Household Division
Household Division
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Household Division and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Westminster
If you only had an afternoon to experience London on a grand scale, Westminster would be a wise place to start. The ornate Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey sit adjacent at a corner of Parliament Square, and a short stroll along The Mall leads to Buckingham Palace. Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column are just up the road as well. As captivating as the architecture is, the wonders of Mother Nature are highlights of the area too. St James's Park (arguably London's loveliest), the expansive Green Park, and pedestrian friendly tree lined paths along the river showcase the exquisite manicure provided by English gardeners. Just beyond the landmarks and the gorgeous outdoor spaces, quiet residential squares and age old local pubs offer a more subdued take on this global seat of power in the heart of London.
How to get there
- Charing Cross • 5 min walk
- Embankment • 7 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 5 kms
Attractions
2,807 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
10 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
2
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Gungadin
Cincinnati243 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Beating Retreat was pretty darn spectacular and quite touching too. Lots of excellent fireworks and contributions from the USA and two Middle East countries ( horses, swords) . I recommend this as a special evening. I saw very few children there, mostly older.
Written June 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz G
London, UK24 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
We got tickets on line for the Beating of Retreat for the night before the Trooping of the Colour Ceremony ( which is impossible to get tickets for as they are issued by lottery ). The Beating of Retreat is ver similar and almost a rehearsal, and always in the presence of a member of the Royal family. The Duke of York was in attendance on our visit. It was really fantastic. Over 400 musicians in the regimental banks, and Pipe Bank and all of the guardsmen and cavalry in their beautiful red tunics It was a splendid sight and represents so much of what Britain does best in terms of ancient ceremonies. This has been going for hundreds of years and was really splendid. Even better it did not rain. With going for the spectacle.
Written June 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hive Stores Altrincham
Altrincham, UK452 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
So the main building of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment isn't the nicest looking building in London, really from the outside it appears to look and smell like a giant and impressive stable block for the amazingly trained and presented HCMR horses.
It also looks like a massive university type campus building which obviously houses all the hot HCMR soldiers ;-)
Despite the fact it isn't too impressive its still nice to check out a building that homes some of Her Majesty's finest troops!
It also looks like a massive university type campus building which obviously houses all the hot HCMR soldiers ;-)
Despite the fact it isn't too impressive its still nice to check out a building that homes some of Her Majesty's finest troops!
Written June 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flossy55
UK48 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
I like others I know found this year’s Beating the Retreat a disappointment.
I don’t know if it was played down due to the recent incidents or what
but there was no atmosphere and the music dull compared to other years
and fireworks poor. I don’t know if some else has taken over putting
the programme together or what.
Having been to previous Beating the Retreat I brought several friends
to show off what used to be a spectacular evening, this year however it
certainly lack luster and I won’t be coming again or recommend.
I don’t know if it was played down due to the recent incidents or what
but there was no atmosphere and the music dull compared to other years
and fireworks poor. I don’t know if some else has taken over putting
the programme together or what.
Having been to previous Beating the Retreat I brought several friends
to show off what used to be a spectacular evening, this year however it
certainly lack luster and I won’t be coming again or recommend.
Written September 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon W
Kent, UK524 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
A fantastic evening of music and marching bands. Very patriotic and the fireworks at the end were very good
We had a great view and throughly enjoyed the entire event
Definitely worth the admission
Would highly recommend
We had a great view and throughly enjoyed the entire event
Definitely worth the admission
Would highly recommend
Written October 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruffley116
Greater London, UK106 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Beating retreat is a fabulous way of seeing marching bands and enjoying our military splendour. It will be enjoyed by people who enjoy events like the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Trooping the Colour and the sadly missed Earls Court Military Tournament.
The 2017 event was themed as 'Summon The Heroes' and Prince Henry (Harry) was taking the salute. The evening was billed as a patriotic celebration of British Army exploration and discovery, sporting excellence and individual courage in the face of adversity. A most poignant and memorable moment for me was the reading of the Tyne Cot poem, written (I believe) by it's reader.
The original purpose of 'Beating Retreat' was as a communication method to cease fighting as darkness fell. Music was used for communication before the days of wristwatches and modern technology.
Beating Retreat is usually a purely musical display (unlike the Tattoo's) ending with the sounding of Retreat or Sunset.
(Some of my review information is taken from the official programme as they describe the event so well -thank you).
A note to the organisers:- As this is an event used for charitable collection, it would be more fruitful if there were many more military personnel stationed along the exit routes holding tins and buckets as at the end of the evening I couldn't find anyone to take a charitable donation.
The 2017 event was themed as 'Summon The Heroes' and Prince Henry (Harry) was taking the salute. The evening was billed as a patriotic celebration of British Army exploration and discovery, sporting excellence and individual courage in the face of adversity. A most poignant and memorable moment for me was the reading of the Tyne Cot poem, written (I believe) by it's reader.
The original purpose of 'Beating Retreat' was as a communication method to cease fighting as darkness fell. Music was used for communication before the days of wristwatches and modern technology.
Beating Retreat is usually a purely musical display (unlike the Tattoo's) ending with the sounding of Retreat or Sunset.
(Some of my review information is taken from the official programme as they describe the event so well -thank you).
A note to the organisers:- As this is an event used for charitable collection, it would be more fruitful if there were many more military personnel stationed along the exit routes holding tins and buckets as at the end of the evening I couldn't find anyone to take a charitable donation.
Written September 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David_and_Tracey
Jersey, UK183 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
My wife and I attended our first 'Beating the Retreat' event. What a fabulous display of British ( and overseas guest Regiments) military precision, music extravaganza with a super dose of 'pomp and circumstance' aptly fitting for this occasion. Thank you to all those taking part and the support teams to make this an event to remember.
Written June 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing