The Army in London

You can find the British Army all over the world.

From disaster recovery in Nepal, to gathering intelligence to help us figure out threats to our country.

Wherever they’re needed, that’s where they’ll go. But when they’re not away on duties, where do they live and work? Well, you’ll find the army quite close to home.

Where can you find the army in London?

London is right at the heart of our Armed Forces and a really important base for lots of things the Army does.

Now we know some of the ceremonial duties that soldiers undertake – from Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace to mounting the Guard at Horse Guards in Whitehall.

As well as being the headquarters of the Household Cavalry, Horse Guards is headquarters of the London District which manages all the Army units within the M25 – that’s the regular army, Army Reserve units and army cadets.

It also supports operational deployments overseas such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Where do the cavalry live?

Hyde Park Barracks is home to some 300 officers and soldiers — and almost as many horses.

In order to make the most of the space, the stables are located on two levels, with two ramps – one up, one down – leading to the parade ground. The ramps are heated in cold weather, keeping the surfaces free of ice which could cause horses to slip and fall.

Barracks in London

There are barracks all over London. The Guards have their London base at the Wellington Barracks near Buckingham Palace, where you’ll also find the Guards Museum.

But whilst these are probably the highest profile barracks in London, they aren’t the only ones.

There are barracks all over London. The Guards have their London base at the Wellington Barracks near Buckingham Palace, where you’ll also find the Guards Museum. But whilst these are probably the highest profile barracks in London, they aren’t the only ones.

There are:

Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow – home to the 1^st Battalion Welsh Guards
Regent’s Park Barracks – home to the Logistic Support Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps, Special Air Service and the regimental headquarters of the Queen’s Royal Hussars
Royal Military School of Music in Twickenham
Woolwich Barracks – home to the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery

The Artillery

The Artillery provide firepower to the Army – they find the enemy using high-tech equipment and then strike them using everything from explosive shells to advanced precision rockets.

Now whilst the Royal Artillery regimental home has moved to Wiltshire, Woolwich is still home to the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, and its 111 horses. These are the Queen’s ceremonial Saluting Battery. Known as ‘The Troop’, they are specially trained soldiers who drive a team of six horses that the First World War ‘thirteen pounder’ guns.

These very old… and very loud guns – are used for Royal Salutes. For one month each year, you can also see the Troop performing the duties of the Life Guards at Horse Guards.

The Army’s orchestra

The Countess of Wessex String Orchestra was formed in 2014 as the first dedicated Army ensemble where its members concentrate solely on playing stringed instruments – they play for the troops and at ceremonial occasions too.