April 2016
On previous visits, we have not been to the Horse Guards Parade ground located at Whitehall road. Not to miss it this time, we took a bus in-front of the Charing Cross train station to the parade ground. Within a couple of stops, we’ve reached the Horse Guards Parade building with guards on horseback guarding the entrance. Nothing to worry about, you can stop and take pictures with them and then proceed to enter to the parade ground at the back. There is no entry fees. Timings for the ceremony is 11:00am Monday – Saturday and at 10:00am on Sundays.
Police patrolling roads on horseback and BMW’s.
A quick dash to No.10 before proceeding to the Horse Guards Parade ground.
Entrance to the Horse Guards Parade ground via Whitehall road. The parade ground is at the back of the building.
Please note this is the changing of the Queen’s Life Guard and nothing like what you may expect to see at Buckingham Palace where it is the changing of the guards. New guards ride their horses to the Horse Guards Parade ground for the change of guards ceremony. A dozen officers are involved and the ceremony last for ½ hour. Much smaller crowd than at Buckingham Palace, present good photo opportunities and better experience for the children.
Officer on horseback passing by.
The ‘Red & White’ officers returning while the ‘Blue & White’ replacement officers are on stand-by.
All returning officers accounted for.
Closer view of the ‘Red & White’ guards.
Both ‘The Life Guards’ and ‘Blues & Royals’ face each other.
The ‘Blues & Royals’ are off for their duties.
After witnessing the Horse Guards Parade, we are on the bus again getting off at West Minster Abbey bus stop this time. Our intention is to have a look at the New Scotland Yard building. Diagonally opposite is the St James’s Park tube station where we will be taking the tube back to our hotel.
New Scotland Yard building.
Retail stores fronting Scotland Yard.
No, this isn’t a mug shot of me by Scotland Yard.
St James’s Park tube station diagonally opposite New Scotland Yard.
