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Tips for visiting Buckingham Palace with kids

One of London’s most iconic sights, there’s only a 10-week period each year when you can get a look inside the monarch’s official London residence – so I’ve pulled together these tips for visiting Buckingham Palace with kids (or without) to make the most of it.

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The East Wing of Buckingham Palace will be open to visitors for the first time this summer, when special guided tours will also be available in July and August, giving you an added incentive to book, if you’re planning to take the tour of the Buckingham Palace state rooms. ( EDIT: Currently sold out)

The home of the British royal family since Queen Victoria moved in in 1837, it’s still a working palace with the ornate rooms used for state events and a rare chance to glimpse the gilded splendour behind the famous facade. So if you’re planning to visit Buckingham Palace with kids, here’s everything you need to know.

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Should you visit Buckingham Palace with kids?

A tour of the State Rooms isn’t the cheapest thing to do in London with kids , so the first question to answer must be, is Buckingham Palace family-friendly?

And you can absolutely visit Buckingham Palace with kids – with a few provisos.

Personally I think this is somewhere that’s better for school age kids and older. There’s a great free family multimedia tour and family activities in the gardens but otherwise it’s (understandably) not very hands on.

For older kids, getting to see inside a palace and its impressive rooms, imagining kings, queens and mischievous corgis as they go, it’s fantastic. But the thought of chasing a bored toddler who wants to run off, while surrounded by priceless art and furniture makes my blood run cold.

Having said that, there’s nothing to stop you bringing younger kids in and I did see one young toddler during my visit, so it’s certainly possible – just be prepared to go round faster than you might like.

Do check out the interactive map online before you visit, to give kids a taste of what they’re going to see as well, and explore the palace virtually. There’s also a list of 10 highlights to spot , which makes a fun treasure hunt.

You can’t use your own buggy/stroller – these have to be checked at the start of the tour and collected at the end – while toilets and baby changing facilities are only available at the end of the tour.

You can’t eat or drink inside the palace (except for bottled water), although you can breastfeed anywhere, and there are benches in some of the rooms.

Do you have to prebook tickets?

You don’t have to, tickets may be available on the day, but as the Buckingham Palace state rooms are only open for part of the year, it’s a good idea to book in advance.

There’s also a discount if you prebook tickets online – currently from £30 for adults, £16.50 for children aged 5-17, under fives go free.

Get a discount if you book using my link and the code MUMMYTRAVELS6

You can also convert tickets into a one year pass, if you think you might return within 12 months.

There’s a family discount which is automatically applied if you book at least one adult and two children, up to two adults and four children, saving up to £24 when you book direct .

Tickets have a 15-minute time slot, and you’re asked to arrive at the time shown on your ticket.

When are the Buckingham Palace state rooms open?

The main public opening runs for 10 weeks from mid July to late September. This year’s opening dates are July 11-September 29, 2024.

The Palace is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during September but otherwise open seven days a week. Opening time is 9.30am and last entry is 17.15 during the summer months (with the palace closing at 19.30), and at 16.15 in September (with the palace closing at 18.30)

If you’re visiting London outside these dates, scroll down for more details of the guided tours which take place on select dates between November and May

Where’s the entrance to the Buckingham Palace tour?

You won’t get to go through the grand gates at the front, sadly. Instead the entrance for the summer opening of the Buckingham Palace state rooms is on Buckingham Palace road.

If you’re standing looking at the front of the palace, simply head round to the left, follow Spur Road to Buckingham Palace Road, and you won’t be able to miss the entrance, with staff checking tickets before security.

The closest underground stations are Victoria, Green Park and St James’s Park. If you’re walking from Victoria station, just follow Buckingham Palace Road from the station past the entrance for the Royal Mews and the King’s Gallery and you’ll see it on the left.

Be prepared for security

You’ll need to pass through airport style security with bag searches and X-ray, although this was very quick and efficient.

If you’re visiting with Buckingham Palace with kids, you can’t bring a buggy/stroller into the state rooms, so will need to leave that at the start of the tour and collect it at the end in the gardens.

You can’t bring large bags (or various other items including bikes, folding bikes and rollerskates) in at all, while some other items need to be left and collected after the tour, such as large umbrellas (smaller fold-up ones that go in your bag are fine).

Check the full list of security restrictions here – but it’s mostly common sense.

Do get the audio guide

The audioguide is included in your ticket, in nine languages, plus British Sign Language (as well as a descriptive tour for the blind and visually impaired). There is very little information in the rooms otherwise, so without the guide, you’ll miss most of the detail.

You can choose the adult version or the family multimedia tour (and it’s easy to flick between the two if you do want to hear bits of both).

I started off alternating between the different options, but switched to the family audio a few rooms in, as it did a great job of bringing the state rooms to life, picking out quirky details and adding some fun elements.

The tour is narrated by footman Alice, along with Rex the corgi, and is aimed at kids under 12. Having said that, it still packs in similar amounts of information to the adult tour, just in a more easily digestible fashion.

There are also some fun games for kids to play – I’m ashamed to say it took me three attempts to correctly set a table – as well as details to spot in the rooms, challenges and other interactive fun.

One highlight was being asked to spot the secret door in the White Drawing Room: closed during our visit (it’s normally ajar), it really wasn’t easy to spot but led to a great conversation with the member of staff in the room – and also the discovery that one other set of more obvious doors are fakes, designed to balance the room, with nothing but wall behind them.

You won’t be able to take photos inside

For once, you can put phones and cameras away, as photos aren’t permitted inside the state rooms – only in the gardens at the end of the tour.

We were also given permission to photograph the Coronation Exhibition and Diamond Jubilee coach which was in the courtyard but ordinarily that wouldn’t be allowed either.

Don’t be tempted to sneak a few snaps – staff were keeping a close eye on all visitors and reminding them if they had phones out, so if you’re caught, you may well be escorted out.

Allow plenty of time

There are 14 rooms with multimedia guide commentary during the tour of the state rooms at Buckingham Palace, quite apart from the chance to explore some of the gardens.

Allow at least two hours for your visit, more if you want to enjoy the activities in the family pavilion at the end, or visit the cafe.

You can go at your own pace though, so if you feel inclined to linger – or if your kids are going to get bored after around an hour – you can speed up and slow down as you want.

What can you see in the state rooms at Buckingham Palace?

The tour of the Buckingham Palace state rooms takes you through 14 separate rooms with audioguide commentary.

Starting in the Grand Hall and climbing the Grand Staircase, you’ll visit the Green Drawing Room, the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery, the East Gallery, the Ballroom, the State Dining Room, the Blue Drawing Room, the Music Room, the White Drawing Room, the Marble Hall and the Bow Room.

Needless to say, it’s impossible to capture every detail in a blog post, especially one focused on tips for visiting Buckingham Palace; you need to go on the tour to really appreciate it. But expect huge rooms, priceless art, lots of gold and ornamentation, and impressive decor as you go!

To pick out a few highlights, you can spot everything from a delicate pot pourri holder in the shape of a ship, one of only 12 ever made by Sevres (and one of only 10 still in existence) right up to the thrones embroidered with the King and Queen’s cyphers and some fake marble columns.

The art in the picture gallery is just a small fraction of the million works in the royal collection – which also includes sculpture, furniture and other artworks – including everything from Rubens, Rembrandt and Vermeer to Canaletto and Van Dyck.

There are also some insights into royal family life as you stroll through the long East Gallery, whose carefully placed mirrors make it seem to stretch on forever.

Built for Queen Victoria, along with the ballroom, to allow her to host balls for up to two thousand guests, the walls are covered with portraits of the Queen and her family – with a reminder in the family audio guide that Victoria was only 19 when she was crowned, a year after she inherited the throne.

Or the jaw-dropping information that the table in the state dining room can be extended so it’s as long as a cricket pitch – and the spare leaves are stored in one of the many secret rooms and cupboards in the palace, tucked away behind mirrored doors.

There’s modern-day trivia too – seeing the room where the current Prince of Wales was baptised, or learning how to clean a chandelier – as well as information about the palace itself, from the number of staff (around 800) to the number of lightbulbs (around 40,000).

My favourite was perhaps the White Drawing Room (actually far more gold and yellow), which has fake doors, real doors and that secret door to find…

What is the Coronation exhibition at Buckingham Palace?

EDIT: Now closed The new Coronation exhibition included the outfits worn by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the coronation in May 2023, on display for the first time.

Staged in the ballroom – which was used for Coronation rehearsals – the grand robes with their embroidered trains were joined by other items of regalia, as well as the Throne Chairs and the Anointing Screen used during the ceremony.

There was also the chance to see sketches for the invitations, alongside one of the finished creations, plus other symbolic items including the Coronation glove and girdle, not to mention the diamond necklace worn by the Queen Consort.

It was fascinating to get chance to see some of the gold embroidery up close, hand embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, with personal touches as well as more symbolic emblems – something even the best TV coverage of the day couldn’t provide.

The exhibition ran until September 24, 2023, when the State Rooms closed to the public. The Diamond Jubilee State Coach was also be on display as you enter the courtyard before heading inside the state rooms themselves but can now been seen in the Royal Mews.

If you buy a Royal Day Out ticket , also including entry to the Royal Mews, you can see the historic Gold State Coach – among other royal coaches and carriages – which carried the King back to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey

Will you see the royal family?

Sadly not – or not unless you’re very lucky. Traditionally, the royal family heads to their Scottish home of Balmoral for the summer, so they’re away from London while the state rooms are open – and King Charles has confirmed he’ll be continuing the tradition, as Queen Elizabeth did.

In any case, the tour takes you though the public state rooms rather than the private rooms, so even if members of the royal family are in residence, they’ll be elsewhere in the huge palace.

You can check before you go in: if the monarch is in residence, the royal standard will be flying, otherwise you’ll see the union flag above the palace, if the royal family is at another residence such as Windsor Castle or Sandringham .

Don’t miss the family pavilion

If you’re visiting Buckingham Palace with kids, do save time to check out the family pavilion in the gardens.

You’ll find it just after the point where you return the multimedia guides and there are some great activities for kids.

There’s a small soft play area for the youngest visitors, as well as tables with crafts and activities. You’ll also find a dressing up box, lots of chances to pose for photos, and other games and quizzes to test kids on their royal knowledge.

You can also download a garden trail, colouring and drawing activities from the Royal Collection Trust website, plus there are sometimes additional events for families .

Save time to enjoy the gardens

The path from the palace to the exit on Grosvenor Palace leads through the gardens, with a view back to Buckingham Palace over the lake.

You are limited to where you can explore in the gardens however – the lawns are roped off, for example – so you can’t spend long wandering and you do need to keep to the paths.

What facilities are there at Buckingham Palace?

Most of the facilities for visitors are towards the end of the tour, including toilets and baby changing in the gardens.

If you are visiting Buckingham Palace with kids, it’s worth finding toilets before you head inside – there are public toilets at Victoria station – as it’s likely to be over an hour before you reach the gardens (and you can’t leave and retrace your steps). And no, you can’t use the king’s bathroom on the way!

In the main block in the gardens, there are family toilets and very nice handwash though. Arrangements can be made for visitors with disabilities, but you’re asked to contact the specialist sales team in advance.

There’s also a cafe in the gardens, as well as stands serving ice cream and drinks – keep an eye out for the coronation ice cream (which is red, white and blue), although sadly it wasn’t on sale during our visit.

There’s no eating and drinking inside the palace (apart from bottled water).

You’ll also find the shop along the path through the gardens on your way out if you want a special souvenir of your visit – fluffy corgis are an option!

Can you visit the state rooms at Buckingham Palace at any other time?

Yes, there are limited chances to explore the Buckingham Palace state rooms outside the main summer opening, with guided tours running on selected dates from November to May.

These cost £95 per person, or there are also Family Guided Tours available where tickets for adults children aged 5-17 cost £60, and under 5s are free.

If you are joining a guided tour, you’ll enter through the Royal Mews and there are toilet facilities available at the start as well as the end of the tour. You’re also asked to arrive 30 minutes before the entry time on your ticket, and will have to go through a similar security process as the self-guided tour.

Tours usually take around 90 minutes to two hours, and the other restrictions (such as no photos inside) remain the same. The family tours lasts one hour.

Apart from that, you’d need a personal invitation from a member of the royal family or be invited to an official event to get in!

What else is there to do near Buckingham Palace with kids?

You’re in easy walking distance of both St James’s Park, with its pelicans (and a lovely view of the palace from the Blue Bridge) and of Green Park if your kids need to run off some energy.

You could also combine a visit with the Changing of the Guard ceremony , or a chance to see the guards at Horseguards Parade.

There are also two other Royal Collection Trust attractions at the Palace – the Royal Mews , which houses the Gold State coach, among other historic carriages, and the King’s Gallery . There’s a discount if you book using my link and the code MUMMYTRAVELS6 .

For more royal places in London with kids , check out my pick of the best for families who love history (or mini monarchists)

Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament are around a 15-minute walk from the entrance to the State Rooms, and the family attractions on the South Bank are only a short walk further on.

Or download this Royal London Walking tour , designed to take around 50 minutes, introducing you to some of the history around Buckingham Palace and Westminster.

Disclosure: My entry to Buckingham Palace was free for the purposes of review – all opinions and tips for visiting Buckingham Palace are my own. This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

Main image/Buckingham Palace gates courtesy of Depositphotos; Throne Room courtesy Royal Collection Trust/© His Majesty King Charles III 2023 ; White Drawing Room courtesy  Royal Collection Trust/© His Majesty King Charles III 2023 / Derry Moore ; all other images copyright MummyTravels

Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller, aka Minnie. Together we've visited Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, tried a cruise and a road trip, and survived countless long-haul trips. London (UK) based. Serious beach habit.

Throughly enjoyed our visit this week,with a mixed adult and child coach trip. Sadly no changing of the guard on this Saturday, which, was disappointing for the youngsters. Very efficient entrance route, no waiting, staff friendly and helpful. Easy to use audio guide, comfortable head phones. Able to stroll through the Palace at your own pace, lots of staff offering advice and additional information. Loved the White dinning room. We called into the cafe for a pot of tea as we were leaving oh my gosh ! Prices for a slice of cake, cream tea or a child’s food “box” were so expensive. Likewise the gift shop, almost £9 for a pencil with plastic crown on the top we all left empty handed. St James’s Park was a delight, lots of delightful places for refreshments and to sit and watch the antics of the wildlife. It was a great day, throughly enjoyed it.

Glad you had a great day – it is a lot of fun for kids (although I saw a few eye-watering prices in the gift shop). A shame it didn’t coincide with the changing of the guard, but sadly that never takes place on Saturdays – a good excuse to come back again?

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How To Visit Buckingham Palace In 2024: Tickets, Hours, Tours, And More

Eddie Saint-Jean Last Updated: January 18, 2024

Don’t just stand outside and look for the full-mast flag that means the monarch is home — go in! Buckingham Palace is the British Royal Family’s official residence and even you can visit. That said, it can be tricky and you’ll need to plan ahead. To help you out, I’ve put together this guide with info on tickets, tours, what to see, and the palace’s history. Here’s how to visit Buckingham Palace.

Pro Tip:  Planning what to do on your trip to London? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our  guide to London  for more planning resources, our best Buckingham Palace tours  for a memorable trip, and the top things to do in London .

Visiting Buckingham Palace: What We’ll Cover

Witnessing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the most iconic things you can do in London—after visiting the palace itself, of course.

As the official London residence of the British monarch since 1837, it is replete with all the opulence you would expect of kings and queens. If it’s on your bucket list, you’ll find out what you need to know about how to visit Buckingham Palace in this guide. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Opening hours and tickets
• How much time to budget for your visit
• What to see in Buckingham Palace
• Guided tour options
• Facts and history of Buckingham Palace
• Places to eat nearby

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if London tours are worth it .

Buckingham Palace Opening Hours and Tickets

Opening Hours:

Visitors have access to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms and the Palace Garden for several weeks throughout the year. But for obvious security reasons, these can only be palace guided tours. Available dates vary based on the tours that the palace offers, but here’s what’s happening in 2023.

Palace-guided tours: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November to May. Tours usually start at 4:00 pm on Fridays, and 11:00 am through 2:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Summer tickets: July 14 – September 24, with State Rooms closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tickets have a timed entry so you’ll want to book ahead , but the palace is open from 9:30 am to the last admission at 5:15 in July and August, and 4:15 in September.

The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place outside the palace building but within its gates. The public can view this ceremony without a ticket around 10:40 to 11:00 am every day. This time is not exact and is also dependent on weather. The ceremony only happens everyday in June/July and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays for the rest of the year.

Tickets and Tours:

Tickets must be booked online or booked here for a guided tour that includes the area around Buckingham Palace.

Palace-guided tours in the winter and spring:

Adults: £90 Family guided tour: ages 5-17 is £49.50, under 5 is free

Summer Buckingham Palace tickets if purchased in advance:

Adults: £30 Young adults (18-24): £19.50 Child (5-17): £16.50 Disabled: £16.50 Under 5: Free Families: automatic discount for 1 adult and 2 children or up to 2 adults and 4 children

Pro Tip: Your tickets can be validated for up to a year if you ask a Warden to stamp it before leaving!

Address: Buckingham Palace

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the best London tours to take and why .

How Long To Spend at Buckingham Palace

Short Answer: 2.5 hours for the State Rooms or 4.5 hours for the Royal Day Out

There are 19 State Rooms (the palace has a total of 775 rooms) so a meaningful visit will take a few hours. You’ll have access to several of the most ornately decorated rooms with treasures from the Royal Collection, paintings by old master artists, expensive sculptures, and elegant English and French furniture.

Also, you get to see the opulent and historic Throne Room. You might agree as I do that the White Drawing Room is even grander than the Throne Room. Find out for yourself!

What To See In Buckingham Palace

On your visit to the royal residence, make sure you see these incredible rooms and sights. There’s a lot of history and opulence to take in as you see Buckingham Palace. For a more detailed list with history, check out our article on the top things to see at the palace.

• The Changing Of The Guard
• The Throne Room
• The Queen’s Gallery
• The White Drawing Room 
• The Palace Garden
• Treasures Of The Palace
• The Ballroom
• The Gold State Coach
• The Diamond Jubilee State Coach
• The Grand Staircase

Buckingham Palace Tour Options

Guided tours to see Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Guard, and other important areas around this royal area are the best way to get to know this historic site. We offer several top-rated tours that you can choose to make your vacation in London the best ever.

The Buckingham Palace Royalty Tour (2.5 hours)

Anyone can take an audio-guided tour, but if you book this tour, you get the special attention of a tour guide who knows incredible stories you won’t hear on that audio guide. Plus, you’ll first explore the serene St. James Park where you’ll hear about it’s transformation from a swampland to a deer park and a quiet oasis.

You’ll feel like you know the royals even better after exploring the Mall where official processionals and the Changing of the Guard have happened for centuries. Rest assured that your guide will get you to the right door at Buckingham Palace after entertaining you with stories of what you’ll see inside.

See tour itinerary, price, and description

London Walking Tour with Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard (3 hours)

Clients love our skip-the-line access to the famous Westminster Abbey where they can enjoy a few minutes of quiet time with their guide in the nave of the abbey before the public enters.

There’s more to see at Westminster than you think, so having a knowledgeable guide to lead you through the Quire, Poet’s Corner, and more, is extremely helpful. And if the Changing of the Guard happens on the day of your tour, they’ll be sure to help you see it from several vantage points.

London in a Day Tour with Westminster Abbey and Tower of London (7 hours)

Our top-selling London tour is a must-do when you’re traveling to the heart of the United Kingdom. Your local guides are highly qualified and can share an unreal amount of cool facts and stories about London’s iconic sites and history. Starting at Westminster Abbey, you’ll be amazed at just how much of London you can see on foot and on a Thames river cruise.

Your skip-the-line tickets help you maximize your time, and your guides know where the best spots to see the Changing of the Guard are found. Your final stop at the Tower of London brings London’s more grisly history to life. It’s the perfect place to end your busy day tour of London!

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if sightseeing tours in London are worth it .

Buckingham Palace Facts and History 

• The palace has a total of 775 rooms, 19 of which are state rooms open to the public. 
• There have been many properties on the site. From 1698, however, it was known as Buckingham House and was the home of the Duke of Buckingham, where it gets its name.
• In 1761, it became known as the Queen’s House after George III bought it for his wife Queen Charlotte.
• It became a palace for the first time in the 1820s when George IV had it lavishly restructured fit for a king.
• The royal family made it their official residence in 1837, and Queen Victoria was the first royal to officially live there as head of state.
• The palace entertains 50,000 invited guests a year. Also, it averages 578,000 paid visitors a year.
• The Changing of the Guard ceremony happens daily at 10.45 am. King Henry VII made them the official Royal Body Guard 500 years ago. 
• During World War II, the palace was repeatedly targeted but survived nine bombing raids. The Royal Family refused to move out despite concerns for their safety.
• The palace is heavily protected but in 1982 an intruder called Michael Fagan broke into the Queen’s bedroom while she was sleeping. When she awoke, they had a brief chat before she fled the room and raised the alarm.

Places To Eat Nearby

The good news is your dining options are plentiful, but you’ll need to choose wisely. You can dine like royalty on Buckingham Palace Road, very close to the palace. Or, on the same stretch of road, there are sandwich bars with a more laid-back atmosphere and casual dining.

Take your pick of traditional British fare or more exotic cuisines. Here are a few suggestions, but if you’d like more options, also check out our guide to the best restaurants near Buckingham Palace . 

The Laughing Halibut : £ | Takeaway —Grab some old-school fish and chips to take away or take a seat inside. It’s a great place for a quick lunch with good reviews.

Bon Gusto : ££ | Italian Cuisine —Fancy a change from British grub? Try this Italian restaurant with a selection of meat, seafood, and pasta dishes. There are also soups and Mediterranean salads.  

The English Grill : ££££ | Traditional British Fare —This restaurant promises you’ll dine like royalty. Indeed, it is ornately decorated with regal furniture and furnishings. You can enjoy traditional afternoon tea in a garden overlooking the Royal Mews. Also, the range of steak, salad, and dessert dishes (to name a few) are product-sourced from the same Royal suppliers as Buckingham Palace.

Find the best places to stay

Where To Stay in London

Deciding where to stay at a great hotel in London can take some effort since it’s a massive city. Make your decision easier with our list of the best neighborhoods and hotels in London.

Reader Interactions

Comments (10).

June 30, 2022

We Want to visit inside Buckingham Palace either on 13th or 14th July. Can you help us tour and visit it?

July 5, 2022

We don’t currently offer Buckingham Palace tours, but we’d love to take you around London to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, plus even more great locations on our London in a Day tour and Westminster Abbey tour .

July 1, 2022

Will we be able to turn up at Buckingham Palace and buy a ticket on the day? Shanthi

[email protected]

Not necessarily. Since the royal family uses Buckingham Palace, schedules and public access are subject to changes at short notice. Additionally, tours are not available every day. It’s best to plan ahead and purchase tickets before you arrive to have the best chance of entering the palace.

September 19, 2022

It’s my 70th birthday august 21 2023 and I would like to bring my children/grandchildren to visit Buckingham Palace. There will be 2 x Oaps, 3 adults, 1 child aged 9 and 1 aged 4. What would you recommend and at what cost? Thank you for your help Best wishes

September 21, 2022

What a fun trip! You can check their website for tickets next season. The palace is only open for 10 weeks in the summer, and it’s closed early this year due to the queen’s death. You can also book a trip out to Windsor Castle and Stonehenge for fun day trip to another royal residence.

In your ‘blurb’ “It became a palace for the first time in the 1820s when George VI had it lavishly restructured to be fit for a king.” This is incorrect. In actual fact it was ‘King George IV’ who died in 1830 King George VI was Queen Elizabeth II father and died in 1952

Thanks for letting us know about that typo! It makes a difference of generations!

I purchased four Buckingham Palace tour tickets for Thursday, September 29. I do have my confirmation email, but I don’t have the actual ticket email. If I would email my customer and order numbers to an office or a person, is there some way I could please get the email with the actual tickets.

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and assistance with this matter.

You’ll need to check with the company from whom you purchased your ticket as they’ll have the accurate information.

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Touring Buckingham Palace with Children – A Complete Guide!

It is an unforgettable experience to see how the British Royal Family lives. It’s a great way to spend a few hours, but there are a few things you should know before you go! In this blog post, we will help you organize your excursions, get into Buckingham Palace quickly with your children, and follow the regulations, so you don’t get booted out! This is everything you need to know for touring Buckingham Palace with kids.

This Guide to Visiting Buckingham Palace with Kids provides 7 Top Tips for Families to save time and money and reduce stress.

Keep reading to learn more!

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If you are taking a family vacation to London, don’t miss these  Changing of the Guard Tips for Families . Also, check out our articles about Getting Around London with Children, Visiting The London Eye With Children , or planning a  Tower of London Visit with Kids .

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When Was The Buckingham Palace Built?

Buckingham Palace was originally built in 1703 as Buckingham House for the 3rd Earl of Mulgrave, John Sheffield. It is a newer residence for a dynasty with a history of more than a thousand years. For those wondering, what is in Buckingham Palace? It has served as the British royal family’s residence and administrative center for hundreds of years.

Who lives in Buckingham Palace?

The British royal family resides in Buckingham Palace in London, where they also maintain administrative offices. It is one of several homes of the monarch, King Charles III, and his wife, Queen Camilla. It is a prominent political and ceremonial landmark in the United Kingdom, and its enormous grounds are a popular tourist destination. Buckingham Palace is The King’s official London residence and a working royal palace.

Is Buckingham Palace Open To The Public?

During the summer, Buckingham Palace is accessible to the public. Between July and October, tours of Buckingham Palace are available. If you cannot come during this period, consider visiting one of London’s other royal sites.

Can You Tour Buckingham Palace?

For those wondering if you can go inside Buckingham Palace, the simple answer is yes. Visitors are allowed in Buckingham Palace. The palace is open to the public for a couple of months each summer, while the royal family typically takes a summer holiday at Balmoral in the Scottish highlands.

When did tours of Buckingham Palace Start?

In 1993 Buckingham Palace opened for paying tours allowing the general public to go inside the palace. This was Queen Elizabeth’s response to a huge fire at Windsor Castle to help raise funds to pay for the restoration.

Is there a dress code for visiting Buckingham Palace?

To visit Buckingham Palace, no formal attire is necessary; nevertheless, comfortable shoes are encouraged. There will be lots of walking through the State Rooms and then an approximately 1/3 mile walk through the palace gardens to exit the grounds.

How can I visit Buckingham Palace?

In July 2022, our family had the opportunity to visit London with the kids and some extended family members. I have visited London multiple times throughout my life and have been to the gates of Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guards . But one of the things I’ve always wanted to do since I was a child was to tour Buckingham Palace. I wanted to see inside the palace where The Queen lived and see the beautiful State Rooms, artwork, and decor.

One of the highlights of our trip was touring Buckingham Palace with our kids. Keep reading to learn more about our experience, and follow my tips for visiting Buckingham Palace with your children.

When Can You Tour Buckingham Palace?

The public can tour Buckingham Palace from Thursdays through Mondays. The State Rooms are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. From July 22nd to August, Buckingham Palace is normally open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the last admission at 5:15 p.m. And from September to October, it is open from 9:30 a.m to 6:30 p.m., with the last admission at 4:15 p.m.  Make sure to double-check the opening times before you visit the palace.

When is the best time to visit Buckingham Palace?

Entry is on a timed basis, so aim to come no later than 10 minutes before the entry time on your ticket. How long does it take to tour Buckingham Palace? You should plan to allow 2 to 2.5 hours for touring Buckingham Palace with children.

What To See In Buckingham Palace

Are you wondering what does Buckingham Palace look like inside? Let’s find out! When exploring Buckingham Palace with children on the self-guided tour, you will see and learn about the following.

Flags and Clocks

As you approach or exit Buckingham Palace, look for the flag on the roof. When the king is home, the Royal Standard is flown; otherwise, the Union Flag flies.

Inside, look for clocks. The palace has more than 350 operating clocks, one of the world’s greatest collections. Two full-time horological conservators preserve them all.

Audio Tour with King Charles III

Buckingham Palace tours include a complimentary audio guide. King Charles III introduces the tour of all 19 State Rooms and the yearly special display. Multiple languages are supported. Interactive family excursions and deaf/blind tours are also available.

I recommend the free Family Multimedia Tour aimed at families with children under age 12. It is an engaging and interactive way for the whole family to listen to Alice the Footman and Rex the Corgi, who will guide you through the Palace as you explore the State Rooms.

The Grand Staircase

The tour highlights Buckingham Palace’s Grand Staircase. John Nash built the spectacular bronze staircase for King George IV’s 1825-1830 palace refurbishment. The spectacular double balustrade includes an exquisite design of oak, laurel leaves, and acanthus. A ceiling glass dome illuminates the stairway.

The State Apartments

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, 19 staterooms, and 78 baths. In Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms, the King greets, awards, and entertains subjects and dignitaries. These rooms were used for Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s wedding reception (now the Prince and Princess of Wales). The rooms include candelabra, marble columns, luxurious rugs, damask wallpaper, beautiful furniture, sculpture, and art.

The Throne Room

Visitors love Buckingham Palace’s Throne Room. It has thrones used for investitures and ceremonial banquets, such as Queen Elizabeth II’s jubilees, and has doubled as a ballroom (during your guided tour, you’ll also visit the official Ballroom, the palace’s biggest multi-purpose space). 

The Unique Exhibition

Every year, the summer opening features a one-of-a-kind show. In 2022 The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace showcased a stunning sequence of photos of Queen Elizabeth II shot by Dorothy Wilding after her ascension to the throne in 1952, celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Garden Cafe and Shop

Your State Rooms or Garden Tour concludes at Buckingham Palace’s Garden Cafe. The cafe serves tea, coffee, sandwiches, and pastries. The Garden Shop sells Royal Collection-exclusive items and souvenirs throughout the summer. Homewares, china, apparel, jewelry, toys, books, and postcards are available. Royal Collection artworks inspire most goods. One of the highlights of our time in London was picking out gifts and souvenirs from the Buckingham Palace garden shop.

Tour of Buckingham Palace Gardens

Buckingham Palace’s 39-acre grounds feature 350 varieties of wildflowers, 200 trees, and a 3-acre lake. Annual Garden Parties were held there. Are Buckingham Palace gardens open to the public? Buckingham Palace State Rooms tickets show the garden’s south side. 

The Garden Highlights Tour is a 45-minute guided walking tour that is an add-on to The State Rooms tour. It features King George VI and Fred Perry’s 1930s tennis courts, a magnificent herbaceous border, a wisteria-clad Summer House, the Rose Garden, and the gigantic Waterloo Vase.

Buckingham Palace Tour and Afternoon Tea

Eating and drinking are not permitted inside the palace during the tour, except for bottled water. At the end of touring Buckingham Palace State Rooms, we visited The Garden Cafe. We enjoyed afternoon tea in Buckingham Palace with popular refreshments such as cream teas, jubilee trifle, and coronation chicken sandwiches. There were also menu options for the kids, with lunch boxes including cheese or ham sandwiches, Hula Hoops, and a juice box.

Our visit to Buckingham Palace for afternoon tea was the first day of the season. Therefore, the staff was still working through training procedures and struggling to keep up with the demand in the cafe. There were long lines and excessive wait times in the summer heat, but everyone was very friendly, and I’m sure that would improve as the summer season got going.

Buckingham Palace Tickets

How much is a Buckingham Palace ticket? In 2022 tickets to see Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms cost £19.50 for young people aged 18 to 24, £30 for adults over 24, and £16.50 for children aged five and above. Children under five enter for free; however, tickets must be reserved in advance. How to book Buckingham Palace tickets? Before your visit, go here for current ticket pricing .

You may also purchase an add-on ticket from the Royal Collection Trust’s website, which includes a 45-minute guided tour of Buckingham Palace grounds after you visit the State Rooms. Buckingham Palace may be explored in two hours and 30 minutes.

Family Ticket Pricing

Is there a discount code for Buckingham Palace tickets? Unfortunately, I do not have a discount code to share with you. However, when you book tickets directly , a family discount is automatically applied. Families visiting Buckingham Palace can save up to £25.00 on booking at least one adult and two children and up to 2 adults and four children.

Also, you can enjoy free re-admission to Buckingham Palace for one year following your visit. At the end of your visit, before you exit the palace grounds, have a warden stamp your admission ticket. This converts it to a 1-Year Pass and is a great way to visit Buckingham Palace free of charge!

Tips for Visiting Buckingham Palace with Children 

After you’ve learned what to anticipate while visiting Buckingham palace with children, it’s critical to understand the following recommendations. These tips for touring Buckingham Palace will help you quickly and easily enter the palace with children. Ensure you obey the regulations so you don’t get booted out!

1. Buy Your Tickets Online Ahead Of Time

You should buy your tickets to Buckingham Palace online in advance . As far ahead as possible! Tickets for the Buckingham Palace tour are incredibly popular and usually sell out well in advance.

When you buy tickets online, you may choose an admission time. The sooner you buy your tickets, the better your chances of getting an admission time that works for you. If you do not buy tickets in advance, you risk receiving an admission time that is inconvenient or coincides with other arrangements.

You must attend at the time specified on your ticket when touring Buckingham Palace with children. Late arrivals are not permitted to enter the palace, so arrive on time! You will have minimal choices if you wait to buy just a few weeks before your trip.

2. Get There Early When Touring Buckingham Palace

Since you can’t enter the palace if you’re late, arrive early. Too early is better than late. It would be terrible to miss your tour and waste money due to a delay at Buckingham Palace.

When you visit Buckingham Palace with children, your ticket has an entry time. The palace recommends visitors arrive 10 minutes early. Ticket scanning and security take a while. After scanning your ticket, tent security is two-sided. One side shows the current and next time slots. Ticket scanning will tell you which line to join. If you arrive with enough time, you won’t have trouble getting to the proper security line or entering the palace on time.

3. Royal Trust Combination Tickets

Buckingham Palace tour tickets may be combined. Royal Trust combination tickets provide discounts on numerous attractions. Are you wondering what to do near Buckingham Palace? You may combine tickets for the Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery. If you want to visit many royal attractions, get a combined ticket. You’ll save some money.

At The Royal Mews , you can see behind the scenes at one of the finest working stables. Marvel at historic royal carriages used at state occasions, including the iconic 260-year-old Gold State Coach. Visit The Queen’s Gallery to see changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection. This features images from the vast photograph collection, decorative arts, rare furniture, and master paintings.

We chose to skip the combination ticket add-ons and just did the Buckingham Palace State Rooms tours with our children. For our family, the 2-hour self-guided tour of Buckingham Palace, plus additional time enjoying afternoon tea at The Garden Cafe, and time shopping for gifts and souvenirs at the garden shop, was plenty for our children aged between 5 and 10 years old.

Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to take photos inside Buckingham Palace. After we exited the palace grounds, we walked around to the front of Buckingham Palace to take iconic photos at the railings and by The Queen Victoria Memorial before exploring some of the popular London playgrounds and parks.

4. Where Is The Entrance to Buckingham Palace? 

The Buckingham Palace tour entry isn’t where the changing of the guards takes place in front of the palace. The tour entrance is to the left of the Queen Victoria monument while facing Buckingham Palace. Follow the black railings outside the palace grounds along Buckingham Palace Road. You will likely see a line of people waiting to enter the palace for their tour.

A security officer will walk the line and call out ticket times. Let the security officer know if you’re at the back of the line and your entrance time is called.

People assume they can get in early if they come early, but they can’t. Thus arriving 10 minutes early is suggested to prevent boredom or long waits. If your time slot is called, you should exit the line.

5. Know What You Can’t Bring on Your Buckingham Palace Tour

Unsurprisingly, you are not permitted to carry certain items inside Buckingham Palace:

• Liquids (except for bottled water)
• Animals (other than guide, hearing, or assistance animals)

Backpacks and luggage larger than 45cm × 20cm × 30cm cannot be taken into the Palace at all, For safety reasons, strollers cannot be taken into the palace State Rooms. They must be checked in and collected after your tour. 

Unacceptable items will be confiscated or checked and returned to you when you leave. Food and drinks are confiscated, and luggage and backpacks are checked. Security will move faster if you’ve checked your bags for restricted goods. Security officers thoroughly inspected my baggage; they seized a protein bar from me.

We were also asked to wear small backpacks on the front. I assume this prevents visitors from brushing past palace walls and artwork unknowingly with a large bag on their backs.

6. Other Prohibited Items for Touring Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace tours are smoke-free. Smoking in the palace or gardens results in expulsion. Rainy weather greeted me at Buckingham Palace. Large umbrellas were checked and returned after the tour. You should bring a compact umbrella in a small bag, so you don’t have to check and retrieve it when you leave the palace grounds.

7. Visit Buckingham Palace Family Pavilion

The Family Pavilion offers a range of activities for children under 12. It is located in the Palace Garden – you will find it as you exit the State Rooms – directly across from the Garden Cafe.

The Buckingham Palace Family Pavilion offers a quiet area for children to read, color, or do activity sheets. It features a family photo op, listening stations, and games that explore the working life of the Palace. This area is open daily and is a must-do activity for families visiting Buckingham Palace with children.

How The Buckingham Palace Tour Works

Buckingham Palace excursions run like other Royal Trust tours . The self-paced tour includes an audio guide with palace details. The tour is self-guided since there’s no tour leader. You can’t deviate from the tour route or revisit a previously visited room. 

Because of the audioguide, you’ll spend a lot of time in each room. Not rushing through the tour is wise. In each room, you can learn more about a particular item, such as art or furniture. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours for visiting Buckingham Palace with children.

How do you get to Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is in the heart of London. The nearest subway stations are Green Park, Victoria, and Hyde Park Corner. Several buses stop nearby as well. Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk away if you arrive by coach.

The London Underground is the best method to reach Buckingham Palace. Depending on where you stay in London, you may be able to walk to Buckingham Palace, although most people use the Tube. Oyster cards make utilizing London’s public transit easy.

The Closest Tube Stations near Buckingham Palace are:

• St. James’ Park

All are within 10 minutes of Buckingham Palace. St. James’ Park boasts the most picturesque stroll and is a beautiful way to prepare for a Buckingham Palace tour. If you have time, stop at St. James’ Park, where there is a coffee kiosk next to a children’s playground by the entrance on Birdcage Walk. This is across the street from Wellington Barracks, where you can enjoy watching The Changing of the Guards .

Buckingham Palace Location Map

Follow this map to see the best way to get to Buckingham Palace in London.

Final Verdict for Touring Buckingham Palace with Children

Summertime in London is the greatest time to visit Buckingham Palace. It affords you a window into royal family life, and you leave with increased information. 

Common areas and banquet rooms are largely visible. Buckingham Palace is worth the entry charge. To optimize your experience, respect royal laws and arrive early. Buying tickets online months in advance might also enhance your vacation. I suggest the Buckingham Palace tour for families. It’s true royal tourism and worth every penny.  

I hope you’ve found this guide helpful for touring Buckingham Palace with children. This was one of the highlights of our visit to London with the kids, and we hope your family enjoys your visit to Buckingham Palace as much as we did!

For more about family travel, check out these posts: Tower of London Visit with Kids Changing of the Guard Tips for Families Visiting The London Eye With Children: Complete Guide Best Things to do in London with Kids Free or Cheap Activities in London for Families How to Get Around London with Kids How to Avoid Lost Luggage

BE Family Products Inc., or (BE Family Travel) participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Using any of the links on this website does NOT cost you anything but does help us continue to create content on this blog. Thank you so much for your support and for partnering with us. Let’s BE Family.

Ruth Hutchins grew up in England and now lives in North Carolina with her husband, Doug, and their two young daughters. They always loved to travel, but once having children everything changed because family travel is more complicated. Traveling with a baby may feel overwhelming to new parents. Travel with a toddler can really test your patience, and traveling with kids can lead to utter chaos. However, travel with your little ones doesn’t have to be that stressful or exhausting. On the BE Family Travel blog Ruth shares her parenting wins, and even epic failures about traveling with kids. She provides resources to help you feel empowered to plan a family vacation and travel with your children.

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Pupils visit Buckingham Palace for first ever Schools Week

2023-10-18T08:01:00+01:00

Almost 2,000 pupils enjoyed special access to Buckingham Palace after doors were kept open exclusively for school groups during the very first Schools Week.

Source: Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2023

Harris Primary Academy Coleraine Park students were among those who enjoyed visiting the garden at the palace.

Pupils came from across the country to enjoy Coronation-themed educational activities in the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace, the Royal Mews, and The Queen’s Gallery in London as part of the exclusive event in September.

With the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace now closed to the public until next summer, Royal Collection Trust welcomed up to six school groups a day at the Palace.

These included home education groups and classes from schools for children with special educational needs, as well as faith, state, and private schools. Pupils came from as far away as Norfolk, Birmingham, and Staffordshire, as well as Kent, Berkshire, and Greater London.

Pupils enjoyed learning about the vast collection of paintings on display inside the palace.

The groups benefitted from having the visitor route to themselves to discover more about Coronations past and present through paintings from the Royal Collection and saw with their own eyes the robes and historic items used in the Coronation of Their Majesties – which formed part of this summer’s annual display.

“I loved my experience at Buckingham Palace – it was such a privilege and honour to walk through the same halls as the Royal Family.” Marcel, aged 16

The young people, aged between four and 18, also relished the chance to see the precious objects on display in the State Rooms, including the Throne Room, the Blue Drawing Room and the Music Room, as they participated in creative writing sessions. Outside, pupils took in the magnificent exteriors through landscape drawing and watercolour painting sessions.

Will Graham, learning manager at Royal Collection Trust, said: “Although school groups have visited Buckingham Palace for many years, we have never had the opportunity to have school pupils in on their own before, so having the State Rooms to themselves has been a real treat.

“We were keen to give the kids a truly memorable and educational experience. It has been fantastic having so many children visit and be immersed in the rich history of Buckingham Palace.”

Pupils spent time in the Throne Room on the tour.

Sally Adams, geography and history teacher at Oak Lodge School for students with special needs in East Finchley, London, said: “The eyes of our students lit up seeing the colours, splendour and grandeur of Buckingham Palace. Nothing is as good for a student with special needs as seeing it and doing it for themselves.”

Marcel, 16, a pupil at Insights School and Skills Academy in Ealing, London, said: “I loved my experience at Buckingham Palace – it was such a privilege and honour to walk through the same halls as the Royal Family. It was very engaging and interesting, and I learnt plenty about the history of the monarchy and much more! I am so grateful.”

Throughout the year, Royal Collection Trust – the charity managing the public opening of the official royal residences – hosts educational visits in addition to offering schools free resources and sessions online . Royal Collection Trust also works with a range of community organisations to make the royal Palaces, Mews and Galleries accessible to as many people as possible.  

Between April 2022 and March 2023, a total of 40,000 school pupils made a visit to one of the official royal residences and The Queen’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh or attended virtual sessions. 

For more information about school visits to any of the Royal Collection Trust properties, go to  www.rct.uk/discover/school-visits .

• Castles and Palaces

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London & Buckingham Palace

Step inside Buckingham Palace, the official office and residence of His Majesty King Charles.

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Step inside Buckingham Palace, the official office and residence of His Majesty King Charles. As one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today, discover the treasures and fine arts in one of the world's most famous residences on this rare opportunity.

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1 night half board

Free time in London

Admission into Buckingham Palace

When we arrive in London, our driver will drop you off in a central location, and from here, you can explore the city in your own time. Enjoy panoramic views from the London Eye, see the stars at Madame Tussauds or hit Knightsbridge, where you'll find the famous Harrods department store and a wide range of bars, restaurants and cafes.

After breakfast, we travel to Buckingham Palace. Explore all the magnificent State Rooms, the Royals Mews and The King's Gallery. Later, we will begin our journey home.

Federation House Hotel 3*, Leatherhead

Federation House is a stunning architectural award-winning venue with 55 air-conditioned bedrooms and a large atrium area with a restaurant and bar.

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To make a booking firstly select the correct number of passengers that will be travelling. This will perform an availability check to see that there is sufficient space on the tour. If the date you want is available select the Book Now button and you will be guided through the online booking process. If your date is unavailable you can use the Call Back facility to discuss further options.

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SCHOOL TRIPS

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AN EXPERIENCE YOUR STUDENTS WILL NEVER FORGET

Our Westminster and Changing of the Guard school tours are specifically designed to balance incredible story-telling and historical in-depth analysis, creating an educational experience that keeps your students engaged and interested throughout.

WHY OUR WESTMINSTER AND CHANGING OF THE GUARD TOUR?

With the curriculum placing greater emphasis on the history of Britain and its place in global history, our Westminster tour provides an ideal location for a history School trip.

We tailor our service to the modern curriculum, our school tours are perfect for A-Level or GCSE students, helping pupils learn about the Royal history of London alongside the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Winston Churchill’s Cabinet War rooms which featured prominently during World War 2.

Our goal is to enhance your pupils’ learning and understanding of the key moments in London’s incredible history. We keep it fun and inspirational so your pupils really do get the best opportunity to come away better off for the experience.

Westminster and Changing of the Guard Tour will take you through the most prestigious and iconic sights of the city including Buckingham Palace.

DEPARTURE POINT

The main gate entrance to Green Park (Located to the right hand side of the Ritz Hotel, 150 Piccadilly, St James’s, London. The post code for the meeting point is W1J9DZ The nearest underground station is Green Park Station.

RETURN POINT

This walking tour does a full loop of all the key locations in Westminster and ends back at Trafalgar Square.

Did you know

Big Ben is a short walk from some of the best cafes, pubs and alehouses in London; the perfect place to start your own exploration of the city or join us for the City of London Tour, which departs at 2 pm on selected days from Temple Station.

TOUR PHOTOS

Tour content.

As one of the most respected tour companies in London, we continually strive to offer the best school tours in the city. The tour’s content is exclusive and unique, utilising our tour guides incredible knowledge and experience of the Westminster area, plus its Royal history, whilst exploring the locations where key historical incidences occurred.

We focus on keeping the student interested throughout the tour, not an easy task for even the best of teachers. Our Westminster tours have been regularly praised by previous students, keeping them engaged and interested throughout the experience. We remain one of the only tour companies in London to use imagery, guide books and even hand held projectors that guarantees to hold the attention of students, provoking thought and analysis.

Buckingham Palace; the royal residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Experience the royal mall, the marching bands, and the household cavalry, st james’s palace - the home of the royal princesses, wellington army barracks, the royal guards at buckingham palace and clarence house, st james’s park, winston churchill’s cabinet war rooms, the changing of the royal horse guards, westminster abbey and westminster school, houses of parliament (palace of westminster), the grand statues of parliament square, the victoria tower and big ben, number 10 downing street – home to the prime minister, new scotland yard, horse guards’ parade, professional expert tour guides.

Our team consists of real historians, authors and experts on the Royal history of London, with some of our guides taking part in political studies and debates and others being ex-service men of the household regiment’s who have personal behind the scenes knowledge on the Royal guards and their practices. So when you walk with us, you will be walking with the best.

In addition to our tour guides' experience and expert status, our team have also advised for many historical documentaries, books, TV shows and films, including the Apprentice, Michael Portillo’s travel guide to Great Britain and London Calling. We have appeared on Sky News, CBS, The History Channel, Secrets of Scotland Yard and much more.

GROUP SIZES

Often large student groups may struggle to find a tour company to take so many in one tour, however we can easily cater for any size of group that your require by splitting large groups over 2 or 3 guides at the same time. This is one of the reasons we are first choice for many schools and colleges whilst in London.

Private Tours

We can accommodate groups of all sizes on our Westminster and Changing of the Guard Private Tours. From corporate groups to GCSE and A-level students, we can tailor our tours to suit you. To book a private tour, simply email us with your requirements (group size/date/time) and we will gladly send you a quote and get you booked in! No group is too small or too large for our talented guides. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, why not include pub stops along the route at no extra charge!

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Ticket price, adults - £18.00, children - go free, book londons #1 walking tour today.

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Spain family vacations, japan family vacations, australia family vacations, tips for visiting buckingham palace with kids.

• By Nicole Wiltrout
• March 10, 2018

With royal weddings and babies galore, along with the popularity of the television series The Crown , one of London’s most iconic landmarks is seeing a rebirth in interest among visitors: Buckingham Palace . Yet it remains elusive to many parents, both because it is only open 10 weeks of the year and because it can seem a bit austere for families traveling with kids. Luckily, we’ve made it through those royal gates, so we know what to see at Buckingham Palace and how to make it fun for kids.

And even if you can’t go inside, with some pre-planning and our insider tips, every family traveling to England can get a great and kid-friendly royal experience year-round.

Family-Friendly Advice for Visiting Buckingham Palace (and What to Do When It’s Closed)

Is your trip to London scheduled for late July through September? If so, you’re in luck, as the palace is open to visitors during that time period. We always advise checking ahead before booking flights or hotels, however, as the schedule does vary from year to year depending on the Queen’s summer travel plans. Remember, this is still a fully operational home and London residence to Her Majesty! If your timing falls when it is not open to the public, read on as we offer some alternative ideas below.

A Royal Day Out

When the palace is open, we advise devoting a full day of your London itinerary to royal exploration. Begin your morning at the Royal Mews . It’s only a few blocks from the Palace itself and makes a great starting point, especially for children. Here you’ll see the fancy cars, exquisite carriages and best of all, many of the Queen’s horses in their stables. An audio guide will lead you along to the various stopping points. Plan on about an hour here and get lots of photos at the Mews, as photography won’t be allowed in the palace itself. Then head to St. James Park nearby for playtime and a picnic lunch.

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After lunch and playtime, hit your pre-booked time slot to visit the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace. Again, this is an experience where an audio guide will help lead you from room to room (there are 19 state rooms). There is a dedicated children’s audio guide, so ask for that as you enter. My favorite stops are the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery and the Ballroom (where State Dinners are held). Families will probably spend 1 to 2 hours here, depending on how long you linger in each room.

Do make time for walking through the palace gardens at the back. You’ll reach them at the very end of the tour. It’s hard to imagine 39 acres of private parkland in the center of the city—it’ll have you wishing you could score an invite to one of the Queen’s famous garden parties. There’s a casual cafe at the end of the tour overlooking the gardens, so you can promise a sweet treat for the kids.

Also, the gift shop at Buckingham Palace is a great spot for London souvenirs. You’ll find exclusive items here that you can’t get in generic tourist shops. It’s especially nice to pick up a packet of postcards, full of photos from inside the palace, since photography is not allowed.

Many royal collection ticket packages include a visit to the Queen’s Gallery . While it does have a small children’s activity room, this is a small, quiet gallery, with works of art based around a different theme each year. Unless your family has a very specific interest in art, I’d advise skipping this attraction as it makes the day too long with children.

Instead, consider capping off the day with a fanciful afternoon tea experience, just like the Queen Elizabeth II herself is rumored to enjoy and often ends an afternoon. Ciao Bambino Family Vacation Advisors can suggest some wonderful locations for families to experience afternoon tea near the Palace. Or, if you still have energy to burn, explore another royal park just around the corner, Green Park. It’s also home to one of the closest tube stations and you’ll probably wander by St. James Palace, home to Prince Charles.

Changing of the Guard

If seeing the Changing of the Guard is high on your London bucket list, it’s worth investing in one of Ciao Bambino’s fantastic London guides. They can time the private guided tour so that your family is perfectly positioned in a great spot to see the guard ceremony well, and can also try to include the Horse Guards changing ceremony (often much less crowded) and other royally significant sites like Westminster Abbey .

Be advised that the experience can be subject to weather and scheduling changes, so flexibility is key. Plan it for early in your trip, and then if for some reason it is cancelled due to weather, you can always try to see it another day.

Also, talk to your children in advance about being respectful of the guards they’ll see. They are working, and not there to pose for photos. Tourists should never touch the guards or stand too close, and certainly everyone should keep a safe distance from the horses.

What To Do When the Palace Is Closed

Does your trip to London fall outside the public visitation period of Buckingham Palace? Or maybe your kids are a bit to young to handle the experience. Fear not, commoners! There are plenty of other ways to experience royalty year-round in London and its surrounding areas.

Royal Mews & Changing of the Guard : The Royal Mews, described above, is open mostly year-round (closed in winter), and the Changing of the Guard also takes place year-round, weather permitting. Pair these two experiences with afternoon tea and/or playtime in Hyde Park, and you still have a day fit for a queen! Don’t forget to grab some photos in front of the Palace, especially the famous statue of Queen Victoria.

Kensington Palace : At the far western end of Hyde Park is Kensington Palace, the current home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Ciao Bambino advisors can suggest wonderful guides to lead your family around this royal attraction. A visit to this palace pairs perfectly with playtime at the Princess Diana Memorial Playground, one of the best and largest playgrounds in the world. You may need to buy tickets in advance. There are special exhibits held each year here, and the more popular ones means tickets often sell out during peak travel times.

Windsor Castle : This is a fun and easy day trip out of London, as direct trains run between the city and Windsor throughout the day. Windsor Castle is said to be the Queen’s favorite residence, and she often spends weekends here. In fact, visitors usually have a higher likelihood of seeing her here than they do at Buckingham Palace (my family did!). Get an earlier train out, and time your visit to coincide with the Changing of the Guard experience that happens here also. It tends to be far less crowded than the ceremony outside Buckingham Palace, but do check the schedule in advance. The castle has a family room with activities for kids, and the town itself is a lovely and charming place to have lunch, enjoy afternoon tea or shop. You can also pop over to Eton to wander around the boarding school where Prince William and Harry attended secondary school.

Hampton Court Palace: If you have younger children (like toddlers and preschoolers), this is the royal spot to put on your list. The grounds here are incredible, including a maze and a tremendous adventure playground. The building itself was the primary royal residence before Buckingham Palace was built and was intended to rival France’s Versailles. There are often costumed historical actors walking around, bringing the history to life for visitors of all ages. This is an easy journey out of central London via train.

However families choose to structure their London vacation, a stop in a royal residence — current or former — is always a thrill for kids and adults alike.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly hotels and activities in London on Ciao Bambino

Live with Ciao Bambino: Best places to visit in London with kids

72 hours in London with kids

Best London parks and playgrounds with kids

8 favorite day trips from London with kids

A Lasting Legacy Modernized for Families at London’s Bloomsbury Hotel

Editor’s Note: Photos by Nicole Wiltrout.

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Learning & Education

Take a school trip to Buckingham Palace and the Great Barrier Reef

Jan 20, 2016

[[read-time]] min read

Great teachers posses a special sort of magic - they can transport the most distant places right into the room while revealing hidden secrets in the most local of things. For many of us, nobody has conjured more of this magic than the great Sir David Attenborough. Today we are bringing Australia's Great Barrier Reef into classrooms around the world using Google Expeditions in an experience designed and produced by Sir David Attenborough and Alchemy VR. With guidance from the world-famous broadcaster and naturalist, students at Barclay Primary in London were able to dive deep into the warm tropical waters to discover what life as a clown fish looks like (colorful!) and how it feels to be surrounded by a school of young snapper fish. As Sir. David Attenborough says:

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Buckingham Palace

The best day for me to visit was on Sunday. Not a lot people there on the day, so it was not crowded. After a well planned trip to visit London this was one first stop

Buckingham Palace Highlights: Must-See Features and Attractions

·Admire the 19 magnificent palaces of Buckingham Palace under the auspices of royal members

·Visit the White Drawing Room, the Music Hall, and the Throne Room, andthe designated venue for the coronations of His Majesty the King and the Queen

· Head to the palace’s garden café to enjoy a variety of snacks and enjoy panoramic views of the lake on the lawn

△ During the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, one guard detachment takes over from another guard detachment and then becomes the King's Guard, marching from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace under the accompaniment of music.

△ At the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace, visitors can view ever-changing exhibitions of the Royal Collection, including masterpieces by old painting masters, rare furniture, decorative arts and a large collection of photography.

△ The Royal Mews is one of the most prestigious working stables in the world and is home to the Royal Coaches, Windsor Grays and Cleveland Seahorses.The stable is still responsible for travel transportation for the King and other members of the Royal Family nowadays.

Recommendations Near Buckingham Palace

Buckingham palace reviews: insider insights and visitor experiences.

Home to the British Royal Family, Buckingham Palace is free to visit although you can’t actually enter the building. However you can take a nice walk down the mall or the park to get there

We took the small group tour in the state rooms with an amazing guide. The cost was 99 pounds per person and it was worth every penny. You get to see about 18 rooms of the palace with a knowledgeable tour guide/royal historian. Our guide explained the history of the rooms, furniture and art. Pictures and videos are strictly forbidden but it allows you to listen and fully absorb the experience. They include a really high quality book about pictures and explanations at the end of the tour for you

First time ever visiting Buckingham Palace. We went on a Sunday and got to see the king being transported back from church. There were guards marching in the street. The monuments were great too.

lovely place to visit in London with our king 👑last time is visit queen Elizabeth was reigning she was the best if you ask me

Frequently Asked Questions About Buckingham Palace

What's the address of buckingham palace.

Westminster, London SW1A 1AA

What's the recommended attractions near Buckingham Palace?

I recommended The British Museum,The London Eye,Buckingham Palace,The River Thames,Westminster Abbey

What hotels are near Buckingham Palace?

Here are some hotels near Buckingham Palace: Conrad London St. James,DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Westminster,The Royal National Hotel,Thistle Piccadilly London,47 Park Street - Grand Residences by Marriott

What restaurants are near Buckingham Palace?

You could try The Breakfast Club(Soho-On D'Arblay Street),The Palm Court,Rules,Clos Maggiore,The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon

Buckingham Palace Photos: Trip Moments

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King Charles and Prince William Cancel All Their Royal Outings This Week

The sovereign and his son might not be seen as regularly until after July 4

Janine Henni is a Royals Staff Writer for PEOPLE Digital, covering modern monarchies and the world's most famous families. Like Queen Elizabeth, she loves horses and a great tiara moment.

King Charles and Prince William are changing their calendars amid a political shakeup in the U.K.

The King, 75, and Prince of Wales, 41, will no longer be making engagements slated for the rest of the week after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for a surprise general election on July 4.

Charles had an outing planned for May 23 and two more on May 24. The palace hopes to reschedule the stops. William also had a royal outing scheduled for this week that was abruptly canceled. The royal family will continue to postpone engagements "which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign," Buckingham Palace said in a statement on May 22.

The canceled outings come amid Charles' recent return to public-facing duties amid his cancer treatment. William's wife Kate Middleton has also taken a step back from public outings amid her cancer diagnosis .

While members of the royal family historically do not get involved in politics, they do shift their schedules amid elections. Adjusting the schedule during election campaigns is standard practice. The palace aims to ensure the public's attention remains on the election and the key issues it presents.

Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg via Getty

It's also important that the royals aren't questioned on political matters while they are on outings.

While it remains to be seen what the next six weeks might look like for working royals like King Charles and Prince William, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said that the royal family will postpone engagements that could be seen as a conflict amid the election.

Chris Jackson/Getty; Yui Mok / POOL / AFP via Getty

"Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result," the spokesperson said. 

Events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, including King Charles' first overseas trip since he announced his cancer diagnosis in February, are expected to go on as scheduled, while others are under review and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Expectations around classic June events on the royal calendar like Trooping the Colour and Order of the Garter Day remain unclear. 

Chris Jackson/Getty

Prince William and King Charles both stepped out for work on the day of the election announcement. The Prince of Wales helmed a morning investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on behalf of his father the King, and King Charles hosted an afternoon reception for the winners of The Prince Trust Awards 2024 at Buckingham Palace.

The King congratulated winners of the awards recognizing youth who have succeeded against the odds and made a positive difference in their local communities, supporting the charity he founded as the Prince of Wales in 1976. The Prince’s Trust U.K. is transitioning to an even more regal name — The King’s Trust — and the sovereign showed off his fist-bump when mingling with DJ Tyler West.

Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP via Getty

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

King Charles resumed forward-facing royal duties on April 30 following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis and treatment on Feb. 5, and has alluded that he’s thrilled to be back to public engagements. The sovereign said during a May 9 stop at the Royal School of Military Engineering that he was glad to be "out of my cage," likely referring to the interim period of small audiences and meetings from February to late April.

Prince William, meanwhile, tapped some of his first cousins for support in hosting a Buckingham Palace garden party on May 21, while Princess Kate remains outside of the spotlight while receiving cancer treatment. 

 YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty 

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Man who broke into Buckingham Palace claimed he just wanted somewhere to wee

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A 52-year-old man who broke into Buckingham Palace told police he didn’t know where he was and was just looking for somewhere to pee.

Thuraisingham Kumanaraj climbed over gates at the royal London residence in August last year and managed to reach the courtyard.

He set off the security system at 9.30pm and police took ‘around four minutes’ to arrive at the scene’, The Sun reports.

Asked what he was doing, Kumanaraj told officers he hadn’t realised where he was and was only looking for somewhere to urinate.

But police seized his phone and discovered he had been searching online for Buckingham Palace as well as members of the royal family.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates earlier this month, Kumanaraj admitted to trespassing on a protected site.

Prosecutor Frances McCormack told magistrates: ‘He claimed in interview the reason he entered the location was to urinate and denied knowing the site was, in fact, Buckingham Palace.’

Just a month after the Buckingham Palace incident, Kumanaraj was caught urinating outside a primary school in Brick Lane, east London.

He then assaulted four police officers, punching one of them on the chin and throat.

Two days after that, he tried to steal a woman’s handbag, grabbing it from around her neck, then dragging her across the ground outside Epping Station in north London.

Kumanaraj admitted four counts of assaulting an emergency worker. He denied a charge of attempted theft but was later found guilty and convicted.

He received a suspended prison sentence, was tagged for six months, banned from going near protected sites and ordered to undergo rehabilitation.

Latest London news

• Stephen Mulhern reveals surprising 'wheeler-dealer' past in London
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To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro.co.uk's London news hub .

In 2019 a 22-year-old man scaled the fence of Buckingham Palace  in the early hours of the morning and got just metres away from the Queen.

The intruder was banging on doors in an attempt to get inside the palace as the head of state slept in her bedroom.

Probably the most famous Buckingham Palace break-in, however, was in 1982, when unemployed labourer Michael Fagan climbed over the palace walls and got into the Queen’s bedroom.

The monarch pushed the panic button by her bed but got no response while the 31-year-old schizophrenic began talking about his family problems.

She phoned the switchboard but the operator thought it was a prank and couldn’t have been the Queen herself.

Fagan smashed a glass ashtray and threatened to cut his wrists with it as he sat on the end of the Queen’s bed.

The monarch’s long-time aide Paul Whybrew eventually arrived, calmed him down before wrestling him to the ground.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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Prince William forced to cancel royal visit last-minute

The prince of wales has made a last minute decision to cancel a planned royal engagement.

The Prince of Wales has made a last minute decision to cancel a trip which had been planned for May 23 2024. 

The Prince will no longer attend the scheduled engagement following updated guidance from   Buckingham Palace , and in a statement to HELLO!, Kensington Palace said: "We look forward to rescheduling in the future and are extremely sorry to anyone who has already travelled." 

The decision comes after King Charles and Queen Camilla announced a change to their own schedules  as a result of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealing a general election would take place on Thursday July 4, 2024.  

Releasing a statement on Wednesday, the royal couple confirmed all royal engagements "which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign," had been canceled or postponed. Buckingham Palace said the King and Queen sent their "sincere apologies" to those affected. 

The news comes after King Charles met with the PM on Wednesday and agreed with his request to dissolve Parliament.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on Wednesday: "Following the Prime Minister's statement this afternoon calling a General Election, the royal family will, in accordance with normal procedure, postpone engagements that may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign. Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result." 

The results of the July 4 election will determine if Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party is voted out of government. If so, the King will be set for the third prime minister of his short reign. He welcomed Mr Sunak as his second PM just six weeks after acceding to the throne, following the resignation of Liz Truss.

The royal couple's appearances in Portsmouth and Normandy in June to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day will go ahead as scheduled.

While they are due to join the Ministry of Defence and Royal British Legion's commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, Prince William is due to mark the poignant anniversary alongside the Canadian government  at Juno Beach Centre. 

He will be joined by Canadian armed forces personnel and World War II veterans. The father-of-three is also expected to attend the international commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach, and he will be joined by veterans and 25 world heads of state.

School holidays

The Prince of Wales is likely to take a break from royal duties next week and spend the May half-term holiday with Prince George, ten, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis. 

While Kensington Palace never disclose details of the Wales family's private plans, they often spend the children's school holidays at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall. 

Upon his return to work after the half-term break, William will take part in D-Day commemorations at the beginning of June. 

It's also been widely reported that William will be an usher at the Duke of Westminster's wedding to Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral on 7 June. Hugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster is godfather to the Wales's son, Prince George, and Prince Harry and Meghan's son, Prince Archie. 

The Princess of Wales, who is receiving preventative chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis, is not expected to attend. 

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King Charles meets with the President of Latvia in private audience at Buckingham Palace

King Charles met with the President of Latvia in a private audience at Buckingham Palace.

The monarch was pictured shaking hands and posing for pictures with Edgars Rinkevics this afternoon.

Charles wore a light grey suit, a matching pink and grey patterned tie and a blue and white pocket handkerchief.

The 75-year-old King looked in good spirits as he smiled and laughed with Latvia’s president.

Rinkevics served as foreign minister since 2011 before being sworn in as Latvia’s president in July 2023.

The president is on the second day of his three-day working visit to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

His visit will also include discussions at the Royal United Services Institute and the University of Oxford and interviews with several media outlets.

It comes as King Charles becomes a patron of a charity previously held by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The monarch accepted the position of patron of The Fire Fighters Charity, an organisation that offers health and wellbeing to the UK’s fire services community.

The organisation said the move marks the continuation of a longstanding relationship with the Royal Family.

The late Queen held the role for 69 years after taking on the patronage from the then-Fire Services National Benevolent Fund in 1953.

The Prince of Wales also has close ties with the charity, which worked with William’s Royal Foundation.

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In 2023, the prince helped launch a new 24/7 crisis line to address suicide amongst present and past fire service personnel.

Last week, Charles also accepted a patronage from Gordonstoun , his former school in Scotland.

The King became patron of the Gordonstoun Association to mark the first anniversary of his Coronation, a role previously held by his father, Prince Philip, who also attended the school.

Charles was enrolled in the school from 1962 to 1967. He earned five O-levels and two A-levels, earning him a place to study archaeology and anthropology at the University of Cambridge.