Buckingham Palace
Enjoy a visit Buckingham Palace - home to the British Monarchy in London
Buckingham Palace has been the official residence in London for the British monarch since 1837. It also serves as the headquarters of the administration for the Monarchy.
This massive royal residence contains 775 different rooms including nineteen State rooms which are often used by the Royal Family to host and entertain Heads of State and other officials. The Palace houses many highly valued works of art that make up a portion of the Royal Collection, one of the world's major art collections.
During your visit to Buckingham Palace you can enjoy viewing and photographing the impressive facades and the Victoria Memorial. Arrive in the morning and witness the famous Changing of the Guard Ceremony which occurs daily at 11:30am during the summer and every second day at 11:30am the rest of the year.
From July through October you can tour The State Rooms - A tour that includes the lavish State Rooms decorated with paintings and priceless scupltures by the masters as well as the Palace Garden, a private sanctuary that is home to at least 30 species of birds and over 350 varieties of wild flowers, and also a special exhibition of collectibles and/or The Royal Mews - Where the State vehicles and horses that transport the Royal Family are kept and maintained. These include motor cars and spectacular carriages including the Gold State Coach that is featured in Coronations.
Throughout the year you can also visit The Queens Gallery where you can view and exhibition of fine art items that are rotated from the Royal Collection. Admission Charges apply to the above tours and can be purchased indivually or as a package. Each of the above links will give you all the information you need.
There are many other attractions within easy walking distance of Buckingham Palace. Some of these include Saint James's Park, Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. These attractions can be nicely combined into a memorable one or two day walking tour.
For more information about the Buckingham Palace and the various options for tours and hours visit their official website linked above.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: For inside tours onlyAddress: London SW1A 1AA, UK
Phone: 0303 123 7300
Official Website: Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace Reviews
Rated out of 5
Seeing Buckingham Palace in person is one of those classic London moments that really delivers. Grand, elegant, and steeped in history, it feels instantly familiar yet still impressive when you’re standing there. The atmosphere around the palace is lively, the setting is beautiful, and it’s an easy highlight to combine with a walk through St James’s Park. Even without going inside, it’s well worth the visit and a must-see for anyone in London.
Andrew Hubbard - a month ago
Buckingham Palace is one of London’s most iconic landmarks. I’ve visited many times, but this was my first time seeing the Changing of the Guard. We arrived around 10:50 and it was extremely crowded, earlier arrival seems wiser if you wish to approach, police and mounted guards blocked all crossings on both sides, which felt poorly managed and unnecessarily aggressive toward visitors just to pass one pavement to the other people are there to appreciate the culture not to be yelled at I understand precaution measures and safety that is a necessity, but at the sideways there should be more organised for the people to make sure they can move around rather than feeling captured, felt strange in comparison to everything else experienced. Despite that, we managed to get close to the gates, saw part of the ceremony, and caught the band as it was leaving. We accessed the area via Green Park and left through St James’s Park, which was absolutely beautiful.
Effi Peratinou - a month ago
Buckingham Palace is a truly majestic landmark and a highlight of London. The grand architecture, beautifully maintained surroundings, and rich royal history make it an unforgettable sight. Watching the Changing of the Guard is a memorable experience, full of tradition and pageantry. The palace area is clean, well organized, and perfect for photos and leisurely walks. A must-visit attraction that perfectly represents British heritage and elegance.
Badarunneesa Sathar - a month ago
I had a great time attending Buckingham palace! The grounds were stunning and I even got to see a short performance from the guards. The landscaping and fountains were the highlight for me.
The self-guided tour inside was great too. Buy your ticket in advance to pick your preferred time.
Shanel - 3 months ago
A must visit but there isn't much to see from a distance. Make sure the changing of the guard occurs when you visit, its worth a watch. Best to arrange interior tours towards the end of the year as there is limited access.
Robert Rivera - 2 weeks ago
Directions
| Tube Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Circle and District Line | Victoria | 12 minutes |
| Piccadilly Line | Green Park | 9 minutes |
| Victoria and Jubilee Line | Green Park | 9 minutes |
How to get to Buckingham Palace by Tube
From Green Park Station just make your way south through the park.
From Victoria Station walk west to Buckingham Palace Road and follow it north to the Palace.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Accommodations near Buckingham Palace:
Photo Gallery
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Visitors enjoy an upclose view of the Changing of the Guards in front of the gates of Buckingham Palace cc licensed photo by James Cridland -
Photo Credit: Croydon Clicker - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Croydon Clicker - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Croydon Clicker - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Croydon Clicker - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: KirkandLynn_photos - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: KirkandLynn_photos - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: stjur - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: bvi4092 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Shakespearesmonkey - cc license via Flickr
