Where is it?: Whitehall, Westminster, Central London.
Find it on the map: Here
How do you get there?: By virtually any method of transport except car. As the parade ground is situated right in the heart of central London, it is within walking distance of three National Rail stations — Charing Cross, Victoria and Waterloo — although Charing Cross is the closest at about 600 yards. The venue is also within easy reach of four London Underground stations — Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines), Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria), Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo) and Victoria (Victoria, Circle and District) — while many bus routes run nearby. In addition, as the site is close to the River Thames, it is accessible by river bus, with Embankment and Westminster the nearest piers.
Capacity: 15,000.
What events will be held there and when?: Beach volleyball (July 28-August 9).
Public facilities: There is a plentiful supply of cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and sandwich shops in the area.
History: Once the Palace of Whitehall's arena for tournaments and jousting — in King Henry VIII's era — it has been used as a parade ground and for military ceremonies since 1745, with the annual Trooping the Colour (to mark the monarch's official birthday in June) being the most famous. The site is named after the 12 mounted soldiers from the Queen's Household Cavalry who protect the traditional entrance to the Royal Palaces and whose daily changing is a popular tourist attraction. For the Games, the parade ground will be flooded with 3,000 tonnes of sand and three temporary courts will be constructed — the main competition arena, which will also have seating for 15,000 and four floodlight pylons, and two practice courts.