The Queen's Own Hussars Museum
About
The Queen's Own Hussars Museum tells the story of one of Britain's proudest cavalry regiments across three centuries of service, from Marlborough's campaigns to the Cold War and beyond. Housed within the magnificent medieval surroundings of the Lord Leycester Hospital on Warwick's High Street — a 14th-century almshouse founded by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, for veteran soldiers — the museum preserves the collective memory of two ancient regiments that were amalgamated in 1959 to form the Queen's Own Hussars.
The regiment's lineage traces back to 1685 through the 3rd King's Own Hussars, one of the oldest cavalry units in the British Army, and the 7th Queen's Own Hussars, raised in 1690. Together these regiments served in virtually every major theatre of British imperial and military history: the Peninsula War under Wellington, campaigns in India and Afghanistan, the Second Boer War in South Africa, and both World Wars. In the First World War, both regiments distinguished themselves in Egypt and Palestine under General Allenby's decisive campaign against the Ottoman Empire; in the Second World War, the 7th QOH fought with the Eighth Army through the Western Desert, Sicily, and Italy, while the 3rd KOH served in the Liberation of North-West Europe.
The museum's collections span uniforms, accoutrements, swords, standards, silver, paintings, and personal memorabilia, bringing to life the experience of the cavalry trooper and officer from the age of horse to the armoured vehicle. Particular highlights include a collection of Victorian campaign medals representing service across the Empire, rare First World War Palestinian campaign relics, striking portraits of commanding officers, and equipment from the regiment's Cold War service in Germany with NATO. The museum also tells the story of the 1993 amalgamation that created the Queen's Royal Hussars, the regiment's modern successor, preserving continuity from the original 17th-century formations through to the present day.
The Lord Leycester Hospital setting itself is a remarkable heritage experience: the medieval gatehouse, Great Hall, and Guildhall provide a uniquely atmospheric backdrop rarely found in regimental museums. Visitors can explore this fusion of architectural and military history within the heart of historic Warwick, itself a town of extraordinary heritage surrounded by castle, collegiate church, and medieval streets.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
💡 Visitor Tips
- The Lord Leycester Hospital charges a separate admission fee from the regimental museum; both are included in a single entry price and both warrant exploration — allow at least 90 minutes.
- Telephone or email ahead of your visit to confirm opening hours, as the museum can close on short notice for private events or regimental functions.
- Warwick station is only 6 minutes' walk away — the town is easily visited as a day trip from Birmingham, Coventry, or Leamington Spa by train.
- Warwick Castle, just 200 metres away on the banks of the Avon, makes an excellent companion visit for a full day of history — though it charges a separate (higher) admission.
- The master's garden at the Lord Leycester Hospital, a small walled garden accessible from the courtyard, is a lovely tranquil spot for a pause between exhibits.
- Photography is generally permitted throughout the museum and hospital; flash is not allowed near historic textiles and paintings.
- The town centre car parks at St Nicholas Church Street and Linen Street are within a short walk and considerably cheaper than Warwick Castle's own parking.
Highlights
3rd King's Own Hussars Founding Story
The 3rd King's Own Hussars trace their lineage to 1685, raised during the turbulent year of the Monmouth Rebellion as one of the new cavalry regiments of James II's expanded army. The museum traces this origin through the regiment's service in Marlborough's campaigns of the early 18th century, their role at Dettingen (1743) — the last battle in which a British sovereign personally commanded troops — and their distinguished Peninsula War service under Wellington between 1808 and 1814, including actions at Talavera, Salamanca, and Vitoria.
7th Queen's Own Hussars Formation and Imperial Service
Raised in 1690 as a cavalry regiment, the 7th Queen's Own Hussars evolved through service across three continents over two centuries. The museum tells the story of their campaigns in India including the Second Afghan War of 1878–80, service in South Africa during the Second Boer War, and the regiment's distinguished role in Egypt and Palestine in the First World War under General Allenby, participating in the cavalry breakthrough that liberated Jerusalem in December 1917 and ultimately swept the Ottoman forces from the Levant.
Western Desert and Second World War Collections
The Second World War collections document the 7th Queen's Own Hussars' service with the Eighth Army in North Africa from 1940 to 1943, including the grinding campaigns of the Western Desert from Sidi Barrani to Alamein. Uniforms, personal diaries, photographs, and equipment chart the transformation of cavalry into armoured units and the regiment's subsequent service in Sicily and Italy in 1943–44.
The 3rd King's Own Hussars' role in the Liberation of North-West Europe following the Normandy landings is documented through rare artefacts and campaign maps.
1959 Amalgamation and Queen's Own Hussars Identity
The amalgamation of the 3rd King's Own Hussars and 7th Queen's Own Hussars on 3 November 1959 created the Queen's Own Hussars, combining two proud traditions into a single regiment. The museum charts this merger through official documents, regimental silver presented at the amalgamation ceremony, the combined cap badge design, and accounts from veterans who served in both predecessor regiments.
The Queen's Own Hussars served during the Cold War in Germany with NATO, as well as in Cyprus, Malaya, and Northern Ireland.
Collections
The Queen's Own Hussars Museum holds approximately 2,000 objects spanning the complete history of the regiment and its two founding regiments from 1685 to 1993. The collection encompasses regimental uniforms from the 18th century to the modern era, edged weapons including cavalry sabres and lances, firearms, accoutrements, standards and guidons, portrait paintings of commanding officers, photographs from campaigns across the Empire and both World Wars, personal diaries and correspondence, campaign medals and gallantry awards, regimental silver, prints and engravings, and memorabilia relating to service in Germany during the Cold War.
Items of particular significance include 18th-century campaign equipment from the Peninsula War, rare Ottoman artefacts from the Palestine campaign of 1917–18, and personal effects belonging to soldiers who fought in the Western Desert with the Eighth Army.
Three Centuries of Service
Chronological galleries following the story of the 3rd King's Own Hussars and 7th Queen's Own Hussars from their 17th-century origins through to the formation and operational service of the Queen's Own Hussars, concluding with the 1993 amalgamation.
The Medieval Hospital
As the museum is housed within the Lord Leycester Hospital, visitors also explore the medieval rooms, great hall, and galleried courtyard of this outstanding 14th–16th century complex, still an inhabited almshouse for veteran soldiers.
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.
Nearby Museums (5 within 6 miles)
Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum (Royal Warwickshire)
Military & Defense
Warwick — ~9 min walk (0.5 mi)