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Buckingham Palace Tickets & Guided Tours
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.
- Explore any one of these Buckingham Palace sites: the Royal Mews, the King's Gallery, or the State Rooms, with the State Rooms open from 11th July to 29th September.
- Opting for State Rooms gives you entry into the Palace, whereas the other 2 options are located outside, in the Buckingham Palace Grounds.
- Get a State Rooms ticket to wander through Buckingham Palace's grand State Rooms. You’ll stroll through royal chambers and marvel at the monarchy's stunning art collection.
- Go for the Royal Mews ticket for a peek inside the working royal stables. Up close, you’ll meet the magnificent Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays, and check out the official carriages.
- Check out The King's Gallery ticket for a journey through a century of royal portraits. Don’t miss the pop art reimagination of Queen Elizabeth II by Andy Warhol—it’s an absolute must-see!
- Explore any one of these Buckingham Palace sites: the Royal Mews, the King's Gallery, or the State Rooms, with the State Rooms open from 11th July to 29th September.
- Opting for State Rooms gives you entry into the Palace, whereas the other 2 options are located outside, in the Buckingham Palace Grounds.
- Get a State Rooms ticket to wander through Buckingham Palace's grand State Rooms. You’ll stroll through royal chambers and marvel at the monarchy's stunning art collection.
- Go for the Royal Mews ticket for a peek inside the working royal stables. Up close, you’ll meet the magnificent Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays, and check out the official carriages.
- Check out The King's Gallery ticket for a journey through a century of royal portraits. Don’t miss the pop art reimagination of Queen Elizabeth II by Andy Warhol—it’s an absolute must-see!
Inclusions
- Entry to Buckingham Palace grounds
- Multimedia guide in 9 languages
- Entry to Palace State Rooms, Royal Mews or The King’s Gallery (as per option chosen)
Exclusions
- Guided tour
- Tip: Commemorate your visit with a special souvenir from the Buckingham Palace gift shop located at the tour exit.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
- Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 72 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Catch the iconic Changing of the Foot Guards or Changing of the Horse Gaurd Ceremony at Buckingham Palace, depending on the day of your visit.
- Stroll through royal surroundings like St. James's Park, the Mall, and St. James's Palace with your small group, hearing fascinating stories from your English-speaking guide.
- Discover quirky spots like The Queen's favorite alcohol shop and Prince Philip's barber for a truly unique experience.
- Upgrade for an exclusive tour inside Buckingham Palace, with entry to the State Rooms which are open to the public for just two months a year.
- Catch the iconic Changing of the Foot Guards or Changing of the Horse Gaurd Ceremony at Buckingham Palace, depending on the day of your visit.
- Stroll through royal surroundings like St. James's Park, the Mall, and St. James's Palace with your small group, hearing fascinating stories from your English-speaking guide.
- Discover quirky spots like The Queen's favorite alcohol shop and Prince Philip's barber for a truly unique experience.
- Upgrade for an exclusive tour inside Buckingham Palace, with entry to the State Rooms which are open to the public for just two months a year.
Inclusions
- Changing of the Guard Ceremony
- 1.5 hour walking tour
- Expert English-speaking tour guide
- Audio headsets
- Small group tour of 20 people or fewer
- Entry to Buckingham Palace State Rooms (optional)
- Changing of the Foot Guards Ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- Please note that if you book your tour on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, you’ll experience the change of the Household Cavalry.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Dive into Britain's rich history with this 4-hour, small-group, exclusive guided tour of Westminster Abbey, the Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace.
- Skip-the-line tickets mean no waiting around at Westminster Abbey, spend more time exploring this architectural wonder and its royal heritage.
- Be awed by the beauty of Lady Chapel, called ‘the wonder of the world’ by 16th-century historian John Leland, and check out the Coronation Chair.
- Stroll through the streets of Westminster, gazing at famous attractions as your 5-star English-speaking guide regales you with interesting stories.
- Marvel at the Big Ben, a sign of Parliament and democracy, and visit Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British royal family.
- Dive into Britain's rich history with this 4-hour, small-group, exclusive guided tour of Westminster Abbey, the Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace.
- Skip-the-line tickets mean no waiting around at Westminster Abbey, spend more time exploring this architectural wonder and its royal heritage.
- Be awed by the beauty of Lady Chapel, called ‘the wonder of the world’ by 16th-century historian John Leland, and check out the Coronation Chair.
- Stroll through the streets of Westminster, gazing at famous attractions as your 5-star English-speaking guide regales you with interesting stories.
- Marvel at the Big Ben, a sign of Parliament and democracy, and visit Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British royal family.
Inclusions
- 4-hour guided tour of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace
- Skip-the-line tickets to Westminster Abbey
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Walking tour of the city of Westminster
- Small group of max 20 people
Exclusions
- Entry to Buckingham Palace
- Entry to Big Ben
- Tip: While exploring Westminster Abbey, make sure to visit the famous Poets' Corner. You'll find memorials to notable literary figures like Geoffrey Chaucer and Charles Dickens.
- Keep in mind large suitcases and bulky items are not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!
- Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
- This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.
- Safety is a priority so guests under 17 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over.
- While there is no strictly enforced dress code, please note that the Abbey is a place of worship, and it is better to be dressed modestly
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Guided Tours
Buckingham Palace State Rooms Entrance ticket with Optional Changing of the Guard
- Enter the iconic Buckingham Palace, and opt to witness the Change of the Guard ceremony with an expert guide.
- Watch the guards in red tunics and bearskin hats march before the grand palace, then explore the Royal Family’s residence with the official audio guide.
- Walk through the royal State Rooms, where the royal family holds their many events and receptions, and admire the 47-meter-long Picture Gallery.
- The gallery houses the Royal collection such as Van Dyck's portrait of Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I, scenes of Venice, by Canaletto, and more.
Choose to witness the Changing of the Guard or enjoy a walk in St James's Park while hearing fascinating tales of King Henry VIII's hunting adventures.
- Enter the iconic Buckingham Palace, and opt to witness the Change of the Guard ceremony with an expert guide.
- Watch the guards in red tunics and bearskin hats march before the grand palace, then explore the Royal Family’s residence with the official audio guide.
- Walk through the royal State Rooms, where the royal family holds their many events and receptions, and admire the 47-meter-long Picture Gallery.
- The gallery houses the Royal collection such as Van Dyck's portrait of Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I, scenes of Venice, by Canaletto, and more.
Choose to witness the Changing of the Guard or enjoy a walk in St James's Park while hearing fascinating tales of King Henry VIII's hunting adventures.
Inclusions
- Hosted entry to Buckingham Palace
- Official Palace multimedia guide for interiors
- Headsets
- Changing of the Guard Ceremony with an English-speaking guide (as per option selected)
- St. James Park walking tour (as per option selected)
- Tip: Don't forget to stop and admire the Grand Staircase, a very prominent feature of the Palace that talks a lot about its aesthetic interiors.
- On the days when the Changing of the Guard ceremony is not available, a visit to the Horseguards Parade will be arranged in its place.
- Cancellation due to bad weather is not announced before 11am. When this occurs, you will still see a ‘wet change’ during which the guards march but without the usual music or parade.
- This experience is not accessible by wheelchair and pram/strollers.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Combos
Combo (Save 5%): Changing of the Guards + Tower of London Tickets
from £49.80
£47.31
5% off
- Save with a combo ticket to witness the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and explore the historic Tower of London.
- Experience the Changing of the Guard on a 1.5-hour guided walking tour in a small group setting.
- Gain unique insights into the guards' traditions with expert commentary and audio headsets.
- Visit the Tower of London to view the Crown Jewels, including regalia used in coronation ceremonies, and delve into their rich history.
- Explore The White Tower, the Medieval Palace, and the Bloody Tower, uncovering their historical significance and dark tales.
- Save with a combo ticket to witness the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and explore the historic Tower of London.
- Experience the Changing of the Guard on a 1.5-hour guided walking tour in a small group setting.
- Gain unique insights into the guards' traditions with expert commentary and audio headsets.
- Visit the Tower of London to view the Crown Jewels, including regalia used in coronation ceremonies, and delve into their rich history.
- Explore The White Tower, the Medieval Palace, and the Bloody Tower, uncovering their historical significance and dark tales.
Inclusions
Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace
- Changing of the Guard Ceremony
- 1.5-hour walking tour around Buckingham Palace
- Expert English-speaking tour guide
- Audio headsets
- Small group tour of 20 people or fewer
Tower of London
- Entry to the Tower of London
- Access to The Crown Jewels
Entry to:
- The White Tower
- Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula
- Battlements
- Medieval Palace
- Bloody Tower
- Torture at the Tower exhibition
- Fusiliers Museum
- Royal Mint exhibition
- Access to the children's activity trails and live historical re-enactments
Changing of the Guard
- Tip: After the ceremony, take a stroll through St. James's Park, located just opposite the palace, and enjoy views of the lake and wildlife.
- Changing of the Foot Guards Ceremony takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- Please note that if you book your tour on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, you’ll experience the change of the Household Cavalry.
Tower of London
- Tip: Look for the Tower of London's famous ravens near Buckingham Palace; these mythical birds are said to protect the monarchy.
- The Crown Jewels are a working collection and as a consequence, the display is subject to change without prior notice due to security reasons.
- Not all areas are accessible to wheelchair users.
- Trained assistance dogs are welcome.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Explore Britain's finest Royal residences on this guided full-day tour of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle and feel every bit royal.
- A visit to Buckingham Palace gives you an understanding of royal affairs, as you enjoy the 19 magnificent State Rooms used for entertaining.
- Find prized possessions from the Royal Collection, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck paintings, and outstanding English and French furniture.
- Marvel at the ancestral home of British monarchs, the largest inhabited castle, the Windsor Castle spread across 10.5 hectares.
- Visit the magnificent State Apartments and St George's Chapel and find the finest works that undergo changes based on Charles II and George IV's tastes.
- Explore Britain's finest Royal residences on this guided full-day tour of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle and feel every bit royal.
- A visit to Buckingham Palace gives you an understanding of royal affairs, as you enjoy the 19 magnificent State Rooms used for entertaining.
- Find prized possessions from the Royal Collection, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck paintings, and outstanding English and French furniture.
- Marvel at the ancestral home of British monarchs, the largest inhabited castle, the Windsor Castle spread across 10.5 hectares.
- Visit the magnificent State Apartments and St George's Chapel and find the finest works that undergo changes based on Charles II and George IV's tastes.
Inclusions
- Entry ticket to Buckingham Palace State Rooms
- Entry ticket to Windsor Castle
- Air-conditioned coach transfer to Windsor Castle
- Expert Guide
- Personal Audio headset
- 9:15am : Tour starts Queens Gallery entrance
- Visit the Buckingham Palace
- 12:45pm : Reach Evan Evans's office
- 1pm: Tour starts for Windsor Castle
- 6:30pm: Reach London Victoria Train Station
- Tip: Visit the Churchill War rooms and St. James Park, close to Buckingham Palace to explore more of Britain's sites.
- St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle is closed to visitors on Sundays. The State Apartments may be closed too on some occasions.
- The afternoon Windsor Castle part of the tour departs from Evan Evans's office at 1:00 PM. (please arrive at 12:45 PM to check in).
- Transfer between Buckingham Palace and Evan Evans Tours is not provided (it is a 10-15 min walk)
- Personal audio headsets are provided.
- Expect an airport-style security check at Buckingham Palace.
- Bags larger than 45cm x 20cm x 30cm are not permitted.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Enjoy a luxury coach ride through London, led by an expert guide who provides insightful stories and anecdotes about the city's landmarks along the way.
- Benefit from an audio headset that lets you listen to your guide's engaging commentary about the ceremony and the rich history behind it.
- Witness the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, a quintessential display of British tradition and pageantry.
- Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to observe the Queen's guards and bearskin hats as they march and take on the responsibility of guarding the palace.
- Elevate your experience with the option of a tranquil river cruise or treating yourself to a delightful afternoon tea at the Rubens.
- Enjoy a luxury coach ride through London, led by an expert guide who provides insightful stories and anecdotes about the city's landmarks along the way.
- Benefit from an audio headset that lets you listen to your guide's engaging commentary about the ceremony and the rich history behind it.
- Witness the iconic Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, a quintessential display of British tradition and pageantry.
- Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to observe the Queen's guards and bearskin hats as they march and take on the responsibility of guarding the palace.
- Elevate your experience with the option of a tranquil river cruise or treating yourself to a delightful afternoon tea at the Rubens.
Inclusions
- Guided coach tour to Buckingham Palace
- Changing of the guard ceremony
- Expert Guide
- WiFi and USB charging on board
- Personal audio headset
- River Cruise (optional)
- Afternoon tea at the Rubens overlooking Buckingham Palace(optional)
- The Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (subject to availability).
- If there is no changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, you will instead see the ceremony at Horse Guards Parade.
- River cruise is independent and is a one-way trip from Westminster Pier to Tower Pier.
- Children aged between 3 to 16 years will be served the children's afternoon tea menu.
- Click here to view the afternoon tea menu.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Visit one of the world’s finest working stables, The Royal Mews, and wonder at the grand travel arrangements of the Royal Family.
- Be dazzled by the historic Diamond Jubilee State Coach, Australian State Coach, and Gold State Coach, and learn about their significance.
- Admire the incredible and gorgeous horses, the Windsor Greys, and the Cleveland Bays, that play a crucial role in drawing the coaches and carriages.
- Enjoy an interactive experience as you deck up as a footman and learn the fascinating history of the stables from your multilingual multimedia guide.
- Enhance your tour by upgrading the tickets to include access to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of His Majesty the King.
- Visit one of the world’s finest working stables, The Royal Mews, and wonder at the grand travel arrangements of the Royal Family.
- Be dazzled by the historic Diamond Jubilee State Coach, Australian State Coach, and Gold State Coach, and learn about their significance.
- Admire the incredible and gorgeous horses, the Windsor Greys, and the Cleveland Bays, that play a crucial role in drawing the coaches and carriages.
- Enjoy an interactive experience as you deck up as a footman and learn the fascinating history of the stables from your multilingual multimedia guide.
- Enhance your tour by upgrading the tickets to include access to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of His Majesty the King.
Inclusions
- Entry into the Royal Mews
- Multimedia guide in 9 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, and Mandarin
- Entry into Buckingham Palace (optional)
- Tip: Don't miss the open-top carriage that Prince William and Kate Middleton used for their wedding.
- The Royal Mews will be open from 1st March to 3rd November, 2024.
- Pets are not allowed.
- Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.
- Large bags are not permitted and there are no storage facilities.
- Selfie sticks cannot be used near the horses.
- BSL and audio-descriptive tours are available.
- Eating and drinking are not permitted.
- The attraction is wheelchair-accessible.
- Photography is not permitted inside Buckingham Palace.
- When you arrive, you will pass through an airport-style security check.
- Opening time for the Royal Mews is 10am. Last admission is at 4pm and closing time is 5pm.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 72 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Buy tickets to the King's Gallery, formerly known as the Queen's Gallery, in Buckingham Palace and treat yourself to a wide-ranging assortment of treasures and art.
- See the changing face of the monarchy through the Royal Portraits exhibition featuring over 150 prints from the Royal Collection.
- From the glamorous portraits of the 1920s to the modern-day shots, see works by artists like Cecil Beaton and Annie Leibovitz.
- Queen Elizabeth II opened the Gallery in May 2002 as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations, and today it hosts a variety of exhibitions.
- Once you learn more about the artworks from your 1-hour English multimedia guide, explore the exhibition further at your own pace.
- Buy tickets to the King's Gallery, formerly known as the Queen's Gallery, in Buckingham Palace and treat yourself to a wide-ranging assortment of treasures and art.
- See the changing face of the monarchy through the Royal Portraits exhibition featuring over 150 prints from the Royal Collection.
- From the glamorous portraits of the 1920s to the modern-day shots, see works by artists like Cecil Beaton and Annie Leibovitz.
- Queen Elizabeth II opened the Gallery in May 2002 as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations, and today it hosts a variety of exhibitions.
- Once you learn more about the artworks from your 1-hour English multimedia guide, explore the exhibition further at your own pace.
Inclusions
- Entry into the King’s Gallery
- Multimedia guide in 9 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, and Mandarin
- Flexible Duration
- Tip: Don't miss Andy Warhol's pop art treatment of Queen Elizabeth II based on Peter Grugeon's photograph celebrating the Queen's Silver Jubilee.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
- All visitors will be subject to airport-style security checks.
- Prams/strollers will need to be left in a designated area at very busy times. In such circumstances, baby carriers and hip seats are available at no cost, subject to availability
- Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 36 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
LondonBuckingham Palace
Top things to do in London
Why visit Buckingham Palace in London
- Historical site: Built as a large townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham in 1703, the royal residence was initially known as Buckingham House.
- Political landmark: Buckingham Palace is an important cultural and political landmark of England as it has historical significance relating to the British monarchy.
- Neoclassical architecture: Designed by architects like John Nash, the palace gets its neoclassical and dramatic architecture from the architect’s theatrical influence.
- Majestic rooms: The 775 rooms in the palace are furnished with regal masterpieces, with the garden being the most extensive private garden in London.
- Iconic Picture Gallery: With paintings of artists like Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, and Claude, the picture gallery features unique works in the Royal Collection.
Your Buckingham Palace tickets explained
Entry to the State Rooms
- With an audio guide, you'll get the inside scoop on Buckingham Palace's 19 State Rooms. Peek into the enormous Ballroom, the elegant White Drawing Rooms, and the Throne Room, each decked out with decorations from the Royal Collection, including priceless works of art by famous artists like Rubens, Poussin, and Canaletto.
- Take a leisurely stroll in the peaceful Palace Gardens and witness the Changing the Guard ceremony with a ticket upgrade.
Entry to the Royal Mews
- Buckle up for a visit to the Royal Mews and spot legendary carriages like the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, Australian State Coach, and the Gold State Coach. Prepare to be dazzled by the Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays, the breeds that pull the carriages.
- If you're feeling super royal, you can upgrade your ticket to include a visit to Buckingham Palace itself!
Entry to the King's Gallery
- The King's Gallery at Buckingham Palace is full of treasures and artwork, through the Royal Portraits exhibition featuring over 150 prints from the Royal Collection. You'll even see works by famous photographers like Cecil Beaton and Annie Leibovitz.
- There's an English audio guide included with your ticket, so you can learn all about the artworks at your own pace. Take an hour or spend all day – it's totally up to you!
Changing of the Guard tours
- Catch the iconic Changing of the Foot Guards or Changing of the Horse Gaurd Ceremony at Buckingham Palace, depending on the day of your visit.
- Choose options between entry to Buckingham Palace, entry to the State Rooms, a Royal London Coach tour, or entry to the Tower of London.
Recommended tours:
- Changing of the Guard Tour with Optional Buckingham Palace Entry
- Buckingham Palace State Rooms Entrance ticket with Optional Changing of the Guard
- Royal London Coach Tour with Changing of the Guard
- Changing of the Guards + Tower of London Tickets
Combo tours
- Save money with a 4-hour, small-group, exclusive guided tour of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace, book a combo ticket to witness the Changing of the Guard and explore the Tower of London, or go on a guided full-day tour of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
Recommended tours:
- Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour
- Changing of the Guards + Tower of London Tickets
- Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle Full-Day Guided Tour
All your tickets include or can be upgraded to include the Changing of the Guards ceremony. This ceremony marks when the soldiers currently on duty, the Old Guard, exchange places with the New Guard. It takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from August to May and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays in June and July.
Changing of the Guard ceremony explained
This ceremony marks when the soldiers currently on duty in red coats and bearskin hats, the Old Guard, exchange places with the New Guard with bands and marching. The first ceremony took place during the reign of King Henry VII. The guard that looks after Buckingham Palace is called The King's Guard, consisting of soldiers on active duty from the Household Division's Foot Guards.
When: It takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, The Old Guard forms in the palace's forecourt at 10:30am and is joined by the St James' Palace Old Guard at 10:45am. The New Guard arrives from Wellington Barracks and takes over the responsibilities in a formal ceremony accompanied by music. The ceremony lasts about 15 minutes, with the handover at 11am
Best place to see the ceremony: The Buckingham Palace gates and the steps of the Victoria Memorial just opposite are two of the best spots to watch the Changing of the Guard. Alternatively, arrive early at The Mall between Marlborough Road and Buckingham Palace for a close-up view of the guards marching past.
Note: Although less popular than the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, you can also watch the Changing of the King's Life Guard at the Horse Guards Parade at St James' Park from Monday to Friday at 11am.
Buckingham Palace highlights
While Buckingham Palace is another world altogether in terms of grandiosity and spaciousness, here are the top highlights that you can explore while on your regal exploration.
State Rooms
Buckingham Palace's State Rooms are all on the first floor, overlooking the garden. The centerpiece of this whole area is the Music Room, with a big, curved wall that sticks out. On either side of the Music Room, you'll find the Blue Drawing Room and the White Drawing Room. Connecting all these rooms is a 50m-long hallway called the Picture Gallery, hung with art by Rembrandt, van Dyck, Rubens, and Vermeer. Branching off from the Picture Gallery, you'll find the grand Throne Room and the Green Drawing Room.
The Grand Staircase
Behold the Grand Staircase that leads you to the rooms on the other floor of the grand residence. Designed by John Nash in his characteristic London theatrical style, the staircase features full-length portraits of important members of the Queen’s family, like her grandparents George III and Queen Charlotte, and her parents Duke and Duchess of Kent.
Palace Garden
Just like the garden parties you must have seen in the English period dramas on-screen, wander around the same gardens that the Royal Family uses for celebrations and entertaining guests. The Queen’s Garden Parties held in the summer see around 24,000 guests welcomed into the lush greenery every year, with the 19th-century lake being one of the main attractions of the garden.
Changing of the Guard
Witness the traditional ceremony of the change of guards with troops in red coats and bearskin hats, and watch them go about with bands and marching as the ceremony marks the detachment of one troop and the taking over of the other. Glimpse the spectacle and British pageantry, as guards march to the rhythm of the music of the bands, is a sight to behold.
Treasures of the Palace
Delve into the stories that accompany the Treasures of the Palace in the form of antique furniture, objects, paintings and art pieces, and get to know what significance they hold in the larger regal scheme of things! The Marble Hall is the place to be if you want to engage your visual senses in the magnificent marble sculptures and stunning paintings.
The Royal Mews
Experience what goes behind arranging the road transport for the royal family, right from the horse-and-carriage lavish ride to the cars that take them around town, as you see coachmen in liveries and chauffeurs in uniforms! Explore the Royal Mews, one of the finest working stables in the world.
The King's Gallery
Discover The King's very own exhibition of art pieces and paintings in the palace and know more about the aesthetic side of English monarchy. The ever-changing gallery features old paintings, antique furniture, decorative arts and a vast collection of fascinating photographs.
The Clarence House
Designed and built by the renowned architect John Nash in 1825, The Clarence House was previously home to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother for almost five decades. Originally built for George III’s third son, the Duke of Clarence, this house survived enemy bombing during the Second World War.
Marble Hall
Engage your mythological interests in the Marble Hall, as you can look at many white marble statues of Greek and Roman gods and goddesses carved to perfection. One of the most famous sculptures of the hall is by the leading sculptor Canova, and it shows the Roman god of War - Mars, with Venus, the goddess of love, carved out of a single stone, which is a treat to the eyes.
Buckingham Palace State Rooms
The State Rooms are open in August and September and on some days in winter and spring.
White Drawing Room
The White Drawing Room is one of the most important State Rooms in Buckingham Palace, which are the public rooms in the palace where The Queen and members of the Royal Family receive guests. One of the principal reception rooms of the palace, the White Drawing Room is furnished with lavish English and French furniture and porcelain. Her Majesty The Queen usually enters the room through an enormous hidden door, which you can try to locate while on your visit.
Throne Room
The starkly scarlet room houses a pair of throne chairs, known as the Chairs of Estate, which were used for the coronation ceremony of The Queen in 1953, as well as other chairs made for the coronation of King George VI, and a single throne chair made for Queen Victoria in 1837. Designed by architect John Nash, the room is intricately adorned in a seventeenth-century style, while the dramatic influence can be attributed to Nash’s background in theatre set designs.
Ballroom
Being the largest of the State Rooms, The Ballroom was used for hosting balls and concerts, even featuring a musician’s gallery complete with an organ. Completed during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1855, today the Ballroom is used for official purposes, sometimes for holding State Banquets. Plaster statutes made by British sculptor William Theed overlook the throne canopy. A triumphal arch supports a medallion that features the profiles of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in their glory.
Music Room
Admire the parquet floor inlaid with various kinds of woods like satinwood, rosewood, tulipwood, mahogany and holly as you walk around the Music Room, where royal babies have been christened as well, including the Queen’s three eldest children. Guests in the palace are presented in the room before dinner or a banquet, having assembled in the Green Drawing Room.
Picture Gallery
Around 47 metres in length, the Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery features some of the greatest paintings in the Royal Collection. As The Queen lends out various works of art to exhibitions held around the UK and overseas, there is always a regular change in paintings. The gallery features artists like Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck and Claude.
Plan your visit to Buckingham Palace
Timings
Getting There
Rules
Nearby
July to August:
- Opening time: 9:30am
- Last admission: 5:15pm
- Closing time: 7:30pm
September to October:
- Opening time: 09:30am
- Last admission: 4:15pm
- Closing time: 6:30pm
Address: London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
- By Train:
Nearest train station: London Victoria or London Charing Cross. - By Tube:
Nearest stations: Victoria, Green Park, St. James's Park and Hyde Park Corner. - By Coach or Bus: Bus numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10.
Nearest station: Victoria Coach Station, a 10-minute walk from the Palace. - By Car: Distance from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Buckingham Palace: 17 miles.
Nearest car parking: Victoria Car Park, Q-Park Victoria.
- Food: Eating and drinking are not permitted inside Buckingham Palace. However, bottled water can be carried along with you.
- Photography: No photography and filming are allowed inside the State Rooms of the palace. The Palace Gardens, however, permit visitors to shoot for non-commercial purposes.
- Dress Code: There is no formal dress code required while visiting the Palace.
- Pre-book Tickets: It is mandatory to prebook tickets for entering the palace and taking tours around the premises.
- Arrival: It is recommended to arrive at the entry time printed on your ticket and not earlier.
- Pushchairs: Pushchairs are not allowed to be taken inside State Rooms.
- Pets: Only guide, hearing or assistance animals are permitted inside the Palace.
- Security Check: Each visitor passes through an airport-style security check.
- London Eye: Experience the London skyline like never before with a ride on the London Eye, a giant Ferris Wheel that will make you feel on top of the world, literally!
- Madame Tussauds: Spiral down the history with legends as you look at almost-real wax statues of your heroes in one of the most visited museums in London.
- Westminster Abbey: Get lost in the medieval era as you explore the gothic architecture of Westminster Abbey, a UNESCO Heritage Site, which houses a wide range of tombs, statues, and memorials.
- St Paul’s Cathedral: Admire the iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral that dominates the skyline of London city, which is also the seat of the Bishop of London.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buckingham Palace Tickets
Q. Can I buy Buckingham Palace tickets online?
A. Yes, you can buy Buckingham Palace tickets online.
Q. What is the best way to buy Buckingham Palace tickets?
A. The best way to purchase Buckingham Palace tickets is to book them online. This way you get vouchers for great offers and can also reserve slots well in advance.
Q. Can I pre-book Buckingham Palace tickets?
A. Yes, you can book any date of your choice in advance, if you book your Buckingham Palace tickets online.
Q. What is the cancellation policy for Buckingham Palace tickets?
A. While you can get a full refund on cancelling the entrance tickets up to 24h before the schedule, there are some tour tickets that can’t be cancelled. Please check the cancellation policy of the tickets before purchasing.
Q. What is Buckingham Palace?
A. Buckingham Palace is the London royal residence. It is the administrative headquarters of the Bristish monarchy.
Q. Where is Buckingham Palace located?
A. The address of Buckingham Palace is London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom.
Q. What facilities are available in Buckingham Palace for visitors?
A. Buckingham Palace has made toilets and baby-care facilities available for the visitors at the entrance and in the garden.
Q. Does Buckingham Palace provide facilities for disabled visitors?
A. Alternative arrangements can be made for visitors with disabilities on request.
Q. Is photography allowed in Buckingham Palace?
A. No, photography is not allowed in Buckingham Palace. However, visitors are free to shoot in the Palace Gardens for non-commercial purposes.
Q. Does The King live in Buckingham Palace?
A. The Buckingham Palace is the official residence of The King. However, King Charles and Queen Camilla live at Clarence House, opposite the palace.
Q. What are the major highlights of Buckingham Palace?
A. You can visit the State Rooms of the Palace, and admire the architecture of the palace which has intricately adorned furniture and fascinating ceramics, or take a walk around the palace gardens, which have breathtaking lush greenery for a refreshing promenade.