Do staff at the Royal Mews wear a special uniform?

Yes, the staff wear traditional livery uniforms. These are designed with royal colors and intricate details, paying homage to centuries-old royal customs.

Are there fun, interactive activities for kids at the Royal Mews?

Absolutely! Kids can enjoy hands-on experiences like dressing up as royal footmen or learning how to harness a horse, making it a super fun and family-friendly visit!

Can I take photos inside the Royal Mews?

Photography is allowed in some areas, but restrictions are placed near certain carriages to help preserve their condition. Look for signs indicating where photos are welcome!

Is the Royal Mews accessible to everyone?

Absolutely! The Royal Mews is fully accessible, with features like accessible toilets, seating, and support for visitors with disabilities, ensuring everyone can enjoy the experience comfortably.

Do I need a separate ticket to visit the Royal Mews?

Yes. The Royal Mews has its own admission ticket and is separate from standard Buckingham Palace State Rooms admission.

How long does a visit take?

Allow approximately 45 minutes for the complimentary multimedia tour. You may wish to stay longer if you join a guided tour, spend time with the displays or visit the horses and family activities.

What is the best time to visit?

The best time is usually shortly after opening or later in the afternoon, when visitor numbers may be lower. Guided tours are offered throughout the day at scheduled times, so check the timetable if you want to join one.

Can I visit the Royal Mews without visiting Buckingham Palace?

Yes. The Royal Mews is a separate visitor attraction with its own entrance and ticket, so you can visit it without entering the State Rooms.

The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace

Timings

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

Buckingham Palace with Queen Victoria Memorial and colorful gardens in London.

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Guided Tours

The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace Tickets

Free cancellation

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What to bring

Carry only bottled water if you wish to drink inside the Royal Mews.

What’s not allowed

Do not eat or drink inside the Royal Mews, except for bottled water.
Place all drinks and food in closed bags before admission.
Large bags are not allowed on this experience.
Do not carry pen-knives or scissors, as these are prohibited.
Avoid loud mobile phone use and consider other visitors.
Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
Selfie sticks cannot be used near the horses.

Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
Use the accessible toilet and Changing Space available on-site.
Make use of the seating available throughout your visit.
Use the downloadable sensory map and photo journey to plan your visit.
Expect support from Wardens, who are Dementia Friends.

Additional information

Expect airport-style security checks for you and your belongings on arrival. Bring as little as possible to help speed up security screening.
London Blue Badge Guides can guide only at two points in the Main Quadrangle.
Plan for some wait time when lining up for the experience, especially on weekends and holidays.
The Changing the Foot Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace currently takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (subject to availability). On other days, you will see the Changing the Horse Guard instead.

Inclusions #

Entry ticket to The Royal Mews (March 5 to November 1, 2026)
Access to the Diamond Jubilee State Coach and the Gold State Coach, used at every coronation since 1831
See some of The King's horses that draw the coaches and carriages
Multimedia guide in 9 languages (Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian)
Small group of max. 10 participants

Exclusions #

Food and drink

Get full refund if you cancel 24 hours before the experience start time.

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Walking Tours

Changing of the Guard Experience with King’s Gallery Tickets and Optional Royal Mews

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

4 hrs

Guided tour

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Accessibility

This experience is not accessible to wheelchair or pram/stroller users.

Additional information

Changing the Guard will not operate in the rain and will be replaced with an extended walking tour.
The Royal Mews is closed from 2 Nov 2026 to 3 Mar 2027 and on Wednesdays from 5 Mar 2027 to 18 Apr 2027.
When the Royal Mews is closed, the tour lasts 3 hours; when open, it lasts 4 hours.
Disclaimer: “We will do everything within our power to ensure timings and itineraries are respected; however, due to issues beyond our control, timings and sites are subject to last minute changes on rare occasions.”

Inclusions #

Changing the Guard walking tour from prime viewpoints
Entry to the Royal Mews (seasonal opening only: closed 2nd Nov 2026 to 3rd Mar 2027, and Wednesdays from 5th Mar 2027 to 18th Apr 2027)
Entry tickets to The King’s Gallery
- Access to the Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibition
- Multimedia guide in English at The King's Gallery
- Translated materials in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and more
Expert English-speaking tour leader
Headsets (when needed, for clear commentary)

Get full refund if you cancel 24 hours before the experience start time.

Royal Mews opening schedule

The Royal Mews is open from 5 March to 1 November 2026, usually Thursday to Monday, and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays except during July and August, when it opens 7 days a week. From 5 March to 24 October, it is open 10am–5pm, with last admission at 4:15pm. From 25 October to 1 November, it is open 10am–4pm, with last admission at 3:15pm.

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The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is one of the finest working stables in the world, where historic carriages, modern vehicles, and royal horses are still kept and cared for today. Step inside to see grand ceremonial carriages, including the Gold State Coach, alongside the horses and equipment used for royal occasions. More than a collection of historic vehicles, the Mews offers a glimpse into the practical side of royal life and the preparations behind major ceremonies. It is a great addition to a Buckingham Palace visit if you want to see a different side of the monarchy beyond the State Rooms.

Quick overview

Ticket: Separate ticket (The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace Tickets) required.
Starting price: From £18.
Combo available: Available. You can either opt for optional paid upgrades (Westminster walking tour, Changing the Guard viewing, English-speaking guide) or witness the Changing of the Guard plus entry to the King’s Gallery with your Royal Mews ticket.
Visit duration: Around 45 minutes using the included multimedia tour, per official guidance.
Best time: Weekday mornings, before the site gets busier later in the day.
Included in Buckingham Palace ticket: No. The Royal Mews requires its own dedicated ticket, separate from State Rooms admission.

Things to know before booking your Royal Mews tickets

Separate ticket required: The Royal Mews has its own entry ticket and is not included with standard Buckingham Palace State Rooms admission.
Choose the right experience: You can book the standalone Royal Mews ticket for a self-guided visit or choose the Changing the Guard experience with King’s Gallery tickets and optional Royal Mews if you want to combine all three royal experiences with a guided tour.
What the combined experience includes: The upgraded experience includes a guided Changing the Guard tour, entry to The King’s Gallery and its Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibition, plus Royal Mews entry when the Mews is open. The full experience lasts around 4 hours when the Mews is open and 3 hours when it is closed.
Royal Mews opening schedule: The Royal Mews is usually closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except during July and August, when it opens 7 days a week. From 5 March to 24 October 2026, it is open 10am–5pm, with last admission at 4:15pm. From 25 October to 1 November, it is open 10am–4pm, with last admission at 3:15pm.
Seasonal closure: The Royal Mews is closed from 2 November 2026 to 3 March 2027. If you book the combined Changing the Guard and King’s Gallery experience during this period, the Royal Mews portion will not be available.
Accessibility: The Royal Mews experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, with accessible toilets, a changing space, and seating available.
Multimedia guide: The standalone Royal Mews ticket includes a multimedia guide in 9 languages, while the combined experience includes an English multimedia guide at The King’s Gallery, with translated materials also available.

Is it worth it?

Go for it if you

Want to see the working side of royal life: The Royal Mews goes beyond palace interiors, giving you a look at the horses, carriages, and ceremonial transport still used by the Royal Family.
Enjoy history with a practical angle: Seeing the Gold State Coach, Diamond Jubilee State Coach, and working stables adds context to the pageantry you see at royal ceremonies.
Are already visiting Buckingham Palace: It makes a strong addition if you want to explore more than the State Rooms and have enough time for a focused visit.

Skip it if you

Have limited time: If you only have a few hours in London, prioritise the Buckingham Palace State Rooms or another major attraction before adding the Mews.
Have little interest in horses or royal transport: The Mews is centred on ceremonial vehicles, stables, and the practical side of royal travel, so it may feel less compelling if those don't interest you.
Prefer grand palace interiors: If lavish rooms, artwork, and royal furnishings are your main draw, the State Rooms offer a more traditional Buckingham Palace experience.

Standalone vs combo vs main?

Option	Best for
The Royal Mews only	Visitors interested in royal carriages, horses, and ceremonial transport, or those who want a shorter, focused Buckingham Palace experience.
Buckingham Palace State Rooms only	First-time visitors more interested in the palace’s grand interiors, royal art, and ceremonial rooms than its working stables.
Changing the Guard + King’s Gallery + Royal Mews experience	Visitors who want to combine several royal experiences in one guided outing and have around 4 hours to spare.

Ticket options explained

Access / Factor	The Royal Mews tickets	Changing the Guard + King’s Gallery + Royal Mews
Royal Mews access	Yes	Yes, when the Mews is open
The King’s Gallery access	No	Yes, including Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style
Changing the Guard	No	Yes, guided walking tour
Additional features	Multimedia guide in 9 languages	Expert English-speaking tour leader, headsets, and multimedia guide at The King’s Gallery
Best for	A focused visit to the royal stables, horses, and ceremonial carriages	Combining the Changing the Guard, King’s Gallery, and Royal Mews in one experience
Duration	Self-guided	4 hours when the Mews is open; 3 hours when closed
Starting price	From £18	From £65
Accessibility	Wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible	Not wheelchair or pram/stroller accessible

How to best experience the Royal Mews

Best time to visit

Start with the main carriages before exploring the stables and interactive displays. The Gold State Coach and Diamond Jubilee State Coach are the biggest visual draws, while the working areas give you more context about how royal transport operates.

How long to spend

Allow 45–90 minutes for a good visit. The complimentary multimedia tour takes around 45 minutes, while a slower visit gives you time to examine the carriages, see the horses, and try the interactive activities. If you're interested in royal transport, stay longer rather than rushing.

Where it fits in your itinerary

The Royal Mews works particularly well alongside Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms or The King’s Gallery. The Mews shows the practical and ceremonial side of royal life, while the Palace interiors focus on art, architecture, and royal entertaining. Pair them if you want a fuller Buckingham Palace experience.

Crowd patterns

Rather than planning around a “quietest” time, focus on how you move through the Mews. Start with the major coaches, then explore the stables and displays once you've seen the headline pieces. This lets you spend more time on the areas that interest you most.

What to prioritise if time is short

Go first to the Gold State Coach, followed by the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Then look for the Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays and, if time allows, try the model carriage or wooden pony activity. These give you the clearest picture of both the spectacle and working side of the Mews.

Common mistakes to avoid

Don't treat the Royal Mews as a carriage museum and walk straight past the working-stable elements. The Mews still supports the Royal Family's road transport and cares for the horses used to draw royal carriages. Leave time for the stables and working-life displays, not just the headline coaches.

Exploring the Royal Mews

The Royal Mews is more than a collection of historic carriages. It remains a working royal establishment, responsible for road transport for The King and members of the Royal Family. As you explore, look beyond the grand coaches to the horses, equipment, and hands-on displays that reveal how the Mews still operates.

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The Gold State Coach

The Gold State Coach is the Royal Mews’ grandest carriage. Built in 1762, it weighs four tonnes, stands 3.6m high, and requires eight horses to draw it. It has been used at every coronation since William IV’s in 1831, most recently for King Charles III’s Coronation in 2023.

Diamond Jubilee State Coach

Built to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, the Diamond Jubilee State Coach is the newest coach at the Mews and was first used at the State Opening of Parliament in 2014. Its aluminium body combines modern technology with traditional craftsmanship, while its interior incorporates materials from more than 100 historic sites and organisations across Britain.

Irish State Coach

The Irish State Coach is one of the historic working carriages housed at the Royal Mews. Along with the Scottish State Coach, Glass Coach, and Queen Alexandra’s State Coach, it forms part of the Mews’ collection of ceremonial vehicles. Take time to look at the coach’s distinctive exterior and richly decorated interior.

Scottish State Coach

The Scottish State Coach dates to around 1830 and was built for Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge. Its decoration includes distinctly Scottish heraldic details, including the Crown of Scotland. Look closely at the exterior to spot these details and compare its design with the other state coaches.

Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays

The Royal Mews trains and cares for two types of carriage horse: Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays. Windsor Greys draw the carriages used by The King, members of the Royal Family, and their guests, while Cleveland Bays are used for other carriage duties. Horses are not necessarily on public display during every visit, so treat seeing them as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

The working stables

Look beyond the carriages to the working side of the Mews. Staff train horses, maintain carriages, and manage the equipment needed for royal transport. Depending on the day, you may see some of this work taking place, offering a behind-the-scenes view that you won't get from a traditional carriage collection.

Historical and cultural significance of the Royal Mews

The Royal Mews has stood at Buckingham Palace since 1825, when John Nash built stables for 100 horses for George IV. Its name reaches back to the late 14th century, when royal hawks were kept at the King’s Mews. More than a stable, it is a working centre of royal transport and pageantry: its coaches support coronations, State Openings of Parliament and other major occasions. Today, it trains Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bays and maintains the horse-drawn vehicles and motor cars used by the Royal Family, making the Mews a living part of royal tradition.

Carriage operations and conservation

The Royal Mews is a working stable responsible for the King’s and Royal Family’s road transport, including horse-drawn carriages and motor cars. The Crown Equerry oversees the operation, supported by staff who care for the horses, vehicles, livery and harness.

Traditional and specialist techniques: Specialist craftspeople carry out restoration work in the Mews workshop, using established skills to preserve the carriages while keeping them suitable for ceremonial use.
Behind-the-scenes expertise: Staff maintain the vehicles and equipment used by the Royal Family, combining careful conservation with the practical demands of a working transport operation.
Living history for visitors: Guided tours and wardens’ talks explain the historic coaches, the horses and the daily work carried out at the Mews. Visitors may occasionally see staff working with the horses or maintaining the vehicles.

Royal Mews shop

The Royal Mews shop sells souvenirs and gifts inspired by the coaches, carriages and horses associated with the Royal Family.

What you can find

The range may include official souvenir guides, books, prints, accessories, homeware, children’s gifts and other products inspired by the Royal Mews, its horses and its carriages. You can also choose illustrated publications, decorative products and gifts connected with royal transport and ceremonial tradition.

Opening times

The Royal Mews shop is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm on Mondays and from Thursday to Sunday. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. These hours refer specifically to the shop and may differ from the Royal Mews attraction’s visiting hours.

Plan your visit to the Royal Mews

Royal carriage at Buckingham Palace's Royal Mews, London.

March 5-October 24, 2026: 10am-5pm (last entry: 4:15pm)
October 25-November 1, 2026: 10am-4pm (last entry: 3:15pm)
Closed on: The Royal Mews is usually closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except during July and August when we open 7 days a week.

Best time to visit: The Royal Mews is open for much of the year, from March to November. The best time to visit is on a weekday afternoon or early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

Timings

Warden explaining to family visitors in front of a royal carriage at The Royal Mews.

Hands-on activities: Children can get a feel for royal tradition by dressing up in specially created footman's livery and practicing tacking up a wooden pony to prepare it for pulling a carriage. You can also climb aboard a replica of the Semi-State Landau and practice a royal wave.
Family multimedia tour: Your ticket includes a complimentary family multimedia tour guided by two of the royal horses, Majesty and Scout, and Rex the Corgi. The guide features games, videos, and fun facts aimed at children aged 7-11.
Activity trails: For younger visitors, a "Little Trekkers" activity trail is available, guiding them to discover some of the highlights of the Mews.

Wheelchair accessible route sign with arrow pointing right.

Wheelchair access: The Royal Mews is fully accessible.
Pushchairs: Pushchairs are permitted inside the Mews, but there are no cloakroom or storage facilities, so visitors must take them around during the visit.
Accessible facilities: Toilets, a Changing Space and baby-care facilities are available beside the large State Coach House along the visitor route.
Assistance animals: Guide, hearing and assistance animals are admitted. Other animals are not permitted.
Multimedia guides: Free multimedia guides are available, including British Sign Language with subtitles and an audio-described tour for blind or partially sighted visitors.
Printed information: A printed script for the multimedia guide can be requested.
Hearing support: Multimedia handsets have T-coil compatibility and volume control. Neck loops are available on request.
Concessions: Concessionary rates are available for visitors with disabilities, and one companion is admitted free.

Tour group observing the Changing of the Guard near Westminster Abbey, London.

Photography: Non-commercial photography and filming are welcome. Flash photography and selfie sticks must not be used around the horses.
Food and drinks: Eating and drinking are not permitted, except for bottled water. A water fountain is available for refilling bottles.
Bags and luggage: There are no cloakroom or storage facilities. Large bags that cannot pass through the security scanners are not permitted, while very large suitcases and heavy luggage are subject to staff discretion.
Security: Expect airport-style security checks on arrival. Carry as little as possible to speed up screening.
Wheels and scooters: Bicycles, folding bikes, roller-skates, skateboards, and children's scooters are not permitted.
Animals: Only guide, hearing, and assistance animals are admitted.
Visit duration: There is no 2-hour admission limit. Explore at your leisure; the complimentary multimedia tour takes approximately 45 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about the Royal Mews

Yes! You can catch a glimpse of the royal horses in action during their training sessions. It's an excellent opportunity to learn about the care, grooming, and preparation that go into keeping these animals ready for royal duties.

The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace

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