MEMBERS of the Household Cavalry made a splash at Whitestone Pond on Tuesday morning, as the regiment paid a visit to Hampstead Heath.

Despite some initial refusals from some nervous steeds, the dozen soldiers twice trotted their horses through the pond which marks the highest point in London.

The event was part of celebrations to mark 150 years since the Hampstead Heath Act.

The troop had been on duty at Prince Philip’s funeral at Windsor Castle nearly a fortnight ago.

Both sides of the pond are sloped as historically it was used for horses pulling carriages to cool off after climbing the long hill out of London.

The water also helped moisten early wooden brakes, which stopped them catching fire on the steep slopes into the city.

Dozens of people, including Heath staff, gathered to watch the spectacle unfold.

Among them was John Beyer from the Heath and Hampstead Society.

He said: “It was just a very fun thing to happen to mark the 150 years, and lots of people got some very good pictures of it.”