The Household Cavalry Museum is located at the London Horse Guards headquarters and showcases the history and importance of the British cavalry, who protect the royal family. Visitors can observe the cavalry’s daily work in the Royal Stables. The museum also offers interactive exhibits for children and is open year-round.
The Household Cavalry Museum is a collection of artifacts, uniforms and information about the British cavalry, a division of the Royal Army with roots in medieval times. Perhaps the most unique thing about the Household Cavalry Museum is that it is located at the headquarters of the London Horse Guards, just outside Buckingham Palace. The “family” designation in the title refers to the royal family: these are the guards who protect the royal family, especially the monarch. Visitors to the museum can observe members of the cavalry going about their day’s work through a view of the Royal Stables, which essentially makes the current officers part of the exhibit. The museum is one of the few ‘living’ British museums where history can actually be watched as it progresses.
One of the privileges enjoyed by members of the British royal family is round-the-clock guardianship of residences and properties, as well as escort services to and from official events. The London Horse Guards are among the most prestigious members of the security staff. They are typically members of the royal military and serve as the king or queen’s first line of defense at a variety of events and outings. The Household Cavalry Museum is dedicated to the exploration and documentation of this important service.
The museum is built around the Horse Guards in Whitehall, a historic place in central London. The stables associated with the Horse Guards date back to the 1700s when cavalry became a mainstay of royal security. One of the main attractions of the museum is its direct view of the stables, which has remained substantially unchanged over the centuries.
Visitors to the Household Cavalry Museum can view the stables from a large glass viewing hall. Horse Guardsmen do a lot of work in the stables, as this is where they care for, train and dress their horses. Every day, an elite group of guardsmen, known as the ‘Life Guard’, perform a short ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. Their preparations are among the busiest moments in the Observation Room.
While technically classified as a military museum, the Household Cavalry Museum offers more than just service-related history. In many respects, members of the monarch’s cavalry are as much a part of British culture as they are tools of defence. Their insignia, intricate uniforms, precise movements and showmanship are things that intrigue the world over. Away from the observation room, the galleries focus on the history and symbolism of these guardsmen.
The curators of the Family Cavalry Museum also go a long way towards merging museums and children, offering child-friendly interactive exhibits and opportunities for youngsters to try on the historic uniforms and helmets of the Horse Guards. The museum is open year-round, with exhibits rotating and new exhibits being introduced periodically. Visiting museums like this one is popular with school groups and tourists alike.
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