| Whitehall and Downing Street tips and photos posted by real travelers and London locals.
Whitehall, SW1
• 161 Photos
• 104 Reviews
See all London Things To Do |
 | London Whitehall and Downing Street Reviews | 1 - 10 of 104 |  |
Trooping the Colour is a yearly military ceremony carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division.
This ceremony dates back to the early eighteenth century, when the flags (colours) of the regiment were 'trooped' (carried) down the ranks so that they could be seen and recognised by each soldier. This parade also marked the Sovereign's official birthday.
The parade takes place on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall. (The daily change of foot guards is at Buckingham Palace).
The troops involved come from the Household Division made up of five Regiments Foot Guards and two Regiments of the Household Cavalry
Only one colour (flag) can be trooped each year and it is done on rotation between the 5 Regiments of Foot Guards: Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh.
If you want to see a "trooping the colour" ceremony in London and have no link with the "Royals" you will be obliged to follow the somewhat complex formalities to obtain - most often not obtain - an invitation.
Tickets for seated stands around Horse Guards Parade are allocated by ballot in March. Applications should be made in January or February only to:
Brigade Major
HQ Household Division
Horse Guards
Whitehall
London SW1A 2AX.
Applicants who are successful in the ballot will then be able to purchase tickets.
Tel +44 (0)20 7414 2479
bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk
Individuals without tickets can still see the processions from the Mall. The parade is also broadcast live on the BBC in the UK and retransmitted by some other countries TV's.
In 2006 my good friends (ref. my pages on Belgium, Ieper) of the Welsh Guards trooped the colour. Photos by courtesy of Welsh Guards Online (see also my travelogue).
2nd. Battalion Coldstream Guards was on the 2007 Parade.
The Trooping the Colour 2008 was perfect.
Adequate weather, the flag, the Dragon of the Welsh Guards, was the colour trooped on this June 14th, 2008. As you might know the Welsh Guards are my favourite regiment (re. the liberation of Brussels on Sept 4, 1944 - my page on the history of Belgium). You will recognize them at their badge on the collar: a silver leek.
The best moments were the quick march of the Foot Guards and the sitting trot of the Cavalry.
I remarked, with pleasure, that the commander of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery was a woman; not easy for her to bark orders over that huge parade ground.
On Saturday 13th June 2009 the Colour has been trooped by 1st Battalion Irish Guards.
Perfect parade as usual. Remarkable voice of the commanding officer. I wonder how many decibels he developed when shouting his orders.
Directions: Charing Cross or Westminster tubesWebsite: hbookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk Other Contact: www.royal.gov.uk
|
 | |  |
Visiting London?
Read reviews about London Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Go on Dobbin!... make a run
for it!!! by MariajoyLeave a Comment Directions: Westminster Tube
|
As we walked from Westminster Abbey toward Trafalger Square, we passed Horse Guards Parade in the Whitehall area. Two mounted members of the Household Cavalry were performing guard duties at the sidewalk entrance to the the Parade, and they had a good crowd of tourists around them jostling for position. I walked inside the gate a short distance and found another dismounted trooper on guard with various tourists posing beside him for photo opportunities (second photo).
The Horse Guards Parade was built in 1745 and is where the daily changing of the guard ceremony takes place for the troops who provide protection for British Royalty when they are in London. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment is made up of a squadron from each of the two senior cavalry regiments of the British Army. One squadron is drawn from The Life Guards (shown here with their scarlet tunics and white helmet plumes) while the other is from The Blues and Royals with their blue tunics and red plumes. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Number 10, as it is often known, is perhaps the most famous address in London and one of the most widely recognised houses in the world. The centre of the United Kingdom government, it is the Prime Minister's home and place of work with offices for secretaries, assistants and advisors. There are also conference rooms and dining rooms where the Prime Minister meets and entertains other leaders and foreign dignitaries. The building is near the Palace of Westminster, the home of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace, the residence of Queen Elizabeth.
After the 1991 bombing, security at Number 10 was enhanced. An iron gate now blocks access to the street; visitors can only view the Prime Minister's residence from a distance, as seen in the photos.
|
Horse Guards stands on the site of Henry VIII's tournament ground or 'tiltyard'. Nearby is a remnant of the 'real tennis' court where Henry is said to have played the forerunner of modern lawn tennis.
The elegant buildings of Horse Guards were designed by William Kent and completed in 1755.
There is a crowd of people creating chaos to have aphoto taken with the Gaurds.some have no respect and stick their tongue out which I think is very wrong.do be carefu-horse kick and bite!!
The Household Cavalry mounts the guard here (10.00 - 4.00 pm daily). The Changing of the Guard takes place everyday, when the Household Cavalry rides from Hyde Park, via The Mall, to Whitehall for the 11.00 am changeover Directions: Nearest Underground Stations Westminster Charing Cross Nearest Railway Station Charing Cross
|
Visiting London?
Read reviews about London Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
One of my favourite touristy things about London is observing the HORSE GUARDS' PARADE. I love the colourful tunics, especially the red ones and the cool headgear, but most of all I love the majestic horses.
Horse Guards is the traditional entrance to the Royal Palace and is still guarded by mounted sentries from the Queen's Cavalry. The Guard Changing Ceremony takes place weekdays at 11:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Sundays. It is at this time that twelve mounted troops in traditional costume arrive from their Hyde Park Barracks. Leave a Comment
|
 Entrance to the Cabinet
War Rooms by rexvaughan
The entry shows the way it probably looked during WWII with sandbags still fortifying the door and front walls. Leave a Comment
|
 Cenotaph by Elena_007
It contains the emblems and flags from the Army, Royal & Merchant Navy, and the Royal Air Force, and is located between Parliament and Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall. Every year on the Sunday nearest to November 11th, at 11:00AM, There is a ceremony to honor these patriots. There is also a 2 minute silence observed, and Her Majesty The Queen lays wreaths made from poppies at the base of the Cenotaph. That is so heartwarming! There are numerous war memorials consisting in most every city in England. It is nice to know that in modern society today, these heroes of ancient times, are still being honored (honoured) throughout England. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 he back of Horseguards
Parade (with London Eye) by easyoar
There is a largish square where you can see the Trooping of the Colour (a large military display performed for the Queen). Then behind this is St James Park.
If you get as far as St James Park and turn round, you will see a great view of the back of Whitehall and the top of the London Eye. This picture was taken from along Horse Guards Road, just as you head up towards the Mall. Of course from here it is an easy walk to Buckingham Palace or to Trafalgar Square. Leave a Comment
|
 Downing Street - The
Prime Ministers house is
here by easyoar
However despite all of this, tourists still flock here to see the entrance in to Downing Street from Whitehall, I guess if you are really lucky, you may get to see the PM whizzing past in his car, but don't be surprised if all you see is some police standing around in front of a large shut gate!
I have actually been down Downing Street, but not because I got invited! When I was a kid, security was much more lax, and you were free to wander up the road (although you had to stay on the opposite side of the road to the PMs house (which is number 10). If I remember correctly, the IRA attempted to take a bomb down there (which failed), and since then, it has been much more secure. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
More London Tips Overview
| Hotels and Accommodations
Tips: 1,788 - Photos: 1,485 | Things To Do
Tips: 9,604 - Photos: 13,277 | Nightlife
Tips: 1,387 - Photos: 1,178 | Transportation
Tips: 1,999 - Photos: 1,570 | Restaurants
Tips: 2,979 - Photos: 3,302 | Shopping
Tips: 1,048 - Photos: 1,155 | Off the Beaten Path
Tips: 1,608 - Photos: 2,059 | Tourist Traps
Tips: 500 - Photos: 346 | Warnings or Dangers
Tips: 709 - Photos: 412 | Local Customs
Tips: 728 - Photos: 671 | Packing Lists
Tips: 293 - Photos: 127 | Sports Travel
Tips: 228 - Photos: 339 | General Tips
Tips: 2,331 - Photos: 2,298 | Flights
Tips: 167 - Photos: 0 |
 |
|
More London Travel Deals Radisson Edwardian Hotels
Luxury Hotels throughout London. Experience London in Luxury. London hotels
50 charming hotels selected Up to 50% discount - No prepayment London Hotels
Get Our Best Price Guarantee on All Hotels in London at Expedia. Sponsored Links
- Earls Court
28 Warwick Road, London - InterContinental London
One Hamilton Place Hyde Park Corner, London - Grantly Hotel
50 Shepherds Bush Green Shepherds Bush, London - Wyndham London Chelsea Harbour
Chelsea Harbour (Formerly The Conrad London), London - Fraser Place Chelsea
17B Gilston Rd Bolton Studios, London - Beaufort House Apartments
45 Beaufort Gardens, London - Central Hotel
16 Argyle Street, London - Concorde
56-60 Great Cumberland Place, London - Edward House Hotel London
5 St Georges Drive, London - Trinity House
26 Blackhorse Road Walthamstow, London - Bickenhall Hotel
119 Gloucester Place, London - Central House Hotel
39 Belgrave Road Victoria, London - Lambeth Sportsman Hostel
73 Lambeth Walk, London - President Hotel - London
66 Russell Square, London - Cardiff
5-9 Norfolk Square Hyde Park, London
|
