Visiting Buckingham Palace in London is undoubtedly one of the first places we put on the list when planning our trip to the British capital.
Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the British Royal family since 1837, and is where Queen Elizabeth II currently lives.
What will you find in this article?
- What to see at Buckingham Palace in London
- The Changing of the Guard
- Royal Mews (Royal Mews) of Buckingham Palace
- The Queen’s Gallery
- State Rooms
- How to get to Buckingham Palace in London
What to see at Buckingham Palace in London
Buckingham Palace is located at the end of The Mall avenue, between two London parks: St James’s Park and Green Park. I recommend walking through St James’s Park, although it is one of the smallest, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parks in London. Here, in spring, the famous pelicans of the park arrive and in both parks it is possible to meet the famous friendly squirrels of London.
The Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the best-known tourist attractions in the British capital. It is usually held every day during the summer months and every other day during the remaining months, although there are usually exceptions and the exact dates are sometimes confirmed a couple of weeks before. Seeing the changing of the guard is free, for more information and exact dates visit our article: Changing of the guard in London.
Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace
The royal stables are located at the rear of Buckingham Palace. Here, in addition to the royal stables and some of the horses used today for different occasions, we can see the different carriages used in different historical events, highlighting the impressive Gold State Coach, used for coronations since 1821. There are multi-audio guides.It is possible to take photos in the royal stables.
The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace in London are open to the public from February to November. We recommend buying tickets in advance to ensure entry. Entry to the Royal Stables is free with the London Pass . In addition, this card also includes free admission to the Guards Museum and The household cavalry museum which are in the same area.
> Information of Interest:
2019 hours:
February 1 – March 24: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
March 25 – October 31: Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. (Closed: Sundays until the end of March, April 19 and June 8)
November 1 – 30: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Prices:
Adults: £12.00.
Under 17s: £6.80.
Children under 5 years: free.
Average duration of the visit: 60 – 90 minutes.
The Queen’s Gallery
Art gallery dedicated to temporary exhibitions that show the main works of art belonging to the Royal collection. Photos are possible.
The Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace is open to the public throughout the year. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance to ensure that you can get in. Entrance to the Queen’s Gallery is also included if you have the London Pass .
> Information of Interest:
Hours 2019:
Open from Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 5:30 pm, except between July 20 and September 29, when it opens from Monday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Closed on: April 19, April 29 – May 23, October 14 – November 14, December 25 and 26, 2019.
Prices:
Adults: £12.00
Under 17s: £6.00
Under 5s: Free
Average duration of the visit: 60 – 90 minutes.
State Rooms
The 19 State Rooms of Buckingham Palace in London are open to the public for 8 weeks a year, which usually coincide with the summer months, during which time the Queen is on vacation. An impressive visit that allows us to enter the interior of Buckingham Palace. Upon entering we arrive at the Grand Staircase, an impressive marble staircase designed by architect John Nash for King George IV. From there, we visit the different state rooms of the palace, including the throne room, the music room, the ballroom, and the impressive banquet hall. Upon entering there is a free multilingual audio guide that tells us what each room is used for, and different details of each one. Unfortunately, photos are not allowed inside the Palace.
We must bear in mind that the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace are only open to the public for 8 weeks a year, which usually coincides with the summer months. One of the best things you can visit in London if you come on these dates without a doubt! You should definitely buy tickets in advance, as they usually sell out shortly after tickets go on sale.
> Information of Interest:
2019 hours:
July 20 – August 31: Monday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm.
September 1 – 29: Monday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm.
Prices:
Adults: £25.00
Under 17s: £14.00
Under 5s: Free.
Average duration of the visit: 2 hours.
How to get to Buckingham Palace in London
Buckingham Palace is located in zone 1 of London, a 15-minute walk from the banks of the Thames and a 5-minute walk from Trafalgar Square, between St James and Green Park.