About
The Royal Dragoon Guards Museum occupies a prime position in Tower Street, York, close to the iconic Clifford's Tower and in the shadow of York's medieval walls. It is the official regimental museum of the Royal Dragoon Guards, one of the British Army's senior cavalry regiments, and tells the story of the regiment from its 17th-century origins right through to modern-day operations in some of the world's most challenging theatres.
The Royal Dragoon Guards was formed in 1992 through the amalgamation of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, bringing together two regiments of ancient lineage. The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards itself descended from regiments raised in the 1680s, while the 5th Inniskillings traced their origins to the Williamite Wars of the same period. The museum therefore encompasses more than three centuries of cavalry history, from the age of horse and steel to the era of armoured fighting vehicles and beyond.
Displayed across well-presented gallery spaces, the collections include an impressive array of uniforms, medals, weapons, silverware, colours, paintings and personal memorabilia that chart the regiment's participation in campaigns on almost every continent. Visitors can follow the regiment through Napoleonic Wars, the Crimea, India, South Africa, two World Wars and more recent conflicts including the Gulf War, the Balkans and Afghanistan. The human dimension of regimental history is consistently emphasised, with personal accounts, letters and photographs alongside the more formal artefacts.
A particular highlight of the museum is its collection of regimental silver — a dazzling array of presentation pieces, trophies and mess plate accumulated over three centuries that reflects the regiment's prestige and its close connections with the Crown and British aristocracy. The medals collections are also exceptional, including several Victoria Crosses and other gallantry awards won by members of the regiment in action across many campaigns.
The museum also holds a number of vehicles and heavy equipment relevant to the regiment's transition from mounted cavalry to armoured units, providing context for the wider story of British military mechanisation in the 20th century. Regular temporary exhibitions and events complement the permanent collections, and the museum serves as an important centre for regimental veterans, families and researchers.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- The museum is small but richly packed — allow at least 90 minutes to read the displays and appreciate the medal and silver collections properly.
- Combine your visit with the York Castle Museum and Clifford's Tower next door for a comprehensive York heritage experience.
- The Victoria Cross medals in the collection are among the most historically significant objects on display — ask staff to point them out.
- The regimental silver display is particularly impressive — look out for individual pieces with inscriptions recording the battles and occasions they commemorate.
- Entry is free, but donations are gratefully received and support the museum's ongoing work preserving this important heritage.
- The museum is a fascinating destination for anyone with family connections to the regiment — staff can often assist with research enquiries.
- York Park and Ride is highly recommended for visiting the city — driving and parking in the city centre can be challenging and expensive.
- Ask staff about any current temporary exhibitions which often add new dimensions to the permanent collection.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The museum holds uniforms, medals including several Victoria Crosses, weapons, regimental silver, colours and standards, paintings, photographs, personal letters and diaries, vehicle models and heavy equipment associated with the Royal Dragoon Guards and its antecedent regiments across three centuries.
Origins and Early History
The 17th-century origins of the regiment's antecedent units in the Williamite Wars and the development of British cavalry through the 18th century.
📍 Main gallery
Napoleonic and Victorian Era
The regiment's service in the Peninsular War, Waterloo, India and the Victorian campaigns including the Crimea and South Africa.
📍 Main gallery
Twentieth Century Conflicts
Coverage of both World Wars, including the transition from horse cavalry to armoured units, and post-war operations.
📍 Main gallery
Regimental Silver and Ceremonial
Display of regimental silver, colours, standards and ceremonial dress spanning three centuries.
📍 Main gallery
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.