can you tour balmoral castle

Balmoral Castle Will Open to the Public for the First Time

King Charles has granted permission for private tours to take place throughout the royal residence.

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Per Balmoral Castle's website , "For the first time since the castle was completed in 1855, we have been granted permission to take you on a private tour with our experienced guides. They will take you on a historical journey through several of the beautiful rooms within Balmoral Castle."

In 1852, Prince Albert purchased Balmoral as a gift for his wife, Queen Victoria. The original building was deemed too small, and the royals built a new castle (the one that exists today), and tore down the original.

On the tour, Balmoral Castle's official website notes, "You will learn about the origins of the Castle and how it has been loved by generations of the Royal family. Travel through time from the purchase of the Balmoral by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, through to present day, where you can see how rooms within the Castle are used today by their Majesty’s The King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family. You will see why Balmoral is such a special place - the much loved and celebrated Highland home of the Royal Family."

On the tour, visitors will also get access to the grounds, gardens, and exhibitions, and see King Charles's watercolors that show scenes at Balmoral, Highgrove , and Sandringham .

Balmoral was reportedly Queen Elizabeth's favorite residence, and it was where she passed away on September 8, 2022. "I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands," Princess Eugenie said of her grandmother in the documentary Our Queen At Ninety .

In Spare , Prince Harry's memoir, he wrote about Balmoral . "Balmoral. Closing my eyes, I can see the main entrance, the paneled front windows, the wide portico and three gray-black speckled granite steps leading up to the massive front door of whisky-colored oak, often propped open by a heavy curling stone and often manned by one red-coated footman...." He also recalls the many rooms inside, "each with a specific purpose, like sitting or reading, TV or tea, and one special room for the pages, many of whom I loved like dotty uncles."

Tickets are £100, or £150 if you want to also get afternoon tea, and must be purchased in advance. This year, the tours will be available from July 1 until August 4, 2024, and are restricted to 10 people per tour. Tickets can be purchased on balmoralcastle.com .

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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Balmoral Castle

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Plan Your Visit to Balmoral Castle

Balmoral , in Scotland's Cairngorm National Park, is one of Queen Elizabeth's private homes. It's the place where she, members of the royal family and their invited guests spend August to October. You're invited to visit too.

If you'd like to drop in, though, you need to plan and book your tickets well in advance. Unlike Windsor Castle , the British monarch's weekend getaway, open whether the royal family is in residence or not, Balmoral (like Sandringham where the royals spend Christmas), is a private family estate. It is closed during August, September, and October. Even when it is open to the public, only limited areas can be visited, but those give a fascinating insight into the private life of the British monarchy.

What to See

• The Ballroom , which contains an exhibition of paintings, works of art, porcelain, the Balmoral Tartan Collection, and other items from the Castle. This is the largest room at Balmoral and the only one actually open to the public. The rest of the interior is a private residence. Exhibitions in the Ballroom change from year to year so if you've visited once, you'll very likely see something different the next time you come.
• The Carriage Hall Courtyard with its exhibitions of Royal Heraldry, commemorative china, and displays of native wildlife in their natural habitat. Once again, exhibitions are likely to change from year to year in this area.
• A three-acre formal garden with several Victorian glasshouses, a kitchen garden, and a water garden.​
• Garden Cottage - Queen Victoria's retreat, where she wrote her diaries and often ate breakfast. It is not open to the public but you can take a peek inside through the window. It is arranged much as it would have been during Queen Victoria's day.
• Luxury Landrover Safaris - Guided tours of the wilder reaches of the estate in the Cairngorm mountains are offered mornings and afternoons during the opening season. participants are offered the loan of top quality Swarovski Optik binoculars to spot wildlife during the tours.

Ranger Walks

When Balmoral Castle is open to the public, the Ranger Service offers a series of easy guided walks. Throughout the Autumn and winter, walks ranging from easy hikes and family outings to mountain walks up Lochnagar are also scheduled. The walks are free of charge but must be booked in advance and the normal admission for a Balmoral visit applies.

Other Sites of Interest Nearby

• Crathie Parish Church , where the Royal Family attend church services on Sunday mornings, can be visited from April to October. Sunday services are 11:30.
• Royal Lochnagar Distillery -  A small, working Scotch whisky distillery, open year round, with inexpensive guided tours and tastings on the hour until 4 p.m. from April through October and frequently scheduled tours for the rest of the year.

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How to visit Balmoral Castle: Transport and tickets for a trip to the royal family’s Scottish home

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Balmoral Castle in Ballater, Scotland , has long played host to the royal family’s annual summer break – visits that over the years have been filled with informal barbecues, picnic lunches and active pursuits on the 50,000-acre estate.

Where Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle have mastered accommodating trails of tourists within their walls, Balmoral has retained an air of privacy since Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased the property for £32,000 in 1852.

Now, as part of plans for improved accessibility to the royal residences the Aberdeenshire castle, the late Queen’s favourite residence, will be open to the public for the first time since the castle was completed in 1855.

With the month-long summer trial comes a spotlight on Aberdeen and the Scottish sanctuary beloved by the royals. Here’s how to make travel plans to visit the regal retreat for yourself while the drawbridge is down.

Read more on Scotland travel :

• The best hotels in Aberdeen: Where to stay for business trips and spa breaks
• Best walking holidays in Scotland for long-distance trails
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How to get tickets

This summer, Balmoral Castle will be open to the public daily from 10am to 5pm on 4 May, with tickets available to book online.

Tickets are booking up fast, but general admission (£17.50 per adult and £9 per child aged over five) are still available.

Internal guided tours  will take place between 1 July and 4 August, and the 40 tickets a day available at a price of £100 for the exclusive 10-person tour groups quickly sold out.

Also fully booked is the  Balmoral Expedition Tour , for groups of up to six people and priced at £350 for a two-hour Land Rover tour of the famed Scottish estate and old Caledonian Pine Forest.

What you can see at the castle 

The grounds, gardens, exhibitions and ballroom are all included in general admission audio tours. Guests will also be able to visit the Mews Gift Shop for bespoke Balmoral merchandise including tweed and whisky.

On tours of the castle interior, experienced guides will take visitors around several royal rooms “used today by their Majesty’s The King and Queen.” The public will now be able to access rooms including the King’s watercolour collection and outfits worn by King Charles, Queen Camilla and the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The green drawing room, family dining room, library and pages’ lobby are also highlights of the new ‘behind the scenes’ tour.

Can you have afternoon tea at Balmoral Castle?

Aside from private tours of the royal’s Highland home, interior tour tickets including  afternoon tea  are on offer for £150 or, to savour sandwiches and scones with general admission, a ticket will set you back £60 per person.

Classic, vegetarian, gluten-free and sparkling afternoon teas are all available on the restaurant’s menu.

How to travel to Aberdeenshire

If you don’t fancy a nine-hour drive to Balmoral, the flight time from London to Aberdeen is around 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Direct flights depart from Gatwick, Luton and Heathrow with several airlines including British Airways and  easyJet  and flights from London Luton to Aberdeen with the latter start from just £20.99.

The Caledonian Sleeper departs six nights a week (excluding Saturdays) from 9pm, taking 10 hours to travel between London Euston and Aberdeen.

LNER trains depart daily for Aberdeen from London King’s Cross and take between seven and eight hours to travel the 396 miles from the English capital.

Where to stay

Read more: The best hotels in Aberdeen

Ardoe House Hotel & Spa

This luxury baronial manor , six miles to the southwest of Aberdeen, is a popular choice with those dreaming of Walter Scott’s romantic Scotland. The chateau-like hotel was inspired by Balmoral Castle just down the road, and its 30 acres of gardens and classic whisky bar with a grand fireplace make it fit for a prince.

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Hotel Amenities

Health & wellbeing, the marcliffe.

The Marcliffe may feature originals by Scottish artists and organise salmon-fishing trips, but it’s the family-friendly feel that lingers. The Victorian-era manor house has 32 rooms and seven suites, a spa, a lounge for afternoon tea and a whisky-crammed bar, plus a list of previous guests that covering actual royalty (including King Charles and Princess Anne).

Atholl Hotel

With witch’s-hat turrets, rose windows and glorious edifices, this  34-bed independent outpost  has proximity to the city centre and storied history. There’s an extension, believed to have been used as a private chapel, and a restaurant that focuses on local ingredients, such as black pudding, blade of beef and North Sea haddock. It’s as traditional as a tartan tin of shortbread.

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Where is Balmoral, is it open to the public, and can you visit?

This year, the Queen will remain in Scotland at Balmoral to appoint new Prime Minister Liz Truss for the first time in her reign.

The 96-year-old monarch traditionally holds audiences with outgoing and incoming prime ministers at Buckingham Palace , in London.

However, as she’s facing mobility issues, Liz Truss will travel to Balmoral Castle, a 1,000-mile trip, on Tuesday, September 6.

It’s thought that this is the first time the Queen has conducted such a historic duty away from Buckingham Palace.

But where is Balmoral and can the public visit it? Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is Balmoral?

The Balmoral estate is situated approximately 50 miles west of Aberdeen, within the Cairngorms National Park, on the banks of the River Dee.

The estate has a very appealing location, nestled in the scenery of Royal Deeside, and is located midway between the villages of Braemar and Ballater.

Purchased in 1852 for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert, it has been the Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family ever since.

For Elizabeth II, the estate is associated with happy family holidays, and she traditionally spends around eight to 10 weeks, during August, September, and October, in the Aberdeenshire residence.

In the early 1850s, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made Balmoral their Scottish home and, after Albert’s death in 1861, it increasingly became Victoria’s sanctuary during her long years of grieving.

Prime ministers are traditionally invited to stay with the Queen at Balmoral during the summer and, in the past, former prime minister Harold Wilson would join members of the Royal Family for riverside picnics at Balmoral.

Is it open to the public and can you visit?

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Balmoral Castle is open to the public from April to July each year, and group visits can sometimes be arranged outside of that period if the Royal Family is not in residence.

Despite being a key attraction in Scotland , little of the estate is open to the public, apart from the ballroom, which has been converted into a constant exhibition displaying pictures of the other rooms in the castle.

Balmoral also has extensive grounds, and the stables have a collection of royal carriages and cars. There is also an excellent tearoom and shop.

Why is the Queen at Balmoral?

This year, the Queen travelled to Scotland on July 21, and she normally spends part of her time at Craigowan Lodge, on the estate, before moving to the main property later during her summer break.

While it’s traditional for her to hold audiences with outgoing and incoming premiers at Buckingham Palace, on Wednesday, August 31, it was announced that she would remain in Scotland for the appointment.

The Queen has been battling episodic mobility issues since last autumn, and, she now regularly uses a walking stick, reports iNews .

She traditionally inspects a guard of honour at the gates of Balmoral, to officially mark taking up residence at her home, but this year she broke with convention and held the event privately within the estate’s grounds for her “comfort”, sources revealed.

She also missed much of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations during the extended Bank Holiday weekend in June .

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The Royal Family Is Opening Balmoral Castle to the Public For the First Time in History

The special interior tours of the royal family’s Scottish retreat sold out in less than a day

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When  Queen Victoria visited Scotland for the first time in the fall of 1842, she fell in love with the  Highlands , the rugged region in the country’s northwest corner. Six years later, her husband, Prince Albert , leased an estate with an old castle in the Highlands for his wife. In 1852, they purchased the land in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and got to work building a bigger castle.

The new Balmoral Castle was completed in 1855. Since then, it’s been handed down through generations of the royal family. But members of the public haven’t been allowed inside most of its interior—until now.

For the first time,  Charles III is opening up the private retreat to visitors. This summer, the castle will offer special guided tours “through several of the beautiful rooms within Balmoral Castle,” per the  castle’s website .

Tickets for the new tours sold out within a day of being released, reports  BBC News . However, those lucky enough to have snagged a spot—starting at £100, or roughly $125—are in for a rare treat.

“You will learn about the origins of the castle and how it has been loved by generations of the royal family,” according to the castle’s website. “Travel through time from the purchase of the Balmoral by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, through to present day, where you can see how rooms within the castle are used today by their Majesties the King and Queen and other members of the royal family.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Balmoral Castle (@balmoral_castle)

For everyone else, the castle’s grounds, gardens and exhibitions will be open from May 4 through August 11. You can even have afternoon tea in the castle’s restaurant or rent one of the five cottages located on the estate’s grounds.

For the royal family, Balmoral Castle has long served as a retreat from the hustle and bustle—and the limelight—of London.  Elizabeth II , in particular, loved spending time on the property with her beloved pups. There, she had “the privacy to stroll with her corgis around the gardens, catch up on correspondence … go fly fishing on the river Dee or take in a round of golf on her private course,” as Jill O'Brien wrote for  CNN in 2013.

The estate has also been the site of many significant moments for the royal family. It’s where Prince William and Prince Harry learned of the  death of their mother , Diana, Princess of Wales. Elizabeth II  died at the castle in September 2022.

The property spans  50,000 acres and has 150 buildings, including the  167-room castle .

Meanwhile, back in London,  Buckingham Palace’s East Wing will also open to the public this summer after undergoing a five-year renovation. For the first time, guests will be able to explore the room that leads out to the palace’s main balcony, reports  Vanity Fair ’s Kase Wickman. The balcony is where members of the family gather during certain special events and where  newly married royals have waved to their adoring fans below.

Guided tours of the East Wing will take place in July and August, per BBC News . Visitors will be able to strolling along the Principal Corridor, the main hallway that runs through the wing, and gaze at various artworks, including pieces painted by 18th-century artist  Thomas Gainsborough .

“Visitors will discover the history of the Wing, first occupied by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children and still used by the royal family today for official meetings and events,” according to a  statement from the Royal Collection Trust, the charity that manages the royal residences.

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Find Your Tour

Balmoral castle.

Balmoral Castle is normally open daily from the beginning of April, through May, June and July, and the grounds will be open on specific days during March, but these dates have not yet been confirmed at the time of writing.

Group visits can sometimes be arranged outside of that period if the Royal family are not in residence. Starting in 2023, access to the castle grounds will be allowed on certain dates from September to December.

Balmoral Estate has a very appealing location amongst the magnificent scenery of Royal Deeside and is located about midway between the villages of Braemar and Ballater. It is easy to understand why it became a favourite holiday retreat of the Royal family. Purchased by Prince Albert in 1852 for Queen Victoria, the Estate has been the Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family ever since.

The Castle itself has an interesting story, as it is not the original building that Prince Albert bought. It was decided that the old building was not adequate for the Royal Family’s needs so another one was built in the grounds nearby. The process took 4 years and the new Castle was completed in 1856. The old building was demolished, but the location of its front door is marked by a commemorative stone on the grounds of the estate.

Balmoral is a well-known tourist attraction in Scotland, however, we find it disappointing as very little of the Castle is accessible to the public apart from the Ballroom, which has been converted into a constant exhibition displaying pictures of the other rooms in the Castle.

The grounds are extensive and beautifully maintained, and the stables have a collection of Royal carriages and cars. There is an excellent tearoom and shop, but we wish that more of the castle interior was open to the public.

If you arrive after 4 pm, the admission fee is reduced.

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Book your tickets

This year the grounds, gardens and exhibitions at Balmoral will open to the Public from Saturday 4th May until Sunday 11th August.

All advance tickets include admission the grounds, gardens and exhibitions and charges as follows:-

General Admission Tickets Charge     Adult Ticket £17.50 Child Ticket (aged 5 to 16 years) £9.00 Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children aged 5 to 16 years) £38.00 Children under 5 years of age Free     Afternoon Tea Tickets       General Admission with Afternoon Tea £60.00 Castle Interior Tour with Afternoon Tea SOLD OUT (Classic, Vegetarian and Gluten Free options available)       Castle Interior Tour Tickets       Castle Interior Tour SOLD OUT Castle Interior Tour with Afternoon Tea SOLD OUT (Adult only experience)       Expedition       Group ticket for up to 6 people £350.00

ALL ADVANCE ONLINE BOOKINGS INCLUDE THE AUDIO HANDSET TOUR AS A COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE - THIS IS NORMALLY CHARGED AT £5 PER HANDSET IF PURCHASING YOUR TICKETS ON THE DAY.

Historic House Members

Historic House Members are asked to advise the following details so we can make arrangements for your visit:-

• Historic House pass numbers
• Date for your visit
• Preferred timeslot for arrival (morning or afternoon)
• Full address together with postcode
• Contact telephone number

We can then prepare your booking and you will receive a confirmation e-mail from TicketSource.

You can also e-mail [email protected]

Balmoral Castle will open to visitors for first time- where Queen Elizabeth passed away

Balmoral Castle, Ballateer, UK Stuart Yeates / Flickr

We look at the late Queen Elizabeth's former home away from home and find out what makes Balmoral Castle for the Royal Family.

It has been announced that King Charles will open parts of Balmoral Castle used by the royal family for the first time this summer 2024.

Guided tours will be available from July to August before King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for their summer break in Aberdeenshire.

Join us as we take a look at the castle that has always been somewhat of a sanctuary for the Royals.

Balmoral Castle is located in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire. This is located in the Northeast of Scotland, meaning the area is mountainous and filled with some incredible scenery.

No doubt the mystical nature of the area is a huge part of the appeal.

As well as this, the castle is surrounded by Caledonian Pine Forest, adding to the undeniable allure of the terrain located deep into the Scottish highlands.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh with their children, Prince Andrew (centre), Princess Anne (left) and Charles, Prince of Wales sitting on a picnic rug outside Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Balmoral House was built in 1930 by Sir William Drummond. Over the years ownership of the estate bounced around due to the turbulent political nature of the time. Following Jacobite ownership, the Castle was eventually acquired by Sir Robert Gordon, a diplomat who made many major changes to the Castle's structure.

Following the death of Gordon in 1847, the house was passed over to Prince Albert, who would own the house, the land, and everyone who worked on the property. He and Queen Victoria quickly fell in love with Balmoral and commissioned architects to upgrade the grounds as well as the castle. 

The castle was seriously upgraded, and quickly became a fully-fledged granite compound truly fit for royalty. Victoria and Albert both played a large role in the rise of Highland culture. They decorated the castle with tartan and proved hugely influential in Scottish culture's return to prominence in the hearts and minds of the British public.

Located within the boundaries of Cairngorms National Park, Balmoral Estate stretches to 50,000 acres. The estate is home to farmland, deer, ponies, and cattle. 

Canadian Governor General Designate Julie Payette meets Queen Elizabeth during a private audience at Balmoral Castle

Queen Elizabeth and Balmoral 

When discussing Balmoral Castle, it is impossible to do so without discussing Queen Elizabeth and her relationship with the estate. Queen Elizabeth's love of the Castle is well documented, and it is no surprise that she chose to spend so much time there during the year.

The Queen regularly hosted guests at the castle. Both the drawing room and the study have been used to host dignitaries and special guests. The green interior of both of the rooms is well documented, and the impressive bookshelf located in the study is a real talking point for guests.

As well as this, it is worth noting the importance of Balmoral's garden. The garden is regularly used for events and garden parties and is alleged to have been Prince Philip's favorite thing about the whole estate.

What really set Balmoral apart for Queen Elizabeth is the freedom it granted her compared to Buckingham Palace. She could go for long, solitary walks where she didn't need to worry about the media, and could even enjoy a sort of quiet normality.

This privilege also extended to the rest of the Royal Family. Harry and Meghan have spent time at Balmoral in the past.

Queen of Great Britain Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle with one of her Corgis.

Can the public visit?

While the area of the Balmoral Estate that the queen resides in is kept private. There are parts of the estate that are open to the public throughout certain times of the year. The grounds, gardens, and gift shops are generally open to the public between April and July.

The estate even offers cottages that are open to the public and available to rent at a hefty price. It is worth noting that the cottages may not be available depending on whether or not the Royals will be using them. 

All in all, Balmoral Castle is estimated to cost about $140 million. 

* Originally published in July 2019, updated in Oct 2022. 

Related: Queen Elizabeth II , Scotland

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King Charles opens Balmoral Castle to public for first time - but tickets aren't cheap

The Aberdeenshire castle, set in the Scottish highlands, is widely believed to have been Queen Elizabeth II's favourite residence and is where the royals have spent many of their summers.

Wednesday 3 April 2024 11:23, UK

Visitors will be able to tour parts of Balmoral Castle used by the Royal Family for the first time this summer.

Balmoral Castle, set in the Scottish highlands, is widely believed to have been Queen Elizabeth II's favourite residence and is where she spent most of her summers.

Guided "castle interior tours", which will take visitors to parts of the building used by the Royal Family, will now be available between 1 July and 4 August, with each group restricted to 10 people.

Tickets are priced at £100, or £150 with afternoon tea included, are limited to 40 tickets per day and are already selling fast.

The tours will end before the King and Queen arrive at Balmoral for their summer break in Aberdeenshire.

The Balmoral Castle website says the tours are the first of their kind since the building was completed in 1855.

Previous tours, which will continue, have concentrated on the grounds and gardens with access to the castle limited to the ballroom.

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The website said the new tour will "take you on a historical journey through several of the beautiful rooms within Balmoral Castle".

"You will learn about the origins of the castle and how it has been loved by generations of the Royal Family.

"Travel through time from the purchase of the Balmoral by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, through to present day, where you can see how rooms within the castle are used today by their Majesty's The King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family."

The tour also includes access to the ballroom with a collection of the King's watercolour collection depicting scenery at Balmoral, Highgrove and Sandringham as well as a collection of outfits worn by King Charles and Queen Camilla, the late Queen and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Queen Elizabeth II spent much of Prince Philip's last years with him at Balmoral and died there herself on 8 September 2022 .

The tours of Balmoral Castle come as the East Wing of Buckingham Palace will be open to visitors for the first time this summer, when special guided tours of the principal floor will be available in July and August.

The East Wing includes the front facade of the historic building and features the famous central balcony, where the monarch and members of the Royal Family have gathered for public appearances during special occasions or historic moments since 1851.

The wing is still used by the Royal Family today for official meetings and events.

Small groups of visitors will also be able to visit rooms on the principal floor, including the principal corridor which runs the length of the wing, furnished with highlights from the Royal Collection.

Where is Balmoral Castle and how can you visit?

The Scottish Castle is rumoured to be the late Queen's favourite residence

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'Where is Balmoral Castle?' is a popular question among royal fans who want to know more about the place where the late Queen Elizabeth II spent her last few months.

Following the Queen's death on 8 September 2022, many are curious to know more about the Scottish residence that was said to be the Queen's favourite, and the place where she appointed her fifteenth Prime Minister , Liz Truss, just days before her passing. 

This year, Her Majesty first arrived at Balmoral in July and spent her annual summer breaks at the Castle for most of her life. The remote location is a source of intrigue to many, who want to know where is Balmoral Castle and can they visit it?

Where is Balmoral Castle?

Balmoral Castle is in Ballater, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The Castle is situated right next to the River Dee and within the Cairngorms National Park, with the closest city being Aberdeen, just under 50 miles away.

As well as the castle itself, there are an additional 150 other buildings on the Balmoral Estate, including Birkhall - the estate of Prince Charles and where the Queen and Prince Philip spent part of their honeymoon - Craigowan Lodge, and several other cottages.

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The remote location allowed the late Queen to relax away from royal duties, and she was known to go horseriding, walking and enjoy barbecues and picnics during her time on the estate, as well as watching events at the nearby Braemar Highland Games with other members of the Royal Family.

Princess Eugenie  has previously said of Balmoral: "It's the most beautiful place on earth. I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands."

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Queen Elizabeth spent much of her late husband Prince Philip's final years at Balmoral with him, and it was where they stayed during lockdown as well as their 73rd wedding anniversary in November 2020.

How did The Queen travel to Balmoral?

The Queen usually travelled by private jet to Balmoral - though she was also known to have flown by helicopter - making the journey from England to the east of Scotland.

The Queen traditionally stayed at Balmoral from August to October every year, and members of the Royal Family were invited to spend time with her during her summer break.

The Queen usually travels from RAF Northolt in west London to Aberdeenshire, and in the past has been pictured boarding the jet with her beloved Corgis .

Who owns Balmoral?

Balmoral Castle was privately owned by the Queen. Of all the royal residences, it is only Balmoral and Sandringham , in Norfolk, that the Queen owned herself - the rest are property of the Crown Estate.

This means that unlike other royal residences such as Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle , it has not been automatically passed into the ownership of King Charles. However, it is likely that the late Queen will have left the Scottish residence to King Charles in her will. 

Balmoral has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since 1852, when it was purchased by Queen Victoria. According to the Balmoral Castle website , after acquiring the Balmoral Estate Prince Albert decided to build a new Castle as the current one was considered not large enough for the Royal Family. The foundation stone for Balmoral Castle was laid by Queen Victoria on 28th September 1853 and it can be found at the foot of the wall adjacent to the West face of the entrance porch.

When Queen Victoria died in 1901, Balmoral Estate passed on to King Edward VII, and from him to each of his successors.

Inside Balmoral Castle

When royal photographers have been allowed inside the Castle, it's been noted that several of the rooms are decorated with mint green.  

One example is in 2017, when the Queen met with Canadian Governor General Designate Julie Payette. The photographs taken in one of the drawing rooms showed light green carpet and a matching green three-piece furniture set, as well as tall bookshelves and a fireplace with a mirror above.

That same year, General Sir Peter Cosgrove, the Governor-General of Australia and Lady Cosgrove met the Queen at Balmoral Castle, and again pictures showed a mint green carpet with matching furniture and curtains, as well as an armchair covered in a white, green and red fauna fabric and paintings in ornate gold frames.

The same room was photographed when the Queen appointed new PM Liz Truss at Balmoral, and in the final photograph taken of Her Majesty, which shows the Queen smiling in front of a roaring fire.

A post shared by Jane Barlow 📷 (@belperbarlow) A photo posted by on

In 2021, following the death of Prince Philip, the Royal Family released a photograph of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Balmoral with their grandchildren, taken in 2018. The photo showed them sat on a mint green sofa atop a cream rug, next to a lamp with a turquoise and flowery base.

How big is Balmoral Estate?

Balmoral Estate is 50,000 acres, and Balmoral Castle has an incredible 52 bedrooms and a ballroom.

Can you visit Balmoral Castle?

Yes, you can visit Balmoral Castle, but only at certain times of the year and when the Royal Family aren't in residence.

Following the death of the Queen, the Balmoral Estate is closed until further notice and during the Period of Mourning the main gates will be closed to all traffic.

However, floral tributes can be placed at the main gates to Balmoral and a book of condolences is available to sign on the Royal Household website .

Balmoral guided tours begin at the coffee shop and go via the Game Larder, the original Iron Ballroom and the Ice House. The Ballroom is is the only room open to visitors in the Castle. Following the tour, visitors are free to wander around the grounds and gardens.

Adults tickets cost £16.50, while the price for a child's ticket (5 to 16 years) is £7.50.

You can find out more information at balmoralcastle.com

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Balmoral Castle tour

This is a PRIVATE BESPOKE TOUR to Balmoral Castle. Join us on this wonderful Scottish tour to Balmoral Castle.

Balmoral castle tour, we will be heading over the Tay Bridge and arriving in the city of Dundee. We will have time to admire the stunningly impressive building that is the V&A Dundee.

This is home to some of Scotland’s most brilliant creatives and is a showpiece of our talent for design, both current and historic, and how our design talent has made its mark within Scotland and throughout the rest of the world.

From here we will head onwards to Blairgowrie one of the largest towns in Perthshire, sitting to the north of the city of Perth on the banks of the River Ericht. This handsome market town was once known for its trade in flax and these days is known best for fruit growing activity (mainly raspberries).

Our tour reaches Balmoral Castle

We will then move further north over the Spittal of Glenshee where you will pass through the Glenshee Ski area and on to Balmoral. We will set aside at least one and a half hours for your visit to Balmoral. This will give you time to visit the grounds, gardens, exhibitions and shop.

Onward from Balmoral, we will visit Braemar, situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. This lovely village is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, beautiful glens and home to the ancient Braemar Gathering tradition. Known colloquially as The Games and originating from those believed to have been held by Malcolm III, annual Highland Games Gathering is held at Braemar in September and is traditionally attended by the British Royal Family.

This completes our fine day out in Royal Deeside heritage mixed with a twist of design exploration at the Dundee V&A.

Price on Request

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — December

Contact details

• +44 (0131) 2413018
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Tour information

• Small Group (1-16)

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Tour company information

Heartland travel - tours of scotland.

We provide small group tours (no more than 16 passengers) of the Highlands, Isle of Skye and Loch Ness. Experience authentic Scotland with our small family business. We provide 2 separate scheduled tours - a 3 day tour to the Isle of Skye departing from St. Andrews, Dundee and Stirling, and a 4 day tour to the Isle of Skye and Inverness which departs from Edinburgh. We can also create bespoke tours for anyone who comes with the glimmer of an idea they want to make real. An exhaustive knowledge of Scotland also means that we are able to drop the itinerary for that unexpected magical detour.

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Opening times

09.00 to 18.00

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The ultimate royal travel guide to Britain, from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle

T he British landscape is awash with royal properties, from stately palaces to historic castles. These include three of the monarch’s official royal residences; Buckingham Palace , Windsor Castle , and Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

But while these historic buildings may have the level of grandeur you might imagine when you picture the Royal family at home, in truth, royals are only ‘resident’ in these buildings on occasion. For some, they are even considered business premises – though they rather put the rest of our offices to shame. 

When it comes to days off from official business, members of the Royal family are more likely to be found in their private homes, such as the King and Queen’s Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, or the Prince and Princess of Wales’s family home of Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park. 

While the private homes are exactly that – private – there are plenty of places around Britain where you can walk in the footsteps of the Royal family and get a small glimpse into their lives. Here are some of the best. 

Buckingham Palace, London

Let’s start with the most famous of all royal residences: Buckingham Palace. Elizabeth II largely regarded it as her office, spending weekdays there attending to official business before retreating to Windsor at the weekends.

Now, of course, the palace – whose origins can be traced back to the reign of King James I in the early 17 th century, but which has been the London home of British monarchs since 1837 when Queen Victoria moved in – is the King’s official London residence.

Buckingham Palace is the setting for royal and national celebrations and commemorations; who can forget catching a glimpse of Royal family members from the famous balcony? It’s also where the monarch hosts dignitaries and official banquets – on September 18 2022, the King held a reception for world leaders at the palace on the eve of his mother’s funeral.

As it is a working palace, Buckingham Palace is only open to the public at set times. For 10 weeks each summer, its grand state rooms are opened up. During this time, visitors can see the crimson-and-gold Throne Room, the Royal Mews, and the enormous Ballroom, where all those extravagant state banquets are held. In addition, there are exclusive guided tours at select dates throughout the year.

Those without a ticket or travelling at the wrong time of year can still watch the spectacle of the Changing of the Guard, which takes place outside the palace several days a week at 10.45am (weather dependent but check the schedule ). 

The ceremony has its roots in the reign of King Henry VI and sees the New Guard of soldiers – wearing the customary bearskin hats – march to Buckingham Palace from St James’s Palace and Wellington Barracks accompanied by music. They parade in front of the palace and relieve the ‘Old Guard’ (the soldiers on duty). 

If you are lucky and the King is in residence (the Royal Standard flag will be flying) then there will be an even higher number of sentries than normal taking part in the ceremony.

How to do it

Buckingham Palace (0303 123 7300) is open for 10 weeks each summer (July 14–September 24 2023). The Goring (read our review here ) has double rooms from £710 including breakfast.

Windsor Castle, Windsor

At the start of the Covid pandemic, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip retreated to this castle on the banks of the River Thames to shield with 22 staff members in what became known as ‘HMS Bubble’. After Prince Philip’s death in April 2021, the late Queen remained at Windsor; indeed, she never spent another night at Buckingham Palace.

The castle was originally built for William the Conqueror to defend London from western approaches, but it became a royal palace under King Henry I. Subsequent monarchs extended the palace with its most ambitious makeover undertaken by King Charles II who wanted to emulate the opulence of his cousin Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles.

As well as seeing the rich interiors of the castle, visitors can pay their respects to the late Queen by visiting her final resting place within the King George VI Memorial Chapel inside St George’s Chapel.

In 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales moved to nearby Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park with their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – who attend school locally. It may well be that they will eventually move into the castle itself.

Windsor Castle (0303 123 7300) is open daily (summer). Castle Hotel Windsor (read our review here ) has double rooms from £132 including breakfast.

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh

The King’s official residence in Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a rather grand building that sits at the opposite end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to the castle. The palace has links with many famous figures from Scottish history – including Bonnie Prince Charlie, who set up court here in 1745 – but the person most visitors want to hear about is Mary, Queen of Scots. Her bedroom can be reached via a winding staircase in the north-west tower of the palace, and is a delight to discover with its low doorway (despite Mary being around 6ft-tall), decorative oak ceiling and painted frieze.

The reigning monarch stays at the palace every year during Holyrood Week (or Royal Week) from late June to early July. During this time they take part in the symbolic Ceremony of the Keys in which the monarch is handed the keys to the city of Edinburgh by the Lord Provost amid much pomp and ceremony.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse (0303 123 7306) is open daily July-Sept; it’s closed Tue-Wed in all other months. Cheval Old Town Chambers (read our review here ) has double rooms from £190 including breakfast.

Highgrove House, Gloucestershire

When they are not on official duties, the King and Queen love nothing better than to return to their countryside home of Highgrove in the Cotswolds. As the house is a private home, you can’t peek behind its neoclassical façade, but tours of the exquisite gardens – which Charles has dedicated himself to creating since buying the property in 1980 – are lovely. 

An experienced guide will take you through the gardens, which are a real passion project of His Majesty. You will then be led to the Ante Room, where bespoke Highgrove products – including food and drink made from produce grown here – can be bought and artworks by the King himself admired. This is all followed by cream tea in the Orchard Room, making it an idyllic way to spend an afternoon.

Highgrove is open on select dates for tours between April and September. Calcot & Spa (read the review here ) has double rooms from £364 including breakfast.

Llwynywermod, Llandovery

The Royal family also has a Welsh home. When he was Prince of Wales, Charles bought the 192-acre estate of Llwynywermod in Carmarthenshire, Wales, in 2006. Comprising a farmhouse building, where he and Camilla would regularly holiday, and three cottages, Charles soon set about renovating the house and its adjoining properties in a greener way, using locally sourced materials. 

On Charles’ ascension to the throne, the property was passed on to William, the new Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who also have a strong affection for the Welsh countryside, having spent some of the early years of their marriage living in Anglesey.

What’s special about here is that two of the cottages are available for holiday lets – North Range, for instance, is a beautiful whitewashed converted barn that sleeps six guests across three bedrooms and comes with a flagstone floor, open fire, Welsh furniture and lots of character. The smaller West Range sleeps four guests.

North Range and West Range can be booked through the Duchy of Cornwall (01579 346 473) and cost from £1,225 per week.

Balmoral, Aberdeenshire

Elizabeth II spent her final weeks in Balmoral and this palace in the Highlands was reputedly her favourite home. 

She is not the only royal to have felt an affinity for the place. Queen Victoria, who fell in love with the Highlands during her very first visit in 1842, was the first monarch to call it home. She and Albert loved to escape public life here, embarking on expeditions incognito through the Highlands. 

The late Queen spent every summer at Balmoral (August–October) and she would regularly be joined by other members of the Royal family. When the monarch is not in residence, the site is open to visitors. 

Although you can only see a small section of the castle’s interiors – including the ballroom where Ghillies Balls have historically been held – it’s the majestic setting amid acres of greenery with views across to the Cairngorms that makes a visit here worthwhile. 

The Royal family are considered locals in the nearby village of Ballater and are regularly seen attending services at nearby Crathie Kirk. Indeed in April 2023, Charles and Camilla surprised residents by making an unexpected visit to a new fishmongers and restaurant in the village during a pre-Coronation holiday at Balmoral.

Balmoral (01339 742 534) is open for pre-booked self-guided tours every summer (1 April to 16 Aug 2023). The Fife Arms (read the review here ) has double rooms from £250 including breakfast.

Read more about where the Royal family like to holiday here .

Sandringham, Norfolk

The Royal family traditionally spends Christmas at the sprawling estate of Sandringham. The private country retreat has been a popular haunt since 1862, when the Jacobean house was built for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra while Edward’s mother was still on the throne.

It was also a favourite of King Charles III’s grandfather, King George VI, and great-grandfather, King George V, who both died here. The house and gardens are a joy to explore. Norfolk is also where Anmer Hall, another of William and Catherine’s homes, is located.

Sandringham (01485 544 112) is open Sat-Thu (summer). The Brisley Bell (read the review here ) has double rooms from £133 including breakfast.

Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh

Until 1997 the Royal family would take annual holidays around Scotland’s Western Isles aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia . After the yacht was decommissioned, it was docked in the seaside Edinburgh suburb of Leith in Edinburgh and has since become one of Scotland’s most popular attractions.

A tour of the yacht allows you to peer into the bedroom that Queen Elizabeth II slept in while on board and reveals a glimpse of what life in the Royal family is like when the eyes of the world are not upon them. The late Queen clearly missed her days on board; after the yacht was no longer available to her, she chartered the Hebridean Princess , which offers small-ship cruises, on two separate occasions for special celebrations.

The Royal Yacht Britannia (0131 555 5566) is open daily (summer). Fingal (read the review here ) is a luxurious floating hotel nearby. It has double rooms from £300 including breakfast. The Hebridean Princess (01756 704 704) offers cruises from March to November with prices from £4,420pp for seven nights).

Read more about the travels of Elizabeth II here .

Kensington Palace, London

This west London mansion was the beloved home of Princess Diana and both the Diana Memorial Fountain and the Diana Memorial Playground can be found in its gardens. Apartment 1a is still the London pad of the Prince of Wales and his family. 

For many years, Kensington was known for the magnificent balls that were held across its ornate interconnected rooms and began in the late 17 th century during the era of King William and Mary. The already grandiose interiors were later added to by the Georgians when Kensington became the hub of high society. Elaborate decoration, such as the painted walls around the King’s Staircase which features many characters from George I’s court, were also added. 

As well as standard tours of the palace, regular exhibitions draw on its rich history, telling the stories of past and present royals in new and dynamic ways. Victoria: A Royal Childhood tells the story of one of the palace’s most famous residents. Queen Victoria was born here and the exhibition includes personal items such as her doll house. Other rolling exhibitions let visitors see precious items from the palace’s archive; often including iconic outfits worn by various members of the Royal family.

Kensington Palace (0333 320 6000) is open Wed–Sun (summer).  Baglioni (read the review here ), opposite Kensington Gardens, has double rooms from £494 including breakfast.

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