The weather forecast is good, so what could be a better way to spend a Tuesday evening than sipping a cup of Pimms while watching a military battle that destroys a cricket ground?

Just down the road from Old Street tube station lies the main parade ground of the Honourable Artillery Company – and tonight (Tuesday 14th May) is their annual military display.

The loud explosions, gunfire, and men dropping out of helicopters also has an amusing tendency to scare the heck out of local residents who don’t know about these things. It is an annual event, but I presume housing turnover in the Hoxton and Shoreditch media land is fairly rapid as people always seem surprised by it each year.

The event is free, and open to the public, and one of my personal highlights of the year.

A series of historic enactments are typically followed by some rather more aggressive displays of modern military firepower that delight children and adults alike.

Set piece displays this year will include:

  • Military displays featuring pyrotechnics and gunfire
  • Military stands, helicopters and armoured vehicles
  • The London Regiment and Royal Yeomanry arena displays
  • Light Guns display & Gun Salute
  • 1812 Overture with real gunfire, performed by the band of the HAC and Kings Troop RHA
  • City of London Police Dog display

There will also be a parachute drop into the main grounds – winds permitting. A parachute drop also means a huge Chinook helicopter will be in the grounds, and usually that you can have a look inside.

There will also a selection of other weapons, and some tanks/armoured vehicles to have a look at, and if you (or your excitable children) ask nicely, climb inside.

The grounds open at 5pm with the main events starting from 6pm.

There is a pay bar (for the Pimms and beers) and free army BBQ in the grounds (long queue, get in early), and the club bar is usually open inside the historic Armoury House.

Officially, this is an event to show off the Territorial Army, but the sales pitch is quite relaxed and it is a very good evening out.

NEWSLETTER

Be the first to know what's on in London, and the latest news published on ianVisits.

You can unsubscribe at any time from my weekly emails.

Tagged with:
SUPPORT THIS WEBSITE

This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles.

It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising.

Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver, every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website, and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts.

If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here.

Thank you

One comment
  1. JP says:
    14 May 2019 at 5:55 pm

    A lovely evening for it.
    I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the HAC, the weekends away digging holes in the heath of the south downs for latrines, scampering about trying to keep the rifle clean and dry and skinning rabbits.
    Cleaning said weapon was made all the easier when scarily knowledgeable John the cabbie’s son offered to do it for a pint of Guinness.
    Did you know that the HAC is charged with being HMtheQ’s last line of defence, come the revolting masses?

Home >> News >> Events and Tours