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London , London Tours & Experiences , London Travel Tips & Inspiration · March 29, 2024

Buckingham Palace Tips: Your Ultimate Visitor’s Guide (2024)

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Looking for the best Buckingham Palace tips? Here’s your ultimate visitor’s guide with everything you need to know — from a Londoner!

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Visiting Buckingham Palace is not about just showing up, snapping a royalty-worthy selfie, and scarpering off. Even if you manage to time it with the Changing of the Guard , there’s still so much more to see!

As your local guide, I’d like you to get a real feel of what courtly life looks like, the whispers of grand ballrooms, and the stateliness of royal garden teas. So allow me to pull back the royal curtain and guide you through a tour to the King’s abode.

This is your ultimate visitor’s guide to everything you need to know, plus the best Buckingham Palace tips for an an unforgettable slice of the London experience. (P.S. – You can thank me later on Instagram ) .

About the Author

Candace Salters is the founder behind Candace Abroad . She moved to London at 18 from the US (without ever having visited) and has built her life in the UK ever since.

On this blog, she shares the best London & travel itineraries and tips to help you experience your destination to the fullest.

P.S. – For more London & travel adventures be sure to follow along on Instagram or TikTok !

Buckingham Palace Tips: Your Ultimate Visitor’s Guide

Buckingham Palace in a Nutshell

🪷 Overview: Buckingham Palace is London’s royal rockstar. A mega-hit of grandeur housing 19 extravagant State Rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms; all singing the tunes of British monarchy.

📍 Location : Strutting its royal stuff right in the heart of London, the Palace is just a bag-swing away from St James’s Park and Green Park.

🕙 Opening Hours : While the palace is a year-round stunner, the State Rooms pull open their grand doors for public visits typically between July to October, 9:30 am to 7:30 pm (but check the website for changes, just in case the King decides to throw a party).

🎫 Tickets : Booking ahead is your golden ticket into the Royals’ humble abode. You can nab these online — the sooner the better! Adult tickets typically go for around £32, while children pay around £16 (well, you pay).

⏳ Suggested Duration: Block off about 2 – 2.5 hours to really soak in those royal vibes and experience the State Rooms in all their glittering glory. Besides, it’s a unique opportunity anyway, so why the rush?

Is it Worth Visiting Buckingham Palace?

Asking if it’s worth visiting Buckingham Palace and its State Rooms is like asking if it’s worth having a cuppa with your bestie – absolutely, positively, a thousand times yes!

Picture this: strolling through rooms dripping in gilded elegance, where the air hums with centuries of whispering courtiers and clinking tea cups. It’s not just a visit; it’s a sneak peek into the real-life, behind-the-scenes of a living, breathing royal soap opera!

Trust me, each room is like flipping through a glossy magazine of history and luxury — only better, because you’re actually there.

How to Get to Buckingham Palace

No matter your route, it’s super easy to get to Buckingham Palace.

From the heart of the city, like Trafalgar Square, it’s about a 15 to 20-minute walk. Just amble down The Mall, with the Union Jacks fluttering above you. It’s a straight shot to royalty, and honestly, the views are fit for, well, a queen.

But if you happen to be a bit further away, here’s the best (and quickest) way to get there!

By Tube : The closest Tube stations are St. James’s Park, Victoria, Green Park , and Hyde Park Corner. Honestly, it’s like the Tube’s got a thing for the Royals with all these options.

By Train : Your golden ticket to Buckingham Palace is Victoria Station . Just follow the signs (or the selfie sticks), and you’ll be there in a jiffy. Plus, the walk from the station is filled with cute spots to grab a cheeky coffee or a snack.

By Bus : Feeling like a local yet? Jump on a bus! The numbers 11, 211, C1 , and C10 drop you super close. Plus, it’s a great way to see the city from above ground.

Best Time to Visit Buckingham Palace

Well, firstly, you ought to know that the State Rooms open their doors to the world from July to October . So if you definitely want to step inside the royal world of Buckingham Palace, there’s no other option but during those (usually) busy months.

Now, when it comes to avoiding the crowds, the trick lies in planning. The best way to achieve it is by visiting on a weekday and picking the earliest time slot possible for your tour . This means shortly after opening time – typically around 9:30 am.

This plan should give you a relatively calm visit before the afternoon crowds start to well up. Plus, you’ll have plenty of room to explore properly!

Is There a Dress Code for Buckingham Palace?

Surprise, surprise! There’s no official dress code for visiting the State Rooms in Buckingham Palace. But before you whip out your leopard sequins and platform glitter boots, hold up.

While there’s no hard and fast rule, let’s keep it on the smart side of casual . After all, you’ll want your Instagram snaps to ooze a little bit of that royalty vibe (and you’re stepping into the world of real life royalty, after all).

So, think comfortable but classy – like if Kate Middleton was going sightseeing.

Read More: What to Wear for High Tea in London

Other Important Tips for Buckingham Palace

Before you scoot off to Buckingham’s backyard, let’s go over some tips to keep you in the King’s good books.

Rule of thumb: beat the clock. Strut up 30 minutes prior to your scheduled entry time, which will allow you to queue. You may even enjoy a round of ‘spot the Beefeater’ while you wait.

Now, you might be tempted to go full paparazzi inside the palace (you know, for the gram). But keep an eye on the photo restrictions . Some spots are more camera-shy than others. Don’t worry, the staff won’t leave you guessing; they’ll point out no-photo zones.

You should also prepare for security check — we’re talking airport level.

The palace is no place for picnics, so no food or drinks. And sorry, but prams are also a no-no. Oh, and if you had plans to lug around your suitcase bursting with today’s shopping haul, think again!

Last on the list, make sure you ditch any prohibited items before you show up (camping knives, your limited edition London Big Ben lighter…you get the picture).

What You Can’t Miss in Buckingham Palace

Alright, you made it in! Well, Buckingham Palace is quite huge. So here’s a list of the top things to see and do while visiting the State Rooms.

The Throne Room

Imagine going from Netflix surfing to walking amidst the spot where Wills and Kate had their famous wedding pics taken! Undeniably breathtaking, this place has this magic that gives you the giggly butterflies while leaving you awe-struck by the grandeur.

The Queen’s Gallery

Put on your most reflective glasses because this place is nothing but bling. From majestic paintings to priceless artefacts, the Queen’s Gallery boasts a buffet of royal art and history that would make any culture vulture’s heart flutter.

The White Drawing Room

Sweet cream served with dollops of dazzling gold… It’s the twinkling jewel of the palace where walk-in closets hide secret doors and sofas are used as royal barricades. One of the more intimate State Rooms, usually used for small gatherings — if these regal walls could talk!

The Royal Mews

Who needs MTV Cribs when you have the Royal Mews lined with all the King’s horsies and carriages? Here, you can behold the carriages and liveries so dazzlingly intricate, you’ll probably leave humming ‘Pimp My Ride.’

The Palace Garden

Imagine a green oasis evoking English countryside charm in the heart of London. The garden is 39 acres of leafy bliss, where posh picnics meet summer garden parties. It’s a fab spot to contemplate your royal ambitions!

Treasures of the Palace

Buckle your seatbelts as the palace’s treasures take you on a journey of opulence! From Rembrandt’s masterpieces to a bonsai-size suit of armour gifted to Edward VI, every treasure is a bread crumb trail leading through centuries of rich history.

The Ballroom

Picture this – a massive, opulent room where state banquets happen and knighthoods are dished out. The palace’s ballroom is where chandeliers whisper stories of diplomatic dinners and royal waltzes, making you feel like you’re twirling right beside them!

The Grand Staircase

Sorry, golden carriage, but the first showstopper you’ll meet is the Grand Staircase. Coated in lustrous bronze and lit by an enormous skylight, this staircase is more breathtaking than Prince Charming’s grand entrance in any fairy-tale.

The State Banqueting Room

This is no ordinary dining hall, it’s a culinary theatre where diplomacy is served on a silver platter! Majestic portraits overlook the room, which has hosted everyone from Einstein to Obama, giving you a delicious meltdown of history and high society.

The Diamond Jubilee State Coach

This baby is the epitome of royal transport. Adorned with 24 gold-plated lamps, display panels of pure gold alloy and a crown acting as a time capsule, catching a ride in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach is what Cinderella’s dreams are made of!

Changing of the Guard in Buckingham Palace

You might’ve heard about this vibrant spectacle that combines the flair of military precision with the allure of Royal insignia. So I’m not surprised if you’re planning your Buckingham Palace visit to see the Changing of the Guard.

Known officially as the ‘Guard Mounting’, it involves the current King’s Guard handing over the responsibility of protecting Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace to the incoming New Guard.

It typically takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays (and every day in summer) from 10:45am, and it last around 45 minutes. However, the schedules are not set in stone and can sometimes change at short notice; so it’s always good to confirm beforehand .

And please arrive with plenty of time to catch a good spot! This is a very popular activity in London, so it gets busy, busy.

Don’t miss Changing of the Guards, London Guide: 10 Top Tips for the ultimate guide regarding when to arrive, where to see it, and so much more!

What to Do Near Buckingham Palace

Satisfied with your royal excursion? Don’t leave the area yet! You can complement your amazing day with one or two of these amazing activities near Buckingham Palace.

St. James’s Park

Come on! You can’t leave Buckingham Palace without strolling one of the most famous parks in London. And once you’re there, you’ll see why it stands (and even exceeds) its reputation. Gorgeous gardens and elegant swans make the perfect setting for a royal afternoon.

Afternoon Tea at The Ritz

Now, if you’re up for enjoying a British tradition in the most sophisticated way, there’s nowhere like The Ritz to feel like a queen. This place is best known for its afternoon tea, and it’s just a few minutes away from Buckingham Palace.

London is almost a synonym to arts and theatre, and almost next to Buckingham Palace you have some of the best shows in town — like Hamilton and Wicked !

Buckingham Palace Tips FAQs

Q: what is the best time of day to visit buckingham palace.

A: Early bird gets the worm, so hit up Buckingham Palace right after it opens at 9:30 am for a crowd-free adventure.

Q: How much time do you need in Buckingham Palace?

A: Buckingham Palace isn’t a “alright, that’s all” kind of place, so set aside about 2-2.5 hours to drink it all in.

Q: Can you wear jeans to Buckingham Palace?

A: You can rock a pair of jeans at Buckingham Palace, just make sure you look smarter than your just-rolled-out-of-bed look.

Q: Is it worth going inside Buckingham Palace?

A: Absolutely! Stepping inside Buckingham Palace is like diving into a decadent cream cake of British history, art, and culture.

Q: Can you visit Buckingham Palace for free?

A: Well, fresh air and eye-feasting on the façade is free, but for a peek behind those golden gates, you’ll have to shell out a few quid. Get your tickets beforehand to avoid disappointments, though.

Thanks for reading my Buckingham Palace Tips Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on  Instagram !

Check out more london guides:.

• Changing of the Guards, London Guide: 10 Top Tips
• Tower of London Tips for Your Visit
• Visiting St Paul’s Cathedral
• Your Guide to Westminster Abbey
• The Best Guided Tours of London
• Best Tips for Visiting Edinburgh Castle — from a Travel Blogger!

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How To Visit Buckingham Palace

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“Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been? I’ve been to London to look at the queen!” These are the starting words of a traditional children’s nursery rhyme. And it’s not only nursery-rhyme cats interested in attractions associated with the royal family.

Buckingham Palace , the King’s official London residence and the administrative headquarters of the British monarchy, is one of London’s top 10 attractions according to Visit London . Visitors can watch the Changing of the Guard, tour the State Rooms, visit the Royal Mews, see changing art exhibitions, or simply enjoy views of Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Monument from adjoining Green Park .

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of British sovereigns since 1837 when Queen Victoria made it her home. But the property’s Royal Family history goes back to 1761 when George III bought Buckingham House for his wife Queen Charlotte.

Where Is Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace sits at the intersection of The Mall, Constitution Hill, and Spur Road off Birdcage Walk in the City of Westminster in central London. The Palace is surrounded by gardens and green space on three sides. St. James’s Park sits on the east side and Green Park on the north side. Royal gardens run behind the Palace to the west. A number of London tourist attractions, including Westminster Abbey, the Churchill War Rooms, and Trafalgar Square, lie within a one-mile radius of the palace.

The Wellington Arch , a large stone archway flanked with Corinthian columns and topped with the largest bronze sculpture in Europe, sits at the western end of Constitution Hill at Hyde Park Corner. Originally built as the outer entrance to Buckingham Palace, the arch was moved to its current location in the 1880s. You can purchase tickets to get inside the arch, where rooms over five stories house historical exhibitions and balconies offer views of Buckingham Palace’s back gardens and London’s Royal Parks.

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How To Get To Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace’s central location is easily reached by the Underground, by train, and by coach/bus.

How To Get To Buckingham Palace By Subway

London’s subway system, known as the London Underground or by its nickname, the Tube, is fast and efficient. The nearest Underground stops to Buckingham Palace are Victoria, Green Park, St. James’s Park, and Hyde Park Corner.

It’s roughly an 11-minute walk to Buckingham Palace from Victoria Station, an 8-minute walk from Green Park Station or St. James’s Park Station, and a 12-minute walk from Hyde Park Corner Station.

How To Get To Buckingham Palace By Train

The National Rail System is a passenger train network connecting London with the rest of the country. You might use this system to get to Buckingham Palace if you are coming from outside of the Greater London area serviced by the Underground. London Victoria and Charing Cross Station are the nearest train stations to Buckingham Palace.

How To Get To Buckingham Palace By Coach Or Bus

Bus numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road. Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk from the Palace. Use Transport for London’s Plan a Journey page to determine which bus to take from your starting location.

Buckingham Palace is also a stop on some hop-on, hop-off tourist buses.

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When Is The Best Time To Visit Buckingham Palace?

If you want to get inside Buckingham Palace, summer is the best time to visit. Although the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to visitors for a few selected dates in winter and spring, the primary touring time is in summer.

Summer also offers the best weather for viewing the Changing of the Guard . Of course, summer is the busiest tourist season and you will be jostling amongst a crowd for the best views. Bundle up or pack a poncho, and you can see the Changing of the Guard throughout the year.

The Royal Mews is open February through November. Guided tours are offered between April and October. The Royal Mews is responsible for all the road travel arrangements for the King and the Royal Family. Inside you’ll find historic carriages, a stable of horses, and livery worn by the King’s horsemen. Note that the Royal Mews are part of a working royal palace and closures sometimes happen at short notice.

The Queen’s Gallery is a public art gallery that features changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection featuring old master paintings, rare furniture, decorative arts, and photographic images. The Queen’s Gallery is open year-round.

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When Is The Changing Of The Guard?

The Changing of the Guard is a ceremony in which the King’s Guards, clad in scarlet uniforms and bearskin caps, hand off responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace. The guards are Foot Guards, or highly trained infantry soldiers.

The ceremony, which is free to watch, takes place on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Formation of the guards in preparation for the ceremony begins around 10:30 a.m. when the Buckingham Palace Old Guard lines up for inspection, the St. James Old Guard begins its march down The Mall, and the New Guard forms on the parade square at Wellington Barracks. Guards and bands start arriving at Buckingham Palace at 10:45 a.m. The actual handover, when the New Guard enters the forecourt via the North Gate and receives the Palace Keys, occurs at 11 a.m. sharp. This is followed by marches of the Old and New Guards. The ceremony takes approximately 45 minutes. Musical accompaniment is provided by a regimental band or corps of drums.

The Changing of the Guard is popular. It is recommended you arrive before 10:15 a.m. to get a good viewing spot. The Buckingham Palace railings are a good spot with visibility of the entire forecourt ceremony, but you need to arrive very early to situate yourself here.

The elevated position of the steps of the Victoria Monument also provides a reasonable view. Spur Road on the left facing Buckingham Palace is a good place to see the New Guard and Band marching up Birdcage Walk. Remember to “make way for the King’s Guard!” and not stand in the way of the Foot Guards.

Although the Changing of the Guard occurs several times a week, it is not scheduled everyday. Check the Changing of the Guard schedule before you plan your visit.

Royal Collection Trust

How To Tour The Inside of Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, including 240 Royal, guest, and staff bedrooms, 92 offices, 78 bathrooms, and 19 State rooms. The State Rooms inside Buckingham Palace are open to visitors for 10 weeks each summer and on selected dates during winter and spring. The King’s private living spaces are not open to the public.

The State Rooms are the public rooms in the palace where the King and members of the Royal Family receive and entertain guests on ceremonial and official occasions. Rooms you will tour after entering via the opulent, red-carpeted Grand Staircase include the White Drawing Room, the Throne Room, the Ballroom, and the Picture Gallery.

Each year the Royal Collection Trust , the organization that manages public openings of the official residences of His Majesty the King, curates a special exhibit for the summer opening at Buckingham Palace. In 2019, Queen Victoria’s Palace held an exhibition to honor the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth, telling the story of how the young queen transformed Buckingham Palace from a private house into a working royal residence.

You need to purchase tickets for the State Rooms tour in advance. Tickets can be booked online. Arrive at least 10 minutes before your entry time. You will go through airport-style security. Complimentary multimedia guides are provided. Photographs are not allowed. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a fair bit of walking involved. The Royal Collection Trust recommends you allow up to 2 hours and 30 minutes for your State Rooms tour. One of the available ticketing options allows you to add a 45-minute guided tour of Buckingham Palace Gardens to your State Rooms visit.

Can I See The King At Buckingham Palace?

The nursery-rhyme cat may have had a look at the queen, but you are unlikely to see the now King when you visit Buckingham Palace. State Room tours are scheduled when the King is not in residence. When the King is at home at Buckingham Palace, you’ll see his flag, the Royal Standard, flying from the flagpole on top of the palace.

If your visit to London coincides with a Royal Wedding or a special event of national significance, you may be able to get a glimpse of the King on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where he and Royal Family members gather to wave to crowds below.

Your best bet for getting a look at the King may actually be away from Buckingham Palace at one of the functions he attends. The Royal Diary on the Royal Family website contains a list of engagements to be attended by His Royal Majesty and other Royal Family members.

Two annual events offer opportunities to see the King. For the State Opening of Parliament in May, the King travels from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster in a State coach escorted by the Household Cavalry.

Headed to the UK? Here’s why Oxford is well worth visiting on your next trip to England .

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Donna Janke is a writer based in Canada out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She shares her travel discoveries on her blog, Destinations Detours and Dreams , using a combination of narrative, photography, and personal reflection, all with an eye for detail. Her interest in travel started as a child when books transported her around the world, and grew as she explored the world in person. Her life as a travel writer began after she retired from a professional career in IT. Donna loves discovering the unique character of places, near and far, and writing to inspire others in their travels. Her travel stories have been published in several outlets, and tend to focus on culture, history, nature, art, architecture, and food.

Visiting Buckingham Palace: 10 Best Things to See & Do

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 28, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

When you think of Britain, and in particular England, many images will pop into your head. For visitors to London from across the globe, royalty is often the first thing they think of when planning their England travel itinerary. And nothing says "Royal Family" quite as loudly a visit to Buckingham Palace.

The official London residence of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria's accession in 1837, Buckingham Palace was originally built for the Duke of Buckingham, and was purchased by George III in 1762. Known affectionately to Londoners as "Buck House," it was later enlarged by George IV's court architect, John Nash, in 1825.

The east wing was added in 1846, and in 1913, when George V was king, the east front was given its present Neoclassical look.

To this day, when the sovereign is in residence, the Royal Standard flies over the palace, and units of the Guards Division, dressed in full uniform, mount a guard. On special occasions, such as those usually spectacular royal weddings, the sovereign appears with members of the Royal Family on the central balcony for a friendly wave and a dose of adulation from the crowds.

Tourists today are able to visit Buckingham palace and explore many areas of the palace complex, including areas that were once considered for "royal eyes" and their staff only. From sumptuously furnished state rooms to wonderful works of art, the public now has greater access to Buckingham Palace than at any other time in history.

To help you make the most of your visit to this royal household, be sure to read through our list of the top things to see and do in Buckingham Palace and its vicinity.

1. Experience the Colorful Pageantry of the Changing of the Guard Ceremony

2. visit the royal state rooms, 3. explore the royal mews, 4. view the rare artworks at the queen's gallery, 5. take a tour of clarence house, 6. take a stroll through green park, 7. the garden at buckingham palace, 8. explore the household cavalry museum, 9. the victoria monument, 10. visit the guards museum, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to buckingham palace.

The historic Changing of the Queen's Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace has been a treasured London tradition since 1660. Otherwise known as "Guard mounting," this must-see spectacle begins when a troop of the Queen's Life Guard rides from their Hyde Park Barracks and past Buckingham Palace to change the guard at Horse Guards.

This must-see display of pageantry is widely regarded as one of the top free things to do in London. Consequently, things do get very crowded around Buckingham Palace as pedestrians make their way through Green Park and crowd the sidewalks around Memorial Gardens and the Victoria Monument. So try to arrive a little early to ensure a good view of the ceremony.

This colorful spectacle starts daily at 11:30am from April to July, and on alternate days thereafter. While the ceremony lasts approximately 40 minutes, you can drag the excitement out a little longer and follow the "relieved" guards as they march smartly back to their barracks.

Official Site: https://www.rct.uk/visit/buckingham-palace

For eight weeks in the summer of 1993, Buckingham Palace's State Rooms were opened to the public for the very first time. The proceeds of this landmark event were devoted to the restoration of Windsor Castle , parts of which were severely damaged by a tragic fire the previous year.

Following the success of the venture, the State Rooms are now part of a superb tour that features many excellent pieces from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto, sculptures by Canova, as well as rare porcelain and fine period furniture. Your tour also includes a look inside the Throne Room, the Music Room, the Picture Gallery, and the spectacular White Drawing Room.

The popular tours do book early, and are limited to the 10 weeks each summer between July and October that the Queen is away in Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands .

Official site: www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace/plan-your-visit

In the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, you can see a fascinating array of state coaches and carriages. Some are still used by British monarchs on special occasions, such as weddings and funerals.

The most impressive of the coaches on display is the elaborate Gold State Coach . Built for George III in 1762, it has been used for every coronation since 1821. This spectacular Royal carriage is so heavy that it takes eight horses to pull it. The horses, including the famous Windsor Greys, are also stabled in the Mews.

Other items in the collection are the Australian State Coach, a gift from the people of Australia in 1988 and which the monarch drives to the state opening of Parliament; and the Glass Coach, acquired by George V in 1910 and used principally for royal weddings. A number of Rolls Royce limousines , including an extremely rare Phantom VI, along with models from Bentley and Jaguar, are also on display.

Between May and October, interesting free 45-minute guided tours are included with admission to the Royal Mews, led hourly by Wardens in their navy and red livery. These interesting tours explain the responsibilities of the mews staff and describe how royal travel is arranged for special events. Other fun things to do include dressing up and sitting in one of the royal carriages.

Be sure to check the Royal Mews's official website for details of closures or any carriages, such as the Gold State Coach, being in use elsewhere.

Address: Buckingham Palace Road, London, England

Official site: www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/royalmews

The Queen's Gallery is an excellent public art gallery that occupies part of the west front of Buckingham Palace. It houses varying exhibitions of up to 450 works from the extensive Royal Collection at any given time.

Located on the site of a former chapel, the gallery has been extensively restored and expanded and is a superb place to view some of Britain's most important royal art collections. Free multimedia tours are available. A great shop is also located on the premises.

Address: Buckingham Palace, London, England

Official site: www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-queens-gallery-buckingham-palace

The official London residence of the Prince of Wales, the superbly renovated Clarence House, just behind the Palace, has been opened to the public for tours only during the month of August. These interesting tours last an hour, and you'll see the formal gardens and five ground-floor rooms used by the Prince for official engagements: The Lancaster Room, The Morning Room, The Library, The Dining Room, and The Garden Room.

Designed. by John Nash, the building was completed in 1827 and today houses much of the Queen's art collection , including paintings by 20th-century artists such as John Piper, Graham Sutherland, and Augustus John. The house also displays some of her porcelain and silver collection. A souvenir and gift shop is located on-site.

Official site: www.royal.uk/royal-residences-clarence-house

Located directly across from Buckingham Palace, Green Park was once part of the palace gardens and was a favorite retreat of Charles II. The park remained enclosed and restricted for Royal use until the 1700s, and was landscaped extensively in the 1800s.

Today, the 40-acre park, the smallest of Britain's Royal Parks, is only separated from the palace by a roadway and offers excellent views of the royal residence. Unlike most Royal Parks, it largely consists of woods and meadows, with notable features including Canada Gate, facing Buckingham Palace, and memorials, including the recently added Bomber Command Memorial.

While there are no flowerbeds, the park offers up an amazing display of daffodils each spring, when some one million bulbs blossom.

Official site: www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/green-park

More than 350 varieties of wildflowers and 200 tree varieties grow in the 39 acres of gardens behind Buckingham Palace. These surround a three-acre lake on whose shore Queen Elizabeth and her sister played as children.

Today, the Queen holds her famous Garden Parties on the lawns and stately promenades. Top attractions on a tour of the gardens are the beautiful floral border, the Rose Garden, the wildflower meadow, the Summer House, the giant Waterloo Vase, and the tennis courts where King George VI played.

Be aware, however, that these popular tours do sell out quickly, and are held only on select days between July and September. For a special treat, bring a picnic for you and your family to enjoy on the lawns of Buckingham Palace Gardens.

Official site: www.rct.uk/event/the-garden-at-buckingham-palace

The Household Cavalry Museum explores the colorful history of the British Army's senior regiment from its creation in 1661. Along with displays of uniforms, standards, elegant horse fittings, awards, and musical instruments are audio-visuals and hands-on exhibits that will appeal to children.

Popular things to do include trying on real guards' helmets and regalia, and you can also watch through a glass wall as the guards prepare their horses in the stables. It's also possible to go outside to see the daily Guard Change at 10:50am (9:50 Sunday); the Guard Inspection at 4pm; or mounted sentry changes on the hour, from 10am to 4pm daily.

A well-stocked souvenir and gift shop is located on the premises.

Address: Horse Guards, Whitehall, London, England

Official site: www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk/

Directly in front of Buckingham Palace is the large memorial to Queen Victoria. Designed by Sir Aston Webb, with sculpture by Sir Thomas Brock, it portrays the former queen surrounded by the allegorical figures of Victory, Endurance, Courage, Truth, Justice, Science, Art, and Agriculture.

Recently renovated, it offers up one of London's most popular photo settings, especially when framed with Buckingham Palace in the background.

This interesting museum presents the history of the five regiments of Foot Guards and includes uniforms, weapons, and memorabilia from more than 300 years. Other interesting displays include a chronology of the regimental uniforms. as well as artwork, weapons, and models.

Miniature and military collectors should visit the shop, The Guards Toy Soldier Centre , on the right as you enter through the main gates off Birdcage Walk. Guided tours and walks are available.

Address: Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London

Official site: www.theguardsmuseum.com

• Tours of Buckingham Palace: You can combine a visit to the State Rooms with a guided walk through St. James Park and a prime view of the royal guards on a Buckingham Palace Tour Including Changing of the Guard Ceremony . The 2.5-hour tour includes an audio guide to the State Rooms. For an even more iconic London experience, the four-hour Buckingham Palace Tour Including Changing of the Guard Ceremony and Afternoon Tea finishes with an elegantly served traditional afternoon tea at a posh London hotel.
• The Queen's Gallery and Royal Mews Tickets: Both are on a timed-ticket system, so purchase tickets first, then explore the parks and monuments while waiting. Be sure to have a staff member stamp your ticket for re-entry - it's good for a year, so you can break up your visits.
• Kids: Activity bags are available free of charge, so be sure to ask for one when collecting your tickets. A kids' drawing and coloring room is available in the State Rooms.
• Security: Expect airport-style security checks, and large bags and backpacks must be left in the cloakroom provided.
• Getting to Buckingham Palace: The nearest tube stations are Victoria, Green Park, and Hyde Park Corner.

Address: Buckingham Palace Road, London

Official site: www.royal.uk

More on England

Buckingham Palace: All what you need to know before visiting it!

More than 50, 000 people visit Buckingham Palace every year. The Palace is not only the center of the UK royalty, it is also an amazing edifice with cultural implications and historical relevance.

An attack on the palace, for example, would equate to an issue of threat against national security.

Little wonder why people rack the internet all the time for information about the magnificent castle-like Buckingham palace .

This article will attend to the top 20 most asked questions about Buckingham palace.

So, let’s dive right in!

1. Where is the Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is located at London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom .

There are many routes that you can pass through when visiting Buckingham Palace. The most common routes are interlinked with underground stations and bus routes. 

The closest underground station is Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, and Victoria Stations. You could also board Bus numbers 11, 221, C1, and C10 which will take you straight to the heart of the palace.

The palace is adjoined by St. James Park on the east and Green Park on the north within a stone’s throw.

2. Does anyone live in Buckingham Palace?

Yes. Buckingham Palace has been the home to UK’s royal family since 1837.

Queen Victoria was the first monarch to live there and all the ancestry of the crown spent significant periods of their formative years in the palace.

Today, it serves as the administrative headquarters for the Royal family and the Queen’s official home. Since the death of her husband Prince Phillip in 2021, the Queen lives in the palace.

There is conflicting news as to how many staffs actually live in the castle as aids, but we know of a fact that there  are 188 staff  rooms in the palace. 

The palace is also the London residence of Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward and his family.

3. Does the royal family own Buckingham Palace?

No. In 1761, the Buckingham palace was purchased by King Gorge III and it passed on to George IV upon his demise. However, their  Wills  was never settled. 

The Buckingham Palace is now occupied by the royal family in trust for the crown. It has been passed down for centuries as the royal abode but it is not owned by the Queen.  

4. Why is Buckingham Palace so popular?

There are many palaces in the world, and even in the United Kingdom, people have always wondered what made Buckingham palace so popular. There are more than a handful of these, some reasons include:

• The palace is famous because it is the home of the Queen of England and the headquarters of the administration of the monarch.
• All official royal banquets and events are hosted at the Buckingham palace making it a desirable location to be invited into.
• The palace is also favored for its beautiful and almost surreal architecture and magnificent aura.
• The palace’s gardens are extensive and famous and perfect for a walk.
• The Palace has a rich history, original art, and artifacts, and is open for tourism purposes. It is a historical castle that is like a museum and also a palace of a real-life monarch, etc.

5. Why is Buckingham Palace so called?

People often wonder why Buckingham Palace is so-called when Buckinghamshire is about 65miles away from the palace.

The palace was named after John Sheffield who was the Duke of Buckingham and also the owner of the building in 1703. At the time, it was called the Buckingham house.

The building was eventually sold to George III by John Sheffield’s illegitimate son for £21, 000. It would then begin its journey into royalty, prestige, and honor.

6. Is Buckingham Palace worth visiting?

Yes. Buckingham Palace has its neoclassical look, it is an amazing sight to behold and a great place to tour. The tour is often unrushed, guided, and open to the public. It has ancient markings and anecdotes to its location and is rich in history.

There are also nice locations to take a shot, and you get to explore the halls of the palace and see the Queen’s Own Bat-Signal.

You could see the Changing of Guards ceremony, the Royal staterooms, the Royal Mews, the artwork of the Queen’s Gallery, the household Calvary museum, the clearance house, etc.

7. How old is Buckingham Palace?

The current structure of Buckingham Palace is 319 years old. They were mostly built by the Duke of Buckingham and enlarged/ expanded between 1703 – 1709 by George III and his descendants.

There were however older structures on the site as far back as 1674 but it was then known as the Goring House (which was burnt down), and then the Arlington House in 1675.

8. How many staff are in Buckingham Palace?

According to  Insider , there are 1,133 staffs who work for the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

It is unclear how many of these actually live in the palace but the Royal family’s official website states that  most  of the Queen’s staff work and live in the palace.

9. Who guards Buckingham Palace?

The  Queen’s Guard ,  British Guards , and  Queen’s Life Guard  are in charge of protecting the Buckingham palace .

Also, two regiments of the British Army of soldiers are assigned to guard Buckingham Palace, they include horse guards and foot soldiers.

10. Do Buckingham Palace employees sleep?

There is no need to fret over your rest as a worker in Buckingham castle.

Although the roles are no ordinary housekeeping jobs as often advertised, employees of the Buckingham castle sleep and live in the castle.

What’s more important to worry about is the low wages which are often complained about by workers and the restrictions (such as movements during odd hours or keeping a pet).

According to  Forbes , employees of the palace do sleep but on-site jobs may not be as amazing as it seems in the ads.

11. Is there a swimming pool in Buckingham Palace?

Yes. Buckingham Palace has a big size swimming that is open to employees and members of the royal family.

12. Is there an elevator in Buckingham Palace?

Who wouldn’t wonder if there is an elevator in the 108 meters high Buckingham palace? Or do the royalty have sentimental value for old staircases and royal climbs? Unfortunately, as fun as that seems, it is not so.

There are about 9 elevators in Buckingham palace but those who live there say many of the elevators are old and cranky and workers often run on foot to get around their duties.

13. Can you go inside Buckingham Palace?

Yes. The Buckingham Palace is open to visitors all. This year, it is open from July 22 to October 2, 2022. 

14. Are there tunnels under Buckingham Palace?

Maybe, maybe not. There are many rumors that there are tunnels under the Buckingham palace leading to various locations in London, including a bar. But they have not been confirmed and for now, we cannot for sure.

15. Does Buckingham Palace have a basement?

Yes. It appears that Buckingham Palace has a basement. Sometime in 2019, it was rumored that an ATM had been installed in the Palace’s basement.

16. Can you take photos inside Buckingham Palace?

Unfortunately, no. If you will be sneaking a shot, you better not get caught.

It is prohibited to take photos inside Buckingham Palace , but you may be allowed to take a shot outside the palace, for example, while watching the change of guards or from across the palace.

17. Can you walk around Buckingham Palace?

Yes, you can walk around the Buckingham palace but restricted areas will be barred as guards will be stationed there. 

18. How long is the Buckingham Palace tour?

It will take about 3hours to complete the Buckingham Palace tour through the staterooms and the significant sights.

The palace is often open between July to October yearly between the hours of 9:30 am – 16:15 pm (between September to October) and 17:15 pm (between July to August).

19. How much does Buckingham Palace cost? 

Here’s a breakdown of how much it costs to tour Buckingham Palace.

• Adults: £30 to tour the staterooms. £55 if combined with the royal day out
• Young persons 18-24: £19.50. £36 if combined with the royal day out.
• Children or disabled persons: £16.50. £30 if combined with a royal day out.
• Children under age 5 can tour for free. 

If you are coming in a group of 15 persons or more, all the adults get to pay only £27; the young persons will pay £17.50, and children or disabled persons will pay £14.80. Children under age 5 can tour for free. 

20. Can you visit Buckingham Palace for free?

Yes, if you are under the age of 5. No, if you are an adult. You will be required to pay the entrance fee as highlighted above.

That was fun! See you in the next article as we explore other remarkable sites.

Further reading

• What Is The Most Expensive Palace in The World?
• How Much Does it Cost to Maintain a Castle?

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Buckingham Palace

Buckingham palace ultimate guide.

Many tourists feel surprised when their free walking tours of Westminster take them to the entrance of Buckingham Palace. From the outside, this famous landmark may look like a dismal, grey building that doesn’t have much to offer. But in a classic case of  “don’t judge a book by its cover”, this grey building is essentially the epicentre of royal London which serves as the official royal residence of the Queen, as well as the administrative headquarters for the British monarchy.

Dating back to 1703, Buckingham Palace was originally built for the Duke of Buckingham (hence the name), but was eventually transformed into an official residence for several notable royals such as George IV, Queen Victoria, Edward VII, William IV, and many more.

Both Edward VII and William IV were born at Buckingham Palace, and Queen Elizabeth II gave birth to both her sons (Prince Charles and Prince Andrew) inside the palace as well. Queen Victoria was the first member of the British royal family to rule from Buckingham Palace, and held countless lavish costume balls, concerts and events inside the palace throughout her reign.

Buckingham Palace Highlights

Buckingham Palace has around 775 rooms including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, 92 offices, and even a cinema, swimming pool, post office and police station. (It even has its own postal code!)

Out of the hundreds of rooms inside the palace, the most famous are The Grand Hall, The State Dining Room (which is used by presidents and prime ministers from all over the world), The White Drawing Room (which is used as a Royal reception room) and The Bow Room (which is used to entertain guests during the Royal Garden Parties). The Throne Room is also the setting for various formal royal family photographs (such as the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge).

The Buckingham Palace gardens are also famous in their own right, and are often described as “a walled oasis in the middle of London”. The gardens boast more than 350 different types of wildflowers, over 200 trees, a three-acre lake, and even tennis courts (where King George VI and Fred Perry used to play during the 1930s).

The eastern front of the palace (the side which is the most visible to the public), is perhaps the most famous as it is where members of the royal family step out onto the balcony to wave to the crowds; (however, this only occurs during royal weddings, events and celebrations). The street which leads to Buckingham Palace (also known as “The Mall”) is also famous as it serves as a “ceremonial approach” route to the palace.

Special Tips

Getting There

Visiting buckingham palace.

Tours of Buckingham Palace are only offered during the summer months, and the majority of the rooms are closed to the public. However, The State Rooms, The Queen’s Gallery and the Royal Mews are open to visitors.

The tours last for approximately two and a half hours, and photography and video recording is strictly forbidden inside the Palace (you can however, take photographs and videos of the gardens).

Eating and drinking is strictly forbidden inside the State Rooms, but you will be able to buy refreshments at a café at the end of your tour. The café offers tea, coffee, juice, cakes and sandwiches, and closes at 5:45 p.m.

Ticket prices and Opening Hours

Buckingham Palace is open from:

• 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (with last admission at 5:15 p.m.) from 14 July to 31 August
• 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (with last admission at 4:15 p.m.) from the 1st September to 24 September

In order to see the inside of the Palace, you will need to book a tour beforehand, and there are three different tours available:

• Buckingham Palace Standard Admission Tour costs £30 for adults, £19.50 for young adults between 18 and 24 years, £16.50 for children between 5 and 17 years, and the disabled. (There is a family discount for bookings of at least 1 adult and 2 children, up to 2 adults and 4 children. Groups of 15 or more receive a 10% discount).
• The Royal Day Out Tour (which includes The State Rooms, The Queen’s Gallery, and the Royal Mews) costs £55.80 for adults, £36.40 for young adults between 18 and 24 years, and £31 for children between 5 and 17 years and the disabled. (There is a family discount for bookings of at least 1 adult and 2 children, up to 2 adults and 4 children).
• The Exclusive Evening Tour (an exclusive visit after the Palace closes its doors to the public, limited to 30 guests on each tour) costs £90.00 per person and requires mandatory booking in advance.

Children under the age of five can get in for free for any of the tours.

If you are checking out Buckingham Palace, you might also want to join any of the free tours in London  that are available on offer.

Free Tours in Your Language

Buckingham Palace: The Complete Guide

Visit Queen Elizabeth II's Official Residence

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British sovereign since Queen Victoria and her brood took up residence in 1837, has had a rather checkered career as a Royal residence. It was so unloved at one point that it was offered to the nation as a temporary House of Parliament. But today it's one of the most iconic attractions in all of the United Kingdom. Tourist experiences at Buckingham Palace can range from a casual viewing of the Changing of the Guards to a tour of the interior of the palatial complex. Here's what you need to know to plan your visit.

History of Buckingham Palace

In the early 17th century, during the reign of King James 1, son of Mary Queen of Scots, the land where Buckingham Palace and the Palace Garden now stands was a mulberry plantation for one of many doomed attempts to rear silkworms in Europe.

The land, now between Green Park and St. James's Park, already had a house on it when it was given to a nobleman in 1628. For the next 70 years, it passed from one noble resident to another until given to the Duke of Buckingham. He built a new house on the site and it became known as Buckingham House. 

The original Buckingham House cost £7,000 to build. A trifle when you consider that it is undergoing a £370 million, 10-year-long "essential" refurbishment that began in 2017.

The house first became a royal residence, though not an official palace, in 1762 when King George III bought it for his wife, Queen Charlotte, and children. Renovations undertaken then included fabulous ceilings designed by Scottish architect Robert Adam. 

When King George IV ascended to the throne, Buckingham House was still just a very big house. The king wanted a palace and employed the famous Regency court architect John Nash to give him one during the last five years of his life. Nash spent so much money (about £470,000) that as soon as the king died, the Prime Minister fired him.

Various other architects had a hand in renovations but when the next monarch, George III's brother William IV, became king the house was unfurnished and unloved. William refused to move in.

And then came Queen Victoria

William had a phenomenal number of illegitimate children but no legitimate heir, so the throne was then inherited by his niece, Victoria and her considerable family. In no time at all, Buckingham House, now officially Buckingham Palace, was too small. The parade of architects continued and the Brighton Pavilion was sold to fund the addition of a new wing for £53,000. The central balcony, familiar to watchers of royal weddings, was added then. And the Triumphal Arch, designed by Nash, was moved to the northeast corner of Hyde Park where it is now known as Marble Arch.

So, if behind its 19th century facade and early 20th century Portland stone cladding (George V), Buckingham Palace seems a bit of a hodgepodge, now you know why.

Visiting Buckingham Palace

The State Rooms of the palace have only been opened to the public since 1993, and then only during a limited period from mid July to the end of September. The public showings of "Buck House" were initially intended as a way to raise funds to repair Windsor Castle after a disastrous fire in 1992. It turned out it was so popular that the Queen continued to allow visitors every summer. Don't expect to catch a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth or member of the Royal Family on your visit, though. When the palace is open to the public she goes to one of her country residences or makes her annual visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

And you're not likely to see much of real life at the palace. Buckingham Palace as 775 rooms, including 19 State rooms that are included in a visit. The State rooms are where the Queen and members of the Royal Family receive guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions. The rest - 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms - is strictly off limits.

What you will see is a series of extremely grand chambers filled with many of the treasures of the Royal Collection; paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Canaletto; beautiful examples of English and French furniture and much more. Highlights include:

• The White Drawing Room - considered the most magnificent of the reception rooms. Look out for a fabulous rolltop desk and a gilded piano provided for Queen Victoria.
• The Throne Room  - Who knew there were so many different thrones. Under a dramatic arch and canopy - designer John Nash was influenced by theater design - are the pair of Chairs of Estate used by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during the Coronation in 1953. The chair was used before the Queen was anointed and crowned. Another throne, kept and displayed at Windsor Castle was used after. The room also has Queen Victoria's throne and chairs used by George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Surprisingly, before 1910, furniture used in the Coronation ceremony was sold to the guests, so there are no earlier thrones here.
• The Picture Gallery  This is where candidates about to be honored with knighthoods and other official honors wait before being invited into the ballroom for the investiture ceremony. While they're waiting, they can look at paintings from the Queen's collection, which are changed from time to time.
• The Ballroom  The largest of the State rooms is used for state banquets and investitures. It has a musicians' gallery, complete with an organ. The most striking feature of this room is the Throne Canopy, designed by Lutyens. It is topped by a triumphal arch, with winged statues - symbolizing History and Fame - and supporting a medallion with profiles of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The thrones beneath it were used in the coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902. This room was styled, frankly, to knock your socks off. And depending upon where you stand on such things, it will either have the desired effect or you will think it demonstrates the worst excesses of Victorian design. The jury is out on that one.

After your tour of the 19 rooms, you can wander about in the gardens or have a light bite - tea and coffee, sandwiches and cakes - in the Garden Cafe.

Visitor Essentials

• When:  Buckingham Palace is open to the public from mid-July to the end of September and then for private tours on selected dates in the winter. In 2019, the Annual Summer Opening is from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Saturday, July 20 to Saturday, August 31 and to 6:30 p.m. through Sunday, September 29.
• Where: Between Green Park and St James's Park in Central London. The Palace is located at the juncture of two processional roads - Constitution Hill, which runs from Hyde Park Corner and the Wellington Arch to the Palace and The Mall (rhymes with the name Al,) which runs from the Palace to the Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square.
• By Train: Victoria Station and Charing Cross are the nearest rail stations. Check National Rail Enquiries for times and ticket prices. 
• ​By London Underground:  The nearest London Underground Stations are Victoria, Hyde Park Corner, and St James's Park Green Park and St James's Park. Check Transport for London to plan a journey. 
• By Bus: Bus numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 all stop on Buckingham Palace Road, a short walk from the Palace entrance and other attractions. Victoria Coach Station, for longer distance coach arrivals, is about a ten minute walk.
• Prices - From January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, here are the prices for Standard Admission: Adult tickets cost £25; student or senior tickets are £22.8; children from 5 to 17 and the disabled cost £14 and children under 5 are free. Family tickets for two adults and up to three children are also available.
• How to Buy - Tickets are sold for timed entry at intervals of 15 minutes apart. They are available on the day at the Palace but as the entry can be busy during the annual opening, visitors are advised to buy their tickets in advance - either at the Palace ticket office or online . 
• Combination Tickets: To make the most of your visit, Royal Day Out tickets are available that can be used for three attractions. In addition to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, this combination ticket provides entry to the Royal Mews, where the Royal carriages and horses are kept, and to the Queen's Gallery. Find out more about Royal Day Out Tickets.
• Practical Information The Palace website has pages of information about everything from length of visit, multi-media guides in nine different languages, handicapped and access facilities to toilets and baby changing facilities. To find out about how to cope with the practical necessities of life, best check out their  Practical Information webpages.

What Else is Nearby

The Royal Mews  claims to be "one of the finest working stables in existence." I have no way to judge that claim, but it is fun to visit. The Royal Mews is responsible for all the road transportation of the Queen and Royal Family. The includes care of the many elaborate carriages of state, the horses that pull them and also the Queen's cars. You can visit this as part of a Royal Day Out ticket (see above) or separately. The Royal Mews are open between February and November, so most of the year except for the winter holiday season.

The Queen's Gallery is located alongside Buckingham Palace on Buckingham Palace RoadIt features changing works from the Royal Collection - paintings, furniture, decorative objects. In the summer of 2018, a special exhibition celebrates Splendors of the Subcontinent - art from India and the Mughal Empire. This gallery can be included on a Royal Day Out ticket - as above - or separately. The Gallery is open year round except for planned closures, listed on the website, for changing the exhibitions. 

Clarence House   is just off the Mall and down the road from Buckingham Palace. It was built during the reign of George III for his third son, the Duke of Clarence. It was the Queen Mother's home for more than five decades and is currently the official residence of the Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Normally, it can be visited during the month of August. But the Clarence House will be closed to visitors all of 2019 for maintenance work. The expected re-opening date is August 2020.

One Word of Warning

The official Buckingham Palace website indicates that, if you have your ticket is stamped at the end of your visit, it will be good for unlimited visits for the whole year. That is seriously misleading  because Buckingham Palace is simply not open for a full year. It is open from mid-July to the end of September. If you buy a Royal Day Out ticket, the other attractions on it are open year round, but "Buck House" is not. Just be aware of that to avoid disappointment.

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England , Europe , London

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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• Top Attractions
• Monuments and Tourist attractions

Buckingham Palace

Since 1837, Buckingham Palace has been the London residence of the Royal Family and where Queen Elizabeth II currently resides.

Built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham , the building was acquired by King George III in 1762 as a private residence. Since the eighteenth century, the palace has been enlarged and remodeled on several occasions.

Extraordinarily, the palace survived the air attacks during the two World Wars. During World War I, the Palace remained unharmed. However,  during World War II it was bombed on several occasions , destroying the palace chapel in 1940.

Visiting Buckingham Palace

Tourists can visit the Royal Palace, but it's only open to the public a couple of months a year: between July and October.  If you're in London during these months, you can either buy the least expensive ticket which gives you access to the State Rooms and Buckingham Palace, or you can purchase slightly more expensive tickets which include a visit to the Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery.

As well as visiting Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Guard takes place in the forecourt throughout the year, attracting thousands of travelers annually.

Buy tickets for Buckingham Palace

To avoid queues, the most convenient approach is to buy tickets online in advance. You can do so by clicking on this link .

Buckingham Palace Road

21 July – 31 August: 9:30 am to 7:30 pm. 1 September – 30 September: 9:15 am to 6:30 pm.

The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace:  Adults: £ 30 ( US$ 37.30) Young people between 18 and 24 years old: £ 19.50 ( US$ 24.20) Children between 5 and 17 years old: £ 16.50 ( US$ 20.50) Children under 5 years old: Free admission Royal Day Out (The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace, The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, and the Royal Mews)  Adults: £ 55 ( US$ 68.40) Young people between 18 and 24 years old: £ 36 ( US$ 44.80) Children between 5 and 17 years old: £ 30 ( US$ 37.30) Children under 5 years old: Free admission

Buckingham Palace Ticket £ 32 ( US$ 39.80)

Tube : Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines) Buses : 11, 211, 239, C1, and C10.

Nearby places

Green Park (256 m) St James’s Park (613 m) Apsley House (739 m) Westminster Abbey (955 m) Piccadilly Circus (1.1 km)

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Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is probably on your London bucket list. And why not? It's a grand spectacle.

This event is free to attend and it takes place daily in June and July and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from August to May.

Officially, the Changing begins at 11:00, but parts of it actually start by 10:30, with the whole ceremony taking approximately 1 hour.

And, as local London tour guides, we are here to tell you that most visitors are doing it wrong.

99% of visitors show up to the same place at the same time all jockeying for limited space and watching the most boring part.

Be different. Be part of the 1%.

We are here for every ceremony showing guests on our Westminster Walking Tour exactly where to be and when to be there.

And, in the video below, Sinead, a tour guide with us, Free Tours by Foot London, uncovers the secrets for you.

This post tells you everything you need to know about witnessing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

We include tips on when to arrive, finding the best spots, as well as explaining all aspects of the event. 

• The Ceremony Explained
• Best Places to Watch
• When Should I Arrive?
• Nearest Underground Station
• Who Are the Guards
• Nearby Attractions
• Other Things to Do in London

Since you will be in the area, be sure to read our posts on tours of Buckingham Palace and things to do nearby to best plan your time here.

THE CEREMONY EXPLAINED

The Changing of the Guard is a formal ceremony in which a group of soldiers (foot guards) is relieved of their duties by a new batch of soldiers.

The King’s Guard soldiers actually work in shifts of 2 hours each, which means new guards begin their shift every 2 hours.

When we talk about The Changing of the Guard, we are referring to the handover of guarding responsibilities of the entire group (who have been sharing the 2-hour shifts between them) to a new group of soldiers, who will then take it in turn to work their own 2-hour shifts.

It is the changing of each larger group that is referred to when discussing the Changing of the Guard and it is only during this change that guests will see the marching band, parade, etc.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a rough outline of the ceremony and its routes. In recent months, due to security concerns, the ceremony has been subject to cancellations and alterations - one of which means that oftentimes there is no musical support marching with the Guards.

The ‘new’ Guard form up and are inspected just outside Wellington Barracks (their base near St. James’ Park).  

While the Guard is being inspected, a band stationed at the Barracks will oftentimes play.

One of the groups of ‘old’ guards - those who are done with their shifts - who have been stationed at St James's Palace, will form up in Friary Court.

They will then leave the Palace in a formation and head down the Mall toward Buckingham Palace.

They will oftentimes be led down the road by a marching band.  

At the same time, the ‘old’ Guard stationed at Buckingham Palace will queue up in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

The ‘new’ Guards at the Barracks will be led to Buckingham Palace where, by now, both the ‘old’ Guards of Buckingham Palace and St. James’ Palace are waiting in formation.

Once in place, the ‘old’ Guard and the ‘new’ Guard present their arms to one another.

The Captains of each group of Guard will march toward one another and there, the keys to Buckingham Palace exchange hands.  

This part of the ceremony takes place completely behind the gates of the palace.

Usually, throughout all of this, the band plays music to entertain the massive crowds of people that will have come from all around the world to watch this procedure.

The band is made up of 35 musicians, usually belonging to one of the King's Guard regiments. 

In addition to the music, there are also Guards parading the colours (or flags) of their respective regiment, while all the soldiers are inspected and counted.

Once the inspection has subsided and the keys are in the hand of the ‘new’ Captain, the ‘new’ Guard are marched into their positions, at both Buckingham and St. James’ Palaces.  

The ‘old’ Guard are matched back to Wellington Barracks and are led, usually, by the band.

NOTE: Although the band plays a lot of traditional music, they occasionally will branch out into some unexpected tunes.

For example, it’s not uncommon for Michael Jackson or Game of Thrones theme music to be heard!

BEST PLACES TO WATCH THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD?

It's very important to get one thing straight. There is nowhere to watch the entire guard mount.  You will need to choose which area is best for you.  

There are 5 essential places for people to watch the Changing of the Guard.

We explain each in detail with the pros and cons of each location below the image.

• Friary Court - courtyard at St. James's Palace
• The Mall - The main road approaching Buckingham Palace from St. James's Palace.
• The Victoria Memorial - Large memorial statue fronting Buckingham Palace. 
• Buckingham Palace Gates - As close as one can get to the Palace.
• The Wellington Barracks - On the edge of St. James’ Park on Birdcage Walk.

The largest group of people you will find will all be standing outside the gates of Buckingham Palace, but there is a lot to consider when choosing where to go…

Friary Court (St. James's Palace)

Friary Court, Marlborough Road ( map ) 

If you want to watch the very beginning of the ceremony, this is where you want to be!

In this courtyard outside St. James' Palace, the Old Guard (and occasionally the band) gather before they kick off the Ceremony by walking down the Mall.

This is a great place to go if you just want a glimpse of the Guards, rather than watching the entire event.

Note, however, that this location can get very crowded as a lot of tour guides bring their groups here so make sure you come early!  

You can follow the procession down the Mall (our next option) all the way to Buckingham Palace.  

Above is a video of what you may see (assuming the band is present).  

( map ) - closest station is Green Park (or Trafalgar Square)

NOTE: This is where we take our groups to see the parade from St. James's Palace to Buckingham Palace!

This tends to be where tour guides take their groups to see the ceremony as The Mall gives guests a close-up view of the parade.

Also, there are very rarely barriers on this road which means the guards walk right in front of you, so there’s nothing to block your view/photographs.

An added bonus is that you could witness the Household Cavalry pass by the Old Guard on their way to the Horse Guards Parade for their changing of the guard ceremony .

This location also gives guests the option to leave once the parade has finished, as you will not be trapped at the gates outside the Palace.

The only downside here is that, occasionally, there is no marching band present during the parade.

Should you wish, you could even walk along the Mall beside them (but never in front of them...always remember: they won’t stop!), down toward the Palace, and experience the rest of the ceremony.

The Victoria Memorial

( map ) - any of the 4 closest Underground stations.

This statue has a great position outside the palace and offers two views, one to the south side, where the ‘new’ Guard will be arriving.

The other is at the back (west side) which offers a view directly to the gates outside Buckingham Palace.

The memorial is elevated which means views are better than just standing on the road and sometimes it’s possible to see both the parade and the action in the Palace courtyard.

Below is a Google 360 from the Victoria Memorial

However, if crowds are big outside the Palace then the view into the courtyard is restricted.

Also, it gets quite busy here as well, so coming early is a must, and many times once the ceremony begins, you will not be able to leave, regardless of whether you can see anything or not.

NOTE: You will want to stand on the side of the Memorial facing Buckingham Palace, though anywhere on the memorial will afford you nice views.

Buckingham Palace Gates

( map ) - use any of the 4 closest Underground stations.

NOTE: This area is the most crowded!

This is as close as you can get to Buckingham Palace which means this is where the majority of people come.

Providing you get here early enough, you will have a great view of the part of the Changing Ceremony that takes place in the courtyard.

The Google 360 view below is just one of the views from the palace gates.

However, there are drawbacks here as crowds are huge, which means coming early is essential, and there is no leaving once the ceremony has begun.

Also, here you will only be able to see a snippet of the parade, but all of the ceremony in the middle.

Many visitors are surprised to find that once the Guards are behind the gates to Buckingham Palace, there is a lot of marching and counting but very little fanfare or performance.

So for this reason, some people (not all!) find this middle part of the ceremony to be a bit stale.

The Wellington Barracks

( map ) - closest Underground station: St. James's Park

This is a great place to be if you just want a taste of the Ceremony.

Coming here means guests can see the ‘new’ Guard prepare for their shift and also hear the marching band as they warm-up for the ceremony (when playing).

Once the Guards march you are then free to leave and go elsewhere.

Watch the band lead the new guard out of Wellington Barracks.

Crowds here are usually smaller but if you want to see as much of the total ceremony as possible, then this is not the place to do it.  

However, this is a really great spot for those who want to get a taste of the guards and the marching band, and do not like large crowds, as well as a great spot for families with younger children.

But – as always – to get a good view, good history, and some good information about the King's Guard in its’ entirety, join us on our Westminster City Tour !  

Whenever the Changing of the Guard is taking place, our tour groups will get the up close and personal experience of standing on the Mall as the Guards walk past.

We also avoid all the crowds and any obstructions that could get in the way of our photos! We’ll take the hassle out of the planning for you, so come along with us!

WHEN DOES THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD TAKE PLACE?

The Changing of the Guard schedule is dependent on the season and weather.

It is always worth taking a peek at that schedule in advance as ceremonies can be canceled/added/amended owing to any number of events or disruptions that could be taking place in London.  

Any day that the ceremony takes place, the public is welcome to watch!

  Here are helpful hints on planning your visit to witness the Changing.

• From August to May, the ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. 
• In June and July, the ceremony occurs 7 days a week, though it is highly recommended that you check the schedule for any exceptions.
• Officially, the Changing begins at 11:00. However, Guards begin to leave the Royal Barracks and St. James Palace by 10:30.
• The Changing  will not take place in bad weather. If it is raining, chances are there will be no ceremony. If the weather is a bit changeable, police officers stationed around Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial can be approached and asked if the Changing is going to be canceled.
• Join us on our Westminster Walking Tour as we take in the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

IS THERE A WAY TO SEE IF THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD IS TAKING PLACE?

Surprisingly, the Buckingham Palace website is not the most reliable place to check out the schedule.

We prefer to rely on information from the websites of  The Household Division  of the Seven British Army Regiments serving Her Majesty or  ChangingGuardguard.com . 

There are a number of reasons why the Changing of the Guard may not take place, but the most common reason is bad weather.

The ceremony never takes place in horrible weather so if there’s a storm or heavy rain, it’s unlikely the ceremony will happen.

The decision about whether or not the ceremony will take place owing to the weather is made around 10:30 am.

You can ask police officers in the area if they have heard from the soldiers and they can likely give you an update.

Another way to check if the ceremony has been canceled is to look at the King’s Guard outside Buckingham Palace. If they are standing outside the guard boxes (blue-grey boxes positioned outside the Palace) then the Ceremony should be happening.

If they are INSIDE the boxes then that means the weather is bad enough they’ve been taken off the post which means a Ceremony is unlikely.

Occasionally, in reverence and remembrance, the Ceremony will not take place after tragic events such as terrorist attacks, or the death of members of the royal family, or other heads of state.

Security - We have found that recent terror activities in Europe have meant that the schedule of the Changing of the Guard has changed because of security concerns.

WHAT TIME DO I NEED TO GET THERE FOR A GOOD SPOT?

This greatly depends on the time of year you visit and where it is you intend to stand.  

In the summer season, some visitors will arrive at the gates to Buckingham Palace or to the Victoria Memorial as early as 9:30!  Earlier is better during this time of year.

Guests, who are here in the winter months and wish to stand at the Palace gates or on the Memorial will find you can arrive 15-30 minutes before and still obtain for yourself a reasonable viewing spot.  

If you wish to view the Guards marching from the Mall or Spur Road, you will find it much easier to secure a good location here.  

In the winter months, simply give yourself a few minutes to get into place. During summer, arrive earlier but 15-30 minutes should be sufficient.

In Summer (May until August):

The Mall  

Here you will be competing with tour groups ( or maybe you’ll be with us !) so you’ll want to get here at least 15 minutes ahead of time.

Most visitors don’t come here so it’s busy but not crowded.

This starts to get busy fast. You’ll want to arrive at least 30 minutes early , though we suggest arriving even earlier to get the best possible spots.

Buckingham Palace  

This fills up the quickest (although you’ll notice it’s not our favourite spot) so coming around an hour early is recommended.

Again, you’ll only be competing for space with tour groups so you don’t have to arrive super early to catch this one.

15 minutes ahead of time is fine.

In Winter (September through April):

During the off-season, you only need to arrive early if you wish to watch outside Buckingham Palace. We would suggest arriving 30 minutes early to stand here.

As for the other three - in general, you can get there around 10 minutes ahead of time and be fine!

WHICH ARE THE NEAREST UNDERGROUND STATIONS?

While there is no Buckingham Place Underground Station, there are several stations servicing the Palace:

• Victoria Station ( Circle , District   Victoria ) + several regional train lines
• Green Park Station ( Jubilee , Picadilly , Victoria )
• St. James Park Station ( Circle , District )
• Hyde Park Station ( Picadilly )

If you are not familiar with the subway in London, then be sure to read the following guides:

• Guide to Using the London Underground
• Tips on Choosing an Oyster Card

If you are considering purchasing a ticket for a hop-on-hop-off bus in London , then know that all companies have stops that service Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guards.

WHO ARE THE KING'S GUARDS?

The King’s Guard (or Queen’s Guard if the reigning monarch is female) is the name given to the soldiers responsible for the protection of the official royal residences in the United Kingdom.  

This photo is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The responsibilities and jobs of today's King’s Guard, have their roots back to the 17th century, during the reign of King Charles II.

Although the British Army has regiments of guards pre-dating the Restoration, these regiments began guarding the Sovereign’s palaces in the 1660s.

Today, the King’s Guard is based in London and provides soldiers outside Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace, Clarence House, the Tower of London, and Windsor Castle.

Occasionally there are Guards also located in Scotland at Holyrood House or in Edinburgh. 

It’s also worth noting that all King’s Guard soldiers are actual soldiers.

Many assume their role to be purely ceremonial but all of the Guards are members of the infantry division of the British Army and are all, therefore, actual active serving soldiers.

Are all the King’s Guard Soldiers the Same?

Although ‘The King's Guard’ is a catch-all term for the Guards stationed outside the royal residences, there are actually five regiments contained within:

• Grenadier Guards - Founded in 1656, this is the most senior regiment of the Guard’s division.
• Coldstream Guards - Founded in 1650, this is the oldest part of the Guards Division and is the oldest regiment of the British Army to be in active service.
• Scots Guards - Incorporated into the British Army in 1686, the Scot’s Guards originally began as bodyguards of King Charles I of England and Scotland.
• Irish Guards - Founded in 1900, this is one of only two Irish Infantry regiments remaining in the British Army.
• Welsh Guards - Active since 1915, this is the newest regiment of the Guards Division.

Guard Uniform

In the warmer months, King’s Guard soldiers wear the traditional red tunic, black and red trousers, and distinctive bearskin hats.

In the cooler months, the red tunic is replaced by a gray jacket.

The overall uniform is standard, but there are subtle differences in the detail of the uniform depending on which part of the Guard’s Division the soldier comes from.

This means that it is possible to tell which group of King’s Guard soldiers you are looking at based on these small differences:

• Grenadier Guards - Buttons on the tunic are equally spaced, their collar has a grenade design on it and the plume in their hat is white.
• Coldstream Guards - Buttons on the tunic are in groups of two, their collar has a star-shaped badge on it and the plume in their hat is red.
• Scots Guards - Buttons on the tunic are in groups of three, their collar has a Scottish thistle on it and there is no plume in their hat.
• Irish Guards - Buttons on their tunic are in groups of four, their collar has a shamrock on it and the plume in their hat is blue.
• Welsh Guards - Buttons on their tunic are in groups of five, their collar has a leek on it and the plume in their hat is green and white.

WILL ANY OF YOUR TOURS STOP AT THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD?

Yes! For all All-In-One Tours  or Westminster Tours  that run on days, the Changing takes place, we will absolutely stop to get a good view and take some photographs.  

Alternatively, you can also take a paid guided tour with an expert guide which will help you find the best place to see the Changing of the Guard ( affiliate disclosure ).

This outing also includes an exclusive Westminster Dome climb!

If you go on your own, you might want to consider our self-guided Royal London Tour .

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

For those of you who want to see it all, there are two smaller guard changes that take place in London daily.

These changes are performed by members of the King's Life Guard (Horse Guards) at an area called Horse Guards Parade , in Whitehall. The Changing takes place at 11:00 daily, or 10:00 on Sundays.  

Much smaller than the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, the entire ceremony only takes around 30 minutes.

Also, at 16:00 (4 pm) there will be a ‘Four O’Clock Parade’ where the majority of the Mounted Guards are taken off the post for the day and security is trimmed down to just a few sentries.

This ceremony, where the King's Life Guard is inspected and counted, is also free to view by the public.

Other Things to Do Nearby

• Buckingham Palace Tours
• Trafalgar Square
• Houses of Parliament
• 10 Downing Street
• Westminster Abbey
• The Churchill War Rooms
• The Horse Guards
• St. James's Palace

TIP: If coming on our Westminster or All-In-One Tours we can usually catch the Horse Guards heading from their barracks to the Horse Guards Parade, which means you can see parts of both the Changing of the King's Life Guard as well as the Changing of the King's Guard.

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How to Visit Buckingham Palace

Planning a trip to London? What made your must-see list? Big Ben? Tower Bridge? Buckingham Palace?

These are just a few of the iconic sites London is known for. You can easily walk to the base of Big Ben or across the Tower Bridge to cross off those experiences. But what about Buckingham Palace?

I spent a semester studying abroad in London. During that time I visited Buckingham Palace dozens of times. I even saw Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles. But it wasn’t until my most recent London trip in 2018 that I actually went inside and toured Buckingham Palace.

So if you are curious about visiting this classic royal site, read on. In this post, I will share exactly how to visit Buckingham Palace. Cheers!

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British royal family. It also serves as the monarch’s administrative headquarters. So it is basically the White House for the Queen.

Buckingham Palace is located in Westminster and is surrounded by St. James Park and Green Park. Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, and Victoria are the closest Tube stops. Buses 11, 211, C1 and C10 all make stops along Buckingham Palace Road.

Or, you could take the Tube to Charing Cross and walk a mile along the Mall for a more scenic route.

Yes, the Queen lives in Buckingham Palace. But, this isn’t her only residence. She spends most of the summer in Windsor Palace. During this time, Buckingham Palace is open for visitors. We will go into a lot more detail later in this post.

When you are visiting London, you might notice one of two flags flying above Buckingham Palace. If you see the yellow, red, and blue Royal Standard flag that means the Queen is currently in the palace. Otherwise, you will just see the Union Jack flying which means she is not at home.

• There are 775 rooms in Buckingham Palace.
• The palace grounds cover 40 acres.
• The palace survived 9 bombings during WWII.

Quick History Lesson

The original building was constructed in 1703 as a large townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham. In 1761, King George III acquired the building and gifted it to Queen Charlotte.

Additions were made in the 19th century to The Queen’s House . It became the official royal residence in 1837 when Queen Victoria became the first monarch to live in the renovated building, now known as Buckingham Palace.

Today is is the London residence of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles. Every year they entertain thousands of guests at traditional garden parties.

Still waiting on your garden party invite? Me too! In the meantime, let’s look at some realistic ways you can visit Buckingham Palace.

Each summer visitors can tour the State Rooms while the Queen is away. Check the website for updated information. Since this is a working palace, the Queen can decide to return whenever she wants. If that happens, tours for those dates would be canceled.

As of April 2019, the website lists opening dates for the 2019 season as:

July 20-September 29, 2019

There may also be a few dates that the palace is open during the winter, so check the website for more information.

Buy Tickets Online

Go ahead and buy your tickets online. Tickets can sell out, so this is the best way to make sure you can visit the palace.

Tickets can be purchased here . Standard admission tickets cost £25.00 for adults. You will need to select the specific entry time when you check out. This ticket includes an audio guide which will give you more information about the palace as you take the tour.

If you want to include more royal sites on your tour, consider purchasing the Royal Day Out ticket. This includes access to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms, The Queen’s Gallery and the Royal Mews. This ticket costs £45.00 for adults.

What You Need to Know

• Buy your tickets online and arrive at the time on your ticket.
• This is a self-guided tour but you should allow about 2-2.5 hours to see everything.
• There is no set dress code for entering the palace.
• You will have to go through airport-style security before entering.
• Larger bags and backpacks will have to be checked and you can pick them up after you finish your tour.
• Photography and filming is not allowed inside the State Rooms.
• A free audioguide is included with your ticket.

What You Get to See

If you take the standard tour inside the Palace, you will get to explore the State Rooms. You won’t get to see any private apartments. But, I loved just being inside the Palace. It’s not every day you get to step inside a royal residence!

• The Throne Room – During your tour, you will see the gorgeous Throne Room. Here you can see the thrones that were used during the 1953 coronation ceremony of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. This room was also the setting of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s iconic wedding photos.
• The Ballroom – This is a massive formal room that was originally used for concerts and balls. Now, it is mainly used for State Banquets and Royal Investitures (when the Queen honors someone with an important title like Knighthood).
• Palace Garden- At the end of the standard tour, you will exit the palace and see the Palace Garden. This is where the classic Garden Parties are held. You can’t step on the grass, but this is the only place on the tour where you can take pictures. Snap a few selfies and then head to the pop-up tea shop. Here you can enjoy tea and pastries while pretending you were invited here personally by the Queen.

Other Royal Experiences in London

If you are not visiting during the few weeks Buckingham Palace is open, don’t worry. There are plenty of other royal experiences to have in London!

Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard is the most classic royal experience you can have (plus, it is free to attend). Every morning, a formal ceremony is held to switch out the royal guards in front of Buckingham Palace (you know, those guys with the funky hats who just won’t crack a smile). Sure, this is a popular event. And it will be crowded, but this is something everyone should see at least once during their time in London.

Check this website for up-to-date information about when the ceremony will start. Plan to arrive early to scope out a spot. If you want to see the guards, stand along the gates in front of the Palace. Otherwise, scope out a spot around the Victoria Memorial. Here you will still see the band and guard parade.

State Opening of Parliament

Every year, the Queen officially opens Parliament by parading from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster to deliver a speech. This is a traditional ceremony that dates back hundreds of years. This usually happens in May when the new Parliamentary session begins. As of April 2019, date hasn’t been announced for yet, but if you are planning a trip for mid-late May, do some research to see if the date is announced before your trip.

This was actually how I was able to see the Queen. I was studying abroad in London during the State Opening. I woke up early and secured a spot along the Mall. The Queen rode by in her State Coach (and I freaked out- it was pretty dang exciting!)

If you want to see the Gold State Coach, carriage horses, or the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, be sure to visit the Royal Mews . The Royal Mews arrange all of the road travel for the royal family.

The Royal Mews is open from February- November every year. You can buy tickets online for £12.00. You can also purchase a £20.70 combined ticket which allows you to visit the Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery , which features a collection of art and rare antique furniture.

Banqueting House

The Banqueting House is the only remaining part of the Palace of Whitehall. From 1530-1698, the British monarchs lived here. This was once one of the largest palaces in Europe. With 1,500 rooms, it was larger than the Vatican.

The Banqueting House was used for royal receptions, ceremonies, and banquets. In 1617, Pocahontas was brought here to be presented to the King. In 1649, King Charles I was beheaded in front of the House. Today, you can take a self-guided tour of the Banqueting House . Purchase tickets online ( £5.50 for adults) or at the door £6.10).

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace was the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria. Today, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children live in this palace.

Unlike Buckingham Palace, this palace is open to visitors year round. For £17.50 you can take a guided tour of this royal home.

Tower of London

The Tower of London is a historic royal palace that was originally constructed as a fortress 1070 by William the Conqueror. The fortress was later expanded to include state apartments and a chapel. Infamously, Anne Boleyn was executed in this tower.

Today, you can tour the tower to learn more about medieval England. The Crown Jewels, which are still used in royal ceremonies today, are also on display in the Tower.

I hope you enjoyed my guide detailing how to visit Buckingham Palace!

As you plan your trip, be sure to check out my other London guides:

48 Hours in London

A London Self Guided Walking Tour

10 Restaurants You Must Try in London

How to Plan the Perfect Brighton Day Trip

If you liked this post, feel free to share it or pin it!

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Top 9 Things Not To Miss at Buckingham Palace in London in 2024

Angel Castellanos Last Updated: February 21, 2024

Heading to London and want to know why Buckingham Palace is a mega-monument? It is the epicenter of the royal family in London and full of history. That’s why I created this article on the top things to see at Buckingham Palace in London.

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  how to see London in a day.

Best Things To See at Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is one of the most famous buildings in the world. Currently the official London residence of King Charles III, it has been the residence of the British Monarch since only 1837.

It’s hard not to think of London or the royal family without Buckingham Palace. It has been the backdrop of significant events in the 20th century and, with many working offices, it’s the British monarch’s headquarters. Buckingham Palace hosts a variety of banquets, receptions, and State events throughout the year.

The palace is in the center of London, so you can’t miss it. The massive Queen Victoria memorial is right out front, and a wide boulevard called Pall Mall extends to Trafalgar Square and intersects with White Hall.

On one side of the street of the Mall, you have the picturesque St. James’ Park. On the other side, there’s the Tudor-era St. James’ Palace and various other royal residences.

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

9. The Front Facade of Buckingham Palace

Originally, the palace had a three-sided open courtyard with a triumphant Roman-style arch made entirely out of Carrara marble that stood prominently in front. Queen Victoria eventually built the fourth wing across the front and facade.

The stone facade and famous balcony we know today are new compared to other palaces as it was built in 1913 by the Queen’s grandfather, King George V.

Throughout the 20th century, the British public have seen the monarch and the royal family appear on the balcony for important national events and celebrations. The Queen famously made her last appearance on the balcony during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

8. The Changing of the Guard

The traditional British ceremonial pomp isn’t just reserved for the inside of royal palaces and castles. You can catch the Changing of the Guard, which happens in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

Elite soldiers and an accompanying military band participate in this ceremony, which dates back to 1689. The whole thing lasts about an hour and is a free spectacle. The ceremony occurs every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 11 am. If you like music, history, or just a good parade, then definitely schedule it into your travel plans, but be sure to get there early.

If crowds aren’t your thing but you still want some of that British royal grandeur, head to the Horse Guard’s Parade to see the changing of the Queen’s Life Guard. This lesser-known mounted calvary ceremony is a one-of-kind event and less packed than the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. This ceremony happens every day at 11 am and at 10 am on Sundays.

Popular London Tours

Best Selling Tour

Legends and Lore Tour of the Tower of London

How can you explore London’s top attractions without getting overwhelmed? By joining this guided small group tour! With 1,000 years of history and acres of buildings, the Tower of London is easier to explore and understand with the help of your local guide. Best of all, you’ll even see the famous crown jewels and have a boat ride down the River Thames.

Top Selling Tour

London Walking Tour with Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard

This is the perfect tour for someone who wants to get to know the real Westminster Abbey. With skip-the-line entry, you get some quiet time in the nave of the abbey with your guide and small group before exploring the tombs of notable kings, queens, philosophers, and more. Depending on the day, you’ll even get to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

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

7. The Queen’s Gallery

The Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace contains the private art collection of Queen Elizabeth II that King Charles III has now inherited. The more than 7,000 paintings are the world’s finest private art collection, rivaling Europe’s most significant national art galleries.

The gallery has a permanent collection, a small jewelry collection on display, and a temporary exhibit section that rotates. The gallery is small compared to the National Gallery or the British Museum, but any lover of art will appreciate this lovely gallery. Admission to the gallery is not included in a Buckingham Palace ticket; tickets are sold separately.

6. The Grand Staircase

The gold and white Grand Staircase with rich red carpet has all of the trappings of a perfect entrance. It was built by John Nash in the early 19th century but redecorated in white and gold for Edward VII in the early 20th century.

The upper balcony has two staircases leading down both sides to the lower landing. The Grand Staircase features family portraits chosen by Queen Victoria. They include her grandparents, parents, and her uncle and immediate predecessor, King William IV.

5. The Picture Gallery

The Picture Gallery in Buckingham Palace is a special treat for art lovers. The Royal Collection, owned by the sovereign, is one of the most significant collections of art in the world. The British royal family has collected art throughout the generations from various masters, and this gallery gives the public a taste of the fantastic Royal Collection.

The room is 47 meters long and contains some of the most notable works within the Royal Collection, with paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto, and Van Dyck. The red brocade gallery sets off the artwork like Canaletto’s celebrations of Venetian beauty and Van Dyke’s portraits. Pieces from the Royal Collection can be seen throughout the palace and in other royal palaces, but there are always standouts in the Picture Gallery worth enjoying.

4. The White Drawing Room

Buckingham Palace is a royal office, a place for ceremonial State occasions, a venue for formal entertainment, an official residence, and a private home. George IV’s vision to turn Buckingham House into a palace resulted in 19 State Rooms. The White Drawing Room is one of the more well-known State Rooms of the palace.

Queen Elizabeth II frequently made appearances, was photographed, and held gatherings to meet special guests in this room. It’s also the location of the wedding photos of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The White Drawing Room in Buckingham Palace has accents of gold emblems and details that sparkle, making the whole room look like a royal wedding dress fit for a queen. English and French furniture adorn this room, and one highlight is the exquisite portrait of Queen Alexandra by French artist François Flameng.

3. The Throne Room

The Throne Room of Buckingham Palace gives all the vibes of splendor and pageantry visitors look for when visiting a royal palace. This grand room is resplendent with gold and scarlet, high ornate ceilings, and golden sconces. The room’s focal point is the two crimson silk throne chairs known as the Chairs of Estate, used for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Other coronation chairs used by Queen Victoria and King George VI are also in the room. The thrones, with their rich scarlet brocade and golden trim, are set on a stage surrounded by ruby red tapestry. No visit to Buckingham Palace is complete without taking in the majesty of this room.

2. Queen Victoria Memorial

The iconic circular memorial to one of Britain’s most famous queens, Queen Victoria, sits right in front of Buckingham palace. This tribute is fitting since Queen Victoria was the first reigning monarch to live in Buckingham Palace. She even started the tradition of the balcony appearance when she appeared in 1851 for the Great Exhibition.

The memorial is the tallest monument to any British monarch standing at 82 feet tall. A golden Winged Victory statue sits on top, and Queen Victoria herself sits enthroned, facing the Mall and Admiralty Arch.

Other statues representing courage, justice, motherhood, and constancy adorn the Memorial. Besides the fence along Buckingham Palace, this is the best place to view the Changing of the Guard .

1. The Ballroom

This enormous room is the largest State Room in Buckingham Palace. Queen Victoria used it to hold magnificent costume balls. Today, it is the location for State dinners with foreign dignitaries and investitures.

The Ballroom also has a canopied throne with two throne chairs. These belonged to Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandparents (King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra) for their coronation in 1902. King Edward VII began to modernize the palace in the early 20th century and many of his renovations have gone unchanged.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out how to visit Buckingham Palace .

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About Angel Castellanos

Angel Castellanos, www.AngelsTravelLounge.com , is a multi-media travel expert and travel journalist that has appeared on BBC News, Los Angeles Times, Fox News, ABC, NBC, CBS, Univision, Frommers Radio, USA Today. Angel is also an acclaimed speaker appearing as a featured travel expert with the Travel & Adventure Show and New York Times Travel Show. 80+ Countries, 5 Continents and counting. He's passionate about travel to Europe, especially to Italy & France, countries he's visited every year of his adult life.

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Visit the Magnificent Gardens at Buckingham Palace

T his summer, more than ever, it is important to spend more time outdoors when out and about. With this in mind, why not take a pleasant stroll and even a picnic around the magnificent gardens of Buckingham palace.

Now, for the first time ever, the public can get exclusive access to the gardens and uncover the gardens beauty with unseen views of Buckingham Palace as a backdrop.

Garden Highlights.

Visitors can walk without restrictions amongst the sizeable plot of 39 acres. There are around 325 different species of plants to take in as well as around 1000 trees. Some trees were even planted by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The famous Herbaceous border which stretches out to over 155Meters is a sight to behold and do not miss the palace lake, complete with waterfall and secluded island with Beehives for the royal Bees.

In addition, you can purchase a guided tour of the gardens which also include the spectacular Rose Garden and charming Wildflower meadow.

During your meander around the magnificent gardens and sweeping lawns you are allowed to have your own picnic. Do not worry however if you did not bring some tasty cuisine as you can also buy delectable food and drink inside the gardens.

How to get there

Nearest Tube Stations: Green Park, Victoria, Hyde Park Corner, St James Park. By Bus: C1, C10, 211 & 11 all have stops on Buckingham Palace Road.

Entrance to the garden

Access to the Buckingham Palace gardens is via the Royal Mews on Buckingham Palace Road. looking at the palace from the Victoria memorial, go down the left had side, passed the Queens Gallery and the Royal Mews entrance is on the right, opposite the Rubens Hotel.

The garden is open to the public from the 9th of July 2021 to the 19th of September 2021. It is open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays only.

Check availability to visit the gardens at Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

13 Places To Visit In Britain If You Love The Royal Family

G reat Britain is known for its historic landmarks, beautiful gardens, and passionate sporting culture, yet no other icon is more closely associated with the country than the royal family. For centuries, the world has been fascinated by the lifestyles of kings and queens, from where they live to what they like to eat, but the British royal family remains one of the most recognizable monarchies in the world.

Along with the world's interest, the monarchy's appeal within the United Kingdom is also apparent. Throughout the U.K., there are museums, castles, landmarks, and gardens dedicated to the monarchy, which celebrate the royal family's history and legacy. 

While it may seem like royal residences and gilded carriages would be off-limits to the average tourist, it's perfectly possible to get a taste of royal life during your next visit to Britain. Whether you're looking for a history lesson or a spot of the Queen's favorite tea, there are plenty of places to visit if you love the royal family.

Read more: 28 Bucket List Destinations That Everyone Needs To Experience At Least Once

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is a working royal palace and the King's official residence. Built in 1825, Buckingham Palace was commissioned by King George IV who asked architect John Nash to design a grand palace fit for a king within the city of London.

The "palace fit for a king" has a total of 775 rooms, many of them filled with paintings by Old Masters and rare antiques. While the private living quarters are off-limits to visitors, a tour does include the 19 staterooms where the royal family entertains. The White Drawing Room is the grandest of all staterooms, with gilded ceilings and white pilasters; it is frequently the setting for pre-dinner gatherings. The largest is the Ball Room, completed in 1855 during Queen Victoria's reign. It is the setting for concerts and state banquets. The Throne Room holds the two coronation chairs originally commissioned for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, but they were most recently used for the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Buckingham Palace is only open for 10 weeks a year from late July through September while the King is at Balmoral in Scotland on summer holiday. Still, the palace often holds special events for ticket holders throughout the year.

Westminster Abbey

As one of the country's greatest landmarks, Westminster Abbey is a cathedral with 1,000 years of history, much of it tied to the royal family. Originally built as a Benedictine monastery, Westminster Abbey was rebuilt in 1065 by Edward the Confessor, and later rebuilt by King Henry III between 1220 and 1272. Designed in the Gothic style, the cathedral is recognized worldwide as an architectural masterpiece.

Westminster Abbey has been the site of every coronation since 1066, as well as the setting for numerous royal occasions. The Abbey held state funerals for both Queen Elizabeth II, as well as Princess Diana, and was the site of the 2011 wedding of Prince William of Wales and Princess Catherine. Westminster Abbey is also the burial site of more than 3,000 prominent Great Britons, including many royals. Queen Anne, Edward the Confessor, Mary Queen of Scots, and Queen Elizabeth I are all buried here.

St. Paul's Cathedral

Designed by famous architect Sir Christopher Wren, St. Paul's Cathedral in London is a city icon that has been hosting cultural and religious events since 1665. The Baroque-style cathedral sits on Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the city of London. At 365 feet, its dome is one of the highest in the world, and the cathedral was the tallest building in London until 1963. The prominent dome and surrounding church spires are some of the most recognized landmarks in London.

St. Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral and serves as the seat of the Bishop of London. The cathedral has hosted many prominent religious services, including the state funerals of Margaret Thatcher and Sir Winston Churchill. Both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II celebrated their Jubilee Services at the cathedral. The wedding of King Charles and Princess Diana was also celebrated at the cathedral in July 1981, which was one of the most-watched television events in history.

As a working cathedral, St. Paul's hosts daily Anglican services, but visitors can purchase tickets for private and self-guided tours. Highlights include The Grand Organ, which has operated since 1695, the throne of the Bishop in the Quire, and The American Memorial Chapel, dedicated to the 28,000 Americans who lost their lives in Britain during World War II.

Hampton Court Palace

Famous for its extensive gardens and maze, Hampton Court Palace is a Tudor masterpiece that has hosted royals since the early 16th century. Originally commissioned by Cardinal Wolsey, Hampton Court caught the attention of King Henry VIII, who eventually made it his home, bringing all six of his wives here.

Henry VIII used the palace as a place to entertain, and its grand design was considered both modern and ostentatious at the time. The centerpiece of the palace is The Great Hall, a towering space designed by Henry VIII that was meant to convey his power. Boasting a magnificent hammerbeam roof, the Great Hall contains artifacts like Anne Boleyn's coat of arms. Many historic events occurred at the palace, including the divorce of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves. He also married his wife Catherine Howard at the palace. 

The palace also served as a working royal residence until the 19th century, when Queen Victoria decided to open it to the public in 1838. Today, visitors can tour the palace, its grounds, and its ornate chapel. One of the most popular sites of Hampton Court is the garden hedge maze. Originally commissioned in the early 1700s, it is the oldest surviving hedge maze in Great Britain.

Tower Of London

While Hampton Court Palace was the location of everyday life for Tudor-era royals, the Tower of London is where some Tudor royals met their end. Built in 1070 by William the Conquerer, the Tower of London was built as a fortress-like structure designed to defend London against its enemies. A mighty stone tower sits as its centerpiece and the structure took 20 years to build with stone imported from France. For the next two centuries, the Tower was expanded to include a defensive wall, an armory, and a national mint. The Tower of London was frequently used to house royals and their precious possessions during times of distress.

The Tower of London has been the site of many tragedies involving the royal family. It is where both Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey spent their final days before execution; it is also where two princes, the children of Edward IV, would perish during the War of the Roses.

Throughout history, the Tower of London has served as a fortress, palace, and prison. Today, it remains one of London's most popular attractions. Visitors can tour the Tower and view its collection of armor or meet one of the 37 Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters, who guard the Tower. The most secure and highly protected wing of the Tower is the Jewel House, which contains more than 23,000 gemstones, including precious tiaras, necklaces, and other gems that make up the official Crown Jewels.

National Portrait Gallery

Established in 1856 by Lord Ellesmere, the National Portrait Gallery is located in the heart of London near Trafalgar Square. One of London's best museums for art-lovers, the gallery has more than 22,000 works and houses the most extensive portrait collection in the world. Recently reopened after a three-year refurbishment, it has thousands of portraits of prominent Britons, from historical leaders like Winston Churchill to contemporary figures like Elton John and David Bowie.

The National Portrait Gallery holds official portraits of every prominent member of the royal family and has extensive collections from the Tudor, Elizabethan, Edwardian, and Victorian reigns. The gallery also contains the official portraits of every modern royal, including King Charles, Kate Middleton, and Prince William. A popular site for tourists, visitors can take guided tours or view rotating exhibitions of British arts and culture. Most recently, the gallery hosted a collection of photography and a Beatles retrospective by Sir Paul McCartney.

London's most famous park was originally founded by the monks of Westminster Abbey until Henry VIII purchased it to use as his hunting grounds. It remained a private park until Charles I permitted the public to access it in 1637. Throughout the park, you can find monuments and statues dedicated to the royal family. The Diana Memorial Fountain, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth in 2004, is built of Cornish granite and is designed to reflect the ebb and flow of Princess Diana's life. The Queen Elizabeth Gates in Hyde Park was designed to honor Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. They were unveiled in 1993 and feature a whimsical design of a lion and a unicorn, representing England and Scotland.

The park's winding paths, lake, and gardens are a popular outing in central London any time of year. At Speakers Corner, visitors can see where radicals used to "get on their soapbox" and preach about everything from politics to religion. The centerpiece of the park is The Serpentine Lake, where visitors can rent paddle boats or dine at the boat house. In the winter, Hyde Park turns into a winter wonderland, with an ice rink, food stands, and a Santaland with carnival rides. Visiting the park is a must-do in London at Christmas . 

The Royal Mews

Ever dreamed of seeing a real gilded carriage fit for royalty? At The Royal Mews, a working stable and museum adjacent to Buckingham Palace, you can. The Royal Mews is responsible for all road travel for the King and the Royal Family, from horse and carriage ceremonies to official car processions. The organization has been around since the 14th century, and its headquarters was built in the gardens of Buckingham Palace in 1825.

A visit to the Mews might include seeing one of the stable's Cleveland Bay or Windsor Grey horses, or trying out a replica open carriage like the one Queen Victoria used. Visitors can also see the livery worn by the King's coachmen or learn how to tack a horse on a wooden pony. The real draw, however, is the fleet of carriages used to carry the royal family throughout history, including the 260-year-old Gold State Coach. The coach features gilded woodwork, intricately carved sculpture, and painted panels of Roman gods and goddesses. Weighing over four tons, the carriage has been used to transport the monarchy in every coronation since that of William IV. As a note, The Royal Mews is closed until March 1, 2024. 

Madame Tussaud's

It is possible to get close to members of the royal family -- wax versions, that is. The world-famous Madame Tussauds wax museum in London is home to 150 lifelike figures, including members of Britain's royal family. The museum's Royal Palace exhibit includes a throne room with wax figure renderings of every major royal, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Queen Elizabeth, King Charles, and Queen Camilla.

Open since 1884 on Baker Street in London, Madame Tussauds is a London institution that not only offers a lighthearted look at the world's most famous faces, but the museum has the direct support of the monarchy. The museum's Queen Elizabeth figure is the 23rd incarnation the museum has created throughout her historic 70-year reign. During its creation, Madame Tussauds' sculptors collaborated with Buckingham Palace by providing images of the clay sculptures as they were in progress to create the most authentic and lifelike incarnation of "Her Majesty."

Fortnum And Mason

London's most famous tea shop, Fortnum and Mason , has had a long and storied relationship with the royal family since it was first established in 1707. Founder William Fortnum was originally a footman for Queen Anne. He later established his tea shop with Hugh Mason, and the two would go on to create a culinary empire that still provides tea to the royal family today. The flagship store in Picadilly sells everything from the Royal Blend tea to Sandringham coffee blend and has held a Royal Warrant (products approved by the monarchy) since 1910.

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was known to do her Christmas shopping annually in person at the store, and every modern royal has visited the shop in recent years. Queen Elizabeth, Queen Camilla, and Princess Catherine all visited together in 2012 for the opening of the store's Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. Today, thousands of tourists and shoppers visit the store to purchase tea, coffee, and gourmet food as well as the shop's famous Christmas hampers. One can also enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in London  in the tea salon where treats like cucumber sandwiches, scones, and pastries are served on the store's iconic blue plates.

Windsor Castle

The oldest occupied castle in the world, Windsor Castle has been home to 40 monarchs. Built by William the Conquerer in the 11th century, Windsor Castle was built high on the River Thames at the edge of hunting grounds. It was designed to serve as a military fortification to guard the western approach to London. King Edward II began converting it into a royal residence in the 14th century.

Windsor Castle remained a preferred residence of royals for centuries and was the favored respite of Queen Victoria, who spent much of her reign here. Today, visitors can see the castle's state apartments or view attractions like Queen Mary's doll house. The Grand Reception Room contains real gold chandeliers and gilded ceilings; as the most luxurious room in the castle, it was Queen Elizabeth II's favorite room to entertain guests.

Another highlight of Windsor Castle is St. George's Chapel, located within the castle grounds. St. George's Chapel is the burial place of 11 monarchs, including Henry VIII, Charles II, and most recently, Queen Elizabeth II. The chapel has also been the site of several royal weddings, including the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as The Earl and Countess of Wessex. A worthwhile day trip destination from London , Windsor Castle is located about an hour from the city. 

Kensington Palace

Originally built as a modest home known as Nottingham House, Kensington Palace started out as the country retreat of King William in 1687 and was gradually expanded over the years to become the palace that stands today. It was the birthplace of Queen Victoria, who spent most of her childhood here until she moved to Buckingham Palace. Kensington Palace has been home to many royals over the years, including Princess Margaret and Princess Diana. It currently serves as the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Wales and their three children.

Visitors to Kensington Palace can see the King's and Queen's State Rooms, as well as a permanent exhibition on the life of Queen Victoria. The exhibit offers a glimpse of her reimagined childhood rooms, as well as her collection of jewelry gifted to her by her beloved husband Albert. Kensington Palace is surrounded by expansive gardens, including the Sunken Garden, an all-white garden dedicated to the memory of Princess Diana. The garden features a statue of the late Princess with her sons, William and Harry. The statue was unveiled in 2017 on what would have been the Princess of Wales' 60th birthday.

The palace museum is open year-round and also hosts seasonal exhibits highlighting the fashion, decor, and history of the royal family. The Orangery at Kensington Palace serves traditional afternoon tea daily, and the palace shop sells an extensive collection of royal-inspired merchandise.

St. James Park

Similar to Hyde Park, Henry VIII originally acquired St. James Park in 1532 to serve as royal hunting grounds. St. James Park is London's oldest Royal Park and one of its most beautiful. The park is bordered on all sides by The Mall, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, and Whitehall. It is also adjacent to Birdcage Walk, the site of the Churchill War Rooms. Listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, the park is laid out in a series of gardens surrounding a small lake. The lake is home to various waterbirds, including the park's famous pelicans, which were introduced as a gift from a Russian ambassador to King Charles II in 1664. 

St. James Park's location near The Mall offers an ideal viewing site for royal processions and historical celebrations that occur along the route to Buckingham Palace. It also provides views of The Changing of the Guard from its northern entrance, and from the Blue Bridge, which spans the lake at the center of the park, you can enjoy picture-perfect views of the London Eye and Buckingham Palace.

Read the original article on Explore .

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Buckingham Palace tour for public: Here's how to book

London: In a historic move, King Charles has opened the doors of Buckingham Palace and the iconic Balmoral Castle to the public. Visitors can enter some parts of the eastern wing of Buckingham Palace. The tours have been scheduled from July to August this year. Interestingly, the public could see a few significant spots in the Palace, including the room where the royal family members gather before making public appearances on the balcony. Meanwhile, Balmoral Castle, the royal family’s home in Scotland, was thought to be former monarch Queen Elizebeth’s favourite residence. The ticket rates begin from $ 120 onwards.

How to book? The tour, named 'East Wing Highlights,' will be led by an expert guide and it will last 45 minutes. The tourists can also visit the Garden Shop and Cafe on the premises. Each tour will have 20 slots. The tour can also be experienced on wheelchairs if it is pre-booked through email. However, it won't be available between 10.45 am and 12.15 pm as the 'Changing of the Guard' ceremony takes place around that time. For details on the phone numbers, booking slots and more, check this website .

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How to Send Kate Middleton a Card amid Her Cancer Treatment (and You Might Get a Royal Reply)

Queen Camilla recently said that "Catherine is thrilled by all the kind wishes and support"

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

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Kate Middleton could be your royal pen pal.

As the Princess of Wales, 42, receives cancer treatment , fans may want to send the royal a letter or card filled with well wishes.

On April 6, X user AllexmarieHoll1 shared a short note they said they received after sending a card to Princess Kate following the palace's announcement that she had undergone abdominal surgery in January. The fan's royal reply on Kensington Palace stationary said, "Thank you for your kind well wishes to Her Royal Highness. The Princess of Wales. Your thoughtful gesture is very much appreciated."

Many royal fans have been sending members of the family mail for special occasions such as birthdays , holidays, wedding anniversaries and major events like last year's coronation . (Prince William and Princess Kate's team even reportedly responded to a young girl who invited Prince George to her birthday party!)

AllexmarieHoll1 shared they sent their latest correspondence to Princess Kate at: "HRH The Princess of Wales Clarence House London SW1A 1BA United Kingdom."

Although Princess Kate, Prince William and their three children live primarily in Windsor, their London base is Kensington Palace. According to other royal fan sites, mail can also be sent to them there by using the address: "Kensington Palace London W8 4PU."

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According to the royal family’s website , King Charles is also interested in letters from the public.

"The King is shown almost all of his correspondence on a daily basis by one of his Private Secretaries, and he takes a keen interest in the letters he receives," Royal.UK says of the monarch.

The website says people can write to King Charles via: "His Majesty The King Buckingham Palace London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom."

King Charles, 75, recently appeared in a video reading some of the thousands of cards and letters that he received after announcing in February that he is undergoing cancer treatment . Among them was a humorous oversized card depicting a dog wearing a veterinary cone with the caption: "King Charles, at least you don’t have to wear a cone!" Another struck a more emotional tone with the message, "The main thing is family."

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Etiquette expert Debrett’s gives even more guidance around how to address several members of the royal family in writing. 

"Unless you are personally known to the Sovereign, any letter to The King or Queen should be addressed to ‘The Private Secretary to His Majesty The King.' There is no need to address the private secretary by name, but if there is subsequent correspondence this should be addressed to the actual writer of the reply," according to Debrett's.

The site adds that letters to King Charles and Queen Camilla should begin with "‘Sir,' 'Madam' or ‘May it please Your Majesty’ " opening with the line "With my humble duty" and ending with the language "‘I have the honor to remain, Sir/Madam, Your Majesty’s most humble and obedient servant,’ " with the option to swap "remain" for "be."

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Envelopes should be addressed to "His Majesty The King" or "Her Majesty The Queen," and the styling for cards to Princess Kate and Prince William are similar. According to the peerage authority, envelopes containing mail for Prince William should be addressed as "The Prince of Wales, KG, KT," shorthand for his status as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter and Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle . The honors are the highest orders of chivalry in Britain and Scotland, respectively.

Meanwhile, the envelopes of cards for Princess Kate should be addressed to "The Princess of Wales, GCVO," signifying her position as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order . The Royal Victorian Order was established by Queen Victoria in 1896 to allow her to recognize people who helped her or represented her. The ruling monarch personally selects recipients of the honor, and Princess Kate received the rank from Queen Elizabeth in 2019.

Fans from the United States should add an international stamp, available to purchase at post offices, for the mail to make its way across the pond. Then, keep an eye on your mailbox for a reply.

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Buckingham Palace opened up about the increase in mail following the death of  Queen Elizabeth in Sept. 2022. Prior to the record-setting monarch's death, the palace received up to 1,000 letters each week from members of the public, but their mailboxes were flooded with 50,000 letters and messages of condolence in the weeks following the Queen's death.

The palace said at the time that all letters are carefully read and responses would be sent as the small correspondence team processes the influx of mail.

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During a solo visit to the Shrewsbury Farmers’ Market on March 27, Queen Camilla was showered with messages for Princess Kate after the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis . The Queen, 76, warmly promised to deliver posters that two young girls made for her that read, "Send our love to Kate"

"Her Majesty said: 'I know that Catherine is thrilled by all the kind wishes and support,' " royal editor Rebecca English of the Daily Mail wrote on X .

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