Situated within Wellington Barracks, just down the road from Horse Guards, this small museum tells the 350-year story of the Foot Guards, using flamboyant uniforms, period paintings, medals and intriguing memorabilia. The Guards were formed from a regiment of Oliver Cromwell’s Model Army and two regiments of the exiled King’s Body Guard, following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 after the English Civil War.
The military tunic worn by a 16-year-old Princess Elizabeth to take the salute at the Trooping of the Colour in 1947, the year she was made Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, in on display, along with a mix of personal and official war memorabilia dating from the 17th century onwards. Look out for the potty from a child’s dolls house which Florence Nightingale used to administer strong liquor to comfort the men that she realised were not going to make it through the night. If you’ve always wondered just how uncomfortable those bearskin hats are, ask staff if you can try on the one they keep for the purpose.
Appropriately, the shop is well stocked with toy soldiers of the British regiments.