovers and proximity to government buildings and Buckingham Palace.
Horse Guards Parade at a Glance#
Address: Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX, United Kingdom
About Horse Guards Parade#
Horse Guards Parade is a large parade ground in central London located between Whitehall and St James’s Park. It forms the ceremonial forecourt for state events and is flanked by historic government and military buildings.
The paved parade area is used for major ceremonial occasions, most notably the annual Trooping the Colour which takes place each June. The site is also associated with mounted sentries and daily ceremonial duties performed by the Household Cavalry.
The Horse Guards building overlooks the parade ground and houses ceremonial offices and stables. The space has been adapted for occasional public events, including sporting events during the 2012 Olympic Games.
Horse Guards Parade is a short walk from Buckingham Palace and sits at the heart of London’s government and royal ceremonial district, adjacent to Whitehall and St James’s Park.
- Trooping the Colour: Trooping the Colour, the sovereign’s annual birthday parade, is held here each June and draws large public crowds.
- Notable events: The site hosted beach volleyball during the 2012 London Olympics and remains a focal ceremonial space in central London.
What to See#
- Horse Guards building: The Horse Guards building faces the parade ground and houses ceremonial cavalry units and administrative rooms.
- Parade ground: The open parade ground is the paved area used for state ceremonies, most famously Trooping the Colour each June.
How to Get to Horse Guards Parade#
Horse Guards Parade is central London, near Whitehall and St James’s Park. The nearest Underground stations are Westminster (Jubilee, Circle, District) and Charing Cross; it’s a short walk from Trafalgar Square or Parliament Square.
Tips for Visiting Horse Guards Parade#
- Arrive by midday to watch the Changing of the Queen's Life Guard - the spectacle is predictable and photogenic.
- Walk the north-south axis of the parade to see the Horse Guards building, the Household Cavalry Museum, and the sentry boxes.
- If attending the Trooping the Colour (official birthday of the sovereign), plan well in advance-the square will be closed and heavily controlled.
Best Time to Visit Horse Guards Parade#
Late spring and early summer coincide with many ceremonial events, including Trooping the Colour; otherwise, weekdays in the morning are less crowded.
Weather & Climate near Horse Guards Parade#
Horse Guards Parade'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.
| 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 |
