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Beating Retreat is a spectacular pageant of military marches on Horse Guards Parade, featuring a 40-strong Corps of Drums and over 200 of the world's finest military musicians.
Photo: householddivision.org.ukThe ceremony dates back to the 17th-century when the beating of drums and lowering of flags signalled to the troops that the camp gates were about to close.
Today's equivalent still includes the emotive Sunset ceremony and lowering of the Regimental flag, but now it's more of a military concert with evocative hymns and anthems of special significance to the armed forces, performed against the beautiful backdrop of St James's Park.
Photo: royal.ukThe salute is usually taken by a high-ranking member of the Royal Family, and the music will be performed by the Massed Bands of the Household Division, drawn from the five Foot Guards Regiments and two Household Cavalry Regiments.
We also recommend… If you enjoy Horse Guards then you might like to visit Downing Street (you can walk it in less than 3 mins) and Parliament Square (you can walk it in 6 mins)
How to get to Horse Guards
| Fare zone | Cash | Oyster & Contactless | Travelcard | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single fare | Single fare | Daily cap | One day | ||||
| Peak | Off-peak | Peak | Off-peak | Anytime | Off-peak | ||
| Bus (all zones) | n/a | £1.75 | £5.25 | £6 | |||
| Train (zone 1) | £7 | £2.90 | £2.80 | £8.90 | £8.90 | £16.60(zone 1-4) | £16.60(zone 1-6) |
| Train (zone 1-2) | £7 | £3.50 | £2.90 | £8.90 | £8.90 | ||
| Train (zone 1-3) | £7 | £3.80 | £3.10 | £10.50 | £10.50 | ||
| Train (zone 1-4) | £7 | £4.60 | £3.40 | £12.80 | £12.80 | ||
| Train (zone 1-5) | £7 | £5.20 | £3.60 | £15.30 | £15.30 | £23.60(zone 1-6) | |
| Train (zone 1-6) | £7 | £5.80* | £3.80* | £16.30 | £16.30 | ||
| * Journeys between zone 1 and Heathrow are always charged at the peak rate. Prices are correct as of | |||||||
You might be interested in…
Search for more parades in London, or look for things to do in Westminster. Check out all the other events on Tuesday 15th July, Wednesday 16th July and during July 2025
