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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

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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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Buckingham Palace Visit: State Rooms Tour

Posted on Published: 10/05/2023

Want to visit the inside of Buckingham Palace? This working royal palace, one of the homes of King Charles, is one of the most popular London attractions . However, most of the time, while you can see the changing of the guards and the exterior, you can’t go inside the castle.

But, for approximately ten weeks in the summer (and select times during the rest of the year), your Buckingham Palace visit can include a tour of the staterooms. If your travels take you to London, you can tour the interior of the castle during this time.

During our recent visit to London , we were fortunately there during one of the weeks that it was open. We really enjoyed our visit and were thrilled that we were there during one of the open weeks. Planning a Buckingham Palace visit? Here’s what you’ll need to know.

Disclosure: We paid our own way for this trip. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.

Booking Tickets to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms

Tickets to tour the Buckingham Palace state rooms can be booked through the official website. You’ll definitely want to purchase these in advance because they are timed tickets.

When you order the tickets, you will choose the date and time that you want to visit. I knew that we’d want to sleep in a bit that morning, but would also want to maximize our day. So, I chose the 10:30 a.m. time on our first full day in London.

When I purchased the tickets, I was glad to see that there was a deal for families, which included 2 adults and 3 kids under 17. It’s was a better deal than purchasing individual tickets for a family of four.

In addition to the standard stateroom tickets, there’s also the Royal Day Out package. Those tickets include the Queen’s Gallery, the Royal Mews, and the State Rooms. Because we only had a limited amount of time, I opted for only the State Rooms tour.

The Buckingham Palace State Room Tour

Once we arrived at Buckingham Palace, we followed the signs to the State Rooms tour. It’s always crowded around the palace, and most people don’t have tickets to enter the palace. So, you do need to maneuver around a bit to get to where you want to be.

There was a line to enter the tour. We were told by the staff to enter the line around 10 minutes before our ticketed time. Once we got into the main area, we waited until they let our group in. After a security check, we were able to get the multimedia tour devices.

There are two options for the multimedia tour – the regular adult tour and the family tour. Although the family tour is recommended for children under the age of 12, my kids and I selected that one. It’s narrated by Alice the Footman and Rex the Corgi and is definitely great for kids.

As you walk through the staterooms, you’ll see signs indicating the number that you’ll need to press on the multimedia tour. The family tour is perfect for kids, because it explains everything that you’ll see, but does it in a fun way that children will enjoy. My kids were never bored listening to the tour and completely understood the narration.

Seeing the rooms was absolutely worth the money and time. It’s amazing to think of all of the historic events and amazing people that have been in those rooms.

At the end of the stateroom tour, we returned our multimedia devices and headed into the gardens. They are beautiful and so peaceful. It was surprising how quiet it was – it really didn’t feel like the center of a bustling capital city. They’d be a great spot for London family photos .

There are also restrooms and a cafe located in the gardens. It’s a bit of a walk to the exit, and we passed by an adorable little ice cream stand before reaching the street.

Tips for a Buckingham Palace Visit

If you are visiting during one of the weeks that the state rooms are open, I definitely recommend purchasing tickets. It’s such a unique experience. Here are my tips for visiting:

• Buy tickets in advance. Since you have to choose a time, you’ll be able to have a better chance of getting your choice if you purchase early.
• Use the restroom before entering the line. There’s one at the end of the tour, but you won’t have access to a restroom during the tour.
• Plan to spend at least 60 minutes touring. We were told that it would take about 2 hours, however, it didn’t take quite that long for us. You can spend more time if you choose to, however, since it’s pretty much self-guided.
• But, make sure you take your time, especially in the gardens. You don’t want to rush through the tour.
• You’ll need to check large bags and strollers, so keep that in mind.
• Arrive at the state rooms line about 10 minutes in advance.

To check opening dates and purchase tickets, visit the Royal Collection Trust website .

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How long does it take to complete the tour of the...

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Buckingham Palace State Rooms Entry ticket Questions & Answers

How long does it take to complete the tour of the palace state rooms and exhibition?

It can be done in about 4 hours. If you really want to study the paintings and artefacts etc I would allow 6 hours plus. If you are also going to the Royal Mews then allow a good 5 hours for everything - that would give you a reasonable look without rushing.

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Visiting buckingham palace in london – how to plan it and what to expect.

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If you are heading to London for the first time, chances are that seeing Buckingham Palace is on your itinerary. After all, the Royal residence is one of the top attractions and one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Most people head to the Palace to see the exterior and witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony, but not many realize, that you can actually step inside of the Palace as well. The only thing is, you have to be there at the right time, as visiting Buckingham Palace is only possible when the Queen leaves for her summer vacation.

Buckingham Palace became the Royal residence in 1837, when Queen Victoria moved in and it has been home of the British Family ever since. The Palace has also served as administrative headquarters of the monarch and it’s one of few working Palaces left in the world. In 1993 Queen Elizabeth decided to open up the Palace to visitors, as a way to earn extra funds for the Windsor Castle, that was in desperate need of repairs. The opportunity to take a glimpse into the Royal life became an instant hit, with thousands of people visiting Buckingham Palace each year.

Whether you are a fan of the Royal family or not, I do recommend visiting Buckingham Palace as part of your trip to London. It’s not everyday, that you get to step inside of one of the most iconic places in the country. This guide includes all the information you need to plan you visit and get the most out of it.

Table of Contents

When can you visit Buckingham Palace?

If visiting Buckingham Palace is something you’d like to put on your London itinerary, you do have to plan your visit at a right time of the year. While you can see the Palace from the outside year round, the inside is open to visitors for 10 weeks only. And that is, when King Charles leaves to spend his summer vacation in Scotland.

In 2024, the Buckingham Palace will be open for tours from July 11 – September 29. In July and August the opening hours are from 9.30 am – 7.30 pm ( with the last admission at 5.15 pm ) and in September from 9.30 am – 6.30 pm ( last admission at 4.15 pm ). The State Rooms will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan your trip accordingly!

Buckingham Palace tickets

Once you have your travel plans in order and you plan on visiting Buckingham Palace, make sure to book your tickets way in advance. Since the access to the Palace is limited to 10 weeks, and those weeks happen to be during the busy summer season, tickets do sell out quickly.

There are a few different tickets to choose from, but touring the State Rooms is why most people visit the Palace. These tickets have a timed entry, so if you have a preferred time slot, I recommend booking it weeks in advance. No matter which ticket you choose, be sure to print out the voucher to exchange it for a ticket the day of your visit. The State Rooms voucher can be exchanged at the Buckingham Palace Ticket Office. If you book either The Royal Mews or A Royal Day Out, those vouchers can be exchanged at The Royal Mews Ticket Office.

Even tough tickets have a timed entry, once you are in, there’s no limit on how long you can stay. Here are all the options of tickets, depending on what interests you and how long you want to spend at Buckingham Palace.

• The State Rooms – this ticket allows you to visit the 19 State Rooms on a self guided tour, that includes the audio guide. Book your State Rooms tickets here.
• The Royal Mews – this ticket allows you to visit the stables. The Royal Mews is actually open to visitors from May to October, so even if you are in London, when the Palace itself is closed to visitors, you can still visit the Royal Mews. The opening hours are 11 am – 5 pm ( with the last admission at 4 pm ) every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Book your Royal Mews ticket here.
• The Queen’s Gallery – if you are an art lover, you will probably enjoy visiting the Queens Gallery. As avid art collectors, the Queen and her family, accumulated an impressive collection. Book your Queen’s Gallery tickets here.
• The Royal Day Out – this ticket includes the State Rooms, The Queen’s Gallery and the Royal Mews. Your visit will start with a timed entry to The Queen’s Gallery, followed by a visit to the Royal Mews. The State Rooms visit is also timed, and starts automatically 2 hours and 15 minutes after the Royal Day Out started. Book your Royal Day Out tickets here.

Which ticket you choose, will depend on your interests. Obviously, if you want to have the full experience, the Royal Day Out is your best choice. If you only want to see the State Rooms, which for many is the highlight, you can book that ticket separately. However, I do recommend adding The Royal Mews to your visit. Since I personally had no interest in the Queens Gallery, I booked The State Rooms and the Royal Mews tickets separately.

PRO TIP 1: If you’d like to see the front of Buckingham Palace without the massive crowds, book an earlier ticket. This way when you get to there to pick it up, there won’t be many people at the front gate.

PRO TIP 2 : If you would like to catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, book the State Room ticket at 12 pm or later.

Visiting Buckingham Palace in the Summer 2024

In the summer of 2024, the Buckingham Palace will be open to visitors from July 11 through September 29. You have a choice of visiting The State Rooms only, The Royal Mews only or book A Royal Day Out, which also includes a visit to the Queens Gallery and the Royal Mews. Just like before, all the tickets have a timed entry.

• The State Rooms – the highlight of the visit to Buckingham Palace are the State Rooms, which will be open every day, but Tuesdays and Wednesdays! You can book your State Rooms ticket here.
• The Royal Mews – this part of the Palace opens to visitors in May, which is several weeks before the State Rooms open. Book your Royal Mews ticket here.
• A Royal Day Out – if you are interested in seeing the Queens Gallery and Royal Mews in addition to the State Rooms, you definitely want to book A Royal Day Out ticket. It’s the best value and grants you access to all three venues. You can book your Royal Day Out ticket here.

Visiting Buckingham Palace – things to know

Buckingham Palace entrance – if you are facing the Palace, the entrance to the State Rooms is on the left hand side of it. That’s where you also pick up your prebooked tickets.

Security – before you can begin the tour, you will have to go through an airport style security, so make sure to arrive a few minutes earlier. This happens in the Palace, as well before entering the Royal Mews.

Free audio guide is included – your ticket includes a free audio guide, that comes in multiple languages ( English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese )

How long does it take? – this will depend on what kind of ticket you purchase. If you want to see the State Rooms only, plan 2 hours for that. This will give you enough time to walk through the rooms at a nice pace, without rushing through them. If you plan on visiting the Royal Mews as well, add another 45 minutes. For the full experience, which is the Royal Day Out, set aside 4 hours.

Photography is not allowed inside of the Palace – which is always a bummer when you visit such an iconic place as Buckingham Palace. Taking photos is not allowed inside of the Palace, but photography is allowed in the Palace Gardens and the Mews.

Visiting Buckingham Palace

The state rooms.

As you can probably figure out by looking at it, Buckingham Palace is huge. There are 775 rooms total, but visitors only get access to 19 of them. These are the State Rooms, located in the west wing of the Palace, that are used for public events, official ceremonies and banquets. The rest of the rooms, including the Queen’s and staff’s private rooms and offices are off limits. Even though taking a peak into the Queen’s bedroom will not happen, visiting Buckingham Palace is still an amazing experience.

As I already mentioned above, you tour the State Rooms with the help of an audio guide. This is a self guided tour, but you do follow a designated route. This means, that you can take your time visiting particular rooms, but there is no way to go back and revisit rooms you’ve previously walked through.

The tour starts at the Grand Entrance, while Prince Charles himself greets you on the audio guide. Before you start making your way through the State Rooms, you end up at the bottom of one of the most stunning parts of the Palace, and that is the Grand Staircase. It is truly spectacular, and as you make your way up, you can just imagine all the people who’ve walked the same stairs. It’s quite a surreal feeling.

Once you get upstairs, you start making your way through the State Rooms. These are the rooms, that are used during official ceremonies and when the Queen receives guests, so you’ll most likely recognize at least some of them from news coverage. The White Drawing Room, State Dining Room, Music Room and the spectacular Ball Room are just the few of the ones you get to see. The most recognizable of them all and one of the favorites is always the the Throne Room. It features the thrones used in the 1953 coronation ceremony of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. But you will most likely recognize it as the setting of the official wedding photos.

Buckingham Palace Summer Exhibition

Part of the State Room visit is a special Exhibition put on by the Palace and every year it has a different theme. The theme of the Summer 2024 Exhibition is yet to be announced.

Buckingham Palace Gardens

Once you’ve seen the last of the State Rooms, the tour brings you out to the back of the Palace and you enter the Palace Gardens. Occupying the 39 acres, the beautiful garden is home to 350 species of flowers and the habitat for 30 species of birds. Some of the garden’s best features are the 19th century lake and the Queen’s Rose garden. The Palace Garden is also where the Queen holds her annual summer garden parties. When you take the path towards the exit, you’ll get a glimpse of it, but that’s just a tiny fraction of the garden. The rest of it can only be seen on a special tour.

The Royal Mews

The Royal Mews is a working stable and where the historic carriages and coaches are kept. During your visit, you can get a close look at the carriages, that are used by the Royal family for coronations, weddings and special occasions.

The most impressive is without a doubt the Gold State Coach, that is on display at the Carriage House. The stunning, almost over the top coach weighs 4 tons and it takes 8 horses to pull it. The Gold State Coach has been used for every coronation since 1821, including that of Queen Elizabeth’s in 1953. Other than that, it doesn’t get much use and its last outing was in 2002 for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations .

In 2024, The Royal Mews will be open to public from March 1 – November 3, which means it opens earlier than the Palace itself. So if you are in London before the State Rooms open, it gives you a great opportunity to get a glimpse into the Royal life, even with the Palace itself still closed to visitors. Just like the State Rooms, The Royal Mews is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

One of the London attractions that always draws crowds is the Changing of the Guard ceremony. This is the Buckingham Palace experience, that you can enjoy year round and for free. It takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and daily in the summer. The ceremony starts at 11 am and lasts about 45 minutes. The schedule is weather permitting and subject to change so make sure to check this website for any changes before you visit.

If you want make Changing of the Guard a part of your Buckingham Palace experience, plan accordingly. The ceremony starts at 11 am sharp, but people start gathering at the gate quite early. If you hope to get a good spot, showing up around 10 am is a good idea. And of course, you need to make sure your State Room tickets are booked for 12 pm or later.

How to get to Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is located in Westminster and you can easily get there from wherever you’re staying via the London tube. The three Underground stations closest to the Palace are:

• Victoria (Victoria line)
• Green Park (Victoria and Piccadilly line)
• Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line).

No matter which one you choose, you will have about a 10 minute walk from the station to the Palace.

PRO TIP: Download the free Citymapper app before your trip to London! It’s the best public transport app out there, that helps you find the best way to get places.

• How to visit Highclere Castle – the real Downton Abbey

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9 thoughts on “ Visiting Buckingham Palace in London – how to plan it and what to expect! ”

Oooh, I was lucky enough to get tickets to Buckingham Palace in late August one year and had such an awesome time. It’s just so beautiful, you’re right, it’s one of those things that you have to experience one in you’re life if you’re in London.

I wish I found your blog post before I went to Buckingham Palace the first time! I had no idea you could go inside now and again – what a fantastic experience that would be – much better than just standing at the gate as we did! We’ll be in London again though, saving your tips so we can do it better this time. It’s so beautiful there, certainly worth another visit I reckon. Thanks for sharing.

Oh yeah, it’s definitely a much better experience, than looking at the Palace through the gate. The State Rooms are stunning, the only bummer is that you can’t take pictures. However, that is not unusual in places like this.

Such a useful resource, thanks for sharing! Can you believe I’ve been living in London for 8 years and still haven’t been to Buckingham Palace?? I’ll have to go one day!

I think that’s always the case when you live somewhere. I still haven’t done a lot of touristy things in Boston, and I’ve lived here for years:)

I did this before I moved here, beautiful inside!

So wish I would have done some of this stuff when I was there! I just chilled by the fountain! 🙂 Hopefully I’ll get back there one day and check out the horse stables for sure!

Make sure to visit the stable, even if you visit when the State Rooms are not open.

This is so cool! I was here a couple years ago but only for the changing of the guards. This makes me want to go back! 😁

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How long the tour will take for "State Rooms and...

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Buckingham Palace Questions & Answers

How long the tour will take for "State Rooms and Garden Highlights Tour"?

You are welcome! Hope you'll enjoy your tour. And if you buy from their website (Royal Collection Trust), then you can go back for free next year (before the date plus a year on your ticket).

Usually 3 hours for the tour. As noted below, it is only offered when the Queen is not in residence.

It is a slight chance that they might cancel because of something related to the royal family, yes, but so far I've never heard of that happening before. Normally, Her Majesty is in Scotland while the Palace is open to visitors. So I wouldn't worry about that.

Also, if you want to go on the Garden Highlights Tour, it's better to purchase before end of July, because those tickets are gone really quickly. Did you know, they can even send you the tickets via postal mail to your home address if you'd like to?

It's as long as you want it to be....leisurely stroll through the Palace and seeing all the rooms can be about 3 hours...but very worthwhile and I advise booking in advance with a time allocated as queues in the summer can be very long

This time we were invited to the Royal Garden Party.

When we did our tour last year it took about 3 hours.

We prebooked on their website and as long as the Queen is not in residence you can visit.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visits and would recommend the tour.

I unfortunately did not get to do those tours so I don't know. But enjoy!!

Keep in mind hat you can only tour Buckingham Palace when the Queen is on holiday. Currently she is in town so no tours allowed at the moment.

Hi, about 3 hours (1,5-2 hours for the State Rooms).

Allocate at least 2 - 3 hours ft the inside tour.

So, if i pre-booked from the website for a specific date, their will be a possibility that it may be cancelled due to the queen would be there, or the website validate only the free days?

Thank you Denver & Katalin.

I planned to go next September and I will book 2 months prior to my arrival from their website.

Hi just wondering if you choose the last slot to enter the place, are you able to get the tour still...as the site says it shuts at 6pm

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You are here: Things To Do > The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace

The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace

Type: historic house / palace.

Tel: 0303 123 7300

The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace  Buckingham Palace serves as the official London residence of His Majesty The King, and is one of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world today.  Each summer when the Palace is not being used in its official capacity, visitors can enjoy the 19 magnificent State Rooms that provide the setting for ceremonial occasions and official entertaining by members of the Royal Family. The rooms are furnished with many of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Van Dyck, sculpture by Canova, exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain, and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world.  Visitors to the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace will see the White Drawing Room, perhaps the most beautiful of all the State Rooms with its spectacular crystal chandelier, the Music Room, where guests are presented on the occasion of a State Visit, and the Throne Room, which was the setting for the formal photographs following the wedding of Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales.  Following a visit, the Palace's Garden Café offers the perfect location to enjoy a selection of light refreshments while taking in panoramic views of the lake across the lawn, before visiting the Garden Shop. Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2022

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Buckingham Palace – State Rooms & Changing of the Guard Tour

Buckingham Palace is a world-famous tourist attraction located in London. 

This iconic building is the official residence of the British monarch and is a must-visit for anyone visiting the city. 

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about Buckingham Palace, including ticket prices, timings, what to expect, how to reach, and the best time to visit.

Top Buckingham Palace Tickets

# Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace Full-Day Tour # Buckingham Palace Tour with Royal Walking Tour

# Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

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What to expect, where to buy buckingham palace tickets, how the online ticket works, cost of tickets for buckingham palace tour, the buckingham palace: the state rooms entrance, buckingham palace and royal walking tour tickets, westminster and changing of the guard tour tickets, changing of the guard walking tour tickets, how to reach buckingham palace, buckingham palace timings, how long does buckingham palace take, best time to visit buckingham palace, know before you go .

Start your day by exploring Windsor Castle, the world’s largest continuously occupied castle.

Learn about its 900+ years of royal history, and visit St. George’s Chapel. The state apartments are the highlights of the castle.

Stroll through the charming town and perhaps discover where William Shakespeare wrote “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

Next, head to Buckingham Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings with a rich history. It is recognized as the monarch’s home for national and royal celebrations.

There is so much at the Palace visitors can see, but we have compiled some of the highlights for you to make your visit easy:

• The State Rooms
• The Throne Room
• The Ball Room
• The Picture Gallery
• The Grand Staircase
• Palace gardens
• Changing the Guard
• Treasures of the Palace

The State Rooms are open to the public during the summer months. They are a series of grand rooms that are used for state occasions.

The Rooms are decorated with beautiful artworks and provide a glimpse into the lives of the British royal family. 

The Palace’s stunning gardens are also open to the public during summer, allowing visitors to explore the beautiful landscapes and sculptures.

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Tickets for Buckingham Palace can be purchased online.

We recommend to book tickets in advance, especially during the peak summer months, as the palace can get busy.

Also, you get great discounts on online tickets. 

Booking online also helps avoid last-minute disappointment and delays.

On the ticket booking page , select the number of tickets, preferred tour date and buy the tickets.

Immediately after purchase, your tickets get emailed to you. 

You don’t need to take any printouts. 

You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you visit the attraction.

Visitors should ensure they have a valid ID and the credit card used to purchase the ticket with them when visiting the palace.

The cost of tickets for the Buckingham Palace tour depends on the tour option you select. 

Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace Full-Day Tour tickets cost £127 for visitors between 17 and 59 years.

Children between three and 16 get a discount of £10 and pay only £117 for their entry to both attractions.

Seniors above 60 get a discount a discount of £3 and pay £124 for their entry.

Buckingham Palace Tour with Royal Walking Tour tickets cost £69 for every visitor.

Westminster and Changing of the Guard Tour tickets cost £18 for visitors above 18 years.

Youth between 13 and 17 get a discount of £8 and pay only £10 for their admission, while kids between five and 12 get a discount of massive £11 and pay only £7 for their entry.

Infants up to 4 years can get in for free.

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour tickets are priced at £18 for adults aged 18 years and above.  Children in the age group of 5 to 17 years get a discount of £4 and pay only £15 for entry. Infants up to four years can get in for free.

State Rooms are open to public during summer from 11 July to 29 September 2024, and they are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The Buckingham Palace ticket offer access to the State Rooms, where official ceremonies and state occasions occur. 

Visitors can explore some of the palace’s most grandiose rooms, such as the Throne Room, Music Room, and White Drawing Room, and learn about the palace’s role in British life and the history of the monarchy.

The tour also features a multimedia guide to the palace’s collections, including masterpieces by well-known artists like Rembrandt, Rubens, and Canaletto, as well as sculptures by Canova. 

Guests can also enjoy exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. 

During the tour, visitors will also gain insight into the preparations for official visits to Buckingham Palace. 

Finally, guests can visit the popular Garden Café to relax and enjoy views of the famous lawn.

This 2.5-hour tour begins at the Duke of York Column, where you’ll meet your guide. 

You’ll embark on a royal walking tour before heading to Buckingham Palace, where you’ll get to see the opulent State Rooms, including the Throne Room, Music Room, and White Drawing Room. 

Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of the monarchy and the palace’s role in British life. 

Note that photography is not permitted inside the palace but is allowed in the gardens. 

Ticket Price : £69

The Westminster and Changing of the Guard Tour is a guided walking tour that takes you through some of London’s most famous and historical landmarks. 

You’ll explore Royal London, witness parades by the King’s Guards, and visit iconic buildings such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. 

The tour is led by an expert guide who has in-depth knowledge of London’s political, royal, and cultural history. 

Along the way, you’ll learn about the Kings, Queens, rogues, and villains who shaped this wonderful city. 

The tour is suitable for all ages and includes two-and-a-quarter-hour experiences. 

However, it’s not recommended for people with heart problems. 

The Changing of the Guard ceremony can be canceled without notice due to the discretion of the British Army or bad weather.

Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (18+ years): £18 Youth Ticket (13 to 17 years): £10 Child Ticket (5 to 12 years): £7 Infant Ticket (up to 4 years): Free

The Changing of the Guard Walking Tour takes you on a journey through British history and tradition with a knowledgeable local guide. 

Highlights include experiencing the Changing of the Guard ceremony and learning about the significance of every color, button, mascot, symbol, and movement. 

You’ll also get the opportunity to follow the guards’ journey to Buckingham Palace on foot and take some amazing snapshots. 

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. 

Adult Ticket (18+ years): £20 Child Ticket (5 to 17 years): £17 Infant Ticket (up to 4 years): Free

Save time & money! Buy London Pass and visit over 80+ attractions like ZSL London Zoo and London Bridge. Pick from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 10-day passes and buckle up for a 1-day hop-on-hop-off bus tour. 

Buckingham Palace is in the city of Westminster.

Address: London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom. Get Directions

You can use public transport or a car to reach the palace at your convenience. 

You can take the train to either London Victoria or London Charing Cross stations.

For more information on times and fares, visit the National Rail Enquiries website .

The palace is accessible from several underground stations, including Victoria , Green Park , St. James’s Park , and Hyde Park Corner . 

For more information, visit the Transport for London website .

By coach or bus

Bus numbers 11, 211, C1, and C10 all stop on Buckingham Palace Road. 

If you’re arriving by coach, Victoria Coach Station is just a 10-minute walk from the palace. 

If you’re driving to Buckingham Palace, the palace’s official website recommends using the following address for GPS directions: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA . 

Keep in mind that there is no parking available at the palace, so you will need to park at a nearby car park or on the street. 

For more information on parking near Buckingham Palace, visit Westminster City Council’s website .

Buckingham Palace is open to the public during the summer, from mid-July to the end of September. 

From 14 July to 31 August, Buckingham Palace runs from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm with the last admission at 5.15 pm. 

From 1 to 24 September, the palace is open for tours from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm with the last entry at 4.15 pm. 

The State Rooms are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

The Palace operates a timed admission system for all guided tours, so pre-booking tickets is essential. 

During the summer, the Garden Cafe is open at the end of the Palace visitor route. 

The length of time to tour Buckingham Palace depends on the type of visit. 

A visit to the State Rooms, which are the most popular attraction, can take around 2 to 2.5 hours. 

The duration of other tours, such as Changing of the Guard Walking Tour, is shorter, ranging from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

The best time to visit Buckingham Palace is during the summer months when the State Rooms are open to the public. 

However, as this is the peak season, it can be crowded and busy, so it is advisable to book tickets in advance and arrive early. 

Also, we highly recommend you start your tour early morning when the palace opens around 9 am to avoid crowds.

The exclusive guided tours during winter and spring are also a great time to visit for a more intimate and less crowded experience.

– It is important to note that visitors are required to pass through airport-style security checks upon arrival, so it is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start time of your guided tour. 

– All tours involve some walking, so wearing comfortable shoes is advised. 

– Wheelchairs are not permitted in the State Rooms, but baby-care facilities are available at the start and end of guided tours. 

– On most of the tours, baby strollers are not allowed. 

– It is prohibited to take photographs within the State Rooms, and visitors are not allowed to eat or drink inside the Palace building, except for bottled water. 

– Visitors are advised to check the official Buckingham Palace website for the latest information on opening times and ticket prices.

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Buckingham Palace Tours

This post covers how to take a tour of these areas of Buckingham Palace. It describes what you will see, and makes suggestions as to how to make the most of your visit to this most famous of London attractions.

Note that if you're interested in learning more about the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, read our post Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace .

• Plan Your Visit
• Queen's Gallery
• State Rooms
• Combined Pass

PLAN YOUR VISIT TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Buckingham Palace is both the formal residence of the British monarch and his administrative headquarters.

Part of the complex that makes up the palace includes the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, which are used for ceremonial purposes.

These include the Throne Room, the Picture Gallery, the Ballroom, the Music Room, and the White Drawing Room.

Also part of the complex is the Queen's Gallery which exhibits works from the Royal Collection and the Royal Mews which holds the Royal Family's horses and carriages.

This is one of the most historic sites in all of London, and there’s plenty to see and do while you’re visiting.

Due to its popularity, we recommend planning your trip well in advance.

In this section, we will discuss some of the best times to visit, how to get a ticket, where you’ll find the landmark, security information, and other important details you will need to know before taking a tour.

How to Get To Buckingham Palace

Visitors can reach Buckingham Palace from several Underground stations, bus routes, and other means.

The closest Underground stations are Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, and Victoria. Bus numbers 11, 221, C1 and C10 make stops on Buckingham Palace Road.

Click here to get directions for your choice of transportation from anywhere in London.

If you need help figuring out which tube to take, make sure to read our posts covering the London Underground and which tube pass you should buy .

If you are considering purchasing a hop-on-hop-off ticket while in London, then keep in mind that all companies offer a stop at the palace.

Buckingham Palace is located in the City of Westminster which is a separate jurisdictional area from the City of London located in the center of London.

The Palace has its own royal gardens on the west side of the building.

Two large and lovely parks, St. James Park on the east and Green Park on the north side are both worth taking a stroll in.

What You'll Find at Buckingham Palace

There are a few areas that are open to the general public.

The Queen’s Gallery is an incredible collection of artwork and antiques from throughout the history of England.

Admission includes a free audio tour to help visitors explore the area.

Their exhibits change from time to time, giving guests the opportunity to see new and interesting things with each visit.

Although the Royal Mews are closed during the winter, you can come and see them pretty much at any other time of the year.

This location handles all of the road travel arrangements for the Royal Family and this is where you will find the carriages used for special occasions.

During the summer months, you can also visit the State Rooms in Buckingham Palace.

These are public rooms that are used to entertain important guests from around the world.

Although photography is not allowed, they do provide an audio tour to make your experience much more enjoyable.

Weather permitting, visitors can also check out the Changing of the Guards , but there is so much to see nearby the palace. 

The Changing of the Guards takes place daily in the summer, but only every other day during the rest of the year.

NOTE:  From late July through September there is a  combination ticket that includes the Queen's Gallery, the Royal Mews, and the State Rooms. 

How Long Does It Take to Visit Buckingham Palace

You can expect to spend around 1 ½ - 2 hours seeing everything on display at the gallery.

Expect to spend at least 60 minutes exploring the area and seeing all of the displays at the Royal Mews.

A visit to the palace and State Rooms will take about 2 - 2 ½ hours to see.

If you want to see the changing of the guards, plan on spending anywhere from 60-90 minutes waiting and watching the ceremony.

Timed Tickets to Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace tickets are timed.

Although the duration of your stay is not limited, you will need to purchase tickets for a specific time of day.

One-Year Pass to Buckingham Palace

Enjoy free re-admission for a year by asking a member of the staff to validate your ticket(s).

This allows re-entry for up to a year, so if you need to break up your visit at separate times, you can do so.

Gift Shops and Food at Buckingham Palace

There are gift shops at Buckingham Palace that sell souvenirs and bottled water.

You will also find garden café in the palace, and restaurants near the palace if you don’t feel like eating during your visit.

Buckingham Palace For Kids and Families.

Family activity bags are available free of charge, so be sure to ask for one when picking up your tickets.

In the State Rooms, there is a drawing and coloring room.

Toilets and baby-care facilities are available at the start and end of tours.

Baby carriers are available upon request.

Read our tips on visiting London with kids .

Wear Comfortable Shoes to Buckingham Palace

You will be doing a lot of walking while at Buckingham Palace. As such, we highly recommend wearing comfortable shoes during your visit.

This is also a good idea if you plan to take one of our walking tours in the area. Read our tour options below for more information. 

Buckingham Palace Security Information

The palace and all of its attractions have very strict security checkpoints.

The following items are not allowed on the premises, but they can be checked into a cloakroom and picked up later.

• Knives w/ blades under 3”
• Long Umbrellas

You should avoid bringing any of the following items as they will not be allowed and cannot be checked into the cloakroom.

• Roller skates
• Skateboards
• Pets/Animals
• Knives w/ blades over 3”
• Knives w/ lockable blades
• Butterfly Knives
• Flick Knives
• Pepper Spray

Thankfully, visitors are allowed to bring a few practical items with them:

• Smartphones
• Service Animals
• Hearing Aids

In addition to these items, food and drink are provided at certain attractions such as the Garden Cafe. Baby carriers/hip-carriers are available upon request.

Although personal photos are allowed in locations such as the Garden, you are prohibited from taking any kind of pictures in the State Rooms. 

For more security details, make sure to visit the respective sections for each attracti

THE QUEEN'S GALLERY

The Queen’s Gallery exhibits selected pieces of art from the Royal Collection. The collection is quite extensive.

It comprises over one million objects, including 7,000 paintings, 30,000 watercolors and drawings, and about 500,000 prints, as well as photographs, tapestries, furniture, ceramics, books, sculptures, and last but not least the Crown Jewels. 

Queen's Gallery Opening Times

The gallery is open year round.

• Open: Thursday - Monday from 9:30 am - 17:30 (5:30 pm).
• Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday, and as it's part of a working royal palace, there may be other closures that happen at short notice.

Queen's Gallery Admission Tickets

• £11/Youth (18-24)
• £9/Children | Under 5 FREE
• More information or to book a ticket . 

NOTE: Admission to the gallery is included free with the  London Pass .

NOTE: There is also a Royal Day Out combination ticket that includes the Queen's Gallery, the Royal Mews, and the State Rooms.

Queen's Gallery Timed Tickets

When you book your tickets, you must select a time that you will begin your tour.  

Entry intervals are every 15 minutes throughout the day. You can spend as much time in the Gallery as you want.

Set aside additional time to pass through the airport-style security check. Large bags and backpacks must be checked in the cloakroom.

Read our security section for more information on prohibited items.

The gift shop has exclusive items inspired by works of art in the Royal Collection. The shop has housewares, china, clothing, jewelry, children’s toys, books, and postcards.

Proceeds of all purchases go to the care and upkeep of the Royal Collection. 

Queen's Gallery Highlights

The gallery has rotating exhibits centered on themes or particular artists. To see what the current exhibits are, check their website .

An audio guide is included in the cost of your ticket.

The commentary is excellent and you also have the option to listen to music selected for its suitability to the setting.

If you are an art aficionado, check out the official The Royal Collection podcast , which features news of current and forthcoming exhibitions and interviews.

Best Time to Visit Queen's Gallery

If you want to avoid crowds, consider making your trip sometime during the middle of the week.

These days are far less busy and you’ll have a much easier time seeing the various exhibits on display.

Additionally, you’ll also want to consider arriving either early in the day or later in the afternoon.

The crowds begin to dissipate at about 4 pm, and you should have more than enough time to explore the gallery if you arrive at least 2 hours before closing.

Queen's Gallery Reviews

The majority of reviews on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide are positive and it is rated 4 out of 5 stars. Read the reviews .

Some say, however, that the Gallery’s limited size and small number of items on display at any given time (about 450) just aren’t enough.

Other Galleries to Visit in London

If you have limited time in London or are on a budget, you may also want to consider a visit to the free National Gallery which houses a very large collection.

It's one of the dozens of free museums in London .

Read our post on Itineraries for Museum Lovers for more great galleries and exhibitions in London.

THE ROYAL MEWS

The Royal Mews is a collection of working stables which house the Royal Family’s horses, carriages, and other vehicles.

On display in the Mews is an array of historic coaches and carriages, including some that are still used by the Royal Family on special occasions to this day.

If you're interested in learning more about how the Royal Family gets around, this attraction is almost like a living museum filled with all the methods of transportation they use.

Tickets to this attraction are sold separately from the Queen's Gallery, the State Rooms, and Buckingham Palace.

For more details about what you can expect to see and how to get admission, please read our post covering the Royal Mews .

THE STATE ROOMS

There are nineteen State Rooms in all. Among them are the stunning White Drawing Room, the Music Room, the Picture Gallery, and the world-famous Throne Room, where all official wedding and coronation photos are taken.

There are dozens of fine art and objects on display including paintings by Van Dyck, Canaletto, Rubens, and Rembrandt.

There are also sculptures,  period furniture, rare porcelain and rotating exhibits.

State Rooms Opening Times

Every July to September, the Monarch goes on holiday which means that the doors to the public!

In 2024, the rooms are open from the 11th of July through the 29th of September.

• Open: Thursday - Monday | 10:00 am - 17:00 (5 pm)
• Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday

State Rooms Admission Tickets

Entry is “timed” meaning you must select a time. The start time frequency is every 15 minutes.

• £19.50/Youth (18-24)
• £16.50/Children | Under 5 FREE
• Purchase your ticket here .

The best time to take this tour is early in the day to avoid crowds in later hours.

State Rooms Tour

The Royal Day Out combination ticket includes an excellent 1-hour multimedia guide that provides commentary on each of the 19 State Rooms.

Though the audio tour is only one hour, you can move at your own pace.

You will find guides in each room who can answer questions and who may point out interesting features that are not mentioned on the audio tour, such as the King’s secret passageway/entrance behind a mirror.

You’ll also have the opportunity to stroll through the garden at Buckingham Palace at the end of your tour.

We recommend that you give yourself 2 - 2 ½ hours to make the most of this ticket.

State Rooms and Changing of the Guard Tour  

If you want a guided tour of the State Rooms, but you don’t want to miss the Changing of the Guards, this combination ticket may be your best option.

In addition to seeing the ceremony at 10:45 am, you will also receive a tour of 19 famous rooms inside Buckingham Palace.

This combined tour is only available from July - October, and it is an excellent opportunity to experience some of the most notable sights at this historic location.

Admission Tickets

• £66/Adults | £61/Children
• Availability: July - October
• Duration: 2 ½ hours

NOTE: if you want to see the Changing of the Guards  while avoiding the crowds at the State Rooms, consider doing so on a different day than your tour.

This is because the Changing of the Guards will take up your morning, thus you would have to take an afternoon State Room tour which is typically more crowded.

See our post on how to watch the  Changing of the Guards .

State Rooms and Garden Highlights Tour  

This combined ticket gives you the opportunity to take a tour of the largest private garden in London after taking a stroll through the State Rooms.

You will be taken through select sections of the garden by an expert guide.

The tour includes the 3-acre lake, the Rose Garden, the enormous Waterloo Vase, and the Palace tennis court.

You will be given  2 hours and 15 minutes  to explore the State Rooms before beginning your  1 hour and 15-minute  tour in the Garden.

Each tour includes a multimedia guide.

2024 Advanced Price:

• Adult £47.00
• Young Person (18-24) £30.20
• Child (5-17) £23.50
• Disabled £23.50
• Under 5 Free
• Information and tickets

2024 On-the-Day Price:

• Adult £50.00
• Young Person (18-24) £32.20
• Child (5-17) £25.00
• Disabled £25.00

ROYAL DAY OUT COMBINATION TICKET

This combination ticket provides entrance to the State Rooms, the Queen’s Gallery, and the Royal Mews.

It’s a great value if you want to make a full day out of your visit to Buckingham Palace.

Your Royal Day Out will last for approximately 4 - 4 ½ hours . When purchasing your ticket, the entry time you select will be for admission to the Queen’s Gallery first.

You will then be allocated an admission time for the State Rooms, which will be 2 ½ hours after you begin your visit at the Queen’s Gallery.

It makes sense to visit the Royal Mews right after, but make sure you finish both in time to walk over to the State Rooms at the time you have been assigned.

Royal Day Out Opening Times

This ticket can be used between 13th July and 29th September, 2024.

• Open: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
• Closed: Tuesday, Wednesday

Royal Day Out Tickets

There are a few options when it comes to these combination tickets.

• Adult £61.20
• Young Person (18-24) £39.10
• Child (5-17) £30.60
• Disabled £30.60
• Adult £65.70
• Young Person (18-24) £41.80
• Child (5-17) £32.80
• Disabled £32.80

NOTE: families that book directly with the website can save up to £28.00

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

More than 50,000 people visit the palace each year making it one of the most visited landmarks in the United Kingdom and one of the most visited royal palaces in Europe.

In preparation for a visit, a number of questions are asked. We've covered some of the most frequently asked questions below.

Who Was the First Soverign to Live in Buckingham Palace?

King George IV hired architect John Nash to enlarge what was originally called Buckingham House into a larger space.

Before the extension was completed, George IV died. It was Queen Victoria, and her husband Prince Albert, who oversaw completion of the Palace. She was the first soverign to rule from Buckingham Palace.

How Much Time Do You Need to Visit Buckingham Palace ?

It takes around:

• 1.5-2 hours to see the Queen's Gallery
• 1 hour to see the Royal Mews
• 2-2.5 hours to see the State Rooms
• 60-90 minutes to see the Changing of the Guards (which includes a wait time)

Can Tourists Go Inside Buckingham Palace?

They sure can! Since 1993 the general public has been able to visit parts of the palace complex.

Can You Walk Around Buckingham Palace?

Yes, visitors can absolutely walk around parts of the palace: the Queen's Gallary, the State Rooms, the Royal Mews, and the Gardens.

When Can You Tour Buckingham Palace?

Guided tours are usually allowed from November - May on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Between July and September the State Rooms are open to the public. The dates and times change each year, and can be found here .

Can You Visit Buckingham Palace Without a Tour?

Visitors are not allowed to walk freely through the palace (or gardens) for security reasons. But they are allowed in certain areas, with timed tickets, and at least an audio tour.

Can You Visit Buckingham Palace for Free?

If you have  London Pass admission to the Queen's Gallery and the Royal Mews are free.

You can also see the Changing of the Guards for free.

For more information about concessionary tickets and passes, see immediately below.

CONCESSIONARY TICKETS AND PASSES

As you can see, tickets to see the inside of the Palace can be quite expensive. 

If you’re on a budget, there are ways you can save money and still enjoy the Palace by purchasing one of several tourist attraction concession passes that include palace tours. 

The following concession passes provide either a offer or free admission to the Royal Mews and Queen’s Gallery, in addition to covering ticket prices for some of the following activities and attractions:

• Kew Gardens
• Tower Bridge
• Windsor Castle
• Tower of London
• Kensington Palace
• St. Paul's Cathedral
• Westminster Abbey
• Hampton Court Palace

Check out our comparison post for even more details about London tourist passes .

FREE WALKING TOUR

If you are on a budget or don't have the time for one of the above tours, but still want a taste of Royal London, we offer a pay-what-you-like   Royal Walking tour which includes Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben.

Although you won’t be able to go inside the palace, you might catch the Changing of the Guards ! 

Prefer to explore on your own? Enjoy our free self-guided tour . We also offer a  self-guided GPS-enabled audio tour !

RELEVENT POSTS

• Things to Do in London . 
• Things to Do in July in London
• Things to Do in August in London
• Things to Do in September in London .

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Stephen Pickhardt

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The 5 Best Sightseeing Tours of Buckingham Palace

O n a visit to London , some of the top attractions are linked to the royal family. But nothing is quite as iconic as a visit to the one of the three official residences of the monarchy – Buckingham Palace . While it's only open to the public on select dates, you can relish in its beauty from the regal gates, snap a selfie and catch a Changing the Guard ceremony.

How to Tour Buckingham Palace

For about 10 weeks every summer (select dates from July 11 to Sept. 29, 2024), Buckingham Palace opens its elaborate gates, welcoming visitors to explore its lavish State Rooms, grounds and Royal Collection artworks. The Royal Mews is also open to visitors from March to October, showcasing the Royal Family's real working stables and ornate, historic carriages – including the Gold State Coach used for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Coronation in 2022.

If you aren't here at the right time, fear not; this extravagant, 18th-century royal residence is just as impressive from the outside, making it worth a visit any time of year. Check online for a current schedule of the Changing the Guard ceremony – when the red-and-black-clad Royal Guard marches toward the palace, accompanied by striking military music – and see a tradition that's been running for more than 300 years. Combine it with explorations in the surrounding area of Westminster to see London at its most quintessential.

You can explore all of this independently, of course – but if you're looking to dig a little deeper, hear about the king's coronation and uncover local secrets, consider a guided London tour . Insider experts can point out the best photo spots, take you to the must-see sights and show you the ins and outs of the area, while sharing knowledge of the country's royal history along the way.

There are tons of options out there, so where do you start? Based on local knowledge and traveler review sites, here are some of the most highly rated tours.

Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

Price: From $13

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Standout perk: Witness the pomp of the iconic Changing the Guard ceremony.

Watch the Royal Guard march toward Buckingham Palace as you witness this historic, quintessentially British spectacle on a tour of Westminster's highlights. Accompanied by a military band, you'll see the Old Guard (soldiers on duty) switch to the New Guard as they arrive at the palace from Wellington Barracks. Your guide will explain which regiment is which, before taking you on a guided walking tour past other world-famous, attractions, including Big Ben, Clarence House, the Houses of Parliament , St James's Palace and Westminster Abbey .

Recent travelers gave high ratings to the tour, saying guides were able to take them to the best photo spots for the ceremony while offering a wealth of historical and entertaining insight.

Tours leave at 10 a.m. and depart from the Victoria Palace Theatre. The outings end at Parliament Square.

Local tip: Look at the Horse Guards Clock on the Horse Guards Parade – the official entrance to Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace – to see a dark stain above the 2 (II, in Roman numerals). It marks the time King Charles I was executed outside the Palace of Whitehall in 1649, after being charged with treason.

Check prices & availability on:

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Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle Tour

Price: From $161

Duration: 8.5 hours

Standout perk: Get a rare chance to explore the State Rooms with Buckingham Palace tickets, and tick off two of the United Kingdom's grandest royal residences in one day.

This twin-castle tour offers the opportunity to enter Buckingham Palace and see its State Rooms, Royal Collection artwork and other treasures, with commentary from an audio guide. After you've toured the palace, you'll travel by coach about 25 miles west of London to Windsor Castle – the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and the family home of the monarchy for more than 900 years. Explore the castle's lavish State Apartments and grounds, and visit St George's Chapel – the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II alongside many other monarchs, and the spot where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle.

Recent travelers said the tour was a great opportunity to see inside both palaces. Several commented on the extensive art collection at Buckingham Palace, and many enjoyed hearing insights from the guides, although some complained about long lines.

The tour takes place from July through September on select Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and leaves from Victoria Coach Station at 7:45 a.m.

Local tip: Windsor Castle has its own Changing the Guard ceremony, as well as its own extensive art collection. The ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. on select days of the week.

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Best of London Tour Including Tower of London and Changing of the Guard

Price: From $144; with optional London Eye or Harrods cream tea for an additional fee

Duration: 9 hours

Standout perk: You'll see many of London's key attractions in one day, and enjoy a river cruise thrown in for good measure.

If you want to combine a visit to see Buckingham Palace's Changing the Guard ceremony with stops at several other London spots, this is a great choice. The full-day trip begins at the UNESCO listed Tower of London where you'll have the chance to see the crown jewels.

From here, you'll visit Buckingham Palace to witness the famous pomp and pageantry of the ceremony and get the chance to admire the palace's impressive architecture from the outside. The day includes a tour of the elaborate St. Paul's Cathedral (not available on Sundays), before embarking on a boat tour of the Thames, passing key attractions including Tower Bridge and Shakespeare's Globe. The day also includes a photo stop at Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton married in 2011, and a brief walking tour of Parliament Square. Travelers can choose to add a ride on the famous London Eye observation wheel (or opt for a quintessentially British cream tea at Harrods instead).

Recent travelers loved the tour and praised the guides as highly knowledgeable and entertaining. Many were impressed with how much they saw in a day and said it gave them a great introduction to London (although it's worth noting a few felt there was quite a bit of walking involved).

Tours leave from Victoria Coach Station at 7:45 a.m. and finish at the London Eye.

Local tip: If you fancy delving deeper into the Tower of London in your own time, book a ticket to see the Ceremony of the Keys. Dating back seven centuries, this nightly ceremony is when the castle gets locked up for the night, with a special exchange between the sentry and Yeoman Warder taking place at 9:30 p.m. between the atmospheric battlements – both eerie and magical.

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360 Kiosk Email : Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

London: Explore the Parks and Palaces on a Morning Bike Tour

Price: From $37

Duration: 3.5 hours

Standout perk: Get active on two wheels, and combine a Buckingham Palace stop with a visit to Kensington Palace and other royal sights.

This half-day guided cycling tour is a great option to get active on your London trip. You'll start at Kensington Gardens – the home of Kensington Palace, where Princess Diana lived with the now King Charles, and Queen Victoria's birthplace. From here, pedal to the Royal Albert Hall to check out this elaborate concert hall, opened by Queen Victoria in 1871. Afterward, cycle through Hyde Park and on to Green Park to reach Buckingham Palace, where your guide will regale you with little-known stories about the palace. Continue on to Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben as you take in some of the capital's key highlights, before returning to the Royal Parks.

Recent travelers raved about the tour and were impressed by the guides' knowledge. Many enjoyed the small group size and said the cycling was a good, leisurely pace, with plenty to see along the way, and iced tea and snacks included as a bonus.

The tour leaves from outside the main entrance at Hilton London Hyde Park. The recommended minimum age is 9 – you can pre-book junior bikes and child seats. While the bicycle and helmet for use during the tour are included, attraction entry fees are additional.

Local tip: If you've got time after the tour, it's well worth exploring Kensington Palace a bit more. Admire the elaborate, Georgian-era King's Staircase and the King's State Gallery with its fine art collection, see the Queen's State Apartments where Mary II would come to relax or welcome guests, and visit the Sunken Garden, once a favorite spot of Princess Diana's. After, enjoy afternoon tea or lunch at the Kensington Palace Pavilion amid the gardens.

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The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab

Price: From $482

Duration: 4 hours

Standout perk: You'll see many of London's must-see attractions, and as it's a private tour, you can tailor the trip to your liking.

If you're after a private tour, this half-day trip in a classic London black cab is just the ticket.

You can choose to align your visit to Buckingham Palace with a Changing the Guard ceremony, and you'll get expert commentary from your personal taxi driver, who's also a registered tour guide. Alongside the palace, you'll pass must-see points including the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, St James's Palace, the Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus, Shakespeare's Globe, Borough Market and Covent Garden , with options to stop along the way.

Recent travelers loved the tour and said guides were able to tailor the trip, stopping at spots both on and off the tourist trail and offering plenty of historical insight.

Your driver-guide can pick you up and drop you off at your hotel; or a central London location.

Local tip: Make a stop at Borough Market to try some of the best food in the city, with more than 100 stalls offering everything from Persian to Italian, alongside plenty of fresh produce.

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Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Laura French is an award-winning British travel writer based in London. She grew up just outside the city and worked around the corner from Buckingham Palace for several years. She loves exploring the surrounding area, and used her own experience alongside online research to compile the roundup.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Hotels in London
• The Best Harry Potter Tours in London
• The Best Travel Insurance for Europe

Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report

Buckingham Palace State Rooms Tour

Buckingham Palace is known worldwide as the residence of The Queen. It is the focal point for national and royal celebrations and is also where the regular Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place. 

Every year, during the Queen's annual holiday to Balmoral, Scotland (from August to September), a few select dates in the winter and spring, the Palace opens its State Rooms to visitors. These rooms are the public spaces in the Palace where The Queen and members of the Royal Family host their guests on State, ceremonial, and official occasions. The rooms are laid out as they would be during State visits.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace Open for Public Tours

In 1993, following the fire at Windsor Castle, the Queen opened Buckingham Palace to public tours to help pay for the multi-million dollar repairs. I was fortunate enough to be in London during this time and was able to participate in one of the tours from August to September. I remember waiting in line for hours with hundreds of others, eagerly anticipating our first glimpse inside the historic palace.

The palace houses a total of 19 State Rooms, many of which have a specific purpose to this day. For instance, the Throne Room is used by the Queen for court ceremonies and official entertaining and also serves as the backdrop for the wedding photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The grandest of all the State Rooms is the White Drawing Room, which serves as a royal reception room for the Queen and members of the Royal Family to gather before official occasions.

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Queen Victoria's Throne, part of the special exhibition ‘Queen Victoria's Palace' at this year's Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace 20 July – 29 September 2019. For use only in connection to the exhibition, not to be archived or sold on. Image credit Royal Collection Trust/ © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019.

Highlights of the State Room Tour

White Drawing Room

Blue Drawing Room

Green Drawing Room

Throne Room

Picture Gallery

Grand Staircase

Royal Garden

The State Dining Room at the special exhibition ‘Queen Victoria's Palace', part of a visit to the Summer Opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. Credit: Royal Collection Trust / (c) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019.

Tourists are not permitted to take photos inside the staterooms during the Buckingham Palace tour. However, they are allowed to take pictures in the Palace Gardens at the end of the tour . One of the highlights of the tour is the backdrop picture of the Royal Family, which visitors can use to take a photo that appears as though they were there with the Royals (well, almost).

Photo with the Royals

I take my Choose Love shirts with me wherever I travel. This is outside of Buckingham Palace overlooking the Palace Garden.

Buckingham Palace State Room Tour Tips

Please remember the following information regarding your visit:

• Upon arrival, you will go through an airport-style security check. Please refrain from bringing large items, and store your personal items in a bin that you can retrieve at the end of the tour.
• Please allow 2-2½ hours for your visit and wear comfortable shoes as the end of the tour includes a half-mile walk through the Royal Garden to the exit.
• Your ticket includes an audio guide that provides details about the history of each room. It is recommended to prebook your ticket as there is a timed admission system operating in 15-minute time slots. This is the time you select when purchasing your ticket.
• Please arrive at the entry time printed on your ticket and not earlier.

Book your tickets for the Buckingham Palace State Room Tour HERE !

About Royal Collection Trust

Royal Collection Trust looks after the Royal Collection, one of the most important art collections in the world, and manages the public opening of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. These include Buckingham Palace, the Royal Mews, Clarence House, and The Queen's Gallery in London; Windsor Castle and Frogmore House in Windsor; the Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Queen's Gallery in Edinburgh.

Through their work, from exhibitions and learning programs to publications and retail products, they aim to ensure that the Royal Collection and Palaces are valued and enjoyed by everyone.

Royal Collection Trust is a registered charity and income generated through admissions and other commercial activity funds the care and conservation of the Royal Collection and the promotion of access to and enjoyment of the Collection through exhibitions, publications, loans, and educational programs.

Their work is undertaken without public funding of any kind.

Get Social with Royal Collection Trust!

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9 Comments .

I love seeing palaces and castles. I never had the chance to get inside Buckingham when we used to live in London but my mom and dad did. My father, a defence attache then, and they came in to meet the Queen and Prince Charles.

My mom had such a fascinating story about it because she when the other “ladies” of the delegation rushed forward to meet Prince Charles, he noticed my mom was left at the back and so he said, “And the lady at the back?” HAHAHA. She never really liked him, but she felt like some kind of princess, she said.

I’ve been to London so often but never took a Buckingham Palace Tour – just saw it from the outside. Next time I’m going I’ll make sure to join one – it’s definitely something you should do to make your England-trip complete.

This is such a beautiful historical place to visit. Thank you for making me visiting this through your post.

How wonderful! I have always been fascinated with the Buckingham Palace and all its pomp and splendor. You were so fortunate to be able to go and tour its state rooms! Thanks for sharing the photos. BTW, love that shirt too!

Buckingham Palace is really an astounding travel spot around the world; so a tour sounds just perfect! It’s so amazing that the palace was actually opened to the public- actually that would inspire luxury and edgy living as I love it. The rooms are splendid!

We have done all the London tourist things…Buck palace is fab. Looks like you had a wonderful time too x

Buckingham Palace!!! thank you so much for touring us inside. Would definitely visit this place as it is in my bucket list. 🙂

Thanks for letting us know this worthy tour. When I finally reach London, I will never skip this place. Very opulent!

Wow! I had no idea that they open the State Rooms at the Buckingham Palace to visitors. I hope we get lucky to have the opportunity to visit and have an available date that can fit into our schedule. I am really excited to know this. Thank you for sharing.

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Windsor Castle: Inside the 1,000-Year-Old History of the Royal Residence

By Claudia Williams

For nearly a thousand years, Windsor Castle has stood as a symbol of Britain’s strength and power. As the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, Windsor holds endless history within its walls. The 484,000-square-foot castle features over 1,000 rooms, more than 300 fireplaces, and a substantial royal collection of paintings, armor, and furniture to rival any museum.

The castle boasts numerous design and architectural styles thanks to the 39 kings and queens of the United Kingdom who have called the palace home. From Norman to Baroque to Gothic, each room is grander than the next. Read on as we share the rich history of Windsor Castle and all the information you need to know before you visit the stately residence yourself.

The origins and construction of Windsor

An aerial view of Windsor Castle and the surrounding area

Windsor is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, according to the official Windsor Castle guidebook provided to AD by the Royal Collection Trust. The royal residence has remained in almost continuous use since around 1070, when it was built by William I (also known as William the Conqueror) after winning the Battle of Hastings. The castle was originally built high above the River Thames to guard London from the western approach .

Being that William I was the first Norman king of England, “Windsor followed the typical Norman design of a motte-and-bailey castle. This comprises a central round tower (or keep) constructed on an artificial earthen mound (motte), set within a walled courtyard (bailey),” Dr. Richard Williams, Learning Curator at Royal Collection Trust, tells AD . “The original keep would have been constructed of timber, but this was rebuilt in stone around 1225.” If you’re curious to see what Windsor looked like at the time of its origin, you’re in luck. “ Decorative stone fragments from the 12th-century royal apartments of the castle are currently on display for visitors in the lapidarium,” says Williams.

The royal residence went on to see endless expansions and transformations. The first order of business was converting the castle —built for defense purposes—into an elegant residence occupied by royalty, heads of state, or heads of a church and designed for comfort and elegance. This major transformation was spearheaded by Henry II, when he had two sets of royal apartments built within the walls of Windsor: an official state residence in the lower ward and a smaller private residence of his own in the upper ward. Henry III later added a large new chapel and further improved the private apartments in the upper ward.

A view of Windsor Castle from atop the Round Tower

Throughout much of the second half of his reign (from the 1350s to 1377), Edward III made it his mission to take Windsor from a military fortification and turn it into a Gothic palace. He is said to have spent 50,000 British pounds, which is more than any other medieval English king spent on a single building .

The exterior of St George’s Chapel at Windsor

Edward IV, who seized power in 1461, is whom we have to thank for St George’s Chapel, according to the official website of the royal family . “St George’s Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Europe,” Williams tells AD . It has since become customary for royal funerals and burials to take place here. You can visit the final resting places of Edward IV, Henry VI, Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Charles I, Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and George V and Queen Mary, according to Britannica .

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In the late 1400s, Henry VII built a three-story tower on the west end of the palace , which became his personal living quarters. His successor, Henry VIII, is most known for his addition of a gateway at the bottom of the lower ward and a wooden terrace along the north side of the upper ward.

Elizabeth I moved to Windsor at a time when the castle was in desperate need of restoration. This led to an extensive program of improvements throughout the 1570s , which included a long gallery overlooking the North Terrace.

Charles II updated the royal apartments around the 1670s or 1680s, transforming them into the grandest Baroque state apartments in England at the time.

It was George III who brought neoclassical design into the mix . He can be credited with the additions of a music room and a new dining room, as well as reimagining the exterior of the castle into a Gothic palace.

The Waterloo Chamber at Windsor Castle

After his succession to the throne in 1820, George IV carried on with the Gothic transformation of the castle started by his father. He and his artistic advisor, Sir Charles Long, “wanted the exterior of the castle to have a more imposing appearance,” states the Royal Collection Trust website. The list of improvements that George IV made to Windsor are endless, from refashioning the exterior in Gothic crenellations, turrets, and towers, to installing a new grand staircase and the Waterloo Chamber . He also employed the help of the firm Morel and Seddon to supply French Empire-style furnishings. By the time the king finally took up residence at Windsor towards the end of 1828, his improvements to the castle had cost nearly 300,000 British pounds, according to the Royal Collection Trust .

Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years, had little to restore thanks to George IV’s expansive renovation of Windsor. Her main addition to the palace was the creation of a new private chapel at the eastern end of St George’s Hall, as well as the reconstruction of the grand staircase and the completion of the royal mews and riding school in the 1840s.

Queen Victoria’s successor, King Edward VII, was a bit more of a minimalist than his ancestors, and he was not so fond of the “ somber and cluttered ” interiors the castle had acquired throughout his mother’s reign. He took creative liberties by simplifying and rearranging the contents of numerous rooms. He also re-hung the principal state apartments with silk damask.

King George V created new guest suites on the south side of the castle in the early 1900s.

(From left) Princess Margaret, Princess Elizabeth, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) in front of a miniature cottage on the Windsor Castle grounds given to the children by the people of Wales in 1932

It was from this point on that the royal family as we know it today claimed Windsor as their own. King George VI and his family—most importantly his daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth II—split their time between Windsor and Buckingham Palace.

The fire at Windsor

Windsor Castle engulfed in flames in November of 1992.

On November 20, 1992, a devastating fire wreaked havoc on Windsor Castle, nearly destroying years and years of history. The fire started shortly before noon in Queen Victoria’s private chapel, when a faulty spotlight ignited a curtain next to the altar . Within mere minutes, the flames had engulfed St George’s Hall—a medieval banquet hall—and became virtually unstoppable.

“One of the worst things was coming up the motorway, coming here and seeing this glow and the smoke pouring into the sky,” then Prince Charles said in the documentary Windsor Castle: After the Fire . “It looked even more a scene of utter devastation than I would have believed possible. It made the blood run cold.”

The fire was a dark moment in Windsor history that affected more than just the royal family. “I was very young, but I remember seeing the smoke and glow of the fire, making the silhouette of the castle stand out against the skyline,” Alfie Boyle, a former resident of Windsor on and off for 27 years, tells AD . “I had been visiting my grandparents in west London and we were driving back over the elevated freeway, which gave you an unobstructed view of the castle.”

Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle after the fire

Windsor staff became heroes that day, removing precious works of art from the royal collection and saving them from the path of the fire. The castle’s Quadrangle was home to some of the finest pieces at Windsor, such as 18th-century French furniture and paintings by Anthony Van Dyck and Peter Paul Rubens. In the end, only two precious words of art were lost in the blaze : a rosewood sideboard and a large painting by Sir William Beechey.

It took 15 hours and 225 firefighters to battle the flames, using one-and-a-half million gallons of water, according to the documentary . The fire damaged 115 rooms, most notably the Grand Reception Room, which is perhaps the most striking room in all of Windsor Castle.

The aftermath of the Windsor Castle fire in 1992

The restoration committee, chaired by Prince Philip (then Duke of Edinburgh) swiftly began rehabilitating the castle to its former glory. The restoration of the destroyed rooms was completed on November 20, 1997—exactly five years later. The celebration coincided with the 50th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. “It resulted in the greatest historic building project to have been undertaken in this country in the 20th century, reviving many traditional crafts,” states the official website of the royal family. The restoration cost roughly £37 million, which still was around three million British pounds below budget.

Queen Mary’s dollhouse

The exterior of Queen Mary’s dollhouse

Windsor is home to some objects of great historic interest, “such as the bullet that killed Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar,” Williams tells AD . But one of the most fawned-over treasures in the castle is Queen Mary’s dollhouse, which was created as a 1:12 scale miniature royal palace. It was built between 1921 and 1924 as a gift from the nation to Queen Mary. “The idea behind the model was that it would be as true to life as possible, recreating every facet of modern-day life from the 1920s. According to the Royal Collection Trust , “it contains around 1,000 miniature works of art.”

The idea for the house came from the mind of Princess Marie Louise , a cousin of King George V and a childhood friend of Queen Mary. It is said that the queen loved all things diminutive and decorative. Marie Louise recruited the help of English architect Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens . Together they created a committee that worked to decide on the style of the house and ensured that all of its contents were of the highest possible quality.

The finished dollhouse was more than just something to admire—it was a real functioning home, albeit very petite in size. It had running water, electric, working elevators, real food and soap, a complete set of miniature crown jewels, and a working bicycle. The committee went as far as properly upholstering the chairs, dovetailing the joints in the furniture, and embroidering the sheets with the royal cipher .

Inside the library of Queen Mary’s dollhouse

“I remember being in awe of it as a child,” Boyle tells AD . “What sticks in my mind is the detail. The full electronics, the lighting, table lamps, ceiling lamps and all. The fully stocked kitchen with its mise en place setups.”

The team spared no expense when it came to outfitting the dollhouse’s mini library. It is said that Princess Marie Louise and Lutyens approached many of the leading artists, composers, and writers of the day to contribute . The result? 588 miniature books, from Shakespeare to the Bible, to novels and poems. The shelves also contain over 700 watercolors, prints, and etchings, as well as 24 miniaturized music scores. If you can’t make a trip to visit for yourself, a virtual tour can be found here .

Windsor today

Mike Tindall, Princess Anne, Prince William, and Princess Kate attend a podcast recording in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle in September 2023.

Queen Elizabeth II grew up as a young princess at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, and by the time she became queen in 1952, Windsor Castle already felt like home. It was at Windsor that the queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, spent their childhood safely away from London and the Blitz during 1940 and 1941.

Princess Margaret reading on the sofa at Windsor Castle with the family corgi, Jane, in 1940

Throughout her 70-year reign, the queen found comfort in Windsor and spent weekends at the castle. And she wasn’t alone: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle briefly occupied Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of Windsor, moving in just before the birth of their son, Archie, in 2019. Three years later, Prince William and Kate Middleton (then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge), along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, relocated from Kensington Palace to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park. The 655-acre estate is part of the private grounds of Windsor Castle, providing the royal family with space and freedom away from busy London.

In 2021, the annual Trooping the Colour celebration took place at Windsor instead of the usual Buckingham Palace location.

During Queen Elizabeth’s final years, she spent a lot of her time at Windsor Castle , partly due to the pandemic. It is at the castle where the late Prince Philip died and was buried in 2021, just over a year before the queen’s passing in 2022. The couple was interred together at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, an annex to St George’s Chapel.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave their wedding in a carriage via the Long Walk at Windsor in 2018.

In addition to state funerals, Windsor Castle has also been home to royal weddings. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married there on May 19, 2018, attracting up to 423,000 well-wishers to Windsor (according to estimations made by a lecturer-and-student team at the Manchester Metropolitan University). Among those in attendance were Oprah Winfrey , Elton John , and Serena Williams . Those who tuned in via live television remember the scenes of royalists cheering as the future Duchess of Sussex made her way along the Long Walk in a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV motorcar.

Windsor Castle holds endless bounds of modern and ancient history. If you’re looking to plan a visit for yourself, keep reading. Our FAQ is here to make your experience as seamless as possible.

Who lives at Windsor Castle now?

King Charles III, who inherited Windsor Castle when Queen Elizabeth II died, splits his time between Clarence House, Windsor, Balmoral, and his other estates.

In addition to the royal family, Windsor has plenty of other occupants. According to the official website of the royal family , those who live at Windsor include: the titular head of the castle community, the constable and governor of Windsor Castle, and the dean of Windsor. You’ll also find the military knights of Windsor, the superintendent of Windsor Castle and his staff, the housekeeper and her staff, and soldiers who mount a permanent military guard in the castle.

Which is bigger, Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle?

Buckingham Palace is over 828,000-square-feet large, making it larger than Windsor Castle.

How far apart are Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle is a little over 20 miles away from Buckingham Palace. It’s about a 40-minute drive or a one-hour train ride.

Which is older? Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace?

Construction of Windsor Castle began in 1070, making it more than 600 years older than Buckingham Palace, which opened its doors as Buckingham House in the early 18th century.

Where is Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle is located in its namesake town of Windsor, England. It’s in the Royal County of Berkshire, just south of the River Thames. Across the river you’ll find Eton and the famous Eton College, a boys boarding school founded by King Henry VI in 1440. Both Prince William and Prince Harry are alumni.

What time is the changing of the guard?

Guard change at Windsor Castle takes place at 11 a.m. on certain days of the week.

Can you visit the state apartments at Windsor Castle?

The state apartments are open when the castle is open, with a few exceptions throughout the year when official state events are taking place, according to the Royal Collection Trust . “The state rooms are those where the sovereign carries out official duties. They are used today for ceremonies such as investitures or formal banquets”, Williams tells AD .

Can you visit Windsor Castle?

The castle is open to visitors Thursday to Monday. Standard admission ranges from 15 to 30 British pounds. You can also take private guided tours of Windsor Castle and behind-the-ropes tours of Queen Mary’s dollhouse .

What are the visiting hours for Windsor Castle?

Closing and opening times may vary. From March 1 to October 31, the castle is open 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. From February 29 to November 1, the castle is open from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Keep in mind that Windsor is a working royal palace, so there may be closures to the entire castle or the state apartments at any time.​​​ “At times, when the king is in residence, the castle remains open to the public. Visitors know this is the case from the flag flying on top of the Round Tower. When the king is at the castle, the royal standard flies, but when he is not, the Union Flag takes its place,” Williams tells AD .

How can I book tickets to tour Windsor Castle?

Booking tickets to the castle is as easy as visiting the Royal Collection Trust’s website. It is recommended you book in advance for the best value and to guarantee entry.

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